Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R 11931, John Yeargin, Va.
Page 1

VA, Yeargin, John   R11931
                      Mildred
Page 2

State of North Carolina
Wake County. 
On this the 18th day of November AD 1839. Personally appeared before the Court of Pleas and quarter sessions for the Country aforesaid. In the city of Raleigh, James Yeargin a Resident of the aforesaid County, one of the heirs of John Yeargin and Mildred Yeargin late of the County and state aforesaid. Who, being first duly born according to the law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the act of Congress passed the 11th day of July AD 1836 made for the benefit of widows and orphans. & who upon his oath saith "that agreeable to the family register of John Yeargin's children. Which he has had in his possession Ever since the death of his mother he is the son of John Yeargin and of Mildred Yeargin his wife who both have died at the times herein after specified. That is John Yeargin his father died in the County of Randolph and state aforesaid and that his mother Mildred having removed to Wake County died in the same on the 1st day of August 1837.

And the said James Yeargin further saith an oath, that he has often heard his father John Yeargin say that he, John Yeargin, was a soldier in the Revolution War that he was pressed into the service in the state of Virginia. That he then returned home and was married to Mildred Ward. After which he was drafted and again after his marriage entered the service in behalf of the United States ^in the state aforesaid of Va^. That he the said James Yeargin doth not recollect
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The name or names of the company or field officers under whom he served, neither doth he Remembers hearing his father say Exactly when he Entered The service nor when he left the same But the said James Yeargin further states, that he recollects well that he has heard his father say That he was [crossed out: at] in the Battle at the Cowpens and that he was wounded in said Battle with a musket ball which went in at one side and out at the other just above the hips which wound was very visable till his death and the said applicant further states that he believes that was the Time when he left the service as it was a long Time before he got well and as he would ever after having Received said wound, have been unable to perform any service in The Army whatever but the particular period when his father Entered the service or how long he served he doth not Remember to have heard his father state neither doth said applicant Recollect what Rank or Grade his father John Yeargin held in the army or whether any more than a private. But he further saith that his father John yeargin was never in his Recollection able to do but very little Labour which inability was supposed to originate from said wound.

And the said James yeargin further saith That his father of other The aforesaid John yeargin survived and lived till the 23d. of January AD 1814. When he died leaving a window his mother Mildred Yeargin him surviving with six children. The two first having died and the two youngest under sixteen years of age -  That his mother Mildred yeargin late widow of the said
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John Yeargin survived and lived till the first day of August
AD 1837. Having never married after the death of her husband
The aforesaid John Yeargin Dcd.
And the said James Yeargin further saith that he found a family
Register in the possession of his mother at her death which he
has kept in his possession ever since Containing a statement
of the births of the ^children of the^ aforesaid John Yeargin his father and of
his mother Mildred Yeargin late widow of the said John
Yeargin Deceased, of which the following is a true copy
Taken from the same (to wit)
The births of John Yeargin's Children.
Benjamin Yeargin was born the 17th of January A.D. 1781
Elizabeth Yeargin (The date gone out by age) if put down -
Sarah Yeargin was born the 13th day of September AD 1788
Dovie yeargin was born the 19th day of March 1791
Thomas Yeargin was born 26th of February 1793
Mary Yeargin was born the 1st of September 1795
James Yeargin was born the 10 of January 1797
John Yeargin was born the 9 of February 1801
The said James Yeargin states that he heard his mother
in her life state that there was a considerable length of
time between the birth of Benjamin Yeargin and Elizabeth
and that it was thought her birth might not have been
set down as she died in her infancy. But that he has heard
his mother say it was several years after the Return of
his father from the army before Elizabeth was born
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All of the Facts in the foregoing Declaration
will more fully appear by Refference to the proof
hereunto annexed -
Sworn to and subscribed the date above written in
open Court
James yearGin
Mark
Mark

[crossed out: John Williams JP]
A. Williams C.C.

[crossed out: state N Car
Wake County }
I wm lawes do believe james yeargan
to be]
North Carolina
Wake County } we wm Lawes & Ezra Gill
acting Justices of the peace
for said County believe that James yeargan
a man that will testify to the truth
WH. Lawes JP
Ezra Gill JP


State of North Carolina 
Wake County Sessions } Court of Pleas & Quarter
Sessions Novr. Term 1839
I Alfred Williams Clerk of the Court
of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for said county, certify that
James Yeargan personally appeared in open court
and qualified to the foregoing affidavit & subscribed
the same. I further certify that William Laws &
Ezra Gill whose name appear to the above certificate 
are acting Justices of the Peace in and for
said county
In Testimony whereof I have 
hereunto affixed the seal of said
court & subscribed my name this
18th of November 1839
A. Williams C.C.

Declaration 4483
No. 1
Page 6

[This entire handwritten document is faded and worn.]
Benjamin Yeargin was Born 17 January 1781
Sarah Yeargin was Born 13 of September 1788
Dorris Yeargin was Born March 19 [illegible] 1791
Thomas Yeargin was Born February 26 1793
Mary Yergin[sic] was Born first September [illegible, other documents confirm this as 1795]
[illegible line on the paper fold, inferable that this is "James Yeargin"]
John Yeargin was born 9 February 1801
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[this faded document is handwritten, folded in half, and completely worn down]

[illegible]
John Yeargin [illegible]
the [illegible] 1781
Page 8

State of North Carolina
Wake County } 
Personally appeared before the
Court of pleas and quarter Sessions for the county aforesaid
in the city of Raleigh Thomas Jefferson Clerk, on the 18th
day of November AD 1839, who first being duly sworn
according to law maketh the following statement (to wit),
"That he was well acquainted with Mildred Yeargin who
Departed this life and died in the county & state aforesaid
in the year AD 1837. And that she was the widow of
John Yeargin who died in the county of Randolph & state
aforesaid, some years past, and that he was and has been
well acquainted with the children of the said John Yeargin
& his wife Mildred late widow &c. Ever since the death of their
late father John Yeargin. That the two Eldest Benjamin & Elizabeth
died without Issue. that an other child Sarah has also died leaving
two children Charles & Denny.
And that all the rest of the children heirs of the said John Yeargen
Deceased and Mildred Ded are still living and that their names
are as follows is Davis Yeargin, Thomas Yeargin, Mary Now
The wife of Thompson Craven James Yeargin & John Yeargin
whose father father (the aforesaid John Yeargin Deceased agreeable
to Common Report) was a soldier in the Revolution war for
a considerable ^term of time and whose mother Mildred yeargin
Late widow of the said John Yeargin survived and lived till
sometime in the year AD 1837. and was never after the death
of her husband married again
Thomas J Clark
Sworn & subscribed in
open Court -
A. Williams C.C.

N.C
Wake Co } I wm Lawes have been acquainted with
Thomas J. Clark and so far as I know
I believe he will testify to the truth
WM Lawes JP
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1
State of North Carolina 
Wake County ⎬ Court of Pleas & Quarter 
Sessions,  Nov. Term 183[illegible]

I Alfred Williams Clerk
of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for
the County of Wake, Certify that Thomas
J. Clark personally appeared in open
Court and qualified to the foregoing
Affidavit, and subscribed the same -
I further Certify that William Laws
who signed the foregoing certificate is an
acting Justice of the Peace in and for said
County -
In Testimony whereof I
have hereunto affixed the
seal of said Court & subscribed
my name the 18th of November
1839 -
A. Williams C.C.
Page 10

State of No. Carolina
Randolph County }
Personally appeared before me a Justice 
of the peace in & for the County aforesaid William Yeargen who being duly
Sworn declareth that he is the son of
Thomas Yeargen who was the brother of
John the husband of Mildred  - that his
Father emigrated from Virginia to Guilford
Co. No. in or about the year 1800. that he was
well acquainted with his uncle John & aunt
Mildred, but not with their oldest child
but it was well understood in the family of
his Father that their oldest child named Benjamin - that he the said deponent
was born in the year 1792 that
there was five children older than him
self - that the oldest one was named
Peterson - that there was about two years
defferince in the ages of his Brothers &
Sisters - 
Wm yeargin
Sworn to & Subscribed this 16th day of
February A.D. 1836.
before me
J B Troy J.P.

State of North Carolina
County of Randolph
I Benjamin F. Hoover Clerk
of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in and
for the County of Randolph and State aforesaid
do hereby certify that John B Troy Esqr. whose
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genuine signature appears to the foregoing affidavit
and before whom the same was sworn to and subscribed, 
was at the date thereof an acting Justice
of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized
by law to administer oaths and take acknowledgements

In Witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the
seal of our said Court, on this
22nd February 1856
B. F. Hoover C.C.C
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State of No Car
Randolph County }
Personally appeared before me a Justice
of Peace in & for the County aforesaid
Mary McKerney who being duly sworn
deposeth & sayeth that she is the daughter
of Thomas Yeargin, who was the broyther of
John & whose wife was named Mildred
That her Father & uncle emigrated from
Virginia to No. Car. The former to Guilford
& the latter to Wake County - that when she
the deponent was about 12 years of age her
uncle John & aunt Mildred paid a visit
to her Fathers family in Guilford - that
in a conversation passed between her
mother & her aunt Mildred, she has a distinct
recollection of the said Mildred
saying that my mothers oldest child
named Peterson was about or [mostly] the same
age of her oldest ^son named Benjamin
- that on that visit the sd. Mildred did
not have her oldest children with her


that more had any acquaintance with
in Conson Benjamin, but that it was well
understood in her Fathers family that the
oldest child of her and John was named
Benjamin
Mary A.C. Kerney
her
Sworn to and Subscribed this 13th
day of February 1836 before me
A.T. Rich J.P.
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State of North Carolina
County of Randolph. }
I Benjamin F. Hoover Clerk
of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions in and for
said County, certify that A.T. Rich Esqr. whose
genuine signature appears to the foregoing affidavit
was at the date thereof an acting Justice of the
Peace in and for said County, duly authorized
to administer oaths and take acknowledgements,
In testimony whereof I have hereunto 
set my hand and affixed
the seal of our said Court at
office, this 22d February 1836
B. F. Hoover C.C.C
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Pension office
War Department

Hon. C. Fisher
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State of North Carolina
Wake County }
Personally appeared James Yeargin
a resident of the county and state aforesaid before the court
of pleas & quarter sessions for the county aforesaid, who being
first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath depose
and say. That the family Register hereunto annexed containg
the births of John Yeargins Children is the said John
yeargins family Register, and that he the said James Yeargin
has kept it in his possession since the death of his
mother Mildred yeargin late widow of John yeargin Ded-
But whose handwriting the family Register is in the
Deponent saith he has not any knowledge of - But from
Every circumstance and from the opinion of other person's the
Deponent saith he hath reason to believe and doth believe it
to be in the hand writing of his father the said John Yeargin
Deceased - as in   Joseph wards
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court on this the 16th
day of February 17 A.D. 1840.
James Yeargin
his mark

I P S Rogers an acting Justice of the peace in
and for the County aforesaid do certify that James Yeargin
whose name appears to this affidavit is a man of credit
and is entitled to credit when on his oath
P S. Rogers JP {seal}

State of North Carolina
Work County }
I Alfred Williams
Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
for the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that
Peleg S. Rogers whose signature appears to the foregoing 
proceedings is & was at the time of doing
the same an acting Justice of the peace in and
for said County and that due faith and
credit are due to his offical acts as such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
and affixed the seal of said Court
at office in Raleigh the 17th of February 1840
A Williams CC
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State of North Carolina
Wake County } 
Personally appeared before the Court
of Pleas and quarter sessions for the county aforesaid
John Ward a resident of the county aforesaid
who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on hishttps://catalog.archives.gov/images/misc/drag.png
oath depose & say. That he is well acquainted with the
Heirs of Mildred Yeargin late widow of John Yeargin Ded
And that Benjamin Yeargin Elizabeth Yeargin & Sarah
Yeargin three of the children of the said John Yeargin
Died previous to the death of their mother the said Mildred
Yeargin, and that Dorris Yeargin, Thomas Yeargin
Polly Craven wife of Thompson Craven, James Yeargin
& John Yeargin Children of the said John Yeargin and
his late widow Mildred Yeargin, are still living, or were
agreeable to a very recent account had from them all

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court on this the 17.
Day of February A.D. 1840
John Ward

I P S Rogers an acting Justice of the peace in
and for the County aforesaid do certify that John
Ward whose name appears to this affidavit is a man
in good credit and as such is entitled to credit
when on his oath
P. S. Rogers JP {seal}

State of North Carolina 
Wake County }
I Alfred Williams
Clerk of the Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions for the
County of Wake aforesaid do hereby certify that Peleg S Rogers
whose name appears signed to the foregoing proceedings is &
was at the time of doing the same an acting Justice of the
in and for said County and that due faith and
Credit are due to all of his offical acts as such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the
seal of said Court and subscribed my name
at Office in Raleigh Feby 17th 1840 A Williams CC
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State of North Carolina
Lincoln County } S.S.
on this the 16th day of June AD
1841 Personally appeared James Wilkinson a resident of
the aforesaid County before me John J Sherford one of the
acting Justices of the peace in and for the aforesaid County of
Lincoln who being first duly sworn according to law
doth on his oath depose and say as follows (to wit) "
That he the said James Wilkinson married Ann Ward ^Dec.
The sister of Mildred Ward Late widow of John Yeargin ^Dec.
Late of the County of Sussex and State of Virginia
and that the said John Yeargin was Lawfully Married
to the said Mildred Ward by Pastor D Jarret or Pastor
Lundy in virginia but by Reason of old Age
and the time being so long I do not Exactly Recollect
but to the best of my Recollection they was Married
Either in the year AD. 1778 one Thousand seven
Hundred and Seventy Eight. or in the year AD 1777, one
Thousand Seven Hundred and seventy nine, and the said
Wilkinson further saith that he was well acquainted with
the said John Yeargin, and that he the said Yeargin
was a Regular souldier in the Revolution war, and
that he believes he servd. three years, and that he ^was wounded
and he believes at the Cow pens. and that he was a
Cripple in his back by said wound During Life.
and when said yeargin Returnd. he came to where the
said Wilkinson Livd. which was in Dunwoody state of
Virginia
and further the deponent sayeth not
James Wilkinson
his mark
Jno J Sherford Justice of the peace
I hereby
certify that the said James Wilkinson is a man
of much respectability and that he is Entitled to Confidence
Jno J Sherford Justice of the peace
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State of North Carolina
Lincoln County } June 17th, 1841.
I certify that J. J Sherford, whose
signature is affixed to the foregoing 
is an acting Justice of Peace
in Lincoln County and that full
faith and credit are due and
ought to be given to his acts as such
Witness H. Cunstin Clerk of the Court
of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for said
County
by
H. Canstin Clk
by LEThompson C.C.
Page 19

Know all men by these presents That we Mary
Craven (formerly Mary Yeargin, & Thompson Craven
her husband) of the County of Randolph and State of North Carolina
one of the children and legal representatives of John Yeargin
a Revolutionary Soldier, and Mildred Yeargin his wife,
who is now deceased, do hereby irrevocably, constitute and
appoint John T Neely of Washington City and District
of Columbia, my true and lawful attorney, for me, and
in my name, to examine into and prosecute any claim that
may be due or found to be due, the children and legal
representatives of John Yeargin and Mildred Yeargin,
in virtue of said John Yeargin's Services in the Revolutionary 
war, and the several acts and resolutions of
Congress relative thereto, and that might have accrued
to either of the said parties, and not drawn during their
lifetime, and now due to their legal representatives, and
to receive the Certificate of Pension, &c; when issued by
the Department. I hereby confirming whatsoever my
^attorney may^ do, or cause to be legally done, either in person or by
substitution, in the prosecution of said claim, except
drawing money on the the said claim, I revoking any authority
I may have given to any other person or persons in the
premises whatsoever
In Witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands
and seals this 11 day of January
AD 1853
Mary Craven {seal}
her mark 
Thompson Craven {seal}
Signed in the presence
of
Felix Hoover


State of North Carolina
County of Randolph }
On this 11th day of
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Jannury [blank space] in the year One Thousand eight hundred &
fifty three personally appeared before me Mary Craven &
Thompson Craven and acknowledged the within power
of Attorney to be his act and deed
Robert M. Stinson J. P.


State of North Carolina
County of Randolph }
I Benjamin F Hoover
Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions in
and for the County and State aforesaid, do
hereby certify that Robert M Stinson Esqr
before whom the above Power of Attorney was executed
and who has thereunto subscribed his name
was at the time of so doing an acting Justice
of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid
duly commissioned and sworn, and that his
signature thereto is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of our said Court
at office the twelvth day of January
AD 1853
B. F. Hoover, Clerk
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State of North Carolina
Randolph County }
Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions
February Term AD 1839 -

Personally appeared John D. Brown of the County & State aforesaid
and maketh oath, "the he went to the house of the said
Thomas Yeargin about the first day of October last past for
The purpose of ascertaining what he knows Relative to the service
performed by his brother John Yeargin Deceased in the Revolution
war and that he the said Thomas made a statement which
was then and there reduced to writing to the following
purport (to wit) "that the said John Yeargin was a soldier
in the Revolution War, That he was pressed into the service
for Eighteen months, and that he the said Thomas Went
to Colonel Watson to git his brother released, who was then
stationed at or near Chesterfield in Virginia But failed
That his brother John was wounded in the Battle at the
Cowpens with a musket ball which went in at one side and
out at the other near the back bone. That the wound was
very visible at his death. And that his brother John was
unable ever after to do much work, and that he believed his
wound was the cause of his death. And that his brother
John Continued in the Army or some where else Considerably
longer than eighteen months as it was a long time before he
returned home That he the said Thomas was not at his
Brothers weding. But the affiant says that Esther Thomas
Yeargin Dec or Benjamin Ward of Wake told him that one
or the other of them saw the wedding Dinner preparing
a few days previous to the time that the said John Yeargin
was pressed into the service and that it was understood
Generally they were married, and whose widow by the
name of Mildred his only wife survived and lived
till in August 1837 leaving six Children -
And further the affiant saith not
Febry term 1839
Sworn to in open
H McCain Cle
John D. Brown
Page 22

State of North Carolina
Randolph County }
Court of pleas and quarter
Sessions Feb Term 1839 -

Personally appeared James McCraney and maketh Oath
that He has frequently heard Thomas Yeargin Late of this County
who departed this life on the 5th day of January last
say " that his Brother John Yeargin who departed this 
life about twenty five years ago Leaving a widow
by the name of Mildred and Eight Children, was a
Soldier in the Revolution war, That he the said John Yeargin
was wounded in the battle of the Cowpens. That the said John
Yeargin was always under a complaint [crossed out: Generally] supposed
to originate from said wound, And it was also believed
it shortened his life -
James McCraney
Febry Term 1839
Sworn to in open Court
H McCain Cle

Thomas Yeargin above named was a Brther to the said John Yeargin
he was also a soldier in the same war ^& was a pensioner till his
death as Refference to the pension list will fully show
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State of North Carolina
Randolph County }

Hugh McCain Clerk of Randolph
County Court do hereby Certify that the affidavit
of James McRaney & John D Brown was taken in
open Court & that the said James McRaney & John
D Brown are entitled to credit when on oath

In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set
my hand & affixed the seal of the said
Court at office this 7" day of February
AD 1839
Hugh McCain
Clerk of Randolph County Court
Page 24

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section
AWF/HMN

March 19, 1930.

Mr. W. H. Smith
180 Meade Road
Decatur
Georgia.

Dear Sir:

[handwritten encompassing following paragraph]
These names searched by Mrs. Frick

I advise you that the Revolutionary War records of this bureau fail to show that pension was ever claimed on account of the services of soldiers named Andrew, Samuel, Benjamin, Edward, James, Devereaux, Bartlett and William or Williams Yeargan or other spelling of that surname.

You are herewith furnished the history of Yeargin of Virginia.

From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. 11931, it appears that John Yeargin married Mildred Ward, probably in Sussex County, Virginia; no specific date of marriage given.

He died January 23, 1814, in Randolph County, North Carolina. It is stated that his age at time of death was about fifty-five years.

The widow, Mildred, died August 1, 1837 in Wake County, North Carolina.

Their son, James, while a resident of Wake County, North Carolina, applied, November 18, 1839, for the pension that might have been due his mother, and alleged that his father, John Yeargin, enlisted in Virginia and was in the battle of Cowpens where we was wounded in the back by a musket ball.

There are no dates of service nor names of officers given.
The claim was not allowed as he did not [crossed out] file [handwritten] furnish proof
Page 25

of six months' service, nor was the date of their marriage satisfactorily proven.

	The following list of their children is taken from a copy of the family record.

		Benjamin		born	January		17,	1781
		Elizabeth	(the date gone out by age) if put down
		Sarah		born	September	13,	1788
		Dorris		 "		March		19,	1791
		Thomas		 "		February		26,	1793
		Mary		 "		September	  1,	1795
		James		 "		January		10,	1797
		John		 "		February		  9,	1801.

	It also appears in said claim that Mary married Thompson Craven; that Elizabeth died in infancy; that Benjamin died prior to leaving his mother; andtthat Sarah died prior to her mother, leaving two children, Charles and Drury; the name of their father is not shown.

							  Very truly yours,

							EARL D. CHURCH
							     Commissioner.
Page 26

V Dead 4483
Mildred Yeargin
wid of John
NC
act of 4 July 1836
Page 27

The Ballance of the Evidence Enclosed is also [illegible]
proof ^of the claim - But Sir, should you upon [illegible]
of the Evidence believe the claim not Estab[illegible]
your satisfaction, Especially so [illegible]
[illegible] will do me a special f[illegible] [illegible]ing [illegible]
send me a few lines [illegible] [illegible] [l]ately info[illegible]
[illegible] is an old Gentleman in Wake County, who says, that he
does not exactly Recollect the precise time when John Yeargin &
Mildred his late widow was married But that he would
quallify They were married before the year AD 1781."
And should the present evidence before ^you be deemed not sufficient
I will Endeavour as soon ^as possible to procure his affidavit
Sir I hope you will Excuse my long letter. But believing as I
do in the Justness of the claim, having so often heard my old
motherinlaw Millied Yeargin talk about her husband John Yeargin's
being in the was Eighteen months That he was gone so long
wh[illegible] went into the service the last time, That she Expected
[illegible] him again & [illegible] [he] Ret[illegible]
[illegible] Reduced by Reas[illegible]
some time after he was in the hou[illegible] [b]efore before she knew him)
has not only Kindled me Emotions truly patriotic But has
also inspired me with an ardent desire to obtain what
The liberality of Congress has thought proper to bestow on
his posterity.
Sir your Obt. Sert.
Thompson Craven

To J. L. Edwards
Commisoner of
pensions - 

PS Direct your answer to Thompson Craven Vic[illegible]
Randolph County
N.C.
Page 28

[significant portions of this handwritten document are missing; where the text is gone, ellipses ("…") will be used]

[incomplete, presumably an address]
…Carolina
…ounty [presumably "County"]
 
December 2nd 1839

Received The papers forwarded To the pension ... s of Wake County, sent in behalf of the heirs … to [illegible] of John Yeargin Did to Entitle them … of … the acts of Congress, [faded and illegible] … of … Together with a … on the … , I beg you to Receive Humble Thanks. We, The heirs, had Employed Col. Rogers To have our papers filed Right, But I suppose They were not Right—And I being one of the heirs, & believing in the [uncertain on this word, Listings] Listings of the Claim have Endeavoured to have These Established according To The best Information I could git.

You mentioned in your letter, That if John Yeargin served 18 months In the N. C. line, the Records at Raleigh would show it. I have always understood & I have often heard the Widow, my motherinlaw, talk of his service. That he Entered the service in The State of Virginia Where he then lived, and that his service was mostly performed in that … have …Yeargin … Morgan.

Upon Receiving your [presumably "letter"] le… write to the Secretary of State of Virginia to Know if there was Any Documentary Evidence from whom I received the Enclosed Certificate Which will fall under your inspection [written above the line] marked No. 2. I then had a [word fixed in-line] Declaration made before a bond of Record by one of the heirs, agreeable to the Regulations as near as I could, which is marked No 1: In Which Declaration is a Copy of the Family Register, of the births of John Yeargins Children, which was put down & sworn to agreeable to the best understanding [illegible].

… of the … [crossed out illegible] is not Clearly … in order to be …egation of the [illegible], …
 you to the date of the Battle at the Cowpens in The History of the United States, & the date of the Birth of John Yeargins first Child Benjamin Yeargin, and to the date of The inclosed Certificate. Which perhaps you might Consider good Presumptive Evidence at least that they were married previous to the Battle at the Cowpens. -
Page 29

1930 - March 19. Hish to
W.H. Smith Comp. [presumably this is Comp., quite hard to make out] 
[crossed out] Acts of July 14, 1902, and March 6, 1879.


			11.931
P.O. [extremely faded, possibly erased?] Yeargin
			Mildred Yeargin
Service: John
			REJECTED
Enlisted: 1-0		, 18     .
Discharged:		, 18     .

Application filed: 	, 18     .
The printed list of 1852 shows reasons for suspension-
Alleges:
Re-enlisted: "The principal difficulty is the proof of the marriage before the service had terminated"
Attorney:
P.O.

		Recognized.			Contract.
	Cert. of Dis. 	Searched for 	, 18     .
Page 30

4483
Mildred Yeargin
widow of John
N.C.
Act 1836 - Let to
[crossed out: Hon Chs Fisher 2d]
[crossed out: Jany 1840 & 11 Mar 18[illegible]
[crossed out: Thompson Craven, April 13 18[illegible]
[crossed out: Hon A [Rueben] July 19. 1841]

Act 4 July 1836
Page 31

This is to certify, That it appears from a List in this office of such Officers
and Soldiers of the Virginia Continental 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 15th day of December 1783, in the name of
John Yeargin as a soldier of Infantry
for £35. 0. 2, which Certificate appears to have been delivered to
Colo. Mason and was given for services prior to the 1st January, 1782.

p 327. {No Seal of Office}

Given under my hand at the Auditor's Office, Richmond, this
21st day of September 1839.
A. W. Morton, 1' Clk AUDITOR absent
Page 32

4483
Mildred Yeargin

[crossed out: No Carolina]
[crossed out: Elisha King Dec 20 1864]
[crossed out: Hon E G Reade Jan 25 56]
[crossed out: same Apr 18 1856]
[crossed out: same July 18 1856 -]

11931

July 4 [illegible]
Page 33

[stamp: REVOLUTIONARY & 1812 WARS
SECTION
FEB 13 1930
BUREAU OF PENSIONS]

180 Meade Road,
Decatur, Ga.
February 11, 1930.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Revolutionary War Dept.,
Washington, D. C.


My dear sir:
In an old history of the Yeargan family, it is
stated that one Andrew Yeargan, who was a methodist preacher
in the Roanoke and James River Valley of Virginia about
1735, reared ten sons: Andrew, John, Samuel, Benjamin,
Jarrett F., Edward, James, Devereaux, Bartlett, and Williams.

It is stated in this book that Rev. Andrew Yeargan
and his ten sons filled "many positions of trust and honor
during the revolution of 1776." Will you kindly give me any
information you may have of this family? The Rev. Andrew
came from Wales about 1735 and was married to one Miss Ony
Bowles in Virginia shortly thereafter. I am particularly
anxious to secure any military history of the Rev. Andrew
Yeargan and of [crossed out: of] three of the sons, Devereaux, Benjamin,
and Bartlett Yeargan. This Benjamin Yeargan, the fourth son
of Rev. Andrew Yeargan, is listed in my family history as
having been an assistant surgeon in the last year of the
Revolution.

I shall greatly appreciate any help you can give me
on this matter. I was referred to you by the Department of
War Records, since the Department of War Records states that the
records there are so very incomplete for Revolutionary
data.

Very truly,
[signature: W. H. Smith]
W. H. Smith,

WHS/L

[stamp: REVOLUTIONARY & 1812 WARS
SECTION
FEB 13 1930
BUREAU OF PENSIONS]
Page 34

H. R. U. S. Jany 24th '56

Dear Sir:
Please answer me
as to the subject matter of the
enclosed letter

respectfully
E G Reade

Hon Commissioner of Pensioner
Page 35

Suspended Revolutionary
Pension Claim
Act of July 4, 1836

Mildred Yeargin
widow of John
N Carolina

To examine claim -

Chas. C. Tucker
Present
Page 36

Washington D.C. May 3. 1856.

I William P. Mendenhall of Guilford County
North Carolina, now in the City of Washington, the
Attorney named in a power of Atty. given by Thompson
Cubb for the Revolutionary Pension Claim of
Mildred Yeargin of N.C. do hereby authorize and
empower Charles C. Tucker to examine the
papers of said Claim
Wm P. Mendenhall {seal}
Page 37


H. R. U. S. April 7th 56

Dear Sir:
I enclosed your favour to me of
25 Jany '56 to Mr. J. B. Troy, of Cedar Falls
Randolph Co. N.C. And he has endeavoured
to supply the defect in depositions herewith
enclosed.  I have informed Mr. Troy that
if there should be a necessity to have an
agent here that he would have to engaged one
as I could not consistently with my position
as a member of Congress, prosecute a claim &c
I am anxious however to relieve the parties
from unnecessary expense, you will please
therefore inform me whether the evidence enclosed
supplies the defect, & if it does not, please send
me that I may forward to Mr. Troy such
information & such forms as will be necessary
for him to act.
respectfully
E. G. Reade

J. Minot Com &c of Pensions
Page 38

Washington July 8th 56

Will the Pension Department please
furnish me the information
sought in the accompanying letter
from Mr. Troy.
respectfully
E. G. Read

Hon. Com. of Pensions
Page 39

State of North Carolina
Wake County }
Personally appeared before
The court of pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid
in the city of Raleigh John Ward a Resident of the County
aforesaid on the 18th day of November AD 1839
who being first duly sworn according to law saith
That he was well acquainted with John Yeargin Ded. who died
in the County of Randolph & state aforesaid & whose widow
Mildred Yeargin after his death moved to the aforesaid County
of Wake and the said John Ward further saith on oath
That he had seen the said John Yeargin, naked and that
he saw the appearance of a wound on Each of his sides
which the said John Deceased told him was made by a
musket ball while he was in the Battle at the Cowpens
that there appeared a considerable hole on each side just above
the hip and that the holes were then large enough to receive
The Ends of his Thumbs, and that it was then the general
Report it was done in the Battle of the Cowpens while the
said John Yeargin was in the service of the United States
and the said John Ward further states that the said
John Yeargin was never after his having [crossed out: received said wound]
able to do hard work and that he believes it shortened
his life - And he affiant further saith that he was
well acquainted with his widow Mildred Yeargin who
moved to the aforesaid County of Wake and who died in
the year 1837 she having never married again :
Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written
in Open Court 
[crossed out: John Williams] A Williams Cle   John Ward

State N.C.
Wake County } we wm Laws & Ezra Gill
have been acquainted with John Ward
and we believe he will testify to the truth
WM Laws JP
Ezra Gill JP
Page 40

State of North Carolina  
Wake County } 
Court of Pleas & Quarter
Sessions Nov. Term 1839

I Alfred Williams Clerk of
the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the
County of Wake, certify that John Wall personally
appeared in open Court & qualified
to the foregoing affidavit & subscribed the 
same - I further Certify that William
Laws & Ezra Gill whose names appear to
the foregoing certificate are acting Justices
of the Peace in & for said County - 

In Testimony whereof, I have
hereunto affixed the seal of said
Court & subscribed my name the
18th Novr. 1839 -
A Williams Cle
Page 41

Pension Office
January 25th 1856.

Sir,
In answer to the letter of inquiry of J.B. Troy Esq, which
is herewith returned, I have the honor to inform you that the
objection to a favorable decision upon the application of the
children of Mildred Yeargin, deceased, widow of John,
of N. Carolina, for arrears of pension under the act of July 4th
1836, is the want of proof that marriage took place before the
completion of the service.

One witness testified that the marriage was in
1778 or 1778, but he did not narrate any circumstances,
whatever, by means of which he was enabled to fix the
date of an event so remote. One witness testified to a tradition 
that the marriage supper was spread before Yeargin
went into service, which was, probably, in 1780. No
certificate has been furnished from the clerk of Sussex
County, Virginia, where the marriage is supposed to have
been celebrated, showing the date of the marriage bond.
But the claimants present an old defaced record which, they
maintain, shows that the first child was born in Jany. 1781, and
the next one recorded in Septr. 1788; and an attempt is
made to explain the interval of time by the fact that Yeargin
was wounded in the back by a musket ball and by the
statement, said to have been made by the widow, that
after her husband was wounded she did not expect
to have another child. It was, also, stated that
Page 42

the wound shortened Yeargin's live. He died about 
1815; and as nearly as can be ascertained from an entry 
in the same family record above mentioned, he was 
born in 1731; so that the wound did not prevent his
surviving beyond the age of eighty years.

The widow died in 1837 and no arrears
could be allowed to the children unless it could be shown
that the marriage was as early as 1781. In the
entry of the date of the of the first child's birth the top of the
figure one is torn off. It is the belief of the examiner
that the figure was originally was a figure "7" and
the record would ^then show that the birth of the first child 
was in January 1787, the second in September 1788, the
third in march 1791, the fourth in Febry. 1793, &c, at 
the usual intervals of about two years, up to Feby. 7 1801.

It is explained by a letter of Thompson Craven, a son-in-law 
of the late widow, that he was informed by John 
D Brown Esq. the agent who made out the papers, that,
when he drew the affidavit to authenticate the record, the
top of the figure one was worn off by carrying it more
than it was when he first saw it, and that, if Brown's affidavit
was required to that fact, it should be taken.

This letter was written March 30th 1840, yet, no
affidavit of John D. Brown has since been filed to the
effect mentioned, and I presume no such affidavit
will ever be made by him.     The edge
of the paper at the top of the figure has the appearance of
having been torn off, instead of worn, and with great
care, so as to destroy the top of the figure seven and
Page 43

preserve the figure eight, next to [it].
In the present state of the proofs the claim
must remain suspended.

Very Respy,
Your obt. Serv.
R. McRae
for Commissioner

Hon: E. .G. Reade
Ho: Reps
Page 44


Cedar Falls, Mar. 31. 1836
Hon E G Reed
Dr Sir,
I feell much obliged to you for
your kind offer to aid me in obtaining the
Pension for the heirs of Mildred Yeargin decd.
I did not suppose that there would be a
necessity to employ Counsel, or an agent, in
the prosecution of such claims, but as it
is, I send you the papers which you [?]
me the favor to send me and ask you to
put all the papers in the hands of an agt.
there who will see to the business.

Thompson Craven who is one of the heirs
& who acts for the rest of them as I understand
& I am acting for him. If there is a necessity
for any P. of Atto in the prosecution of the
claim & for receiving it if allowed, it is
important that it should be made soon
as Mr. Craven is in a short time to leave
this Country for the west. I hope the gentleman
that you may employ will furnish
me with instructions & Blank very soon &
it would be very gratifying to Mr. Craven
to have an opinion as to the probable success
of the claim before he leaves.
Respecty yours
J B. Troy
Page 45

122

Depart of War
Pension Office
March 11 1840

Sir
I return herewith the letter of Mr Craven
upon the subject of the claim of the heirs of Mildred, 
late widow of Jno Yeargin decd and in reply have
to state that the evidence showing that the said
Jno Yeargin was in the service after his marriage
is not satisfactory. The family register showing
the birth of the children is too much mutilated
to be recd as evidence

James Yeargin in an affidavit made and sworn
to in Nov last, states that he had the family regular
of his late father & mother in his possession, and that the three
first entries were as follows "Benja Yeargin was born 17th
day of Jany 1781. "Elizabeth Yeargin" - no date given.
Sarah Yeargin was born 13 Sept 1788."

Upon an examination of that register now presented
it appear that the last figure in the year in which
Benja Yeargin was born is so much torn off as
to render it impossible to ascertain what it was
Page 46

intended for. It also appears that the second name
on the register is Sarah Yeargin, born in 1788, and 
that the name of Elizabeth Yeargin is not found
at all upon the register. Mr Craven will 
please inform the Depart. in what county
of Va. Mr Yeargin was married, once and he
will be requested to obtain of the Clerk 
of the Court of that County, a copy of the
[union] bond, usually given in such cases
[S hawthham]


Hon Chs Fisher
HR

OC
July 4 1836
4483

Mar 11 1840
OC
Page 47

Hon Chs. Fisher
Jany 2 '40
OC
Page 48

Depart of War
Pension Office
Jany 2, 1840
Sir,
In the case of the heirs of Mildred 
Yeargin, widow of Jno Yeargin, it
will be necessary that proof be furnished
showing the names and number of children
living at the time of her death, and
the names of them having died since,
if any. They will also forward the
original family register. The proceedings
should be had before
the Courts of the County
I have the honor


Hon Chs Fisher 
HR

OC
July 4 1836
4483
Page 49

Thompson Craven
April 13, 1840
O.C.
Page 50

Pension Office
Apl 13. 1840

Sir
I have recd your letter upon
the subject of the claim of the heirs
of Mildred Yeargin decd through
the hands of the Hon Chs Fisher,
and in reply have to state, that 
the proof in support of the alleged
date of the marriage is not satisfactory
I am


OC
July 4 1836
4483

Mr. Thompson Craven
Vickerage P.O.
Randolph Co
NC
Page 51

July 19, 1841
OC
Page 52

309
Pension Office
July 19. 1841.

Sir
Your letter covering the affidavit of James
Wilkinson to be used in the support of the claim
of the Heirs of Mildred Yeargin decd. late widow of
John Yeargin decd has been received. The history of the
case is as follows, John Yeargin the husband died
in the year 1814. Mildred his widow survived him
until August 1 1837. James Yeargin one of the sons
asserted the claim of the heirs to the [amass] of pension
from March 4 1831 to Aug 1 1837 that would
have been due his mother had he lived and applied
for the same. It was alleged that the said Jno
Yeargin was in the Battle of Cowpens Jany 1781 [crossed out: what] and 
^that it^ was subsequent to his marriage. In proof of the
date of the marriage the said James produced
what he called a true copy of the family
register, wherein the birth of the first child is
put down Jany 17 1781: the day on which the Battle
of Cowpens took place. The second child, is Elizabeth
the time of whose birth, he states has been defaced
by time: the third child [crossed out: in the register] ^named in the copy^ is Sarah,
Page 53

born 13 Sept 1788. Then follow the names of the
others born March 19 1791. [Oct] 26, 1793, Sept 1
1795: Jany 10 1797. and feb 9 1801.

The Depart, upon an examination of the
claim thought it proper to require that the original
family register should be filed with the papers, and
it [crossed out: what] was subsequently furnished and is now
upon our files. On an inspection of this Register, it
appears that Benja. Yeargin was born Jan. 17. 1787 &
[crossed out: Sarah], that the name of Elizabeth is not upon it.
Sarah, whom James Yeargin swears was the third
child and has so placed her name in his copy
of the Register, was in fact the second, and was born
as above stated in Sept 1788, twenty months after the
birth of Benjamin. The upper limb of the figure 7
in the year of Benjams birth has been by same
means removed, so that it presents at first sight
the appearance of the figure 1, making it read
1781. being nearly 7 years [crossed out: sub] prior to the birth of
the second child who was born in 1788. [crossed out]  There
can be no doubt from the papers themselves, including
particularly the certified copy of the family Register by
Page 54

James Yeargin and the original [itself], that the
story of the birth of Elizabeth between that of Benja
and Sarah is wholly unfounded.
James Yeargin declared under oath that 
he had the original, and that it contained
Elizabeths name, (with the date of her birth [crossed out]
defaced) whereas ^as before stated^ no such name is found 
on the Register, nor any appearance of it ever
having been inscribed thereon.
Under the present view of the case, the 
Depart. feels justified in rejecting the claim 
altogether. I have the honor

Hon A Rincher 
HR

OC
July 4 1836
4483
Page 55

Elisha King
Dec. 20/
[illegible]
Page 56

224

Pension Office
Dec 20 1854

Sir
Agreably to your request to be furnished
with the character of proof necessary to
establish the claim of the children of
Mildred Yeargen of NC, I have to
inform you that it must be shown
when her husband died, when she
died, what children not survive
her, that her husband [crossed out: served] ^rendered as much
as six months service in the war
of the Revolution and that he rendered
service after his marriage -

Elisha King Esq
Danbury
NC.
Page 57

E. G. Reade
Apl. 18
Page 58

Pension Office
April 18, 1856

Sir
The additional testimony in support of
the claim of the children of Mildred Yeargin, deceased,
widow of John, of N.C.,  has been examined; but it throws
no additional light on the question of the date of the
marriage between John and Mildred Yeargin

Hon. E. G. Reade
House of Representatives
Page 59

Copied

Pension Office
July 18 1856

Sir
I return the letter of Mr J B Troy and
have to state that no material additional
evidence has been filed in the case of
Mildred Yeargin of N C since the 25th of
Jany last when I had the honor to report
the case to you very fully. showing why
it could not possibly be allowed in the present
state of the evidence - 
-
The examination then made was at the
instance of Mr Troy

1836/

Hon E G Reade
H of Rep
Page 60

Old book
July 18 1856
Hon E G Reade
Page 61

Mildred Yeargin
NC   sus 1836


Danbury NV
December 13t }

Free


L P Waldo Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C
Page 62


L P Waldo Coms Pens
Washington D.C. }  
Danbury N.C
Dec 13th 1854

Sir
Enclosed I send you
a power of attorney - to enable you to
report to me on the case of Mildrid
Yeargen, widow of John =  I wish to
know just what the case likes of
passing; Mrs Yeargan is now dead =
"Please State plainly all that must yet
bedon before a certificate van be issued
I hope to hear from you soon

I am Sir Respectfully you
Elisha Smith

Address
Elisha Smith
Danbury
Stokes County
N.C.
Page 63

House of Reps. April 3d 1840

J. L. Edwards Esqr
Comss. Pensions

Sir,
I recd. the enclosed
letter, with a request to transmit it to you

yours very respectfully
for
Chs. Fisher
Page 64

Jan 27 1841
Mildred Yeargin
NC

JL Edwards
War Department and
Pension Office
Washington
Page 65

Randolph County N.C.
January 15th 1840.

Very Dear Sir,
I feel unwilling to trouble any officer of the
General Goverment unnecessarily, but inasmuch as I have
Undertaken to assist Mr Thompson Craven one of the heirs
of Mildred Yeargin Late widow & John Yeargin Deceased
in obtaining a pension for services performed by Mr
Yeargin in the Revolutionary War, and have been in the
County of Wake among the connexion's of Mr Yeargin
and have not only heard them but many other persons
who were well acquainted with talk of his wounds received
in the Revolution War, and as I have Every reason to believe
That his heirs are Entitled to a pension of the necessary proof
has ^been or can be made & Convinced as I am of the Justness of their
Claims I feel the more willing to use still further Exersion
to substantiate it if possible

I have been requested by some of the heirs to write to you
& know if posible what was lacking to comple the testimony
I know a great deal of pains has been taken to furnish
Satisfactory proof of the marriage letters have been addressed
to Virginia to Enquire for the bond Given for the Licence for
Marriage But have since been given to understand they
were married it was thought by Publishing the bands of
matrimony and we know ^not what church to write to - 

other letters are now sent to other part of the country for further
Proof but it will be some time yet before answers are received
I therefore wish to know Exactly what is wanting to
Substantiate the claim for their satisfaction not that I
am [crossed out] in any way the least Interested -
Page 66

But I will give you the amount of what I know and
have heard which when you consider if you think it
will be any more satisfactory I am willing at any time
to make affidavit of the same and send it to the Department

1st I saw the papers called the family register containing the
date of the births of John Yeargin's Children When the heirs
first concluded to make a trial for the pension they dates were
Then much more plain than when sent to the Department
as by carrying them to Raleigh & other places to have them authenticated
rubbed them very much

When I first saw them I was at no loss to make out the
Date of Benjamin's birth it then appeared to be 1781
very intelegebly-- thought by carriage the upper part of the one
became rubbed of off &c

I have also heard old Mr Thomas Yeargin Dedc and other
persons talking, that they supposed the reason why there
was so much difference in the age of Benjamin Yeargins birth
& the next one was owing to the Debility of John Yeargin
after he was wounded which seemed to me reasonable
after hearing his condition after his having been wounded
I have also heard them say they supposed the reason why
Elizabeth's name was not registered was because she
died in her infancy

Mr Craven has written for further information & if it is
not a deviation from the rule of the Department please
to send whether my affidavit of such facts as are stated
above will be necessary.
Page 67

As Mr Craven Expects to make one more trial
and would wish my affidavit if necessary - provided
you should be of opinions that the Evidence already
produced be not sufficent
Please forward an answer to Mr. Craven or myself
to Vickerage P.O. Randolph County N.C.
Respectfully
John D. Brown

Mr J. L. Edwards
Com of Pensions
Page 68

House of Repr. Decr. 18th 1839

To
The Commissioner of Pensions

Sir
I have been requested to ascertain
whether you have examined the papers in the case of John
Yeargin of Randolph County No. Car - and the result - Please
to let me know at your convenience -
Can you furnish me with a printed form, [crossed out: with] ^and printed
instructions under the several pension acts? If you can
you will oblige me by doing so - 

Yours very respectfully
Chs. Fisher
---
Page 69

N. Carolina
Randolph County }
March 30th 1840

Very Dear Sir, I Received a few lines from you again, relative
to my claim to a pension as one of the heirs of Milldred Yeargin
late widow of John Yeargin Deceased. It seems from the contents
of your letter that you seem to entertain some doubts concerning
the date of Benjamin Yeargin's birth:

In answer to that part of the Register, I beg leave to say that
of about 20 or 25 years ago I took my wife's age from it, at
which time it was all plain, & I have seen it at different times
since and I have every reason to believe that Benjamin was born
in the year 1781, not only from the figures which were much more
plain till they became worn off by carrying them to have them
authenticated But from hearing my old Motherinlaw Mildred
Yeargin talk about the length of time it was [crossed out: it was] from the
time Benjamin Yeargin who born till Elizabeth was born (the date
of whose age was not Registered as she died in her infancy)
I have also heard it said by my old motherinlaw that after the return
of her husband from the service that she never expected to have an
other child. I will leave you to judge whether it would not be
Reasonable for a woman to so Judge whose husband had been
wounded as her's had and who remained almost in a helpless
Condition for many years.

And further with regard to the date of Benjamin Years birth
I believe should you remain Doubtful [crossed out: I think] I can
fully prove that to be 1781 by the gentleman who has done
the writing for me (Mr John D Brown Esq in all things concerning
my claim for a pension) at least I heard him mention that the
figure one when he drew the affidavit to authencate the
Register was worn off by carrying it more than it was when
he first saw it and which he now says. And if you should
Require his affidavit on that subject, I will at your request
have it taken at our next Court which will be the first monday
in May you will please to notice that Elizabeth was born before
Sarah who was born in 1788, and that no figure between 1 and the
time Elizabeth was born, has could have any imitation of a figure 1 -
Page 70

2nd  In answer, to the Request contained in your letter wishing
me to inform the Department in what County in Virginia
the said John Yeargin & Mildred Yeargin late widow wer
married, From the best information I can obtain the were
married in Sussex County Via, I wrote a letter to the clerk
of the Court of that County last fall concerning the marriage
of John Yeargins But I have received no answer - 

Sir, -  In conclusion I would say that I would by no means
wish to impose any unnecessary trouble on the department, but 
believing as I do in the justness of my claim and as I have
been at a great deal of trouble.  should you still not be
satisfied concerning the date of Benjamin Yeargin's birth
I hope you will do me the favour, If it will satisfy the
Department to write me a few lines as soon as convenent
and I will endeavour to make proof to your satisfaction
on that point as I think I can clearly prove the date
to be 1781. &-
Respectfully your obt svt
Thompson Craven

To J. L. Edwards
War Department
Page 71

STATE OF No Carolina
COUNTY OF Wake } ss:
BE IT KNOWN, That on this third
day of May A. D., eighteen hundred and fifty five before the
undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared
James Yeargin a resident of said County,
and made oath according to law that he is the son of Mildred
Yeargin deceased
who made application for a pension under the act of 4th July
1836 as the widow of John Yeargin
and that he has been
informed that the said pension ought to be allowed,) that he is directly interested as a claimant in said
Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use
in prosecuting said claim.
James yeargin
his mark
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and 
year aforesaid, before me.
O. L. Burch  J. Peace
James

I O L Burch Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, do hereby certify that
James Yeargin who executed the foregoing paper, is a
respectable resident of this County, and is, I believe, directly interested in said claim as therein set forth.
O. L.  Burch  J Peace

I Thomas J Utley the Clerk of the County Court of the County
and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that O. L. Burr before whom the
foregoing papers were executed, was, at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County
duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and the name thereunto subscribed, is his signature.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and
affixed my official Seal. this 3d. day of 
May A. D. 1855.
Thomas J. Utley  Clerk.
Page 72

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That I James Yeargin
of Wake County State of North 
Carolina do
hereby constitute and appoint George C Ames
my true and lawful Agent and Attorney, to prosecute the Claim of Mildred Yeargin
for any amount of Revolutionary Pension or increase of Pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my
said Agent to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim, on file in the Departments at
Washington City, or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments; and to receive the Certificate which
may be issued for said claim, which Certificate I wish made payable to


to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed; and to do
all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my
said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises, and revoking all previous
powers of attorney - 
WITNESS my hand and Seal this 3 day May A.D. 1855.
James Yeargin
his mark
Signed and Sealed in the Presence of
O. L. Burch JP

Mildred Yergin
N C
1836


STATE OF No Carolina
COUNTY OF Wake } ss:
On this third day of May A.D., 1855
before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared
James Yeargin and acknowledged the
foregoing Power of Attorney to be his act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto
the day and year aforesaid.
O L Burch J. Peace.


G C Ames
Page 73

Proof of Marriage before
termination of service
Mildred Yeagin
wid of Jno
N C - Sus 36


Will Col Anderson
be so obliging as to
have the papers relating
to the [fom] powers
herewith ready fo[r]
me by tomorrow
W B Scott
Page 74

State of North Carolina
Wake County } 
Know all men by
these presents that
I James Yeargin of
said county & state do hereby irrevocably
constitute and appoint William R. Scott
of Washington City my true and lawful
Attorney for me and in my name to examine
any papers that may be on file [illegible]
pension Office in relation to the claim of
my Father John Yeargin for a pension
as a Revolutionary soldier and to prosecute
said claim hereby ratifying and confirming
all that my said attorney may do
by virtue of these
presents.
Test
R. W. Brown
Given under my Hand
& seal this 8th day
of November 1852
James [yergin]  {seal}

State of Georgia 
Lumpkin County }
On this the 24th day of
Nov. 1852 personally
appeared R.W. Brown who being duly
sworn deposeth and saith that he saw
James Yergin sign the above power
for the purposes therein mentioned. Sworn
to and subscribed before
me - W. M. Varnum N. Public   R. W. Brown
Page 75

I William M. Varnum Notary Public
do hereby certify that R. W. Brown is 
a person whose statements are entitled
to full faith and credit.
Given under my hand
and seal of Office -
24th November 1852.
W. M. Varnum N. Public
Page 76

Cedar Falls, Feby. 28. 1856
Hon. E. G. Reade
Dr. Sir,
Your favor of the 25th
inst with the letter from the Comr of Pensions
in regard to the claim of the children of
Mildred Yeargin Widow of John for money
of Pension &c. was duly recvd.

I beg leave to submit through you
the enclosed affidavits which it is hoped
will remove all suspicion of fraud having been
perprated by the claimants by mutilating
a record purporting to show when
the first child of John Yeargin was born.

The evidence of Mary McKerney proves
that in a conversation between the wife of
Thomas & the wife of John Yeargin - Sisters-in-law
 - She heard her Aunt Mildred Remark 
that ^Peterson the oldest child of her Sister was about
[Crossed out: of] the same age of her son Benjamin which
was her eldest child.

The evidence of William Yeargin who
is the Son of Thomas proves that he was born
in the year 1792 - that there were five children
older than himself & that the oldest
was named Peterson - thus  showing that
Peterson must have been born in or near
the year 1781. & the evidence is that Benjamin 
was party of the same age.

Thompson Craven authorizes me to
say that his Father-in-law was, he thinks
was not more than about 55 years of age at the
time of his death & that satisfactory evidence
4
5
6
7
8
9
Page 77

to that fact can be produced if necessary
that the conclusion of the Examiner that
I was born in the year 1731 must be a mis
understanding of the "family record"

In regard to the affidavit of Jno. D
Brown, Esqr to prove that the record was
worn by carrying it,  Mr. Brown explains
by saying that some years ago he employed
William Mendenhall, Esqr. to prosecute the
claim for the heirs - that he was not a[doind]
& did not know the necessity of the testimony

Jno. D Brown Esqr is now a citizen & has
been for a number of years of the State of
Missouri, but that he can & will procure
his affidavit to that fact, if after the testimony 
now adduced it shall be deemed
necessary.

Mr. Craven authorizes me to say that the
he revokes all former Powers of attorney
by him made in reference to this claim.

If the testimony now submited is not
sufficient to authorize the claim being
allowed - the claimants will be thankfull
& take it kind in the Commissioner or examiner
to inform them it what it is still
defective.
Most Respectly.
Your Obt Sert
J. B Troy
Page 78

Pension Office
Jany 25th 1856

Sir:
In answer to the letter of inquiry of
J. B. Troy, Esq. which is herewith returned, I
have the honor to inform you that the
principal objection to a favorable decision
upon the application of the children of Mildred
Yeargin, deceased, widow of John, of N. Carolina,
for arrears of pension under the act of July 4th
1836, is the want of proof that marriage took
place before the completion of the service.

One witness testified that the marriage was
in 1778 or 1779, but he did not narrate any
circumstances, whatever, by means of which he
was enabled to fix the date of an event so
remote. One witness testified to a tradition that the
marriage supper was spread before Yeargin 
went into service, which was, probably, in
1780. No certificate has been furnished from
the Clerk of Sussex County, Virginia, where the
marriage is supposed to have been celebrated,
showing the date of the marriage bond.
Page 79

But the claimants present an old defaced record
which, they maintain, shows that the first child was
born in Jany 1781, and the next one recorded in
Septr 1788; and an attempt is made to explain
the interval of time by the fact that Yeargin was
wounded in the back by a musket ball and by
the statement, said to have been made by the widow,
that after her husband was wounded she did not
expect to have another child. It was, also, stated
that the wound shortened Yeargin's life. He died
about 1815, and, as nearly as can be ascertained from
an entry in the same family record above mentioned,
he was born in 1731; so that the wound did not
prevent his surviving byond the age of eighty years.

The widow died in 1837, and no arrears
could be allowed to the children unless it could be
shown that the marriage was as early as 1781.
In the entry of the date of the first child's birth
the top of the figure one is torn off. It is the
belief of the examiner that the figure was
originally a figure "7", and the record would
then show that the birth of the first child
was in January 1787, the second in September
1788, the third in March 1791. the fourth
Page 80

in February 1793, &c. at the usual intervals of
about two years, up to February 1801. It is explained
by a letter of Thompson Craven, a son-in-law of
the late widow, that he was informed by John
D. Brown, Esq. the agent who made out the
papers, that, when he drew the affidavit to
authenticate the [crossed out: papers] ^record, the top of the figure one
was worn off by carrying it, more than it was
when he first saw it, and that, if Brown's affidavit
was required to that fact, it should be taken.
This letter was written March 30th, 1840, yet no
affidavit of John D. Brown has since been filed
to the effect mentioned, and I presume no such
affidavit [crossed out: of the kind] will ever be made by him.
The edge of the paper at the top of the figure
has the appearance of having been torn off, instead 
of worn, and with great care, so as to destroy
the top of the figure seven and preserve the
figure eight, next to it.
In the present state of the proofs the
claim must remain suspended.
Hon E. G. Reade
House of Representatives.
Page 81

Know all men by these presents,
that I, Thompson Craven of the County of
Randolph, and State of North Carolina,
and one of the heirs at law of John
and Mildred yeargan both Deceased, in
right of my wife Mary, who is the
Daughter of the said John and Mildred
yeargan, said John Yeargan was a
Revolutionary soldier; Whereupon I the
said Thompson Craven, do hereby constitute
and appoint Doctor Elisha Smith of Stokes
County & William P. Mendenhall of Guilford
County both in North Carolina, my true
and lawful attornies for me and in my
name, to examine into and prosecute any
claim for a pension, &c. against the General
Government, which may be due me by
virtue of my deceased father-in-law,s
service in the Revolutionary war, and the
several acts of Congress relative thereto,
and to receive the certificate of Pension, &c.
when issued by the Department. I hereby
confirm whatsoever my said attorneys
may do, or cause to be legally done, or
either of them, either in person or by
substitution, in the prosecution of said
claim, I revoking any other authority I
may have given to any other person or
persons in the premises whatsoever.
In witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal this 7th day of
November A.D. 1854.
Thompson Craven {seal}
Page 82

State of North Carolina } s. s.
Randolph County}
On this 7th day of
November 1854. personally appeared
before me Thompson Craven, and
acknowledged the within power of Attorney
to be his act and deed; and I certify that
I well know the said Thompson Craven
and that he is the person now present,
and who executed the above power of attorney.
Thos. M. Moore J. P.

State of North Carolina
Randolph County }
I B. F. Hoover Clerk of the
Court of Pleas & quarter Sessions in and for 
said County, do hereby certify that Thomas M.
Moore whose genuine signature appears to the
foregoing certificate, is and was at the time
of signing the same, an acting Justice of the
Peace in and for said County, duly commissioner
and qualified, and that full faith and credit
are due all his official acts as such in
In Testimony whereof I B F. Hoover
have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of the said Court
which is a Court of record
At office in Ashboro 7th day of Nov
1854
B F Hoover Clk

Address
Elisha Smith
Danbury
Stokes County
N.C.