Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5959, James Gunner, Va
Page 1

SERVICE | [blank] | NUMBER
Va | Gunner, James | W.5959
[blank] | Burgess, Ruth | B. L. Wt. 39496-160-55--

His name was Jonathan  | Former widow
Page 2

[handwritten] 244.47 Ach [illegible] 3/55
May 10/56
Ruth Burgess Forwid
Jus. Gunner decd.
Priv
James Gunner
Pri
Rev. War.
Pensioner

Ohio Rely 2-8-6071
[illegible] Aug: 22d /56
[illegible signature]

Claimant
Wilmington
Ohio
[written across] No 39496 pd Sept 1/56
Page 3

[illegible]
Ohio, Cincinnati

Ruth Burgess, formerly
widow of James Gunner
Va
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate 
of 80 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence
on the 4th day of March, 1848.

Certificate of Pension issued
the 13th day of Apo 1853
and sent to 

J. J. Coombes
Present

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 2, 1848, Page 334 Vol. 4
Page 4

294.427
Bounty Land
claim of Ruth Burgess
Former wid of
James Gunner
act March 3, 1855

Revolutionary War

Declaration of
Ruth Burgess 
Mistake in Seal
Page 5

State of Ohio
County of Highland} SS
on this eleventh day of April
AD. one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally
appeared before , a Justice of the peace within and for
the county and state aforesaid Ruth Burgess
Aged eighty four years, (formerly widow & James Gunner,
who was a private in the revolutionary war.) a resident
of Highland County in the state of Ohio, who being
duly sworn according to law, declares, that she is the widow
of James Gunner decease who was a private
in the revolutionary war - she states that her former
declaration made to obtain her pension which she is now
enjoying, contained the necessary dates of the service and
discharge of her former husband the said James Gunner
and also the usual names of the officers under which the said
James Gunner served. And she further states that
the date and peace of her marriage to the said James
Gunner deceased will also be found duly proven in said
former declaration, and she states that her name before
her said marriage was Ruth Harden - That her
said husband died at Fayette County Ohio, and
that she can not recolect the the date of his death. but
refers to papers on file in the pension office wherein
most (or sufficient) of the forementioned facts were
fully proven or explained. and she refers particularly
to her pension papers "Recorded in the Pension office on
the Roll of Pensioners under act February 2nd 1848,
Page 334. Vol 4."  She makes this declaration for the
purpose of obtaining the Bounty land to which the may be
entitled under act approved March 3rd 1855. She also
declares that she has never received nor applied for
Bounty Land under this, or any other act of Congress except
the one now presented

Her
x
mark
Ruth Burgess
Page 6

sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written
and I certify that I believe the claimant to be the identical reason
she represented herself to the 

Charles M Bentley J. P.

State of Ohio
Highland County} SS 
On this eleventh day of April AD 1855
personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace within
and for the county and state of aforesaid John M. Keen
and Elias Johnson residents of the county of Highland
and state of Ohio, who being sworn according to law
declare that they are personally and acquainted with
Mrs Ruth Burgess who saw her sign her mark
to the foregoing declaration, that they know her to be
the identical person therein represented, and they know
that she has been, and is now receiving a pension as stated
in her declaration, and that the reference to the pension record
is an exact copy from the endorsement in her Pension
Certificate now in her possession

John M. Keen
Elias Johnsn

Sworn to and subscribed before me this
11th day of April AD 1855, and I certify that
the said John M. Keen and Elias Johnson
are credible and respectable citizens

Charles. M. Bentley J. P.

[following crossed out:]

State of Ohio
Clinton County} Ss

I CN Osborn Clerk of the court of common Pleas within
and for the county clinton and State of Ohio do hereby certify
that Charles M Bently whose genuine signature appears
to the foregoing affidavit - is and was at the time of signing
the same a Justice of the peace in and for the county of
- and State of Ohio duly commissioned and qualified
according to law that all his official acts as such are entitled to
full faith and credit and that the aforesaid court of common
pleas is a court or records having general jurisdiction
given under my hand and the seal of
said court at Wilmington this 20th day of April
AD 1855

C. N. Osborn Clerk
Page 7

The State of Ohio
Highland County} S. S.

I G. F. Stevens Clerk of the Court
of Common Pleas within and for the County and
State aforesaid do hereby certify that Charles M. Bentley
Esq. before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit
were made and Subscribed and whose genuine Signature
appears thereto, was at the date thereof an acting
Justice of the Peace within and for Said County of
Highland duly Commissioned and sworn and qualified according to Law to take affidavits + that
full faith and credit are due to all of his
official acts as such Justice of the Peace, and that
the aforesaid Court of Common Pleas is a Court of
record, having general Jurisdiction

In Testimony whereof thereto subscribe
my name and affix the seal
of our said court at Hillsborough
this 24th day of April A. D. 1856

G. F. Stevens Clk.
Page 8

Know all men by these Presents, That I Ruth Burgess
widow of Jonathan Burgess and before my 
marriage to said Burgess I was the widow
of James Gunner
who was a soldier
in the Army of the Revolution, do hereby constitute and appoint J. Seate Richman
and Jos. J. Coombs- my true and lawful Attorneys
for me and in my name to prosecute against the Government of the United States, before
any Department thereof, any and all claim or claims  I may have to arrears of pay or Pension
money, under any Act or Acts, Resolution or Resolutions, of the Congress of the United States, and
especially the Acts 4th July, 1836, 7th July, 1838, 3d March, 1843, 17th June, 1844, 2d February,
1848 and 29th July, 1848-as well as the more ancient Acts of 18th March, 1818, 15th May, 1828,
and 7th June, 1832.
Said Attorneys [crossout] moreover authorised in my name to demand at any Department
of the said Government, a re-consideration of any decision hitherto or hereafter to be given, touching
my interests, and to obtain from any Department or the archives thereof, any and all
information or evidence of whatever character relating to or in anywise bearing upon the claim or
claims we hereby seek the investigation of.
Said Attorneys we moreover authorised to do any and all things necessary to carry out
the foregoing purposes, and to receive the Certificates of Pension or other character of drafts or
evidences of the amounts due me and to appoint one or more Sub-Attorneys, and to confer
upon him or them all the powers herein conferred upon himself hereby ratifying
and confirming all that my said Attorneys may do by virtue of these presents.
WITNESS my hand and seal this 30th day for of August 1852
Excecuted in the presance 
of C.M. Beutty
A.G. Matthews
[?]
L.S

Rule of this Ohio Highland County, set,
BE IT KNOWN, that on the 30th day of August 1852 before the subscriber, a
Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared
Ruth Burgess widow of Jonathan Burgess  and
formerly widow of James Gunnar
subscribers to the foregoing Power of Attorney, and acknowledged the signing, sealing and delivering
the same to be her own voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes
therein set forth.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF; I do hereunto subscribe my name.
J.P.
C.M.Beutty
Page 9

The State of Ohio
Highland County} S. S.

It is hereby certified that
satisfactory evidence has been presented
to the Probate Court in and for said
County. that James Gunner who was a 
private in the Virginia line on Continental
Establishment in the war of the Revolution
departed this life about the year 1806 or
1807 leaving Ruth Gunner his widow, who
remained his widow until the 13th day of October
1816 when she married Jonathan Burgess,
who also died on the 26th day of March 1826
and left Ruth Burgess (formerly Ruth Gunner)
a widow who has not again married, but
still remains a widow

In witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the
seal of said Court, this 31st day
of August A. D. 1852

J. R. Emrie Probate Judge
Page 10

The State of Ohio
Highland County} S. S. 
On this 30th day of August
A. D. 1852 before me the undersigned an acting
Justice of the Peace in and for the county and
State aforesaid personally appeared Alexander
Bentley a resident of Fairfield Township in said
County who after being duly sworn according
to law, doth on oath State that he became acquainted 
with Ruth Burgess about 30 years ago
(and probably more) that she was then the
wife of Jonathan Burgess that he has been
well acquainted with the said Ruth ever
since and continued well acquainted with
the said Jonathan until his death which
took place on the 26th day of March 1825 or 1826
that he made the coffin for him the said
Jonathan Burgess and from that fact he
arrives at the date of his death. he further
states that the said Ruth Burgess has remained
a widow ever since the death of her
said husband, and that she is now at
least eighty years of age - And he further
states that she has alwas love the reputation
of havng been the widow of James
Gunner who was a Soldier in the Revolution
and from what he has always heard
her say and from [illegible] general representation
he believes she was the wife of the said James 
Gunner - he further states that he was at one
time acquainted with Sevil Gunner who
all ways asked for and was alwas believed to
be the son of the said James and Ruth
Gunner now Ruth Burgess. And he further states
that he is now and has been for at least 25 years
acquainted with Delilah Berkshire who in
living with the old lady and is the grand
daughter of the said James and Ruth Gunner
or has always been so refuted and considred
by their friends and acquainted. And he 
further states that he is disinterested

A G. Bentley

Sworn to and Subscribed before
me this 30th day of August 1852 C. M. Bently J. P.
Page 11

I, the just subscribed Magistrate do certify
that the above affiant is personally known
to me and that he is person of truth and
respectability in whose statements the fullest
faith and credit should be placed
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
subscribed my name on this the 30th day of
August 1859

C. M. Bentley J. P.

The State of Ohio
Highland County } S. S. 

On this 30th day of August
1859 before me the undersigned an acting
Justice of the Peace in and for the County and
State aforesaid personally appeared Deliah
Berkshire a resident of Fairfield Township
Highland Co. Ohio aged 35th years who being
duly sworn according to law doth on oath
say that she is the daughter of Jane Berkshire
whose maden name was Jane
Gunner, and she further states that her
grandfather James Gunner died before
her recollection, and that according to
the tradition of the family her grandfather
and grandmother the said James Gunner
and Ruth Gunner (now Ruth Burgess) were
married in the State of Pennsylvania and
she further states that she verily believes they
were married, and that he said grand
mother was the widow of the said James
Gunner. And she further states that her
grandmother is now the widow of Jonathan
Burgess who did according to the
best of her information and belief on the
26 day of March 1826; And she further
states that she is disinterested

her
x
mark
Delilah Berkshire

Sworn to and subscribed before
me the day and year above written} C. M. Bentley J. P.
Page 12

I the just subscribed Magistrate do certify
that the above Declarant is personally known
to me and that she is a Lady of Truth and
respectfully in whose statements the fullest
faith and credit should be placed

In testimony whereof I have hereunto
subscribed my name on this 30 day of August
1852

C. M. Bentley J. P.
Page 13

Jonathan Burges
to } M. Licence
Ruth Gunner
issued 11th Oct 1816}

I do hereby certify that I
joined Jonathan Burgess and
Ruth Gunner in marriage on 
the 13th day of October [illegible]
Given under my hand this
25st November 1816
Samuel Jewle J. P. 
Received and Recorded November the 26st 1816

The State of Ohio Diploma County
Court of Probate for said County } Ss:

I do hereby certify the
foregoing to be a true and correct copy of Marriage
Record No. 33, on Marriage Book, No 1, in the office
of the Court or Probate for the County and State
aforesaid:

In witness when of I do hereunto set my
hand and affix the official seal of 
said court this 31st day of August ND.
1882

J. R Emrie Probate Judge
Page 14

14.808 Oct 26/52
Ruth Burgess
formerly wid. of James
Gunner - Ohio

Ohio Act 1838

See depriciation roll
Va. Con line page 158
where James Gunner
is credited with £54.86

J. J. Coombs
Page 15

The State of Ohio
Highland County} S. S. 

On this the 30the day of August A. D.
1852 personally appeared before me the undersigned an acting
Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State
aforesaid Ruth Burgess a resident of Fairfield Township
in said county aged 80 years who being first duly sworn according
to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by
Act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled "an act
granting half-pay and pensions to certain widows" Also
for the benefit of the Acts of Congress of Mary 3d 1843 of
June 17th 1844 and of February 2d 1848 and of all other
Acts and Resolutions applicable to her case That she
is (or was) the widow of James Gunner who was as
she believes, a private in the Virginia line, on continental
Establishment in the war of the Revolution
and served therein three years or upwards and was
if she is not mistake in the Battle of Brandywine
She further States she cannot State the regiment
or company to which the said James Gunner belonged
but that he received a Bounty Land Warrant from
the State of Virginia for his revolutionary Services which
was located in the State of Ohio: near Cincinnati
and which land this declarant and the heirs at Law
of the said James Gunner after his decease Sold to
one William Nash; She further States that she has no
record or documentary evidence of the services of
her said husband, but she believes his discharge is
on file in the Bounty Land Office at Richmond Virginia
She further declares that she was married to the
said James Gunner in Green County Pennsylvania
by the Rev. John Corbry a Baptist minister about the
year seventeen hundred and ninety, that she was
then living five or six miles from the said Corbry's and
herself and the said James Gunner in company with
Thomas Simonton and Elizabeth Ekleberry (who
were their witness and stood up with them) rode
from where she lived to the said Corbry's and were
married. and that there were many other present
whose names she has forgotten; but that she has
no record, public or private or her said marriage.
That she had two children by the said James
Gunner, the oldest of whom if now living
Page 16

would be 61 years of age which was a daughter and
her name was Jane she is now dead, the other whose
name is Savil and is now living (so far as she knows)
is now 59 years of age. That her maiden name was
Ruth Hardin, She further States that shortly after
her said Marriage They removed to the State of
Kentucky where they lived 7 or 8 years and they
then removed to Fayette County in the State of Ohio
where they continued to reside untill about
the year 1806 or 1807 when the said James Gunner
died; she further declares that she was not married
to the said James Gunner prior to his leaving
the service, but the marriage took place previous
to the first day of January seventeen hundred and
ninety from to wit as the time above stated
she further declares that after the decease of 
the said James Gunner she removed to Highland
County Ohio where on the 13th day of October
1816 she married one Jonathan Burgess who also
died at Leesburg Highland County Ohio on the 26th
day of March 1826. That she has not again
married since the death of said Jonathan Burgess
but still remains a widow - She further States
that she never had any children by her second
husband the said Jonathan Burgess. And she
further states that she was ignorant of the provision
made by Acts of Congress granting Pensions
 to certain widows of the Soldiers of the Revolution
until quite recently, and she now most respectfully 
asks the Honorable Commissioner of Pensions 
that her aforesaid claim or claims may
be allowed under the aforesaid Acts. and that
the Certificates evidencing the same may be enclosed
to her Attorney

her
x
mark
Ruth Brugess

Sworn to and Subscribed before
me, this 30th day of August A. D. 1852
C M Bently J. P.

I the just subscribed Magistrate do certify that
the above Declarant is personally known to me
and that she is a Lady of truth and respectability
in whose statements the fullest faith and 
credit should be place: and that she
Page 17

the said declarant is from age and infirmity
unable to go before a court of record and that
I believe her to to be the age she represents herself
in the foregoing declaration

C. M. Bentley J. P. 

The State of Ohio
Highland County} S. S.

It has satisfactionly appeared
to me the undersigned an acting Justice of the 
peace in and for said County that James
Gunner who was a Soldier in the Army of 
the Revolutionary died about the year 1806 or
1807
 and left Ruth Gunner his widow, who
afterwards married Jonathan Burgess
who dies on the 26 day of March 1826 and
left Ruth Burgess his widow who remains
a widow and is the same person who was
formaly the widow of the said James Gunner
dec.

C. M. Bently  J. P. 

The State of Ohio, Highland County fr.
I John W Bell, Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas within and for the county of Highland in
the State of Ohio, do hereby certify that C. M. Bentley Esq.
before whom the foregoing declaration was made affidavits
taken and power of attorney acknowledge, and who
has thereto subscribed his name is and was at
the time of so doing an acting Justice of the Peace
in and for said county of Highland, duly elected commissioned
and qualified and that his signatures
thereto are true and genuine

In testimony whereof & hereto
set my hand and affix the seal of
the Court afoursaids this 31st day
of August AD 1852

John W Bell Clerk
By B. Flora Jess Clk
Page 18

Revy Widow, &c.

File No. 5959
Ruth Burgess  [illegible]
wid. of
Ja.s Gunner
Pvr. Rev: War

Act: Feby, 2nd/ 48
Index: - Vol. A, Page 101

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 19

14.808

Admitted
ads July 7 1838YC
Page 20

9.360
Ohio, Cincinnati

Ruth Burgess formal.
widow James Gunner
who was a private
in the Revolution

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 80 dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on
the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the
13the day of Apl 1853 and
sent to

J. J. Coombs
Present.

[Acts of March 3, 1843, & June
17, 1844.]

Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2. Page 208
Page 21

11479
Ohio. Cincinnatti
Rught Burgess formerly
widow of James Gunner
who died on the -
of Highland Co. in the State of Ohio
who was a private in the - commanded
by Captain - of the - commanded
by - in the Revolution
for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of Cincinnati
at the rate of $80 Dollars 00 Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1836.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of
April 1853 and send to 
J. J. Coombs

Arrears to the 4th of Present.
Semi-annual allowance ending -


{Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 7, 1838.}

Recorded by H. R. Weightman Clerk
Book J. Vol. 1. Page 383
Page 22

Washington, April 6th 1853.

Sir:
I have just obtained from the Gen.l Land Office,
the enclosed certificate, which I present as evidence
hi support of the claim of Ruth Burgess, formerly
widow of James Gunner.

This Certificate not only affords conclusion evidence
of Service, but also of identity, and of marriage
prior to 1794.

The widow, in her declaration, states that
after the death of her first husband, Gunner,
she, with his heirs at law, sold the bounty
land which he drew, to one William Nash;
and the deposition of Joseph Orr shows that Jane
and Savil Gunner assigned all their interest
in said Land to William Nash 30th July
1810, and that the said Sevil Gunner as-
Page 23

signed his interest, 25th Sept 1815. Of course
this is Conclusive as to identity.

So said Jane was competent to execute
an [illegible] ni 1810, she must have been
born as early as 1789, and said Sevil, to be 
old enough to execute a deed in 1813, must
have been born as early as 1793. This corroborates
and confirms the testimony of of 
Joseph Orr in a most rememberable [illegible]/
As the marriage occurred in Pennsylvania,
no record proof can be obtained.

Said James Gunner received Depreceation
Certificate for $54.8.6 - (more that $190.)
as you will see by reference to the Depreciation
roll, page 158. 

Very respectfully

J. J. Coombs

Hon L. P. Waldo
Comm of Pensions
Page 24

Hon Commissioner of Pensions
Department of the Interior
Washington
D. C. 

[rubber stamp:]
Wilmington
May 
[illegible]

[written in the margin / perpendicular to above:]

244,427
Page 25

Ruth Burgess
former wid of
James Gunner

Filed Act 26
Page 26

General Land Office
April 6th 1833

Sir,
In reply to your inquiries, I have to state
that [illegible] Continental Warrant N.o 3768 for 100 acres,
issued in favor of James Gunner, a Soldier in the
[illegible] Continental Line, and is now on file in this
Office Said Warrant issued March 5th 1735, +
has been satisfied by location in the [illegible]
Military
[illegible] Ohii, by Somers No 3848.

Accompanying the Warrant one two assignments
the 1st from Ruth Gunner, + Jane Gunner,
in favor of Wm. Nash, bearing date July 31st 1810;
the 2nd from Savil Gunner ni favor of same party
bearing date Sep.t  23rd 1813; These parties [illegible]
their interest in Court N. 3768 to said Nash,
as heirs [illegible] law of the said James Gunner, dec.d

Resectfully
Your Old Servant

John Wilson Commissioner

J. J. Coombs [illegible]
Present.
Page 27

Ruth Burgess
formerly widow of
James Gunner

Ohio Act 1838

Proof of marriage
Page 28

The State of Ohio
Fayette County} S. S. 
On this the 3.d day of September
A. D. 1852 personally appeared before me the undersigned
an aacting Justice of the Peace in and for the
County and State aforesaid Joseph Orr a resident
of Union Township in said County of Fayette aged 70
years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth
on his oath say that he first became acquainted
with James Gunner and Ruth his wife in Harrison
County in the State of Kentucky. aboy 50 years ago
and that he continued intimately acquainted with
them in said State of Kentucky for the space of 4 or 5 years
when they removed to Fayette County in the State of Ohio
and the next Spring after their said removal, he (this
affidavit) also removed to said County of Fayette in the
State of Ohio and settled within a hal-mile of the
said James + Ruth Gunner, where he continued
to reside part of the time boarding with them until
the death of the said James Gunner which took place
near Christmas he thinks in the year 1807 and was 
about one year after their said removal to Ohio, 
that he assisted in making the coffin for the said 
Gunner and attended his burial. He further states
that the said James + Ruth Gunner had two children
Jane and Sevil, that he thinks, Jane the
oldest was 11 or 12 years of age at the time he
Page 29

first became acquainted with them the said James 
+ Ruth in the State of Kentucky; And he further states
that the said James + Ruth Gunner during all his
acquaintance with them lived together as husband
and wife, and were reputed to be such by their neighbours
and acquaintances and that he never doubted
their marriage or heard it doubted by others, but
that he always believed them to be legally husband 
and wife. And he further states that sometime
after the death of the said James Gunner (probably 8
or 9 years) his widow the said Ruth Gunner was married
to one Jonathan Burgess in Highland County Ohio
where they lived until the death of the said Jonathan
Burgess, which took place as good many years ago
and that his widow the said Ruthe Burgess (late
Ruth Gunner) now resides in Leesburg Fairfield
Township Highland Co. Ohio.  And he further states 
that he is disinterested
Joseph Orr

Sworn to and subscribed before
me on the day and year above written}
Richard Evans J. P.

I the just subscribed Magistrate do certify that the
above affiant is personally known to me and that
he is a man of truth and respectability in whose statements
the fullest faith and credit should be placed
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name
on this the 3d day of September 1852 Richard Evans J.
Page 30

The State of Ohio. Fayette County . SS.
I. Joel S Bereman Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas within and for the county oaforesaid, Certify that Richard
Evans Esqr. before whom this instrument was [illegible] to
(and whose genuine signature appears to the certificate of such
affidavit is a duly Commissioned and qualified
Justice of the Peace in and for the said county of Fayette.

Witness my hand and the seal of said Court
at Washington, in said County, this 3d. day of
September A. D. 1852

J. S. Bereman, Clerk
Page 31

Joseph Orr

Affidavit in case
of Ruth Burgess
Page 32

The State of Ohio
Fayette County} S. S. 

On this 9th day of December
A. D. 1852 before me the undersigned an acting Justice
of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid
personally appeared Joseph Orr a resident of Fayette
County Ohio who being duly sworn according
to law, makes the following Statements in addition
to his affidavit made on the 3d day of September 1852
in support of the Pension Claim of Ruth Burgess formerly
widow of James Gunner to wit. That from his acquaintance
with Jane Gunner and Sevil Gunner children of
James + Ruth Gunner, he is perfectly certain that the
said Jane Gunner was born prior to the year Seventeen
hundred and ninety four (1794). That this affiant became
acquainted with said family when he this affiant
was twenty years of age and he is now Seventy
years of age, going in his Seventy first year of his age
That when he first became acquainted with the said family,
then living in the State of Kentucky, the said Jane
was at least eleven years old, and the said Sevil
was at least 8 or 9 year old. He is perfectly certain
that the said Jane was not more than nine years
younger than himself, that he lived close by said
family for some years in the State of Kentucky and
after they removed to this County, part of the time
living with them and all the time being on the closest
Page 33

terms of intimacy with them. that he recollects the
dates from the date of his own removal to the State of
Ohio, and he knows the number of years he was acquainted
with said family prior to his said removal, and
he further States that he is disinterested, and further
he saith not

Joseph Orr

Sworn to and subscribed before
me on the day and year aforesaid}
Richard Evans J. P.

I the just subscribed Magistrate do certify that the
above Affiant is personally known to me and that
he is a man of Truth and respectability in whose
statements the fullest faith and credit should
be placed. In testimony whereof I have hereunto
subscribed my name on this the 9th day of December
A. D. 1852

Richard Evans J. P.
Page 34

The State of Ohio. Fayette County . ss.
I, Joel S. Bereman, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
within and for the County aforesaid, do certify that Richard
Evans Esqr. before whom the foregoing affidavit was made (and
whose genuine signature is appended to the certificate thereof)
was at the date of such certificate a duly commissioned and
qualified Justice of the Peace in and for the said County
of Fayette.

Witness my hand and the seal of said Court
of Washington this 13th day of December
A. D. 1832.

J. S. Bereman, Clerk
Page 35

39.496

Nev. Ans
Page 36

Brief in the case of Ruth Burgess former widow of Ja.s Gunner
Highland County and State of Ohio
act of July 7 18387c

Claim, ("original'"
Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Va. Service, Identified with the parties
having received Land Bounty for
Va Service.

[illegible] proof of Marriage
[If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

Name and residence of Agent

J. J. Coombs Esq
Present

Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk.
Page 37

Ruth Burgess former
widow of Ja.s Gunner
Highland Col. Ohio
adm. July 7 1838 H
2 yrs/in  J 80
per annum from
4 March 1836
2 yrs excepted.

Act to J. J. Coombs Esq
Present
Page 38

Washington, Oct 26th 1852

Sir:
Enclosed please find the application
of Ruth Burgess, formerly widow of
James Gunner, for Pension under the
act of 7th July 1838.

I have written to Reckon out for
evidence of the allowance of Bounty
Land to said James Gunner: where
I received and answer I will file it.

Should I succeed as I confidently
expect to in obtaining evidence [illegible]
this point, I think the claim will
be very clearly made out.

Now will observe that the marriage
took place in Pennsylvania, where
no records are kept; and the widow
states that she has no private record
of her marriage. The testimony
of Joseph Orr, of Fayette County, O.
will however, as I think, be found
satisfactory to prove that the marriage
took place prior to 1794. He
knew the parties about 50 years ago
in Kentucky. They were then living
together as husband and wife, and
Page 39

had two children, the eldest of whom
was 11 or 12 years of age. Consequently
the eldest child must have been born
as early as 1791.

Although Mr. Orr says that he became
acquainted with the family in Kentucky
about 50 years ago, yet his subsequent
statement unders the time more
certain. He says that he was acquainted 
with the family in Ky. four
or five years, before they removed to
Ohio, where he soon after removed 
also, and that near Christmas 1807, +
about one year after their removal
to Ohio, said James Gunner died. He
must therefore have become acquainted
with them in Ky. as early as 1802,
at least. Jane the eldest daughter
was then at least eleven years old.
This shows that she must have 
been born as early as 1791. Admit
that Mr. Orr may be mistaken
a year or so as to her age, still she
must have been born prior to 1794.

I am very resy
your obt servt

J. J. Coombs

J. E. Heatle Esq
Comm.r of Pensions
Page 40

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form Vam-51 
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME Gunner, Peter
GRADE Private
LINE Pennsylvania

WARRANT NUMBER 9493
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED June 17, 1793 to Christian Hubbard, assigned
* The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative tot he applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.