Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5119, for Thomas Keith, Virginia
Page 1

(3 - 1776) 

                           SERVICE                                                                                                                      NUMBER

                            Va                                                           Keith, Thomas                                        W. 5119


CONTENTS
Page 2

Virginia 3299                                                                                                                Refed to agent see letter

Judith Keith                                                                                                                 Increased and new certificate

widow of Thomas Keith                                                                                          issued 26. Jany 1846 ? I delivered

Va                                                                                                                                      to J. S. Barour Esqr.  Present

who died on the year 1805                                                                                    See letter 22 Aug 1846 enclosed

of Fauquier Co in the State of Virginia                                                              copies of paper to Sec. of War 

line for                                                                                                                             for W. Helm.


Inscribed on the Rolls of Richmond ---                                                              Papers copied and 

at the rate of 600 Dollars   ------------- Cents                                                      but to the Hon W. Smtih

per annum, to commence on the 4th day                                                        Governor of Va. --- 5 Ap;

March 1831.  Increased from $120 ---                                                                1848


Certifcate of Pension issued the 26 day of                                                      55 April 3d  V. S. James

January 8146 ans sen to J. S.                                                                               Widow died Apr 17, 1857
                                                                                                                                                                                   (AB)
Barbour Present


Arrears to the 4th of

Semi - annual allowance ending                                                                        



                             Revolutionary Claim

                              Act July 4, 1836

                              Section the 3


Recorded by D Brown Cl

Book C   Vol.  1
Page 3

State of Virginia
                                   SS
Fauquier County 


On this 27th day of December 1836 personally appeared before

the Justice of the county Court of said County Judith Keith a

resident of the county and State aforesaid aged 77 years wbo being 

first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath , make the foll -

owing declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made

by the act of Congresss passed July 4, 1836 That she is the widow of THomas

Keith wo was a commipany in the Army of the Revolution

from September 1777 until the ? of ? in the full of

the year 1781 that he was first employed by the State of

Virginia to purchase arms & munitions of war from EARLY

commpany, and that his service was a continuance one  as

commipany ffrom the time he marched to the north in Septem

- ber 1777 until the fall of the year 1781, that he remained in the

Northern Army not  more than three months;  He then ewr 

=urned to Virginia when he mostly rendered the service of  com

mipany.  She further declares tht she was married to the

said Thomas Keith on the 25th day of May 1775 or to be mon

position as to the year the first May after the battle of 

Bunker Hill; that her husband the aforesaid Thos Keith

died while on a visit to the state of Georgia in the fall of the

year 1805 day & month not recollected, and that she has rem

ained a Widdow ever since that period, as will more fully

appear by reference to the proof hereto ?

                                                                             Judith Keith


And the court order it to be certifed to the Commissioner of

Pensions upon the evidence of William Horner that Mrs. Judith

Keith has remaiend the widow of Thomas Keith ever since his death

and further certify that she is a lady of high respectability and that her

statement.
Page 4

state men in her declaration is entitled to full credit and the

court have implicit confidence in all her statement.

A Copy from the proceedings of the Court

                                 Teste 

                                                      A J Marshall C. C.


Fauquier County to wit

I Joseph Chilton a Justice of the peace in 

the county aforesaid do certify that Isham Keith this day on ?

before me a bible having the appearance of considerable age; and

from which I make the following transcript to wit.  "Thomas

Keith and Judith Blackwell was married on 5th

May 1775."  An I do further certify that the said Isham Keith made

oath that in said bible was his father & mothers family bible

and that on record from which teh above transcript was -

made has always been in said bible from the earliest of his 

recollection; and I further certify that the said Isham

Keith is a Gentleman of high respectability & I have the

fulest confidence in his testimony, and from my own

knowledge of Mrs Judith Keith & her late husband

Thomas Keith.  I have every reason to believe they

were married at the time the entry made in the bible

as quoted above designates ? under my hand

2nd January 1837
                                                   Joseph Chilton


I George Monroe a surviving soldier of Militia in

the revolutionary war & now in the 73rd year of my age

certify & declare on oath that I saw Thomas Keith of

Fauquier County Va in the service acting as a Commpany

for the Virginia State troops in the year 1781 and has

good reasons to believe that he was an acting Comm

= pany from early in said war until 1781.  January 

2nd 1837
                                                     George Monroe
Page 5

No. 4

Fauquier Co. Va

July 12, 8137


Copy of Marriage bond

care Judith Keith
Page 6

Know all me by these presents thatwe Thomas Keith and

Thomas Marshaoo are held and firmly bound to our sovereign Lord

King George the third in the sum of fifty pounds currnent money

of Virginia to which payment & were and truly to be made to our

said Lord the King his heir and ? we bind ourselve our heirs

executior and administrator jointly and severally firmly by these

presents .  Sealed with our seal and dted the 23d day of May 1775.


The condition of the above obligation is such that where as thee

is a marriage shortly intended to be solemnied between the

above bound Thomas Keith and Judith Blackwell for which a

license hs issued, nof if there be no lawful cause to obstruct

the said intended marriage, then the above abligation to be void

or she to remain in force.


Sealed and deliver                                            Thos. Keith   Seal

in presence of                                                       THom:  Marshall  Seak

H. Brooke


Virginia, Fauquier County, to wit,

I Alexander J. Marshall Clerk of the County Court of the County

and state aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a copy of

and original bond in file in my officec.


In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name

and affixed my seal of office this 8th day of July 1839 and

in the 62nd year of the Commonwealth

                                                                      A. J. Marhsall   C. C.
Page 7

Aug 1845

No. 2

Va Line

--------------

Mr Taylor
Page 8

State of Virginia

                  Faqr County to Wit

The affidavit of Jame Taylor of the County and state

afore said widow of George Keith Taylor formerly of

Petersburg.


The affiant states from my my earliest

infancy I have known Thomas Keith, he was my

mothers  brother & of course familiar with the children

& from the time I could think seriously or distinctly

of any thing he was associated in my mind as Capt Keith.

I always knew it as a fact but whether this conversation

arose from having heard him addressed as Capt Keith

or from information received in my own family.   I ?

now positively affirm given from under my name this 

29th day of June 1845
                                                          Jane Taylor
                                                                 

Fauqr County to wit

The foregoing affidavit of Jame Taylor was sworn

To before me ? of the Justices of the Peace for the state of

Va   I certify of Faugr given under my hand & seal

this 29th day of June 1845

                                                         James Payne    Seal


I know James Payne whose name is subscribed

to the above certificate to be a magistrate of 

Fauquier County Va duly commissioned   I acting & I 

know the above signature purporting to be his to

be genuine.  I am acquainted with Mr James

Taylor the affiant.   She is entitled to the fullest
Page 9

credit   She is the widowof George Keith

Taylor and the sister of the late Chief

Justice Marshall

                                    Saml Chilton

                                     29th June 1825
Page 10

.                                                                                                                                          December 20, 1936


                                                                                                                                           xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


Hulsey Cason                                                                                                              THOMAS KEITH
Bascom Hall                                                                                                                 W. 5119
The University of Wisconsin                                                                                  BA - J /MLD
Madison, Wisconsin


Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request at the
Revolutionary War record of Thomas Keith who served as lieutenant
and captain in the Revolution from Virginia, married Judith
Blackwell who received pension for his services; also, the record of 
their son, John Marshall Keith, who served in the 
Revolutionary and whose wife was Elizabeth Jones.

The Revolutionary War records of this office have been searched
and no claim for pension or bounty land found based upon service of
a Marshall Keith,  or of any John Keith as described by you.  Such
claims are the source of Revolutionary War data furnished by this
office.  The record has been found of a Thoms Keith and it is given
herein as obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 5119,
based upon his service in the Revolution.

The date and place of birth of Thomas Keith and names of his 
parents are not given.

While residing in Fauquier County, Virginia, Thomas Keith was
employed in December, 1775, in raising additional requirements for the
Virginia line, and in February, 1776, he was serving as captain in
the recruiting service of Virginia.  In the spring of 1776, he was
employed in the Quartermaster's Department, engaged in purchasing
arms and munitions of war, a part of which were for Captain John
Chilton's Virginia company.  In September, 1777, he marched to the
North in Pennsylvania, served three months then returned to Virginia,
where he was appointed Commissary and continued to serve in that 
capacity and as Deputy Commissary General for the Virginia troops
until after the Seige of Yorktown in October, 1781.


This officer died in the fall of 1805, while on a visit to the
state of Georgia, his  wife and children remaining in Fauquier
County, Virginia, with the exception of a son who accompanied him
Page 11

Thomas Keith married May 25, 1775, place not given, Judith
Blackwell; the date and place of her birth and names of  parents
were not stated.  Their marriage bond, dated May 23, 1775, and
signed by him and Thomas Marshall (no relationship shown) was 
filed in the County Clerk's Office of Fauquier County, Virginia.

Judith Keith, widow of Captain Thomas Keith, applied for
pension December 27, 1836, at which time shw was aged seventy - seven
yeares and living in Fauquier County, Virginia, where she was still
living in 1845.  Her claim was allowed.  Shed died April 17, 1857.

The only children of Thomas and his wife, Judith, whose
names were designated in the claim, were Marshall Keith, the eldes
son, who when with his father to Georgia at the time of his visit,
and a son Isham Keith, no details given in regard to him.

In 1842, reference was made to John T. James, grandson of 
Captain Thomas Keith, his palce of residence then not stated, but
in 1845 living in Warrentown, Virginia.  In 1845, one David James
was Justice of the Peace for Fauquier County, Virginia, his relation - 
ship to said captain or to John T. James no shown and names of 
their parents not given.

In 1837, James Marshall, nephew of Captain Thomas Keith, and
brother of  Chief Justice Marshall, was living in "Fairfield" and 
state that he was a boy at school during the early part of the
Revolution.  In 1845, one Alexander J. Marshall was County Clerk of
Fauquier County, Virginia, their relationship to eac other not 
shown.

The above - named Captain John Chilton of the 3" VIrginia Regiment
was slain in the Battle of Brandywine.  He married the sister of
Judith Blackwell Keith; her name is not given; she died before the
Revolutionary War.  Their son, Major Joseph Chilton, was of Fauquier
County, Virginia, in 18338.  Said Captain John Chilton and a brother
Thomas who was living in 1777, no other data in regard to said Thomas.

In 1842, in Fauquier County, Virginia, Mark A. Chilton, nephew
of Captain John Chilton, his maternal uncle, stated that he married
a daughter of Captain John Blackwell, but did not giver her name nor
names of his parents; he stated that said uncle was captured with
Lincoln at Charlestown, South Carolina.  In 1844, one Samuel Chilton
was serving as Representative in Congress from the 9" Congressional
District of Virginia; no relationship shown between him and the
other Chiltons, named above.


                                                              - 2 -
Page 12

In 1845, Jane Taylor, the widow of George Keith Taylor, was
living inf Fauquier County, Virginia.  She was a niece of Captain 
Thomas Keith and a sister of Chief Justice Marshall.  The name
of her mother is not given.

                                                     Very truly yours


                                                     A. D. HILLER
                                                     Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 13

.               Virginia  3899                                                                                                                                                                      Reported

Judith Keith                                                                                                                                                                                         let to Hon Saml Chilton

widow of Thomas Keith                                                                                                                                                                  June 7 1844

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  to W. Helm  Seot 27 1844
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
who died in the year 1840                                                                                                                                                             do to Sec. War.  Nov 19. 1844  -----

of Fauquier Co in the State of Virginia                                                                                                                                      do to Same July 3. 1845.  do to Hon R

who was a 2d Master Sergeant in the company commanded                                                                                        ?  Dec 22.1845

by Captain                            of the ? commanded

by                                             in the Virginia

line for 2 years


Inscribed in the Roll of Richmond

at the rte of 120 dollars                                Cents per annum,

to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.


Certificate of Pension issued to 10th day of July

                           1843 and sent to Gen. Wallace

                            Warrenton, Virginia


Arrears to the 4th of March 1863                           $1440.00

Semi = annual allowance ending 6 Set.                    60.00
                                                                                             ------------
                                                                                             $1550.00

 
                                                                                              Revolutionary Claim

                                                                                              Act July 4, 1836

                                                                                              Section the 3



Recorder by D. Brown

Book  C.   Vol. 1
Page 14

September 15 1776

Camp Harlem Heights, NY

Letter from John Chilton



Chilton

Fauq County

VIrginia
Page 15

.                  Camp Harlem Heights N York   14th Sept 1776


My dear Friend,

By Mr Keith who will deliver thereto you you wil

be informed of the new here more circumstantally than 

                                                                           & enclose this in this       

after reading it seal it send it to him, my reason for   

this is;  I have not time to write to you particular --

I hear Mr. Nelson has wrote to be appointed Captain

John Blackwell has certainly by as just a sight to expect

as Nelson in case Mr. Keith should not succeed, you

may see whether Mr. Keith stand any chance if not

offer the Heights man who I can assure you is a

much better officer the other being too fond dress &

?.  Remember Billy Strong & Moore ?

See I recommend them to Col Brook   ----


My kindest respect to you all.  Mr Pickett is a widow

about this time.  I wish the May could be rep at

the appointment officers if I am sparedto write

after the Battle which we are in hourly expecita

                                      Friend   God bless you all give

                                       ? to mine &  your dear child

                                                               John Chilton
Page 16

(Black Ink Stamp)
WASHINGTON CITY D. C.
SEP
1
           
 
                                                                         The Hon G. M. Bibb

                                                                          Secy of the Treasury

                                                                           Washington



An M May in of

An Sept 4 1844


M 232  Sep 3/44

Cmmr Pension
Page 17

Commr of Pension                      August 29th 1844


Sir ---

On behalf of Mrs

Judith Keith the widow of 

Thos Keith deceased Late a

revolutionary soldier -- I wish to 

procure from the proper department

a statement of a claim recently award

"did her by the Fedeal government in

right of her late husband.  Wm Helm of

Fauquier Virginia was her agent in the

recovery, and shw wishes an authentica 

= ted stament of her claim.  The precise

grate in the service to which Mr Keith

was entitled   I have forgotten, but the

recovery was recent there will be no

difficulty in furnisheing the statement

required.  Pleas refer the letter to the
Page 18

proper department for the necessary 

information if it has been improp -

erly directed. 
                                      Very respectfully,

                                      your obt & c


                                      A Marshall

                                      Fauquier
                                                       Virginia



To the Hon G. M. Bibb

Secretary of the Treasury
Page 19

Va

? case

Judith Keith





F A Dickins, Esq

Prest

July23, 1841
Page 20

.                                  Washington

                                    22 JUly 1841


Sir

Will you be so good as to

re - exanmine the claim of Mr. Keith

and inform me of the result.

                Yours very respectfully

     
                F A Dickins


James L Edwards  Esq

              Comm of Pensions
Page 21

Sept 27 49

(Black Ink Stamp)
WARRENTON
SEP 
6
VA


Judith Keith

Va


Asking for

Copy of ?

letter


10



Commsioner of Pension

Washington City

D. C.


see
Page 22

Shelby (Warrenton P. O.) Va               25th Sept . 1822


Sir:

I was informed a few day since that

a certain Alexander J. Marshall had written

to the Pension Office enquiry into my agency

in relation to Mrs. Judith Keith's pension claim


I claim it as a right,  and respectfully ask

for a copy of Mr. Marshall's letter above refered to.


                                     I am, very respectfully,

                                     your obedient servant.

                                                Wm Helm


Commissioner of Pensions
Page 23

Judith Keith
----------------

Petition

Mrs. Judith Keith

for 

Pension
-----------



Revolutionary pension
===================


Dec. 16, 1845.

Referred to the Com. on

Revolutonary Pensions.
====================


M ?
Page 24

O. W. and N. Division                                                   3 -- 525.

JLC                                                            DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

Wid file  5119                                                    Bureau of Pensions,

Rev.                                                                            Washington, D. C.



In reply to your request for a statement of the military history

of Thomas Keith, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR,

you will find below the desired information as contained in his

widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
=======================================================
DATES OF                       LENGTH OF                                   OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED
ENLISTMENT OR         SERVICE                 RANK.                                                                                                                                STATE.
APPOINTMENT                                                                                    CAPTAIN.                                       COLONEL.

              76                        ?  arms munition of war                                                                                                                               Va.

Sept    77  to                  Siege of York   Commisary                                                                                                                           Va.



Dec.     75                         Empl in raising additional reg.  Va. Line                                                                                                Va.

Feby    76                         Capt. -- in recruiting service                                                                                                                       "

Sp         76                         Quartermaster Dept                                                                                                                                      "

Sp         77                         Commissary  ----------------------  until the Siege of Yorktown     


Battles engaged in,

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Fauquier Co Va.

Date of application for pension,  Dec. 27, 1836   Her claim was allowed

Residence at date of Application,  Fauquier Co, Va.

Age at date of appliation, 77

Remarks:  Sol mar  - May 25, 1775   Judith Blackwell

He went with his son Marshall Keith to Ga. where he died Fall 1805

Son ? als referred to

See "Blackwell" cases
                                                                        Very respectfully,



20581b3mll - 05
Page 25

Hulsey Cason
THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN,
Department of Psychology
Bascom Hall,
MADISON, WIS.


Adm
Page 26

(Black Ink Stamp)
RECEIEVED
DEC 16 ?
MAIL SUB ?
? ? ?
?

                                                                  THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN

                                                                                         MADISON


DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY


My dear Sir:--

Please give me the service records of the

two detailed labor.  And oblige, yours sincerely

                                             Hulsey Cason

                                              Professor of Psychology


CAPT.  THOMAS KEITH, was commissioned Lieut.  Fauquier Co,

Va. Militia, Mch 24, 1778, was later Capt. of a Va. Company was

later commissionary untilthe surrender of Cornwallis.  His widow

Judith (Blackwell) Keith received a pension for he husband's

service.  I understand Capt THomas above reeived a grant

for services of a large (?) tract of land in Columbia

Co., Ga.  Please give me the details of this.   ?  ?
-------------------------------------------------------
of the obvious inconsistency my family claimed this

land was deeded to him by the King of England ?  Was this so ?
                                                                 ---------------------

         3                             O
2 JOHN MASHALL KEITH (Son of Capt shown above)

Some say his name was simply "Marshall Keith".  He was said

Some say his name was single "Marhsall Mieth".  He is said

to have been a Lawyer in the Amer. Rep. (?) war.  He maried

Elizabeth Jones.  He owned the land Hawkinsville, Ga, is now

built on in Columbia  Ga.
Page 27

.                                                    R F D 2

                                                     Aurelian Springs, N. C

                                                     Jul 25 1911


Com. of Pensions


Dear Sir

Can you give me the 

"Revolutionary War Record"  of one

Keith" -- (I think his first name

was James or Thomas W. 5119 ISC who served in the
         ---------
Revolutionary War -- where wife

"Judith (Blackwell) Keith."  receiv -

= ed a pension.  They were from

VA  --  Fauquier Co.  I think I know

the said  "Judith Keith" spent

her last years there.  Also of me

"General Blackwell - " of Fauquier

Va - fathr of said "Judith Keith."

These are my Great Great &

"Great, Great, Great " Grand pa 

= rents, & I want their record
Page 28

to use as credentials for joining

the D. R.   I was told told to write to you.

Thanking you in advance

I am sincerely 

               Mrs. S. P. Johnston

               Aurelian Springs,

                                           N. C.
Page 29

LAW OFFICES OF                                                         W. 5119                               M. W.
THOMAS K SKINKER
          CHARLES R. SSKINKER
ROOM 520 - 528  RIALTO BUILDING
FOURTH AND OLIVE STREETS.


                                                                                          ST. LOUIS     Aug. 28, 1899


Hon. H. Clay Evans

Commissioner of Pensions

Washington, D. C.


Dear Sir

Will you kindly give me

the military history in the Revolu =

tion of Thomas Keith of Virginia,

whose widow Judith Keith is

said to have drawn a pension in

right of his services.  She was a

resident of Fauquier County Va

and died April 17 1857.


I am told that I may expect an

answer to this letter in about

one month

                           Yours truly


                           T. K. Skinker


(Black Ink Stamp)
PENSION
U. S.
OFFICE
H
AUG
30
1889
Page 30

.                                                                                           Supreme Court of Appeals

JAMES KEITH, President                                                            of Virginia                                                      (Black Ink Stamp)
                                                                                                                                                                                          O. W. & N. DIV
RICHARD H CARDWELL                                                                                                                                           OCT
                                                                                                               Richmond                                                      25
JOHN A. BUCHANAN                                                                                                                                                1906
                                                                                                                                                                                          FILES
GEORGE M. HARRISON                                                               Oct. 24, 1906

STAFFORD G. WHITTLE



The Commr of Pensions

                                 Washington  DC



My Dear Sir


I am trying to 

find out what there is of record

with respect to the services of my

grandfathr Thomas Keith of 

Virginia in the war in the Revolution

? will be found the enclosed

letter that I am ? to ?.

He was married in 1774 & his widow 

? until 1857.  He died in

1804 in the State of Virginia and

his widow a resident of Virginia

all her life ? a 

pension number (?) about 1845,

I think as a widow of a Captain

or Major.  ? is ? t and that 

my grandfathr was always a 

resident of Virginia his (native state)
Page 31

.                                                                                           Supreme Court of Appeals

JAMES KEITH, President                                                            of Virginia                                                      (Black Ink Stamp)
                                                                                                                                                                                          O. W. & N. DIV
RICHARD H CARDWELL                                                                                                                                           OCT
                                                                                                               Richmond                                                      25
JOHN A. BUCHANAN                                                                                                                                                1906
                                                                                                                                                                                          FILES
GEORGE M. HARRISON                                                               Oct. 24, 1906

STAFFORD G. WHITTLE


and his death in Georgia

occured while he was visiting

me his son who lived there

& there are any ? or other

charges I will ? advance

them a pay for them when received

may be preferred --

                    I am respectfully  ?


                     James Keith
Page 32

Keith

                                                   
                                                   Payment to be made

                                                   at Richmond

                                                    by J. W. Pegram, Esq.

                                                   Agent for pay Pen -

                                                   sioners, in the Agency of

                                                    RIchmond


Duplicate Cerificate

for Jan 26 1846


Increease to 

$600 per annum



                                                   Hon J. S. Barbour

                                                                 Recorded in the Pension

Present                                                 Office , In Book    , Vol.  A

                                                                 Page 170 by

                                                                             D. Brown  Clerk
Page 33

.                                   WAR DEPARTMENT

                                  REVOLUTIONARY WAR


I certify that, in conformity with the 3d section of

the law of the United States, of the 4th aof July, 1836

Judith Keith,                     of Virginia

widow of Thomas Keith

who was a company in the Revolution.


is entitled to receive one hundre and twenty dollars

                            per annum, during the time she may remain

unmarried, commencing of the fourth of March 1831

                            and payable semi - annualy on the 4th of

March and and 4th of September.


                            Given at the War Office of the United

                            States, this tenth                   day of

                                           July one thousand eight

                             hundred and forty = three

                                                           ?


Examined and                             J  L
Countersigh
Page 34

(Black Ink Stamp)                                                                                                      Free
WARRENTON
 8
?

Mar 2                                                        Commisioner of Pensions

                                                                    Washington City    D. C.


Com

Judith Keith
Page 35

Wash                Nov. 18/44

R Wallace

For increase of Mrs Keith's

pension


W 434  S          Rec Nov 19'44

Pension Office


Hon Wm Wilkins

Secretary of War

Present
Page 36

Hon. W. Wilkins                       Washington,    18 Nov '44

Sir,

Mr. Keith of Fauquier County,

Virginia, some time since filed her declaration in

the Pension Office of the U. S. claimin g a pension

as widow of Thomas Keith's commipany in the
                                                            ---------------
War of the Revolution.  Her claim was passed

but the rank of her husband was reduced

to that of Quarter Master's Sergeant.  In this

reducation of the rank of Captain Keith it

semms to her these has been a great injustice done

her.  Her husband was commipany or nothing

if we look to the evidence filed in support

of her declaration and petition: and ?

since the case was acted upon new evidence

then unknown when, has be taken and

filed.


In order to ? ? of an outline

of the evidence as I said in support of her
                    -----------------------------------
Page 37

obtain.  I ?  ? ? before ? ? ?

? ?


May I beg the favor of you

to take the case of Mrs. Keith into consid -

- eration, upon that a ? of it

? but how was mind to the ?

that she is entitled to a pension as the

widow of a ?.  I may not

? in probate that the cripled state of the

finances of the government may have had

some affect upin the claim of Mrs K.

ath the time it was passed upon.  That reason

I ? ?,  ? ? no influence

ath the present moment.

                                    I have the honor ?

                                     Very ?  ?

                                      R Wallace
Page 38

(Black Ink Stamp)                                                            
WARRENTON
2
?

July 29                                                                               Keith never held a 

                                                                                              commision.  Se 

                                                                                              Helm's leetter

Judith Keith 

Va
                                                                                             J. L Edwards Esgr

                                                                                             Com Pensions

                                                                                            Washington City,  D. C.
Page 39

.      Warrenton, Viriginia   27th July 1837


Sir;

When last in Washington, I handed

you the record evidence of Mrs. Judith

Keith's Marriage in May 1775 iwth

Thomas Keith who was a deputy Com -

- missary Genl in the Revolutionary War.

I also handed you ? Auditor Heath certifi -

- cate made on part of your letter to me.,

requiring such certificate you then

promised me a decision in a week, it has

been upwards of two weeks and no decision

yet.  The evidence of Midshipmen Green is

clear. He is a man of fair character and his

testimony of itself ought to ? claim, but

it is not satisfactory I can  get addition 

- al testimony of Keiths services as Deputy Com -

mipany Genl.  Mr. Heath took the trouble to

go out if his office to ascertain that Keith did

not receive bounty land, no staff officer
Page 40

entitled to bounty land from Virginia by virtue

alone of an appointment in the staff.  I understand from

Mr Keiths friends that he never helad a commission

he therefore could not be entitled to land

                                  I am Sir, Very respectfully

                                  Yr Obdt Servant

                                               Wm Helm
Page 41

.            Warrenton, 13th May 1837

Sir,

I have been expecting your

decision in the case of Mrs. Keith appli 

caition for the pension due her for

the Revolutionary Service of

That Keith and (her late husband)


When I saw you last (three weeks ago)

you told me in ten days of yow would

act upon the claim.  I hope to hear from

you by return mail

                                     Very respectfully

                                       Yr Obdt Servt


                                      Wm  Helm


J L Edwards   Esqr

Com Pension
Page 42

10

J L Edwards Esqr

Com Pension

Washington City

                          DC



In ab   May22

Mr SyC
Page 43

22 May 1837
Page 44

Copy                                           Depart of War

                                                                    Pension Office

                                                                                    May 22 1887


Sir

I have examined the claim of Mrs

Judith Keith, widow of Thomas Keith decd as have

placed her papers upon the piles of the Office.


If Mr. Keith rendered as alleged from years

service a ?, in the Virginia State line, as a

Commissary, or in any other capacity, that fact 

can be satisfactory shown by having recourse to 

the records and books in the Office of the Auditor

at Richmond.  No favorabl decision can be

had as her claim until such as examination

be had, as the result made known to the 

office.  Further proof will be required or the 

date of the marriage  ---- record evidence should  be

furnished, if to be found:  but if no new proof 

can be found, the testimony of those who were

present at the marriage ? be required

                                     I am Very Respectfully,

                                      Im obt

                                      Signed  J L Edwards


William Helms  Esq

Warrenton VA
Page 45

No.  7                       d

Richmond Va

January 18 1838


Extract relative to fine

of warrant for payt

of Captain Maron's

Company
Page 46

"Tuesday 5th March 1776

a Claimant to Ensign, John Coffer, ? ?  77.9.7

for the pay of Captian Masen's Minute 

Company."

==================================

The above ? is truly copied from the

Personal of ? Committee of Safety

                                          See page 37


Given under my hand at the Auditors Office

Richmond this 18th day of January 1939

                                          ? E. Heath and
Page 47

(Black Ink Stamp)                                                                                                                                                                              (Black Ink Stamp)
WARRENTON VA                                                                                                                                                                                  FREE                                                                                                          
? CT                                                                                                                                                                                 F
2


Oct 3                                                                                 J. L. Edwards Esqr.

                                                                                            Commissioner of Pensions
Va 
Add proof                                                                                                       Washington City
Mrs. Keith
                                                                                                                                                             D. C.
                                                                                                                                                                                          
4 July 17  18
Page 48

Warrenton, Virginia           1st Oct. 1838


Sir,

In your letter of Feb. 27th 1838 you say  "In the case 

of Mr. Keith it is alleged tht he was a Commissary

General in Va. in the years 1778 - 79 - 80 & 81.  I must by that

you will again examine all the evidence filed by me

in the case.  You will see that ? says he

was an Assistant Commissary General in the years 79, 80 & 

part of 81.


I now enclose the evidence of Richard 

Rosser who knew Keith wil and I trust his

evidence with that already filed will be satisfic 

tion.


Mrs. Keith stated in her declaration that

her husband was employed by Virginia in the commence -

ment of the Revolution to purchase arms & ammunitions of war

The certificate of the Auditor of Va herewith enclosed cor -

oborates the statement.


                                                     I am, Sir, most respectfully

                                                     your obedient servant  ---


                                                                  Wm Helm


J. L. Edwards Esqr

Com Pensions
Page 49

To be where

for J. L. Barbour
Page 50

Copy

The ? of R. Rosser

marched Va 10 in ? ?

Date Oct 2nd 1838


? soldier certificate  of said county 

to J Green or ?
--------------
? Chilton affidavit  20.8 in ?
-------------
Certificate of Auditor in Heath ? ?

in red ink as to  ? of ?

& ? for Chilton ? ? the

8th May 1776
Page 51

Warrenton, Virginia   28th Febry 1839



Dr Commr

Sir,


Will you please forward me a copy of the letter

you addressed to the Hon. R. Chapman in which 

you give your reasons for rejecting Mrs Judith

Keith claim for a Pension under the Act of Congress

of 4th 1836  -- you acted on the claim when I 

was in Washington City early this month.

                                      Your Respectfully,

                                   
                                      Wm Helm
Page 52

Mrs.  Keith                                                                       Mr. Chapman of ?

VA                                                                                        Called to ge the papers

                                                                                             relating to the application

                                                                                             Mr Keath of Va for

                                                                                             a penison,


                                                                                             If it is consis =

                                                                                            tent with the rules he

                                                                                            will obliged to Mr.

                                                                                            Edwards to send them

                                                                                            to him for examin =

                                                                                             tion



                                                                                            Tuesday

                                                                                            Feby 19th 1831


Hon. R Chapman

                    HR
Page 53

Pension Office No. 14

July 6, 1843

Commissioner of Pensions

Report in the case of 

Judith Keith



"I am of the opinion that the service

of the Husband as a Comy is estab.

- lished & Therefore the applicant

entitled to a pension is a 2nd W.

Sergt serving two years.  It does nto

appear that he ever was commissioned

& it is conceded by the agent Helms

that he newver was.

             (siigned) J. M. Porter


War Dept.

July 8, 1843 "  11


? ? this case

? 
             W. L. M.
Page 54

.                                  (Copy)


                                                                           Pension Office

                                                                           July 6, 1843



Sir,

I  enclose herewith the appears in the 

case of Mrs. Judith Keith, widow of Thomas Keith.

My Letter of the 8th of February 1839 to the Hon. R.

Chapman,  a copy of which is enclosed will show what

objection exist in the case.


The papers are numbered from one to twelve;

and I respectfully request a return of them to his

office.

                                        I have the honor to be

                                        Very respectfully

                                         Your obt Servt

                                         (signed )  J. L. Edwards
Page 55

Oct 30 ' 99

T. K. Skinker                                                                                                                  Revy WIDOW, &c.

St. Louis Mo.
                                                      
                1906 Nov. 3 Hist to                                                                                     File No. 5119

                Hon. Jas. Keith                                                                                            Judith Keith

              ---------------------------                                                                                    Wid

               1911 Aug. 2 To                                                                                               Thos. Keith

               Mrs. S. P. Johntson                                                                                     Commisy Va. line

1936 Dec. 20 -- Hist. 6 - Hulsey Cason -- McB                                                 Act:  July ? 36, Sec. 3d

                                                                                                                                          Index: --- Vol.   A, Page  391

                                                                                                                                          [Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 56

Com Edwards Certificate
Page 57

Secretary's Opinion

"I am of the opinion that the service of the

Husband as a Comr is established & therefore the

applicant entitled to a pension as a 2n Mr Sergt

serving two years.  It does not appear that he

ever was commissioned & it is ? by the

Agent Helms that he is never was

                          Signed J. M. Porter"



War Dept

July 8th 1843


The extract from Helms letter is in there

words.  "I understood from this Keith friends

"that he never held a commission, he therefore

"could not be entitled to Laws."


The above extracts are truly

copied for the originals on file in the  Pension Office

                                                        J. L. Edwards

                                                        Commr of Pension

                                                         Jan. 3 1846
Page 58

Jan 16                                                                                                                                                     Hon J Taliaferro

Va                                                                                    J. L. Edwards                                                                          H R
Page 59

The enclosed is sent as further ?

         of the Military service  Thomas

Keith, & it is hoped will enable you to

allow his widow Judith Keith a Pension

                                      Yours truly


                                       John Taliaferro


J. L. Edwards  Esqr
Page 60

Pension Office

February 8 1839

Commissioner of Pensions

Copy of a letter to Hon R.

Chapman, care of Judith

Keith



Admd as 2nd Master Sergeant 2

years $120 per am



Send certificate to 

Gen Wallace

Warrenton

Va


(See decision of Sec. War on file)
Page 61

.                             (Copy)

                                                     War Department

                                                     Pension Office

                                                      Feb. 8, 1839



Sir

I have the honor to inform you that the

claim of Mrs. Judith Keith, widow of Thomas

Keith, decd, has been again examined with the

benefit of the additional evidence transmitted

by Mr. Helm.


This is a claim for the full pension of 

Commissary, or Deputy Commissary General

The allegation upon which it is founded

are, that he was a Commissary is a Battalion

of Militia drafted to serve for three months in

the Northern Army in 1777 - that he returned

in that year and continued his service as

Commisary and Deputy Commisary General

until afther the siege of York in Oct. 1781.


The service relied upon, it may be remarked,

first, it not set forth as the regulations require

in relation to period length and grade, names 

of officer where station, and other leading

                                                                        features
Page 62

fetures of the service, so as to enable the Department

to determine its chracter and precise amount.  No 

evidence is furnished, nor ever intimation made

by who he was appointed --- to whose staff he belong -

ed whethere he was a Brigade or Division Commissary

- nor in what Bigrade or Divisionof the Army he

rendered the particular service for which the claim

is asserted.  Agreeably to the evidence of Rosser he went 

to the North n 1777, in a Battalion of Infantry  Mi -

litia for 3 months.  Green asserts that he was Com -

missary and Deput Commissary Genl from 1778

to part of the year 1781, and James Marshall

says he was eith the milita on their march to 

York in 1781,


From this imperfect statement it is imprac -

ticable to ascertain whether he belonged to the mi -

litia, State troops or Virginia Continental Line.  In 1777 he is

presented a Commissary to a Battalion of Militia

and in 1781 was with the Militia in their march

to York -- while another witness, corresponding with

the declaration that he served as Commissary in 1778,

and Deputy Commissary General in 1779, 1780, and

part of 1781.  This last is not the service of a commissary

in the milita which, is no instance exceeded three
Page 63

months.   A continuious service of three years could

he rendered only in the state otroops of Virginia Continental

Line.  The allegation that he was Commissary to

the Militia, Volunteers and State troops is an

evident mistake;  as his appointment would

necessary, be confined to the one orther of

thos district and separate corps.  Regarded as a

claim for service in the State troops, it is not,

in the first place, sustained by the lists in this

office, which furnish the names of all, whether

of the Staff a Line, who formed as part of the

"State troops" under military obligations, and ser -

viced the termination of the war to receive the

certificate of depreciation.


2.  It is not supported by the record or doc -

umentary evidence which the extent and nature

of the allege service rendered it necessary to his

own security to preserve, and which is abundant

an accumulation in similar cases; nor is the

absence of such evidence accounted for


3.  Neither is his alleged rank recognized in

the letter of his friends at the period, nor in

any word where his name appears.  If he held

a Commission in the State altho it conferred no

                                                                      ?
Page 64

lineal rank, it gave him the title of some rank

which would be attached to his ma.e


4.  No Commisison, or tanamount insturment

has been offered in support of the alleged ap -

pointment or appointments, nor the failure to

produce it accounted for.  The pro rata character

of the pension has reduced it ? to adopt -

rules for it adjustment by which all the ?

feature so fthe service takn into its computation

shall be ascertained.  Agreeably to these rules no

military service whatever is duly established, and

it is not certain that any is asserted which is mil -

tary within the contemplation of the act.  In 1776

he appears to be an employee of the Executive to 

purchase arms, and is credited with the deliv 

ery of arms to Capt Chilton's company.  In that

same year he received a sum of money for

the recruiting service.  In these entries he is evi -

dently treated as a private person, whith holding

all titles from him.  If he was during that

year employed by the Executive as an agent to

perform a ? of duties auxiliary to the mili 

tary service, as it appears from the records he  was

there is no record or documentary evidence, that
Page 65

the subsequent and similiar service was rendered

in any othr capacity.  It is highly probable that 

that the record of the Executive Council may

? his true relation to the military service

of the Revolution.  Be that as it may, no term

of service can be taken into the computation of a

pension under the act of 4th of July 1836 which

is not clearly made out in the following par =

ticular.  The commencement and termina -

tion of the service -- the corps in which it was

rendered -- places, when station and encamped

-- name of officers under whom the service was

rendered -- the grade -- when derived by what

tenure held, and, if a staff appointment, what

rank he held in the line  to render him eligible

to such appointment, and the name of the

officer to whose staf he belonged.  There is no

service thus set forth and established in this 

case -- and consequently, however strong may be

the motives to accord to this most respectable 

and venerable lady the bounty of the Pension

Laws, the Department cannot fulfil her 

wishes without violating rules to which is

the adjudication of a ratable stipend it is

tion of the service --- the corps in which it was
Page 66

indispensable to adhere.


                                       I have the Honor to be

                                       Very respectfully.

                                        Your obt Svt

          (Signed)             J. L. Edwards.





Hon. Reuben Chapman

House of Representatives
Page 67

Pension claim of 

Mrs Judith Keith
Page 68

Pension claim of Mrs. Judith Keith, widow

of Thomas Keith


The claim of Mrs Keith was rejected in

July 1843 by the Commissioner of Pensions, but on

appeal Mr Secretary Porter decided that the Husbands

service as Commissary was established and directed

a pension to be granted according to the grade of

a Quartermaster Sergeant


Mrs. Keith request a revision of this de -

cisin so far as it fines the rate  of pension, which

she claims at the rate of a Commissary's pay.


There is some new evidence but being

upoin points admitted by Mr. Porter's decision,  it Does

not being the case withing the rules for re - pening

cases decided by former Secreatries of War


Should the case be reopened, ( and the

service be admitted as settled by Mr Porter in favor

of the claimant) the question will be as to the

rate of pension


When it is proved the service usually

performed by Commissioner Offices has been perf =

formed, by one whose commissioned is not 

produced, an cannot be proved to have  ever

been given, it is customary to allow the

applicant a pension proportional to the hightes
Page 69

rate of non commissioner pay -- which was

done in this instance.


Mr. Barbour for the claimant contends

that as the service is admitted, the full pay of

commissary, proper to that service should be al =

lowed               He also contends that Com =

missaries were not commissioned officers, (see

Journals of Congress Vol 2 p 155/, and of course, are

not within the role requiring proof of commission,

or fisxing a lower rate of pension in default thereof

when the service is fully established.             The

Secretary of War and the Commissioner of Pensions

were of a different opinion       The views of the

latter are fully set forth in his annual reports

herewith, and Mr. Barbour's ancwer in his letter of

the 3d inst. 


The questions for the decision of the Secrertary

of War seem to be

1st       Shall the case be reopened?

2nd     According to what rate is the claimant en =

             titled to pension?

                                                          J D McRuan


Off Secy War

July 5, 45.
Page 70

Doctor Helm's

Affidavit in ?

          of his letter to

Com Edwards
Page 71

State of Va
                                               ?
County of Fauquier


Be it remember the Doctor

William Hem of the State & County aforesaid personallt

appeared before me a Just of the Peace therein

duly qaualified to administer oath & he (said Helm)

made oath that he is same person was in 

made oath that he is the same person who was in

correspondence with Commr Edwards of the Pension

Office at Washingto in support of his ?

? for a pension, and that in being his lawyer ?

"I understand from his Keith friends, that he

"never held a commision, he therefore could not be

"entitled to law," in one of my letter, to said Edwards

I did not hear that Capt Keeth,  never held a

commission of Company; but I dis mean that he

was not a commisioned officer of the line entitled
                                                  ----------------------------------
to land bounty from Virga, under the Law & at

promises, under by these laws what I said on this

point was use argumentive to account for ?

absence of Keeth nam on the land bounty list

of Virginia officers.  I never that he had with

the commission (or other of his appointment)

as commpany but always believed he held such

commission, as I verily believed he held & discharged

the Office of Commisary.  Given under my hand as

Justice of the Peace aforesaid the 7th day of January 1846

                                                      W. H. Gaines    Seal
Page 72

No 10

Fauquier Co. Va.

October 1, 1838

Affidavit of Richard

Rosser as to Thomas

Keith, service
Page 73

I certify that I lived at Fauquier at Courthouse in the --

State of Virginia at the commencement of the Revolutionary

War, and that I entered the Army as a Cadett in a 

Company rasied commanded by Captain 

John Chilton.  I further certify that Thomas Keith of

Fauquier County was commissioned a commpany of

a Battalion of Militia that marched from Fauquier

in the fall of the year seventeen hunded and seventy seven

the said Battalion reached the Main Army when I was stati -

oned the day after the battle of Brandy Wine, said Keith

served that tour, three months, returned with the Battalion

to Viriginai where he was appointed commipany

of milita, volunteers & state troops, was stationed

at Norfolk where he served as receiving & issuing

commipany from the summer of seventeen hundred &

seventy eight tell the fall of seventeen hundred & eighty

I moved from Fauqier County to the State of Kentucky

in the year 1793 where I have lived ever since until

this year, I am now with my relatives where I may

end my days.  Given under my hand & seal this 1st

day of October 1838.


Sworn to and subscribed

the day & year above                   Richard Rosser

written

Jno. R. Hart



I the subscribing Magistr =

ate do certify that Richard Rosser subscribed to the

foregoing certificate is a gentleman of fair char 

acter and I have full confidence credence in any of 

our courts of record


Give under my hand this the 1st of Oct 1838

                                                          Jno. R. Hart
Page 74

Virginia

     Fauquier County, to wit


I Alexander J Marshall Clerk of the county Court of

Fauquier county certify that Jno R Har t who hath give tne

preceding certificates is now and was at the date thereof a Justice

of the peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned

and qualified to ac as such, and that full faith and credit

are due to all his official acts as such a well in Court of Justice

as thereout, and that the aforesaid signatures purporting to be

his are genuine


In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of

office and subscribed my name this set day of October

1838, and in the 63rd year of the Commonwealth

                                                            A.J Marchall CC
Page 75

(Black Ink Stamp)                                                                                                      Free
WARRENTON
11 
?
Dec 13


                                                        Commissioner of Pensions

                                                         Washington City      D. C.



Va

Add proorf

Judith Keith
Page 76

.         Warrenton, Virginia        11th Decr 1838


Sir,

I herewith enclose Maj Joseph Chilton's certificate

together with two of his father's letters written

as will bee seen, -- in camp during the Revolution

= ary War.  Please filed the certificate & letters in Mrs.

Judith Keiths declaration for a pensio on account

of Thos Keith's service as commisary & ?

Commissary Generl of "Militia, Volunteers &

State line troops in Virginia" durin the War of the Rev

= lution


I am, sir, most respectfully

your obedient servant

                                 Wm Helm



J. L. Edwards Esqr

Com Pensions
Page 77

Respectfully request to the

Commr of Pension

War Dep

Mar 31/55




McRae




Mr ?
Page 78

.            Warrenton Va        29th  March 55


Dear Sir

By information derived

through the New Papers.  It appears 

that the Officers of the Revolution, are

entitled to half pay for life beginning

with the cloase the war.  As I am

the GrandSon of Capt Thomas Keith of Va

I would be obliged If you would furnish

mw with a copy of the act, with any

information you may have as to the mode

of proceeding.  I presume you have or will

have printed blanks by which the claimants

can obtain their dues without the aid of

pension agents.  You will also please fur 

nish me with a copy of the regulation

for obtaining Bounty Land and or the last

act.


An old Invalid Pensioner request

me to know if the Bill increasing

his pension passed if so to what extent,

when payable & how to be oabtiane he as

lef with me his old certificate

to be retuned to te department if

necessary any and and information upon

the ? ? will be thankfull
Page 79

received & properly appreciated by

                           Your obt Servant

                            John T. James


A. B.

If then is any expense incurred by

the papes reuested let me know & the

amount  Shall be promptly attested to

                                          Resp

                                           R. V. J.
Page 80

No. 9

Richmond, Va.

July 12 1838

add of Virginia  ---

Extrac of a Warrant

issued to Thomas Keith,

for Army & c.
Page 81

.                         Wednesday   May 8th 1776

A Warrant to Thos Keith for Arms &c.  to Capt

Chiltons Company of Regulars

                                                From page 102


The foregoin is truly extract from the Journal

of the Committee of Safety  ---


Given under my hand at the Auditors Office

Richmon, this 12th day of July 1838

                                               Jas  E Heath   Aud
Page 82

(Black Ink Stamp)                                                                                                      (Black Ink Stamp)
RICHMOND Va                                                                                                             FREE
MAR
2?                                                                                                                                      (Black Ink Stamp)
                                                                                                                                            5


                                                    J S Edwards, Esquire

                                                           Pension Office

                                                                   War Department

                                                                                     Washington
Page 83

.                                                   Executive Departement

                                                    Richmond    March 28 ?


Sir

The Governor desires ? request     ?

you will and ? a copy of the papers upon

which is widow of Thomas Keith was allowed

a pension
                                           Very respectfully


                                            ?

                                            Wm H Richardson Cmd
Page 84

Warrenton Va       Nov 24/44

R Wallace

About Mrs. Keith's

pension

W 435   Rec Nov 25/66

Pension Office


Hon William Wilkins

Secretary of War

Washington City
Page 85

Hon. Mr. Wilkins           Warrenton,  Virga  24 Nov. "44

Sir,

I had the honor, a few days since

to say before you a request for a reconsideration

of the applicationof Mrs. Keith of this vicinty, for

a penions as the Widow of Captain Thomas Keith

a Commissary in the Relvolutionary Army.  I shall ?

home for the City of Richmond in a few days, and

? to do pleased to receive your decisio in that

at where    I ? remain during the seesion of

the General Assembly.  Those ? your letter

to me as Senator.  ? being a gentelman of both

my christian and surnme in the lower Houes, and,

I ?, one a resident of the city


I hope it will 

be in your power to act upon this matter before

the meeting of Congress, when you make  import

- ant duties may receive all your time.  the 

papers are but few - the case is one much ?

            , and the proof as full and conculusive

as would be required in any court of law or

chancery in the country.  Before what other ground

than one of ? ?, resting on the state

of the public finances at the time, the grade of Capt Keith.
Page 86

Keith was reduced from that of Commissary to 

Quarter Master, ? I am ? at a 

? to conjecture.  In no portion of the proof

said for the Pension Office is he spoken of or

attended to as acting or during anything ?

than a full commissary.  He received the

same advance for the recruiting service in

'76  as other and all Captains, and all others

who speak of him in the Army from ? 

been a commissary up to the Seige of York -

town; which Major Chilton ? his service

in that capacity for the full term of ? ?

Accusations as the Hon: Mr. Wilkins has been

to conduct judicial investigations depending

upon matters of fact Mrs Keith submit her

case with confidence to him

                                                          I am, Sir, Very ?

Your obedient servant --- 

                                                          R Wallace
Page 87

(Black Ink Stamp)                                                                                                      127
CULPEPER C
?
8


                                                          Doctor William Helm

                                                                          Warrenton 

                                                                                                      Va
Page 88

No. 18                    12

Saml Wood deposition


No. 4th

New Service

July 1845



Order     18

Copy       18

Done       37
                ----
                 73
Page 89

Virginia to Wit

Culpeper County Sc:


This day Samuel

Wood of the State of County aforesaid a soldier in

the War of the Revolution, and at this time a

pension of the United States for that service ap 

peared in the proper person before me a Justice

of the Peace in the county aforesaid & for the state

aforesaid, & in due form of law made oath

that in year 1777 Thomas Keith tan

of the County Fauquier was in service at the

North in the State of Pennsylvania & was 

with the Grand Army under the commedead Com 

mand of General Washington; & that the

office then held & performed by the said Thomas

Keith of the said County of Fauquier before

& after the war, was that of commisary ---


He  knew the said Keith well, saw him

frequently in the discharge of his duites as

commisary aforesaid at the time & place afore 

said, which office he held during the time the

said Saml Wood was at the North; and he

decd not knew what office he had afterwards

that is after Woods return to Virginia.


Given under my hand & & seal in my official capacity

aforesaid this 19th May 1845

                                                     W. Emison   Seal
Page 90

Culpeper County Court      22nd May 1845

On the motion of Mars Keeth widow of ht elate

Thomas Keith of Fauquier County , it is order to  be

certified to the Secretary of War that the affida

vit of Samuel Wood taken by William Emison

Esqr on the 19th day of this month was presented

in open court, that said Wood is an aged citizen of

this county and a pensioner of the United States that

said William Emison is an Acting Justice of the Peace

of Culpeper and full fiath and credit are due to

his official acts & that his signature to the said

affidavit is genuine and the course certify that 

full credence is due to this evidence of  said

Wood. ----


In Testimony whereof I Fayette 

Mauzy Clerk fo said Court have

hereto to set my hand & annexed

the same of said case this 26th 

day of May 1845

                                   F. Mauzy
Page 91

.              Mrs Keith Papers

Copy for ? the ? only
                                 ------

? an No. 14 signed John Porter

+ beginning " I am of the ?

this is ?  ? datet of 6th July + 8th

July 1843

---------

Copy also the ? of March A Chil 

ton with the certificate of Judge Scott & 

others ? marched to ? ?

--------

Copy the deposition of Richard Rosser

marched to ?

--------

Copy certificate of James E Heath Auditor

under date July 12th 1838 -  Certify by

? of ? ? of ? ? ?

May 8th 1776.   It is ? ? ?

? ?
--------

Certificate No 6 doth Jany 12th 1818

certify of ?  for ? ?

---------

Certificate J. M. Marshall date 11 Sept 1837

?  ? 5th ?

---------

? ? to certify ? ? ?

? ? ? May 1775
Page 92

Difficult to read
Page 93

Office H. C. July 16/56

Danl. Gold

                        Chf Clk


By order of H. C. Enc.

the Papers of Judith Keith

Claims A Pension



G 9. Rec Jany 17 /46

Pension Office


Cmr
Page 94

.                                 Capital U. S

                                   Office H. R.      Jany 16, 1846



Hon. Wm. L. Marcy

Secy of War


Sir. 

In obedience to the resolution of

the House of Reps of this day.  I herewith transmit the

papers in the case of Judith Keith.

               Very respectfully

                             Your obt. Sevt.

                                                    Dan Gold

                                                    Chief Clk Office H. R.
Page 95

No.  19

Evidence in Support

of James Green by

? Striving , Brad 

ford & ?



No. 5

New Service

July 1845
Page 96

.                                 Farrows Ville  Fauquier County 

                                   of Virginia   Mary 29th 1845


I hereby certify, that I have been a Magistrate in

the County of Fauquier for the last two or twelve

years (that I have known James George Green

late a pensioner of the United States as midship =

= man in the Revolution) who has been a resident

of this neighborhood for the last twenty  add

years, that said Green has been a witness

in trials before this affiant that no effect

has ever been made to impeach his testimony,

and that full credit has been given and

ought to be given, to his statement, under

oath   Given under my hand this date

above  -- 

                                   B R Bradford  J P            


Commonwealth of Virinia

Fauquier County   to wit

B R Bradford personally appered before

me a Justice of the Peace for the County

aforesaid and made oath the

truth of the foregoing appeared 


Given ? my hontor this 29th day

of May 1845

                             Robt M Stribling
Page 97

.              Fauquier County   May 29 1845

I hereby certify that I have been a 

magistrate in the aforesaid County, two or

twelve yesrs, that I have known James George

Green (late a pensioner of the United States as

midshipman in the revolution) who has been

a resident in my neighborhood about twenty

years -- that said Green has not in my 

recollection been examined fore me as a

witness but that if he had been ?

hav received his testimony, and consider

that full credit outh to be given to his

statmen under oath --- Given under

my hand this day & date above written

                                         Robt M Stribling


Fauquier County to wit

Rot M Stribling  personally

appeared be me a Justice of the Peace

for said County, and solemnly appeared

that the above  --  is correct --  Given under

my hand this 29 May 1845

                                            B R Bradford  JP
Page 98

Fauquier County   May 29th 1845

I hereby certify that I have been a maigstrate in the aforesaid

County twenty years or more, that I have known James George

Green / late a pentioner of the United States as ? ? an in

the revolution) who has been a resident in my neighbourhood

about twenty years -- that said Green has not in my ? been

examined before me as a witness, but if he had been I should

have recused his testimony and ? that full in ? ought

to  be givent to his statement under oaths.  Given under my hand

this day & date above written.
                                                                              Th. M. Ambler



Commonwealth of Virignia 
  
              County of Fauquier   to wit

Thomas M. Ambler personally appeared before

me a Justice of the Peace for said county and

made oath thruth of the fore going ?

Given my hand this 29 day of 

May 1845
                                         B R Bradford


Virginia - Fauquier County to Wit

I Alexander J. Marshall, Clerk

of the County Court of the County aforesaid hereby

certify that Robert M Stribling, B R Bradford and

Thomas M Ambler whose names are subscribed to the

foregoing certificates, were at the date thereof acting Jus 

tices of the Peace of said County, duly commissioned and

qualified, and that to all their official acts full fiath

and credit ought to be given as well in in Courts of Justice

as thereout, and that the foregoing signatures of the said

Justices are genuine.  In testimony whereof I hereto subsrib

My name and affix the seal of the said Court this

4th day of June 1845 and in the 69" Year of the Commonwealth

                                                         A. J. Marshall
Page 99

.                                                            Juen 6th 1845

I  have been intimately acquainted with Col

Benjamin R Bradford   Dr Robert M Stribling

& Thomas M Ambler Esq who has given

the withing certificate since my boyhood and

I knew them to be gentlemen of the highest

characters moral & intellectual and as much

enttiled to credit of ? as any three

gentlemen I have ever known

                                Samuel Chilton

Late Representativesof the the 9th District

of Va in the 28th COngress of the United States
Page 100

The Comr of Pensions
Page 101

I understand fron Genl Wallac

that some additionaltestimony

deemed material has been

presented in the case of

Judith Keith of Virginia

since the last exmaination 

of her papers  The Comr

of Pensions will please

to lookc at it with

reference to this further

proof.
                        W. L. Marcy
Page 102

Pension Office

November 19 1844

Commission of Pension

Report in the case of

Judith Keith
Page 103

.                                                     Pension Office

                                                              November 19, 1844

Sir,

On the 8th of February 1839, I addressed a

letter to the Hon. R. Chapman in the case of Mrs. Judith

Keith.  As this letter conains all my objections in relation to

her claim, a copy is herewith sent, form which yu may

discover the true state of the case  as it sood when your

predecesor the Hon. J. M. Porter decided that she was entitled

to the pension due to a person who served as Quarter Master

Sergeant for two years.   I enclose also a copy of my letter to the

Secretary of War of the 6th of July 1843, and a copy of the en -

doresemtn which he mde on my letter.  These papers, it is

presumed, will supersede the necessity of any further report

from this office.  It your request I enclose the papers in

support of her claim, and respectfully ask a return of them.

                                                            I have the honor to be,

                                                             Very respectfully

                                                              Your Obt. Servt.


                                                               J. L. Edwards.


Hon. William Wilkins

Secretary of War
Page 104

Notes               W43
Page 105

In the matter of Mrs. Keith's application for a 

pension as the widow of Thomas Keith, a Commissary

in the Revolutionary War it is respectfully submitted,

that the proof of his service in the capacity from '76

to the close of the war, or actual of hostili 

- ties by the surrender of the British forces at York town in conclusive


1st  it is established by the records of the the Common -
---
wealth of Virginia,  [See the Auditor's certificate.]

that in '76 Thomas Keith drew  (Pound sign) 72, by order of

the "committee of Safety" for the recuiting ser - 
                                                                      --------------------
= vice.   Another certificate of the Auditor of Virginia
--------
[which Lee] shows  that (Pound Sign) 72 were the ? draw 

by Captains for the recruiting service, at that
      ------------               -----------------------
period of the war

2d  George Rosser proves that he was a Cadet
--- 
in 3d Virigina, in Capt John Chilton's compa 

- ny, and that Thomas Keith was Commissary at the

battle of Brandywind, and served as such at

least two years after that battile.

3d.  Major Joseph Chilton son of the above name Capt.
----
John Chilton, who was bravely fell at Brandywine,

proves, that Thomas Keith served three years as com 
                                                                      -------------------------
misary during the Revolution.
--------

4th  James Green proves,  in corroboration of  Rosser

statement, that Thomas Keith was stationed

as Commisary, at Williamsburg, Virginia in

the years '79 and '80.
Page 106

5th     James M. Marshall, [brother of Chief Justice
-----
tice Marshall, and son - in - law of Robert

Morris, of Penna proves that Thomas Keith

was Commissiary at the the seige of Yourk town

6th
-----     Mrs. Keith, a lady of the highest character, the

aunt of Chief Justice Marshall, by her declara -

-- tion, under oath, confirms the statements of all
               ---------------
who have deposed.

7th.  By the 9th rule of the Department of War, under
-----
date July 9th 1836, it is prescribe that, "where there

is no record or documentary proof of the 

revolutionary service of the deceased officer or sol -

- dier, the testimony of at least one credible witness "is
                                                                --------------------------- 
required.  Under this rule Major Chilton's deposition

if unsupported, would be conclusive.  It is disscha?

full"  and his character or credibility is repported

Judge Scott.  But Major Chilton is restrained 

by Rosser, Green and Marshall, and by Mrs. Keith,

as well as by the records of Virginia


He appears then,

that , besides the high moral force of the evidence,

? from the elevates characters of the party

herself and her witnesses the proof is ample and

leaves no doubt that Thomas Keith was a 

Commissionary throughout the Revolution 

and beyond ? for the feels time of three 

years.  Taking this view which it is confi 

dently, not respectfully insisted, admits of

no question, the belief is ? that
Page 107

Mrs. Keith will be placed on the Pension Roll

as widow of Thomas Keith a Commissary with

the rank of Captain in the Revolution.


Mrs. keith is on the Pension Roll as widw

of Thomas Keith a Quarter Master, Sergeant.

The adjudication of the Department upon the

service of three years by Thomas Keith has ?

that point and it is submitted, with a confi 

dent belief that if the evidence from any thing
                                                                           ========
it proves him whom been commisary through 

- out - at all times or if it proves nothing at all

The Auditor's Certifcate ? the fact of

his rank in '76 and each and all the witnesses

speak of him in the specific and identical duties

and office of "Commissary."  He is no when spo

ken of as in a subordinate character.  The proof
                              -----------------------------
is he was "Commissary" or he was nothing.
Page 108

.                                              29th Congress

                                                  1st Session

                                 
                                 Congress of the United States

                                 In the House of Representatives.

                                         
                                                                     January 16th 1846


The Committe on Revolutionary Pensions

have according to order had under considera =

tion the peitition of Mrs Judith Keith ask

ing an increase of her pension for the

services of her deceased husband, the

late Captain Thomas Keith, a commissary

in the Virginia line on the contiental

establishment and submit the following

Report.  It appears that the said Captain

Keith was engaged in the military service

at the earliest period of the Revolution

that he was a Captain and aftewards a

Commissary until the Surrender of

Cornwallis.  The proof in the case are

satisfactory and the Committee consider

that the ? of her petition is 

reasonable.  The present laws afford

ample relief without further legislation in 

her case and they advise that the pe =
Page 109

tition with all the evidence be re -

mtted to the Secretary of War, that

the case may be reviewed and proper

relief granted to her and for that

purpose, the committee haved submitted

the following resolution for adoption


Resolved that the Clerk of

this House be directedd to transmit

to the Secretary of War the petition of

Juedith Keith with the proofs ac =

company in it

                       Attest


                       B. B. Franch

                       Clerk  H. R. U. S.
Page 110

(Black Ink Stamp)
RICHMOND Va
MAY
30                                                                                        1 J N

                                                                                             John Barbour  Esq

                                                                                              Culpeper    C. H.

                                                                                              VA

 
                                                                                              No. 15



July 1845

No. 1

New ?
Page 111

.                                   Wednesday 14 February 1776
                                    ---------------------------------------

Ordered a warrant to Thomas Keith (Pound Sign) 72.0.0

for the recruiting service in Fauquier County


The foregoing is truly coped from the

journal of the Committee of Safety.  (Page 7)


Given under my hand at the Auditors

office of Virginia this 29th day of 

May 1845.

                         J. W. E. Health   Audr  Va
                        --------------------------------
Page 112

No.  6

Richmond, Va.

January 12, 1838


Copy from Joural, relative

to a warrant for (Pound Sign) 72: 5: 0

to Thomas Keith, for recuit -

ing service



(Unable to read line on the other side of page)
Page 113

Wednesay 14th   February 1776 ---

Ordered a Warrant to Thomas Keith JP

(Pound Sign) 72.0.0 for the recruiting service in

Fauquier County

                                    From page 11


The above is truly coped from the Journal of 

the Committee of Safety.


Given under my hand at the Auditors

Office Richmond thsi 12 January 1838

                                          Jas. E. Heath   Aud
Page 114

No. 5

September 11, 1837

Hanfield

Certificate of J Marshall

relative to Thomas Keith's 

Service




J. L. Edwards Esq.

Washington City
Page 115

.                          Fairfield   Sept . 11th 1837

Sir

I have been called on to state what I know or be :

: lieve of the services of my uncle the late Mr Thomas

Keith which I now do


I was a boy at school during the

early part of the war of the revolution and know nothing

with certainity of the services or state of Mr. Keith

but I understood at the time that he was with army

in the north, low ? he remained thre I do not know

I believe he returned to Virginia and continued to act in

the staff department.   I know he was with the militia

of Fauquier County or their March to join the army at

the siege of York.  I believe he then belonged to the com :

: missary department.

                                         I am Sir

                                               With great ?

Mr. J. L. Edwards                     W. Mo 56

                                                                  J Marshall
Page 116

No. 8 

Fauquier Co Va

July 1838


Affidavit of Joseph 

Chilton relative to

Thomas Keith's served
Page 117

I certify that I have a clear and distinct reollection

of John Chilton's return from the south, in the spring

of the year 1776 and tohave heard him speack of a battle he was

in & my ? is, that it was at the Great Bridge & his other

services of the proceeding fall & winter;  I also remember Thos.

Keith, who was then the husband of thre present widow ---------

Judith Keith, he was at that time engaged in the military,

service, and was subsequently a commisary for the greater

part of the war of the revolution; his service was in the Virgi 

= nia state troops of this statement I am clear an positive

The John Chilton above alluded to the Captain who was slain

at the Battle of Brandywine; and he was my father  27th July 

1838
                                                             Joseph Chilton


Sworn and subscribed the 28th day of July 1838

before me a Justice of the Peace in the County of

Fauquier and State of Virginia; I furhter

certify that the said Jospeh Chilton is a

highly respected old gentleman and his 

evidence is entitled to the utmost confidence

                                               W. H. Gaines  J. P.


I have for many years been intimately acquain 

- ted with Joseph Chilton who has give the above

affidavit.   He is a gentleman of high character and
Page 118

his testimon y is entitled to full credit

                                            Jno Scott
                                            --------------

                                            Fauqr  July 28th 138


VIrginia, Fauguier County to wit

I Alexander J. Marshall Clerk of the County Court of Fauquier

County in the state aforesaid, do hereby certify that William H. Gaines

who hath given the preceding certificate is now and was at the date

thereof, a Justice of thhepeace ina and for the County aforesaid, duly

commisioned and qualifed to act as such and that free faith and

credit are due to all his official act as such as well in Courts of

Justice as thereout; and I do further certify that the said signature

purporting to be his is genuine.


In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my

name and affixed my seal of office the 7th day o fAgust

1838 and in the 63rd yeard of the Commonwealth

                                                                A. J. Marshall  Clk
Page 119

Pension Office

July 3 1845

Commr of Pensions

Report and accompany

in papers in the case

of Judith Keith
Page 120

.                                                                       Pension Office

                                                                        July 3, 1864



Sir,

In the case of Mrs. Judith Keith, widow of Thomas

Keith, I make the following report:

             
When I examined the claim in February 1839,

I found much difficulty in determing the length and grade

of her husband's service, and I addressed a letter to the Hon.

R. Chapman containing my objections.  In July 1863 the ten

Secretary of War, the Hon. J. M. Porter, asked for a report on

the subject, and upon that report he made an endoresemnt

containing his decision that Mrs. Keith was entitled to a penison

for her husband's service at a Quarter Master Sergeant for two

years service.  Copies of my letters are herewith enclosed,

marked 13 and 14, and acopy of the Secretary's endoresement

will be found on paper marked 14.  Papers no. 15, 16, 17, 18,

19 and 20 have been filed since 1863, but they contain no proof

calculated to remove the difficulties in the case.  The claimant asks

for a higher pensions; but I can perceive nothing to authorized me to 

increase the allowance.

                                                            I have the honor to be

                                                            Very respectfully,

                                                             Your Obt Servt

Hon. W. L. Marcy                               

Secretary of War                            J. L. Edwards
Page 121

Nine Papers 

enclosed in the case 

of Judith Keith
Page 122

.                                                      PENSION OFFICE,

                                                                            July 9, 1836


In order to carry into effect the act of Congress of the 4th July, 1836, entitled "An act
granting half pay to the widows or orphans, where their husband and father s have died of
wounds received in the military service of the United States, in certain cases, and for ohter pur -
poses," the following rules have been prescribed by the President of the United States, and
adopted by the Secretary oof War; and they are now published for the information of applicants
under the law.

1.  Applicants, under the first section of the act, must produce the best proof the nature of
the case will allow, as to the service of the deceased officer or soldier, the time when he died, and
the complain of which he died, and the supposed cause of his disease.  It must be clearly - shown
in what company and regiment, orcorps, he served, and the greade he held.  Such proof must be
had, either from the records of the War Department, the muster rolls, the testimony of commis -
sioned officers, or the affiavits of persons of known respectabiliy.  From the similiar sources, evi -
dence must be derived as to the period and cause of the death of the officer or soldier.

2.  The legaity of the marriage, the name of the widow, with those of her children, who
must have been under sixteen years of age, at the time of the father's decease, with the State or
Territory and county in which she and they reside, shoudl be established.  The legality of the
marriage may be ascertained by the certificate of the clergyman who join ed them in wedlock, or
the testimony of respectable persons persons having knowledge of the act.  The age anu number of
children may be ascertained by the deposition of the mother, accompanied by the testimony of
repsectable persons having knowledge of them, or by transcripts from the parish registers, duly
authenticated.  The widow, at the time of allowing the half pay, or placing her on the list for it,
must hsow that she has not agian married; and must, moreover, repeat this at the time of receiving
each and every payment thereof; because, in case of her marrying again, the half pay to her
ceases, and the half pay for the remaineder of the time shall go to the child or children of the de -
cedent.  This may be done by the affidavits of respectable persons having knowledge of the case.

3.  In cases where there are children, and no widow, their guardian will, of course, act
for them, establish their claims as prescribed in the foregoing regulations, and receive their
stipends for them.

4.  Applicants, under the secon section of the law make a declaration before a court of
record, setting forth, according to the bese of her or their knowledge or belief, the names and rank of
the field and company officers, the day (if possible) and the month and year when the claimant's
husband or father (as the case may be) entered the service, and the time when he left the same;
and, if under more than one engagement, the claimant must specify the particular periods, and the
rank and names of the officers under whom the service was performed; the town or counry and
state, in which the claiman's husband or father resided whe he entered the service; whether he
was draughted; was a volunteer or substitute; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged; the
country through which he march; with such further particulars as may be useful in the inves-
tigation of the claim; and also, if the fact be so, that the claimant has no documentary evidence in
support of the claim.

5.  The same description of proof as to the relationsip of the claimant to the decease officer
or soldier will be required, as the rule under the first section poinst out.

6.  Claimants under the thir section of the law must not only produce such proof as the fore -
going regulations direct, in relation to widows' claims, but they must in all cases, as an indispensa -
ble requisite, show when they were legally married to the deceased officer or soldier, on ac -
county of whose services the claim is presented, and that the marriage took place before the last
term of service of the husband expired.  They must prove that they were afterwards
married.

7.  In such case where the srvice of the deceased officer or soldier is clearly proved by record
or documentary evidence, or the affidavit of a commissioned officer, showing the grade and length
of service of the deceased, the particulars in reolation to the service are not required ot be set forth
in the claimant's declaration, except so far as to show that the claimant or claimants, is, or are, teh
widow or children of the deceased.

8. The claimant must, ine everycase where there is no record or ducmumentary proof of th
revolutionary service of the deceased officer or soldier, produce the testimony of at least on
credible witness.  Traditionary evidence will be deemed useful in every such case.

9.  Applicants unable to appear in court, by reason of bodily infirmaity, may make the declara -
tion before required, before a judge or justice of a court of recor of the county in which the ap -
plicant resides , and the judge or justice will certify tht the applicant cannot, from bodily informity,
attend the court.

10.  Wheneyver any official acts required to be done by a judge or justice of a court of
record, or by a justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or of the Territory, or of
the proper clerk of the court or county, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such
a person is a judge or justice of a cour of record, or a justice of the peace, and thathe signature
annexed in his genuine signature.

11.  The widos of those who served in the navy, or as Indian spies, will produce proof, as
nearly as may be, conformably to the preceding regulations, and authenticated in a similar manner,
with such variations as the different nature of the service may require.
Page 123

.                                                                                                  2 

12.  The form prescribed bfor claimants under the third section of the act will be observed by
every description of claimants, so far as the same may be applicable to their cases.  The judge or
justice, wh may administer an oath, must, in every instance , certify to the credibility of the
affiant.

13.  In every case in which the deceased officer or soldier was a pesnionser, the fact should be
so stated, and the deecased pesioner so decribed as to enable the Department to refer immediately
to the evidence upon which he was pensioned, and thus facilitate the investiagtion of the claim of
his widow or children.
                                                                                                                                             JAMES L EDWARDS,
                                                                                                                                             Commissioner of Pensions


                                                                                            DECLARATION.

In order to obtain the benefit of the thir section of the act of Congress of the 4th July, 1836

STATE. TERRITORY, OR DISTRICT
of                                                                   ss.

On this                       day of                                              , personally appeared before the                           of

the                              . A. B., a resident of                                        , in the county of                             and State,

Territory, or District or                       , aged                 years, who being first duly sworn according

to law, doth, on her oath make the following declaration,  in order to obtain the  benefit of the

provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4, 1836:  That she is the widow of

                                                                               , who, was a [here insert the rank the husband held in the

army, navy, or militia, as the case may be, and specify the service performed, as directed in rule

number four of these regulations.}


She further declared that she  was married to the said

on the                 day of                      , in the year seventeen hundred and                                   ; that

her husband, the afore said                         ,died on the                                   day of

                                                             ; and that she has remained a widow over since that period, as

will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annxed.


Sworn to, and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before.


                                                                                                AN ACT

Granting half pay to widows or orphans, where their husbands and fathers have died of wounds received in the military service of

the united states, in certain cases, and for other purposes.


Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in

Congress assembled, That when any officer, non - commissioned officer, musician, or provate of the

militia, including ranges, sea fencibles, and volunteers, shal have died while in the service of the

United States, since the twenieth of April, eighteen hundred and eighteen, or who shall have died

in consequence of a qound received whils in the srvice, since the day aforesaid, and shall have

left a widow, or, if now widow, a child or children under sixteen years of age, such widow, or if

no widow, such child or children, shall be entitled to recevie half the monthly pay to which the

deceased was entitled at the time of his death or receiving such wound, for and during the term of

five years; and in case of the death or marriag of said widow before the expiration of said five

years, the half pay for the reaminder of the time shall go to the [children of the] said decedent:

Provided, That the half pay aforesiad shall be the half montly pay of the officers, non - commis -

sioned officers, musicians, and privates of the infantry of the regular army, and no more:  Provided,

also, That no greateer sum shall be allowed to the widow, or the child or children of any officer,

that the half pay of  a lieutenant colonel.


SECTION 2.  And be it further enacted, That if any office, non - commissioned officer, musician,

soldier, Indian spy, mariner or marine, whos service during the revolutionary war was such as is

specified in the act pass the seven day of June, eighteen hundred and thirty - two, entitled

"An act supplementary to the act for the relief of certian surviving officers and soldiers of the

revolution," have died  since the fourth day of March, eighteen hundred and thirty - one, and before

the date of said act, the amount of pension which would have accured from the fourth day of 

March, eighteen hundred and thirty - one, to the tiem of his death, and become payable to him by

virute of the act, if he had survived the passage  thereof, shall be paid  to his widowl and if he left

no widow, to his children, in the manner prescribed in the act hereby amended.


SECTION 3.  And be it further enacted, That if any person who served in the war of the revo -

lution, in the manner specified in the act passed the seventh day of June, eighteen hundred and

thirty - two entitled "An act supplmentary to the act for the relief of certain surviving officers

and soldiers of the revolution, : have died, leaving a widow whose marriage took place before the

expiration of the last period of his service, such widow shall be entitled to receive, during the

time she may remain unmarried, the annuity or pension which might have been allowed to her

husband, bu virtue of the act aforesaid,if living at the time it was passeed
Page 124

.                                                                                                   3

SECTION 4.  And be it futher enacted. That any pledge, morgage, sale, assignment, or transfer
of any right, claim, or interest in any money or half pay granted by this act, shall be unttlery void
and of no effect; each person acting for, and in behalf of, any one entitled to money under this
act, shall take and subscribed an oath, to be administered by the proper accounting officer, and re -
tained by him, and put on file, before a warrant shall be delivered to hi, that he hs no interest
in said money, by any plege, mortgage, sale, assignment, or transfer, and that he does not know
or believe that the same has been so disposed of any person whatever.

SECTION 5.  And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of War shall adopt forms of
evidence, in application under this act, as the President of the United States shall presribe.

APPROVED, July 4, 1836

                                                                       -------------------------------

                                                                                          AN ACT

Explanatory of an act, entitled "An act granting half pay to widows and orphans, where their husbands
and father have died of wounds received in the military service of the United states, and for other purposes."

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled, That the benefits of third section of the act entitled, "an act granting halp
pays to widow s and orphans, where their husband and fathers ahve died of wounds received in
the military service of the United States and for other purposes," approved the fourth day of
July, eighteen hundredd and thirty - sxi, shall not be withheld for any widow, in consequence of
her have married after the decease of the husband for whose services she may claim to be al 0
lowed a pension or annuity under said act:  Provided, That she was a widow at the time it was
passed.

SECTION 2.  And be it further enacted, That the widow of any person who continued in the
service of the United States until the thir day of Novmeber, sevent een hundred and eighty - three
and was married before that day, and while her husband was in such eervice, shall be entitled to
the benefits of the thir section of the aforesaid act.

APRROVED, March 3, 1837.

                                                                       -------------------------------

                                                                                                                                       PENSION OFFICE,

                                                                                                                                                             March 15, 1837

In a cse where the claimant has married after the decease of the husband, for whose services
she may claim the pension, it cannot under the explanatory act of March 3, 1837, be withheld on
account of her last marriage:  provided she was a widow on the 4th July, 1836.  The latter part
of the 6th rule of the regulations of the 9th July , 1836, is not, of course, applicable to such a case.
The facts in relation to the marriage of the last husband, and his death, should be fully set forth
in the claimant's declaration.  The following is the form of the declaration in such case/


                                                                                        DECLARATION

In order to obtain the benefits of the 3d section of the act of 4th July, 1836, and of the ? section
of the act of 3d March, 1837.

STATE, TERRITORY, OR DISTRICT
                                                                       SS.
of

ON this                         day of                             , personally appeared before the                                          of
the                                 , A. B., a resident of                             , in the county of                                              and
State, Territory, or District of                     aged                   , years, who being first duly sworn
according to law, doth, on her oath, mae the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836, and the act explanatory of said
act, passed March 3, 1837;  That she was maried to C. D. who was [Here insert the particulars
respecting the service of the deceased husband, for whose services she may claim a pension, as
directed in rule No. 4, of the foregoing regulations of July 9, 1836.]

She further declares, that she was married to the said C. D. on the                                                      day
in the year seventeen hundred and                                        ; that her husband, the aforesaid
C. D. died on the            day of                                               ; that she was afterwards married to
H. B. who died on the          day of                                                  ; and that she was a widow on the
4th July, 1836, and still remains a widow, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof
hereto annexed

Sworn to and subscribed, in the day and year above written, before
Page 125

.                                                Executive Department

                                                 Richmond   June 2 1828


Sir

The ? requests that you

will be good enough to send him copies of 

the papers upon which the widow of Thom Keith

was allowed a pension of  ?  of not 

inconisistent with the rule of your office

                                      Very ?

                                       Yours

          
                                       Wm H. RIchardson
Page 126

No. 11
  
Fauquier Co. Va.

December 10, 1838

Affiant of Joseph 

Chilton Case of 

judieth Keith
Page 127

I certify that the following letters were, given by myself,

for Dr WIlliam Helm, in order to enable him to prosecute Mrs.

Judith Keith claim against he United States for a pension

to with the first dated as follows viz  "Comp Harlem hight

N. York 16th Sept. 1776.  My Dear friends"  I signed "John

Chilton and the second one dated:  Camp Middle Brook

13th June 1777  Dear Brother: and also signed John Chilton"

which letters I took from "a bundle of old letters which

have always been regarded by me as having been written

by my father the said John Chilton during his service in the

army of our Revolution.  And I further certify that the

Mr. Keith mentioned in the said letter was Mr. Thomas Keith,

husband to the said Judith Keith (who is now his widow) as

I always have & now believe.  The afore mentioned Mrs. Keith &

My mother were sisters, my mother died before the Revolution.  My

Uncle Thomas Keith and I further were often together in the army during my fathers

liefe time.  It was my father fat to have fallen in battle at Brandywine

I am satisfied the said Thomas Keith served as a com -

- missary three years at least during the said War  Given

under my hand 10th December 1838.

                                                                                      Joseph Chilton



Fauquier County:  Virginia    To wit

The above certificate of Major Jospeh

Chilton is as this day subsribed and sworn to before  before me a 

Justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid

                                                                      John Robert Wallace


I hereby certify I have known Major Joseph Chilton

from my earliest infancy -- that he is, and has always

                                                                                                    been
Page 128

? ? to be, a genetleman of undoubted respecta -

bility and veracity, and , that the foregoing affidavit

is intitled to the fullest confident and affect. In 

addition to the standing of Major Chilton as a gen 

tleman of veracity,  I  can state that he has allways

been respect to be the you of the gallant Cap

tain John Chilton of the celebrated 3rd Virgin -

ia Regiment, wh fell at the battle of Brandy

wine in the Revolutionary War.

                                             John Robert Wallace


Virginia, Fauquier County, to wit:

I Alexander J. Marshall Clerk of the county court for the county

and state aforesaid, do hereby certify that John Robert Wallace, whose

name si subscribed to the preceding certificate, is now an was at the

date thereof, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid

duly commissions and qualified to act as shc, and that full faith and

credit are due to all his officla acts as such as were in Courts 

of Justice as there at, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be

his is genuine.


In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribe my

name, an affixed my seal of office thsi 11th day of 

December 1838, and in the 63rd year of the Common -

wealth.
                                                      A. J. Marshall Co



No. 11

Fauquier Co. Va

December 10 1838

affiant of Joseph

Chilton - case of 

Judith Keith
Page 129

affiant (see his memo) copd ?                                                                                                      38.99

J. S. Barbour   Jam 7 1840                                                                                                             Virginia
 
                                                                                                                      
Increased to $600 per annum                                                                                                  Judith Keith

certify issued 26 Jan 66 & sent to                                                                                widow of Thomas Keith

J. S. Barbour Present
                                                                                                                                                    who died in the year 1805

                                                                                                                                                    of Fauquier Co in the State of Virginia

                                                                                                                                                    who was a 2d ? Serg in the Compy commanded

                                                                                                                                                     by Captain                     of the               commanded

                                                                                                                                                      by                                       in the Virginia

                                                                                                                                                     line for 2 years



                                                                                                                                                      Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond

                                                                                                                                                      at the rate 120 Dollars                             Cents

                                                                                                                                                      per annum, to commence on the 4th day of 

                                                                                                                                                      Mar, 1831.


                                                                                                                                                      Certificate of Pension issued the 10th day of

                                                                                                                                                      July 1843 and sent to Gel

                                                                                                                                                       Wallace   Warrenton Va


                                                                                                                                                       Arrears to the 4th of March 1843                  $1.440

                                                                                                                                                       Semi annual allowance ending Sep "                60
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          =========
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              $1500
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            ========

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Revolutionary Claim,

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Act July 4, 18836,

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Section the


                                                                                                                                                       Recorded by D. Brown Clerk

                                                                                                                                                        Book  C     Vol  1      Page 170
Page 130

I HEREBY CERTIFY , That the accompany pages      numbered from one

to 5 , inclusive, are truly copied fromthe originals    in the Office of the

Commissioner of Pension.
                                                                                 J. L. Edwards   

                                                                                 Commissioner of Pensions



BE IT REMEMBERED , THat James L. Edwards, who has signed the fore -

going certificate, is Commissioner of Pensions; and that to his attestations

full faith and credith are and ought to be given.


                                                             IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto

                                                             subscribed my name, and caused the seal of the

                                                             Department to be affixed, on this Sixth

                                                              day of January  ----- in the year of

                                                              our Lord one thousand eight hundred and

                                                               forty  - six.

                                                                                                  W. L Marcy

                                                                                                  Secretary of War
Page 131

I certify that I have a clear and distinct recollection

of John Chilton return fromthe South in the Spring of the 

year 1776, and to have heared been speak of a battle he was

in & my impression in, that it was at the Great Bridge, & his

other services of the receding fall and Winter .  I also remem =

ber Thomas Keith, who was there the husband of the present

widow Judith Keith, he was, at that time engaged in

the military service, and was subsequently a commisary for

the great part o fthe war of the revolution   his service

was in the Virginia state troops   Of this statement I am ?

and positive.  The John Chilton elluded to, is the

Captain who was slain at the battle of Brandy wine, and

he was my father. 28th July 1838.

                                                              Joseph Chilton


Sworn and subscribed the 28th day of July 1838

before me a Justice of the Peace in the County of

Fauquier and State of Virginia.  I further certify that

the said Jospeh Chilton is a highly respect able old

Gentleman and his evidence is entitled to the utmost

confidence.
                                                  W. H. Gaines,  J. P.


I have for many years been intimately acquainted

with Jospeh Chilton who has giben the above affidavit

He is a gentleman of high charcter and his testimony

is entitled to full credit.

                                                Jno. Scott

                                                 ?    July 28, 1838
Page 132

Virginia, Fauquier County, to Wit


I Alexander J Marshall Clerk of the County

Court of Fauqier County in the state aforesaid

do hereby certify that William H. Gaines who hath

given the preceding certificate is now, and was at

the date thereof, a Justice of the Peace in and for the

said County aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified

to act as such, and that full faith and credit

are due to all his official acts as such as well

in Courts of Justice as thereout; and I do further certify

that the said signature purporting to be ? of genuine.


                                                In testimony where of, I have hereunto

                                                subscribed my name and affixed

Seal                                       my seal of Office this 7th day of 

                                                August 1838 and in the 63rd year

                                                of the Commonwealth

                                                                             A J Marshall  Clk
Page 133

.                                                                                            3

I certify that I lived at Fauquier Court -

house in the state of Virginia at the ?
 
ment of the Revolutionary war and that I 

entered the army as a cadet in a coompany

raised and commanded by Captain John

Chilton  I further certify that Thomas Keith

of Fauquier Co Va commissioned a commis -

sary of a battatlion of milita that marched

from Faquier int he fall of the year seven -

teen hundred and seventy ? the said

battalion reached the many army were I 

was station the day of the battle of 

Brandywine.  Said Keith served that tour

three months, returned with the battlion 

to Virginia where he was appointed Com -

misary for milita volunteers and state troops

and was stationed at Norfolk were he

served as ? and issuing Commissary

for the summer of seventeen hundred

and seventy eight till the fall of seventeen

hundred and eighty.  I moved from Fau -

quier County to the state of Kentucky in the

year 1793, where I have lived eversince un -

til this year.  I am, now with my relatives

where I may end mydays.  Given under

my hand and seal this 1st day of October

1838.
                                   Richard Rosser


Sworn to and subscribed

this day and year above written

                                  John R. Hart
Page 134

4

In the subscribing magistrate do certify that

Richard Rosser subsribed to the foregoin cer -

tificate as a gentleman of fair character and I 

have full confidence in any of

? Courts of Records


Given under my hand this the 1st of 

October 1838

                           Jno. R. Hart


Virginia

Fauquier County, to wit:

I Alexander J. Marshall Clerk of 

the county of Fauquier County, cer -

tify that John R. Hart, who hath given

the preceding certificate is now oncw as 

at the date thereof Justice of the Peace

in and for the county aforesaid, duly com -

missioned and qualified to act as ?

and that full faith and credit are

due to all his offical acts as such as now

in court of Justice as thereout, and that the

aforesaid signaure purporting to his

are genuine


In testimony whereof, I have hereunto

affixed my seal of office and subscribed

my name this 1st day of October 1838,

and in the 63d year of the Commonwealth

                                 A. J. Marshall

                                 C. C.
Page 135

.                                                                                                              5

                                     Wednesday   May 8 1776

A warrant to Thos Kieth for arms & C. to Capt

Chlton's Company regulars

                                                                 From page 102


Theforegoing  is truly extracted from the Journal of

the Committe of Saftey.


Given under my hand at the Auditor's pffice

Richmond this 12th day of July 1838 ---

                                            (signed Jas. E. Health aud



Executive Department  RIchmond  Ap 25 1837

James Green is allowed Land bounty for his services as a

Midshipman in the State Navy for three years, in lieu of

the bounty heretofore allowed as a seaman


The Register will issue a warrant accordingly, if not heretofore

drawn

Attest                                                       (signed)  David Campbell

J B RIchardson


The foregoing is a copy from the order on file in the

Land Office of Virginia

                                                                     Teste

                                                                       W Seldon off

                                                                        & aff May 27 1837
Page 136

Summary

of 

late Keeth  proofs

truly stated
Page 137

The Case of Judith Keith

The petitioner complains, that she is not

allowed that pension which by plaw she is enti -

tled to receive. 


I was ? as Secretary of War

admits in the decision that her husband

was a Commisary, in the War of the Revolution

and allows the petitioner or his widow the

pay of a quarter ? Sergeant, because

it does not appear that he wa a Commissioned

Officer, a fact which is ? to have been

conceded by Helm his agent of this

decision Mrs Keith complains & ?

that her Husband is deprecided into a rank

? with hsi rights and in case and 

with the proofs which she exhibit.


The proofs are the Laws of Virginia which

allowed two Captains to Fauquier County, the

residence of her Husband & other provision 

of those laws, which coorbborate her record

proof ---


The record proofs are the advance to Thomas

Keith of Fauquier County the sums of money

extracted to a Captain of the line for the

recruiting service  --- That the advance

was made the 14th February 1776 when it

could only be ? to a Captain under

the law of Virginia, then prevailling and
Page 138

it is fairly to be referred from other record proof

that Captain John Chilton was the other Captain

from that County.  See certifcate of Anderson of VA

Whilest the proof & strong that Keeth was a Captain

in Feby 1776 (about from the widow oath who

had their been his wife about a year) of it further

I kow that in the 8th day of May 1776 he was

in public Military Service during the duty which 

the same law of Virginia of ? to ?

  , and the presumption both of Law  & of part

is that he was lawfully in the office whose duty

be was ? discharging.  THat he was a Captian

prior to Feby 1775 is plainly proved, that he was

discharging the of  Commisary in being

1776 is also viewed  by the record proof -- His

translation fromthe are to the other trus, was

probably are act of ? and his part &

under the impression that would control the 

will of a rational man.  Would a record of the
-----
man I  surrender the office of Captain for

that of a Sergeant?   The ? of a Commissary

was better that of Captain & it is easy to

? in this ? that was address the frequent

in favor of the change.  Why then degrade from

to a Sergeant rank?  There are other ?

in the ? & character of Capt Keith the prior

the belief of ? sinking into the lower grade.

It appears that the opinion of Judge Porter was

? refer the admission of Helm the agent.

? Keeth was denied it on oath & ? the

agent was also an oath denied it was his

explanatory definitve --   The words of his letter

referred to by Judge Porter & his affidavit are

both filed & speak for themsleves
Page 139

In addition to these record in laws & other ?

? of duty & of service, the testimony of ?

      Living witness from the service in fact which
                                                                       ---------
is alleged by the petition to have rendered by the her hus -

band from 1776 to 1781.


Samuel wood an aged citzen who was a soldier

of the revolution proves that Captain Keeth was a

Company in the field army in 1777.

James Marshall brother of the late Chief Justice

proves traditionary evidence for the early part of 

the revolution & actual knowledge of service by him

under as late as Oct 4 1781  (the Siege of York)

 ? Toycor know of the late Geo Keith Toycor

sister of Judge Marshall & ? of the ?

proves that the was a Captain in the revolution

Joseph Chilton Esq son of Capt John Chilton

who fell at the battle of Brandywine proves that Kieth 

was in service prior to battle of the Great Bridge

in ? 1775 & that he (Keith) was a commissa 

ry the ? of the revolutionary war.


Richard Rosser proves service within his knowledge

and James Green a ? ? proves

it to 1780 & 1781 --- There is record proof as well

as that of ? ?  that show this ?

to deserve credence.  All this is apart from &

in addition to this Keith evidence, which is

free & clear.  The War department ? the

service & the office & the widows claim, the addi -

tional evidence is too place to ? a?
Page 140

To the Senate & House of Representatives of the United  States in

Congress assembled.


Your petitioner Judith Keith now in her

Eighty sevent year of age, the widow of the late Captain Thomas 

Keith of the Army of the Revolutionary War in the Virignia

line, shows that her said Husband in his leftime enga -

ged very early in the military service of the county and was

dutifully employed in the under the ordinance of convention in

Virginia for raising the addtional regiments in December

1775.  In February 1776, he was an officer in the recruit 

ing service as appears by the extract from the Journals of

the Committee of Saftey (Then ? the excecutive power

in Virginia) and which extract she ? be taken as part of

this petition.  It is manfiest, tht her Husband was then a cap -

tain in the line (as she is advised and believes) by the terms of the

said ordinance of voncetion and the advance for the ?

         service aforesaid.   Your petition further represents

that in the spring of the year 1776 her said Husband was

engaged in the Quarter Masters Department and was sub -

sequently thereto a commissary ---that he was commisary

with the Grand Army under General Washington in the

autumn of the year 1777 is also in proof by the testimony of

Samuel Wood an aged and respectable a man now a

pensioner of the United States and by other proofs and it is

also proved by ? evidence of living testimony, that

her Husband was a commissary at the Seige of York; the

final and crowning military toil of our revolutionary

achivements.  It is within her own knowledge that her late

Husband was in the service with short respites in his vis 

- its to his family and home in the greater part of the revolution

- ary struggle she refers with confidence to the evidence

filed, and she speaks with confidence in her own recollection

of his discharging the duties of Commissary in several years

of the revolutionary war.


Her said Husband died may years ago and before

the just benevolence of the Country was bountifully, tho 

-ugh tardily  awarded to those who toiled in the achievement
Page 141

of our Independence


As she subscribed him and is still alive she

was gratifed to learn that some compensation was to be

made joint sufferings and lapsed in the revolutionary

era;  by a pension commensurate with her Husband Rank

in the line and the services he rendered his country.  Upon

presenting her demand to the Department of War she learned

with notification and surprise  - brought to her by state

- full ?.  was cut down to the allowance of a Quarter 

- Master Sergeant, as the rank of her Husband, a Captain

in the line in February '76 (of private rank & character to

promise promotion to his fidelity) a Commissary in the spring

of '76 (in preference to his Captaincy in the line) a Commissary

in '77 under Washington in the north, a commissary

at the final issue of the great struggle at York Town;

reduced to a Quarter Master Sergeant - "  and she cut down

to that allowance without an title of proof to allot him

? rank and made to dispose and refute it !!


If the benefaction of the Country be wisely extended to those

who suffered for it, how hard is the ? of those who find this

bounty trenched ? with insuperable obstructions, and

? aggravations ? !


Her Husband is long ago in his grave , and now

when she is on its crumbling verge, she had to appeal frm

a executive functionary, to the representative of the peaople, yet

she appeals with a faith that asks Justice only - tempered by

that benevolence which is extended to others  -- and she is in duty

bound will every pay

                                                                  Judith Kieth

                                                                   Widow of Captain Thomas Keith of
                                                                        
                                                                   the Revolutionary War.


(Last Section difficult to read)
Page 142

July 1845

No. 3
Page 143

State of Virginia County   

                  Fauqr County to wit


The affidavit of was Judith Keith of the County

I state afore said, widow of Thomas Keith


THis affiant states in addition what is contains

in her declaration or affidavit, now before the pension

agent at Washington City    That she has good cause

to believe from here recollection of the circumstances.

occuring at the time that about the year 1776

Mr Keith & Mr John Chilton each receive a sum of

money from the Committee of Saftey for some publick 

purpose, budt does not distinctly remember whther it was

for recuriting purposes or for purchasing arms; she further

remembers the fact of Mr Keiths bringing to his house

a recruited soldier by the name of John Thomas who

remained until arrangements was made for him to

join other recruits in Alexandria that were raised

under the ordinance or act of convention of 1775

Further this sayeth not given from under

my hand this 29th day of June  1845

                                              June Keith


Fauqr County to wit

                          The foregoing affidavit was swornt to

before me on of the Justice of the Peace for the state

of Virginia & County of Fauqr given from under

my hand & seal this 29th day of June 1845

                                                 James Payne    Seal


I am well acquainted with James Pyane whose

name is ubsribed to the foregoing certificate
Page 144

I knew him to be a qualified Acting -

Magistrate of the County of Fauquier

State of Va& that siad signature purporting

to be his genuine

                                       Samuel Chilton

                                       29th June 1845
Page 145

reg with something but with what ? can't say as doubt but something

great.  If providence ?  one to see it dispersed  I will by the first offer

timely give you an ample &  unimpartial an act of it as my knowledge 

will admit of   Will then I am you young brother

                                                                   John Chilton

P. S.   All Friend  you know

are entitled to my well wishes

Tell my children & your I want

unreadable



Camp Middlebrook

June 13 1777

Letter from John Chilton
Page 146

Dear Brother                       Camp Middle Brook    13th June 1777

I acknowledge the recd of your and ? letter by Capt Black

well with thanks H Barton by whom this come came into Camp last night

and leaves it this morning so have but little time to write.   ? ? 

Blackwell will inform of the ? from situation from nature ?

they left camp we have had many reinforcement from different states

the most fro Virga which are most acceptable.  The enemy has been

also reinforced, their member not certainly know but from every?

 not formidable  There wer obliged to send two Regts off the last week to

Kings Bridge at which ? Ten Putnam was ? his brave Yankees at the

expence of the Ministerial ?    Howe seems to be much at a loss

forever changing the situation and position of his Army, he by ?

emisaries known the strength of camp and ? ?

force together and hopes to draw in som precipitate Battle but

our Great Washington fixed and determine like the old Roman Genl

with Hannibal is not to be moved or shaken from this purpose which

from what is past every think and judicious man will judge for

the best and tender and sparing of his country mens Blood as he has ever

been would it not be madness in him now to ? a battle at a Season of

the year when the enemy if we should be beaten, would have the ?

                                                                                                          will be for the

while unhappy, but Britain will be ruined and rendered unable

ever to distribution repose again ----  These are my conjecture the Gen'l

has many better.  My reason for offerings is my opinion, I have that to the ?

you are ? at the great delay of our Army is not beating these robber

of the Land;  Now if People wanted to read the speech of ? ?

when he was to take the command of the Macedonian War,  I think they

would either com and judge for themsels or be silen and not pretend to

prescibed at 300 mules ? to ? of said ? ? ?


You deserved by lost Your Election you put off to the last what you sought

to have done first, whipping at sometimes is an exceeding good thing

but let alone so long, it degenerated s in to revenge, which I confess

also sweet in its season, but answers but one purpose.  Barton tells

me you have innoculated your Family but that some of Your?

had taken it in the natural way.  I hope the consequences may be

favourable    I have just seen the son J Cook to J Blackwell

not mention any thing of your peoples taking the S. Pox in nautral way  He

says that you were all innoculated the day he wrote.  I am much obliged to

you for the case you take of my Family.  I hope by the next Letter to hear

of your perfect recovery from that mortal disorder.  ? has bought

land, but does not say where.  I guess that it is in imagination, he says in all

our Letters we never mention him does ?  he know that i?
Page 147

in the bulk of my Friend.  when I ? to particulars such as Headkeys ? it is

to let my friends know that I have not forgot the smallest part of Fauqr.

I observe Cooke thanks providence for his great ? in his Howe trading, how

christian like in that but quere whehter he is not now entitled to something

? dont he fit and heat a little to make the  money, but somebody must

make money as the Scotch are gone why not Cooke as well as another.


I am exceedingly sorry for the  death of my faithful of Harry but he

? from his Labour and steepth in peace.  Tell Joe that I expect

he will take upon himself to advice and bring up the young negroes

as Harry alwasy endeavoured to do.


Phil Heale is to marry Miss Digges, Cooke says, Foolish GIrl had she staid

? I came home 

with my hand.  John Blackwell Keith, as I do only this added he has

seen her I have not   Tell the Girls not run made, per ? all

? , like tried Gold,  I hope theyll return the same they went out

our Reg Amouts to 200 & add all Veterans, ----------- I wrote to Mrs Blackwell

last week from whom I recd a Letter also to my Brother Thos from whom

I recd a Letter a day or two after I wrote.   Shortly I  think you hear

something from this ? of consequence   the cloud is up and looks

reg                             but with                    what progress scant say               a doubt, but something

great.  If providence spares me to see it dispersed   I will by the first ?

timely give you an ample for impartial and acct of it as my knowleg

will admit of   Hill then I am your roving Brother

 
P. S.  All Friend you known                                           John Chilton

are entitled to my well wishes

Tell my children & yours I ?



Camp Middlebrook

June 13 1777

Leter from John Chilton
Page 148

No 13

Pension Office

February 8 1839

Commissioner of Pension


Copy of a letter to the

Hon R. Chapman in the 

case of Judith Keith
Page 149

.                         Copy


                                                      War Department 

                                                      Pension Office

                                                      February 8 1839



Sir

I have the honor to inform you that the claim

of Mrs Judith Keith, widow of Thomas Keith deceased, has bee

again examined, with the benefit of the additional evidence

transmitted by Mr. Helm.


This a claim for the full pension of a Com -

missary or Deputy Commissary General.  The allegation upon which

it is founded are that he was Commissary in a Batallion

of Milita, drafted to serve for three months in the Northern

Army in 1777, that he returned in that year and continued his

services as Commissary and Deputy Commissary General, until after

the Siege of York in October 1781.


The service relied upon, it may be remarked

first, is not set fort as the regulations require in relation to

period, length and grade names officers, where stationed,

and other leading features of the service so as to ena -

ble the Department to determin its character and precise

amount.  No evidence is furnished, nor ever intimation made

by whom he was appointed, to whose staff  he 

belonged; whether he was a Brigade or Division Commissary;
Page 150

nor in what Brigade or Division of the Army he ren -

dered the particular service for which the claim is asserted.

Agreeable to the evidence of Rosser he went to the Noarth

in 1777, in a Battalion of Infantry Milita for

three months.  Green asserts that he was Commissary, and

Deputy Commissary General from 1778 to part of the year

1781; and James Marshall say he was with the Milita

in their March to York in 1781.  From this im -

perfect statement it is mpracticable to ascertain whether

he belonged to the Militia, State Troops or Virginia

Continental Line.  


In 1777 he is represented as Commissary to

a battalion of Militia & in  in 1781 was with the Militia in 

their March to your while another witness corresponding

with the declaration th he served as Commissary in 1778,

and Deputy Commissary General in 1779, 1780, and part of 

1781.  The last is not the service of a Commissary

in the Militia, which in no instance exceed three

months.  A continuous service of thee years could only

be rendered in the State Troops, or VIrignia Line.  The

allegation that he was Commissary to the Milita, Volunteers,

and State Troops,  is an evidence mistake, as his appointmnet

would necessarily be confined to the one, or other of those

distinct and separate corps.  Regarded as a claim for service
Page 151

in State Troops it is not in the first place sustained

by the list in this office which furnishes the name of all

whether of the Staff or Line who formed a part of the

"State Troops"  under military obligations, and ? the

termination of the war to received the certificate of depre -

ciation.


2.  It is not supported by the record and doc -

umetary evidence which the extent and nature of the alleged

service rendered it necessary to her own Security to pre -

serve, and which is abundant and accumulative in

similar cases; nor is the absence of such evidence

accounted for.


3  Neither is his alleged rank recognized

in the letters of hs friends at that period , nor in any

record where his name appears.  If he held a 

Commission in the Staff, although it conferred no lineal

rank, it gave him the title of same rank which would

be attahed to his name.


4 No Commission or tantamount instrument

has been offered in support of the alleged appointment,

or appointments, nor the failure to produce it accounted for.

The pro - rate character of the pension has rendered it necessary

to adopt rules for it adjustment, by which all the essential
Page 152

features of the service taken into computation shall be as  -

ascertained.  Agreebly to these rules no militay service whatever,

is duly established; and it is not certain that any is ?

ed which is military within the contemplation of the act.

In 1776 he appears to be an employee of the Executve

to purchase arms and is credited with the delivery of

arms to Captain Chilton's.  In that same year

he receied a sum of money for the recuiting service.

In these entires he is evidently treated as a private person,

withholding all title from him.  If he was during

that year employed by thee Executive as an Agent to per - 

form a class of duties auxiliary to the military service,

as it appears from the records he was there is no 

record or documentary evidence that the subsequent - and

similiar service was rendered in any other capacity.  It is

highly probable that the records of the Executive Council

may show his true relation to the Miltiary service of

the Revolution.  Be that as is may, no term of

service can be taken into the computation of a pension

under the Act of July 4, 1836 which is not clearly made

out in the following particulars.  The commencement and
Page 153

termination of the service.  The Corps in which it

was rendered; places where stationed and encamped Names

of Officers under whom the service was rendered  .  The 

grave whence derived;  by what tenure held, and if a 

 staff appointment what rank he held in the Line,

to render him eligible to such appointment, and

the name of the Officer to whose staff he belonged.

There is no service this set forth and established in

this case, and consequently, however strong may be the

motives to accord to this must respectable venerable

lady, the bounty of the pension laws, the Department

cannot fulfill her wishes without violating rules to

which, in the adjudication of a rateable stipend it is

indispensable to adhere.

                                   I have the honor to be

                                           Very respectfully

                                                     Your Obedient Servant

                                                                  J. L. Edwards


(Signed)


Hon. Reuben Chapman

           House of Representatives.
Page 154

.                                   Mrs Keeths case

Upon the former testimony ? Secertary Porter

decided "that the Servicce of the Husband as a Commissary is
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"established, & therefore the applicant is entitled to a pen

"sion as a Quarter Master Sergeant serving 2 years.  The agent

"Helm conciding that he never was a Commissioned Officer"

The ? of helm is in the word.  "I understand from

"Mr. Keith friend that he never held a Commissioned, he therefore

" could not be entitled to land - "


The agent Helm be sworn

that wat he said an that occupation was used augmentatively

? to account for the ? of Captain Keiths name

in the list  of those officers who receied land ?

Virginia -- a Commisary was not a commisioned officer

of the line entitled by the laws of Virginia to receive

land.   ? be sears that he never meant to

say that Keith had not the commision of Com 

missary - but that he verily between be and have

the commission of Commissary & did discharged

his duty under it. ---


It is insisted by law Keith that ?

is done her in the judement of ? Porter by allow  

ing her the pension of a Sergeant, whilst he decided

that her husband was a Commissary for 2 years  &

she relies on new & old proof to show the truth

of her ? made an her ? oath that he

was first a Captain & afterward a Commissary --


In December 1775 the Convention of Virginia enacted

& ordained that six additional arguments ? he

revised for the Continental Service.  The Captains &c

? to be appointed by the Committee, they were to recruit

their men as a bounty of twenty shillings for each 

enlisted  --- and this recruiting & entering could be

done by no one but the officer, until after the 25 ?

of March 1776 -- If at that time to wit the 25th of March

the officer had not enlisted their quarters

of soldiers ? then & not tell them the com
                                     -------------------
Page 155

mittee of Safety herefor take such order therein  as to

then shall ? most likely to ? the service.


The record evidence shows by its term that the

Mrs. Keith received the sum of (Pound Sign) 72 under that

ordiance of Convention, from the Treasurer of

Virginia for the recruiting service  -  It is ? that

have but a Captain of the line  ? recurred that

money for recruiting prior to March 25th 1776 and to

none but a Captain could the Committee fo Safety

advance the sum of (Pound Sign) & to none other could it 

entrust the power & the duty of recruiting soldiers

for that service prior to the 25th March 1776.  This ad 

vance of money & this all of  ? of duty (to recruit)

?  of Law & of fact is that he was

then a Captain.


The Committee both concede the opinion that in

the evidence Thomas Keith ?

be ?  to  have been a Captainof the

Virginia line on the 14th February 1776


The Commissioner says that does not show

thiat he was a Commissary  The applicant says that

the Secretary of War had settled that question by decide

that her Husband was a Commissary -- and that

waiving his decision of that fact, the proofs are clear

& satisfactory ---


First on the 8th day of May 1776 the Committee

of Safety by their records assigned to Captain Keith

a duty of furnishing arms for Chiltons Company

which duly was belonging to the Office of Commissary --

and the applicant ? that the discharge 

of as office by order of a certificate authority

is proof that the individual was rightly 

in that trust & must be so regarded.
Page 156

This is the record evidence and the law ? by the

ordiance of Convention.   This ordinance also ? ?

protected any officer from resigning his office in

the army without consent of the Committee & afterwards

the Executive.  In the list of officers who were ap 

pointed in Virga & who resigned (which but is now

in the pension office) the name of Thomas Keith does 

not appear.  He did not therefore it is presumed resign

his Captainancy, which be held ---- the 14th Feby 1776


What then become of him?  It is answered that he was  

transferred to the Office of Commissary & the order of

record under date of 8th May 1776 is ? an to prove

this appointment of Commissary.


Now to the proof of living witnesses

Samuel Wood an aged witness a pensioner for service

says that when this body of miltia reached the Grand

Army under Genl Washington Capt Keith was

in the Office of Commissary with that army  -  and he

was in that office, when the militia returned 

to Virginia.  Mr Woods credibility is testified by

the fact of me being a pensioner for that campaign

& his character is certifed to be good by the ?

of his County in Open Court.  The Judge of the

Superior Court in another document also

testifed to his credibility an thirty years acquain 

tance.  See Judge ? certificate in the case of Saml

Wood.


James M Marshall Esq of Va testified that he was

a boy at shool in the begining of the revolution

& knows nothing at what heared -- Which was that Keith

was a Commissary at the ?.  At the close

of the war at the Siege of York, he knows that

Keith (who was his uncle) was a Commissary

and supplied at the York Town the Fauquier militia
Page 157

Major Jospeh Chilton serving "that he a clear &

distinct recollection of Joseph Chilton whose from

the south, where a previous battle was fought," where

the vetran was at the Great Bridge"  -- This return

he thinks was in the ? of 1776. "that Thomas Keith

was then engaged in the military service , and that

he Keith was subsequently a Commissary for

great part of the War of the revolution --"  In the state

ment (return adds, he is clear & positve."   The Major

wrote ? " that Major Chilton is a highly respective

as gentleman" & I ? Scott of the VIrginia ? ?

?  says "he has been intimately acquainted

with Major Chilton  many years, that he is 

" a Gentleman of high character & his testimony whether to

"full credit"   "His is thesond of John Chilton killed at Bandywine"


M. A. Chilton Esq.  testify from ?

that Keith was a Commissary & he recounts were

? ? from Genl Blackwell ? in ?

mind the belief that Capt Keith was a Commissary.

That Geo K Taylor the sister of Judge Marshall

says Capt Keith in her uncle that he

was always called Capt Keith she was to young

to kno his revolutionary services except by

tradtiion


Richard Rosser swear that he was a Cadet

a  a company commander by Capt John Chilton

That he know Thomas Keith was with the ?

of Fauquier in 1777 served 3 month that ? to the North &

returned with him  died that said Keith was appointed

a commissary of militia.   Volunteers & states ?

& and was stationed at Norfolk where he was issuing com

missary from the Summer fo 1778 till the fall

of 1789:  Mr Joshua Hart certifies that ? ? 

is far as a gentleman & that full credence

is due his ?
Page 158

James Green swears that he was, a ?

in the war of the revolution in the Va state Navy

as an Assistant Commissary at Williamsburg Va in

the year 1779 & 1780 -- That his ? (Green) rarely

left the waters of York River, that the supplies of ?

ship crew were drawn from Williamsburg &

? there & ? be ? Keeth in this ?

          & knew ? service the war.


Greens testimony was questioned & be

sustained himself by the afffidavits of ?  Brad -

ford his ? & ? he ? ?

Justice the County Court and ? Saml

Chilton last ? the Member of Congress

? the district testifies that Bradford

Strickling & ? are men of the ?

character of intelligence & integrity & that

? ? ? & intimately known them all

Greens evidence is further sustained by

the certificate of  the Govt of Va & the Regis

ter of the Land Office that did because

said Warrants are a Midshipman of the

state Navy in the revolution -- ?

byt the ? & Register of Va


The Extracts from the ? of the

Committee & the advance of money for

recruiting to Keeth & ? arms

in Navy 1776 to Capt Chilton are

duly certified by the ?  of Virginia

the officer in whose custody these ?

are Capt.


It is also states in what was Keeth as a ?

fact that most of the records of the revolu -

tion or Rebellion in 1780 - 1781 were destroyed

or lost by  at ?  ?.    ? the

sore is not personal advanced.
Page 159

The foregoing statement is sustained by books and

papers before me.

                                                        J. L. Edwards


Agreed to be me

               J. S. Barbour
Page 160

No. 1

V 1718

Widow of

Tho Keith



Fauquier Co. Va.

December 27 1836

declaration of Judith

Keith


I think the evidence

in the case makes

? the serviceof

the applicants husband

as a Commisssary

for a period two

years -- and that ?

? of  ? ought

to have in this case

23 July 46    W L Marcy
Page 161

Fauquier County to wit

This day personally appear before

me a Justice of the Peace in the County aforesaid George 

Monroe subsribed to the foregoing certificate & made oath

that it is time to the best of his knowledge & belief

gven under my hand 2 Jany 1837.  And I certify that

Ihave Know George Monroe who gave ther said

certificate upwards of fifty years during which time

he has supporter the character of an upright non -

est & highly respeacable man and I have great confi -

dence his testimony 2 January 1847

                                                                Joseph Chilton


Virginia, Fauquier County to wit:

I Alexander J. Marshall Clerk of the county Court of Fauquier

County in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that Joseph Chilton, whos

name is subscribed to the preceding certificate, in now and was at the

date thereof, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid

duly commissiondd and qualified to act as such, and that frull caith

and credit are due to all his official acts as such as as well in

Courts of Justice as thereout, and that the preceding signature pur -

porting to be his genuine.


In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name

and affixed my Seal of Office this 4th day of April 1837

and in the 61st yesar of the Commonwealth

                                                                          A. J. Marshall      C.C.
Page 162

James Green

affidavit

&

Col Bradfords cert:





N 20
Page 163

State of Virginia

County of Fauquier  S.S.


This day James Green personally appeared before

me the subscribe a Justice of the Peace in and for the

County afore said, State of Virginia, and being duly sworn;

and states upon oath as follows that he was a med she =

= in the Virginia State ? during the War 

of the Revolution, and that while acting in that'

capacity, he became acquainted with Thomas Keith

who was an assistant Commissiary, wand was stationed

at Williamsburg in Virgina, that he ? said Keeth

from time to time during the year 1779 & 1780 and 

knew him as a Commissary, ? three years, he

further states during the year  afore said, the state

was invaded at these defiant periods, and that she

? to which he belonged, Very readylef the waters

of York River, consequently all the supplies of the ship

crew ware drawn from Williamsburg it was

at that time that he becomes acquainted with the

said Thomas Kieth and that after the cloas of the

Revolution, he moved from King George his ?

?. In Fauqioer an reminds is aquintance with

said Keith, and he further states that his widow

Mrs Judith Keith is now living in the County of Fauquier

and I certify that said Creen is a creditable 

in Testimony Given under my hand and 

seal this 17 day of April 1844 ----

                              B R Bradford  J P   Seal
Page 164

I do hereby certify, that i have known, James Green or James G 

Green, with in named for appearance of thirty years, and

have known him at all time to be peaceable ? ---

?,  and during   That time has never ? his oath respected

often away that time , has he been ? before

me as a witness, and ? all ways past confidence

in his testimony, never have had it disputed by any

person; or persons.  Given under my hand this 17th

day of April 1844 --- 
                                                        B R Bradford


I Samuel Chilton refers ? in the

Congress is the ? states from the 9th Congress and

DIstrict of Virginia hereby certify that

Col Benjamin R Bradfore whse name is --

subscribed to the foregoing affidavit and

certificate is a duly qualifed acting Justice

of the Peace of the City of Fauquier

County Virginia and that he was such

at the date of said affidavit & certificate

and that full faith & credit have due

to his offical acts   Given under my

hand this 26th April 1844

                                           Samuel Chilton
Page 165

No  12

Fauquier Co Va

July 4 1842

Mark A Chilton

Affidavit Case of Thomas

Keith deceased


Judith Keith


Recd from Wm Helm &

filed by

F. A. Dickins

                      July 16 1842
Page 166

At the request John F. James a grand son of Thomas Keith

decd  I made this statement.  I have frequently heard it stated in the

County of Fauquier and particularly among the relations of Thos Keith

decd that he was a commissary in the army of the Revolution and

a very efficient officer.  I have had many opportiunites of hearing in

the family of the said Keith what situation he  occupied in our strug -

gle for libery.  Many of my relations wer officers in the Army.  My Uncle

John Chilton commanded a company in the Virginia Regiment

and was killed at the Battle of Brandy Wine at which time one

of my maternal uncles John Blackwell was his first Lieutenant

and afterwards commanded the company until he was captured

with Lincoln at Charleston South Carolina   I was very intimate

in the family of John Blackwell having intermarried with one

of his daughters and have frequently heared him say that

Thos Keith was a commissary and one of the best in the 

Army.  The said Thos Keith previous to his death became deranged

and was carried by his eldest son Marhsall Keith to the state of 

Georgia where he died ; his family (wife and children)  state

remaining in Fauquier County Va, where they still reside.


Given under my hand this 4th day of July 1842

                                                     M A Chilton


Fauquier County, State of Virrginia, to wit:

This day Mark A. Chilton came before me, a justice

of the peace for the said county, and made oath in due from

of law that the foregoin certificate is true to the best of

his knowledge and belief.  Given under my hand and

seal the 4th day of July 1842.

                                                                   John Marr  Seal


I have known Mark A. Chilton many years, and conisider

him of as good a character as any man.

                                                                  John Marr
Page 167

Have been acquainted with the ? named

Mark A Chilton in and ? for the last forty

years and can say with ? that his sttatement

? is entitled to full credit.   I was also

well acquainted with his materanl uncle

John Blackwell who died som years ago.  He was

a man of high character.
                                                              Jno. Scott
                                                              -------------
                                                              July 5th 1842


I certify that the above is to the best of my belief

the signature of Jno Scott of the Superior 

Court of the CIrcuit in which he resides

                                                          Cuthbert Powell


State of Virginia,  Fauquier County, to wit:

I, Alexander J Marshall, Clerk of Fauquier County Court, in

the state  aforesaid hereby certify, that John Marr is a maigtrate

as above; and that the foregoin signatures purporting to be his,

are genuine.


In testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand and annex

the seal of may said office, this 5 day of July 1822

and in the 66" hear of the Commonwealth.

                                                     A J Marshall, Clerk of
 
                                                     Fauquier County Court
Page 168

It appears that Thomas Keith received money for the

recuiting service the 14th Feb 1776 for the Committee

of Safety written under


It als appears that on  the 18th May 1776 by

the same Journal of the Committee of ? that

he was employed in Lobbying arms to a

the regular troops rased by under of the Commission

of Virginia  See Auditoir Heaths Certificate

fine if the advance of (Pound Sign) 72 & there of the order

for armu.  The first of the 14 Feb 1776.  The second

of the 8th May 1776.


This is record evidence 

now what ? the ordinance of Committee

1st  That the Committee of Safety and the respective

district Committee   I have the officer & c and that

they shall immediately proceed to recruit their men and

if any Captain & his ? officers, so to be appointed

shall not recruit the number of men for a company

on or before the Last day of Feby next,  The Committee

may appears others to do that duty & or Captain

the old officers & c.


The allowance of bounty was 20 shillings for each

soldier & the advance of (Pound Sign) 72 the 14 July 1776

where the advance of money due to be under ? no

one but a Captain is a strong ? from

the ? that Keith was then a Captain.  He is doing
Page 169

a duty which none other than a recruiting Cap

tain could to -- & the presumption of law becomes

the presumption of fact that he was then a
                                                                           --------
Captain 
-----------

 
The pay of Commissary was better than

that of Captain and the Committee of Safety was an

? to applicant Commission


The duties of Commissary are defined

& ? by the same ordances

of ? (see master pay) & ?

these is that of supplying ? &


The record of Committee shows that

Keith was doing the duties which were not
                                                         ---------------------
in Commissionary  Card legally executed & perform
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The presumption of Land here be ? also

the presumption of fact that Keith was an

Commissary in May 1776


This record is an ? record, proving

first that he was made a Captain in the

six additional regiments, which Captaincy

he ? for the office of Commissary


In addition to this record proof,  ?

respected witness swear to the ? facts

1st  Mrs Keeth swears, tha the was a Captain

that he was engaged in recruitin men

& that some of the men recruited by him

were brought to his House.  She also swears

that her Husband was a Commissary
Page 170

within her knowledge to the case of the ?


Mrs George Keith Taylor her niece one

of the most intelligent Ladies is Marshall

niece  & ? (known to ? Edwards

I swear that her Uncle was always known

as Captain Keith.


Major Chilton whose character is 

certified by Judge Scott proves that Kieth

was in the battle to the South ? ?

?  ? was the Bridge (Dec 9th 1775)

& was afterwards Commissary


James M Marshall proves the same in

? & in ?     1st by tradtion &

Secondly by his personal knowledge that ? knew

was Commissary
====

New Evidence

the ? of the ?

upon recite


Next the evidence of Samuel Wood, James 

Green   R Rosser & several others who

swear of this personal knowledge that Captain

Keith was Commissary & in Service from

1777 to 1781.  The credit of theses witnesses is

fully proved.


The Committee Report in favor

The House adopted by vote & argument  that

Report saying in ?, that the case is fully

proved, that her ? is ? ? the  ?


Major Chilton whose character is

certified by Judge Scott proves that Keith 

was in the battle to the south which he

believes , was the ? Bridge  (Aug 9th 1775)

& was afterwards Commissary.


James M Marshall proves the same in
 
upon & in ? -- 1st by tradition &

served by his personal knowledge that his knew

was Commissary
---

New Evidence

-- The forwards of the ?

upon recite.


That the evidence of Samuel Woods, James

Green,  R. Rosser & several other who

swear of the personal knowledge that Captain

Keith was Commissary & in service from

1777 to 1781.  The credit of these witnesses is

fully proved.


The Committee Report in favor

The House adopted by vote & argument that

?.  Say in subtstance, that his case is fully

proved, that ? ? is  ? the ?
Page 171

of War right to execute the ? in the

Here by by granting the relief she ?
Page 172

Mrs Judith Keith, widow of Thos Keith, states in

her declaration that her husband was employed by

Virginia to purchase arms & munitions of war from

1776 until the fall of 1777 when he was appointed Commissary

to the Fauquier Battalion & marched to the north, side

further states that he (Keith) returned in about three 

months to Va & continue to serve up commissary the

greater part of the Revolutionar War


In this statement how for she sustained by evi 

-dence ?  first the auditor of Va. gives two

certificates, first that Keith recd (Pound Sign) 72 in 1776 for

the recuriting services in Fauquier", secondly that Keith

recd as (Pound Sign)          for arms furnished Capt - Chil -

ton's Company"   See Richarcd Rosser's evidence.  He

states He Knew Keith as Commissary in the

Service at the North in 1777 & that he (Keith) retur 

= ned to Va & served                      years as Commissary

to the Milita, Volunteers & State Line troops


James Green States that Keith served as Com -

missary, Assistant Commissary Genl in 1779

1780 & part of 1781 see evidence


See Maj Joseph Chilton's evidence.  I thinkit

goes for the sustain Mrs. Keiths statement the other

evidence filed in the case


See Mr. James Marshall letter.  He says his Uncle

Keith was C ommissary to the Milita at the Siege of York

& that he alwasy understood that he (Keith) served in the

staff from the begining of the War up to that time.