Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7262, Robert Ferguson, Va.

Page 1

SERVICE: Va

Ferguson, Robert
Besheba

NUMBER W. 7262
B.L. Wt. 19751-160-55

Page 2

Increase
No. 3,295
North Carolina [illegible]
Beshoba Ferguson
widow of Robert Ferguson who served in the Revolutionary War, as a Private - Va. Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 96 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on [crossed out: 4th day of March, 1848] 27 July 1868 [illegible] pts made since Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of March 1869 and sent to Claimant
Care W.J. Palmer
Raleigh
N.C.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3/53 and July 27/68, Page 212, Vol. 26 
J.N. Smith

Page 3

8123
Virginia
Robert Ferguson of Pittsylvania Co. in the State of Va. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Witcher of the Regt commanded by Col. Mason in the Virginia Militia for 2 years from 1779.

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of March 1833 and [illegible]

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 160.00 [+]
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. '33 40 = $200.00

Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Henry H. Sylvester, Clerk
Book D, Vol. 7, Page 129

Page 4

Robert Ferguson
Virginia

No 10828,

admit for 2 yr
private
$80
[illegible]
Thos. Williams

Page 5

BRIEF in the case of Robert Ferguson of Pittsylvania Co. in the State of Virginia (Act 7th June, 1832).

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? 
Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 
72 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
(Listed by category: Period, Duration of Service, Rank, and Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served).
- In 1779 Enlisted, 6 Months, As a Substitute for [illegible]; Gens. Stephens and Lawson. 
- In May 1780, Volunteer; 4 months 15 days; Private; Col. Cleaveland. 
- In Dec. 1780, drafted; 4 months; Substitute [illegible]; Capt. Cleaveland; Capt. John [illegible]. 
- In April 1781, drafted; 3 months; Private; Major Purnett, Capt. Burnett. 
- In August 1781, Enlisted for [illegible]; 1 year [?]; Waggoner [?]; Capt. Buckley, Capt.  Wm. Clark, Willilam McGraw.

5. In what battles was he engaged? 
Guilford & Jameston [?].

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
Pittsylvania Co., Va.

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
[illegible]

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
defective on Separate Sheets of Paper.

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

C. Litle, Examining Clerk.

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Virginia [illegible],
As a County Court held for the County of Pittsylvania on the 20th Day of June 1833.
This Day Besheba Ferguson, a resident of Caswell County in the State of North Carolina, formerly a resident of this County, appeared in open court and being duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 3rd Day of February 1833 granting pensions to widows of persons who served as soldiers during the Revolutionary War. "That she is the widow of Robert Ferguson, dec'd who was a private in the Army during the Revolutionary War. That her said husband received a pension of Eighty Dollars per annum payable at the agency in the City of Richmond semi annually. For evidence of the services rendered by him during the said war she refers to the evidence and his original application for a pension on file at the pension office in the City of Washington. She further declares that she was married to the said Robert Ferguson on the 4th Day of May, 1818 by one Rev'd Mr. Elliott, as a Methodist minister. That her name before her said marriage was Besheba Newbill, and that her said husband died at his residence in this County on the 28th Day of April 1850 and that she is now a widow." And the court do hereby certify from satisfactory evidence exhibited within [?] that the said Besheba Ferguson is the widow of Robert Ferguson dec'd a Revolutionary soldier and that the said Robt.

Page 7

Ferguson dec'd received an annual pension of Eighty Dollars per year payable semi-annually and that she is still a widow.

I Sanghorne Scruggs Clerk of the County Court of Pittsylvania County in State of Virginia, do hereby certify that the foregoing order of court is truly copied from the records of the said court and that the said court is a court of records.
As witness my hand and seal of office this 24th day of June 1853.
S. Scruggs clk

Page 8

91.012 act Mar 9 / 58
cir J. Pigott Nov. 23d / 55
Besheba Ferguson wid Robert Fersuson

Jennings Pigott
Present
Vol. F. 29

Page 9

Bounty Land Claim of Mrs. Besheba Ferguson
Widow of Robert
War of Revolution
Act 3 March '55
Filed by Jennings Pigott
Present

[text partially obstructed] ... this is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my Seal of Office and subscribed my name this 15th day of April A.D. 1853.
Tho. W. Groves Clk
Cl'k of the court of Caswell County

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State of North Carolina
Caswell County

On this the 12th day of April 1855, personally appeared before me James M. Allen a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, Mrs. Besheba Ferguson, and made oath in due form of law, that she is the identical person, named in an original certificate in her possession, of which (I certify) the following is a true copy.
Department of the Interior
Widows Pension
No. 3,275

I certify that in conformity with the 2d section of the Act of February 3, 1853, Besheba Ferguson, widow of Robert Ferguson, who was a private in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum, commencing on the 3rd of February 1853 and continuing for life unless she should again marry; in which case the pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.

Examined and Countersigned
L.P. Walde
Commissioner of Pensions

R.W. McClelland
Secretary of the Interior

That she has not intermarried but continues the widow of the above mentioned Robert Ferguson and that she now resides in Caswell County, North Carolina, and has resided there for four years past, and that previous to that time she resided in Pittsylvania County Virginia; of the truth of which I am fully satisfied. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3d 1855. She also declares that she has not received warrant for bounty land under this or any other Act of Congress, nor made any other application therefor. 
Besheba (her mark) Ferguson, claimant
W.J. Palmer / illegible witnesses

Sworn and subscribed this the 12th day of April 1855
J.M. Allen  J.P

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We W. J. Palmer and Isaac Oettinger, residents of Caswell County, North Carolina, upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Mrs. Besheba Ferguson in our presence, and we believe from the appearance and statements of the application that she is the person she represents herself to be. 
71.012 (written sideways in the margin)
W. J. Palmer }
Ia Oettinger } Witnesses
I Besheba Ferguson do hereby constitute and appoint Jennings Pegott irrevocably my true and lawful attorney with full power to ask for receive, and give good and sufficient receipts for any land warrant to which I am entitled, and which may be issued by reason of said services, and generally to do any and every act that I might or could do were I personally present at the doing thereof, hereby ratifying and confirming whatsoever ~ he my said attorney, or his substitute should do in and about the premises by virtue whereof, hereby revoking all other power heretofore granted.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal. This the 12" day of April A.D. 1855.
              her
Besheba  X  Ferguson      seal (circled)
             mark
W. J. Palmer  +
Ia Oettinger,  +
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn and subscribed before me, and said power of Attorney duly acknowledged on the day and year above written and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons, and that the claimant is the person that she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.

J. M. Allen, +J.P.
I, Thomas W. Graves, clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Caswell county, certify that James M. Allen is a Magistrate as above, and the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my Seal of Office and subscribed my name this 15th day of April A.D. 1835.
Tho W. Graves, clk
Clk of the court of Caswell County

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We NJ Palmer and Isaac Lettings, as residents of Caswell County, Nother Carolina, upon our oaths declare tht the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Mrs Besheba Ferguson in our presence, and we believe from the appearance and statements of the application that she is the person she represents herself to be. 
NJ Palmer 
I Lettings }Witnessed

I, Besheba Ferguson do hereby constitute and appoint Jennings Pigott irrevocably my true and lawful attorney with full power to ask for, receive, and give good and sufficient receipts for any land warrant to which I am entitled, and which may be issued by reason of said services, and generally to do any and every act that I might or could do were I personally present at the doing thereof, hereby ratifying and confirming whatsoever he my said attorney, or his substitute should do in and about the premises by virtue hereof, hereby revoking all other powers heretofore granted in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal.
This the 12th day of April AD 1835.
NJ Palmer +  Besheba Ferguson x her mark  seal
I Lettings +
The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn and subscribed before me, and said power of Attorney duly acknowledged on the day and year above written and I certify that I know the officiants to be credible persons, and that the claimant is the person that she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.
I.M. Allen + J.P. Caswell
I, Thomas M Graves, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sepions for Caswell county, certify that James M Allen is Magistrate as above, and the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my Seal of Office and subscribed my name this 15th day of April A.D. 1835.
Thomas Graves Clerk
Clerk of the court of  Caswell County

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Robert Ferguson
18,828

Page 14

State of virginia
county of Pittsylvania S.S.
On this 33rd day of August 1832 personally appeared before Daniel Coleman, James Sayars, David H Clark and William L. Parmitt the court of Pittsylvania County Now Sitting Robert Ferguson a resident of the said County and State aforesaid aged Seventy two years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832- that he entered the service of the United States Sometime in the year 1779 as a substitute for Bacylict Wier (?) and Marched from the County of Pittsylvania in a Company of Militia Commanded by Capt. bletcher (?) to Salisberry in the State of North Carolina and joined the north Carolina Militia at that place under Col. Maron who was Stationed there two or three months, then marched to Charlotte in the said State of North Carolina, & remained at that place a few days- they were marched from there, for some time in Various directions until they arrived at Stone Inlet on the Coast of South Carolina and were Stationed Near that place until their term of service ended, being six months, that his discharge is lost and cannot be found. He does not know any person living that was with him on that tour but the service endured is proved by Bazalist Wier (?) who employed him as his substitute. -
In the Spring of 1780 He was employed by Joseph Terry to assist him in driving a parcel of Cattle into the State of North Carolina When they arrived at Wilkins Courthouse - about the 15" day of May 1780 he again

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entered the service of the United States as a volunteer Soldier and marched from the Said County of Wilkes in the State aforesaid in a Company Commanded by Capt. Wilhorn Cleveland and formed the Regiment Commanded by Col. John Cleveland. that they continued marching, in various directions, Sometimes Down the Colawba River not being stationed long at any one place - they were principally engaged in Searching for and taking Tories until about the first of October they returned to Said Wilkes Courthouse and were there Discharged by Col. Cleveland the whole of time of service rendered on this tour was a least four months and fifteen days, - his discharge is lost and cannot be found - He does not know a living person that served with him on this tour. - 
About the first of December 1780 he again entered the Service of the United States a a Substitute for William Bennett and marched from the County of Pittsylvania in the State of Virginia in a Company of drafted Militia Commanded by Capt. John Winn to the Island Ford and Dan River, from there to the great falls on the Said where Danville is now situated, from there they marched into the state of North Carolina and joined the main army under Genl. Stephens and Genl. Lawson. He was then transfered to a Company Commanded by Capt. William Dix and marched with him in the army as aforesaid in various directions not being stationed long at any one place, but sometimes marched nearly all night until they met with Lord Cornwallis in the County of Guilford, when a Severe Battle was fought, the american were defeated in that engagement and retreated to Troublesome Iron Works, near Haw river, where they were again organized and Marched from that place under Genl. Greene in

Page 16

pursuit of the British until they arrived at Kaming's Mill on Deep River in the State of North Carolina - He was discharged at that place by Capt. William Dix in the month of April 1781 - the Whole of the time of service rendered on this tour is at least four months - his discharge is lost and Cannot be found but the Service rendered is proved by James M Williams, who was a soldier with him at the same time and place. - 
That about the last of April 1781 He was drafted as a soldier and marched from the said County of Pittsylvania in a Company of Militia Commanded by Capt. Henry BEnnett, through Halifax County to Charlotte Courthouse Va and joined the army at that place under Genl Lawson - was transfered to a Company Commanded by Captain John Buckley attached to the Regiment Commanded by Maj.  Burnett, from there was marched to Prince Edward Courthouse and from there through Cumberland County crossed James River at Carter's Ferry and Continued to March until they arrived at Dandridge gate field in Hanover County when he was again transfered to a Company Commanded by Captain William Clark - He marched with him under Majr. Burnett in the said army to a placed called Morban Hill about Seventeen miles below Richmond - was stationed there several weeks, then marched the whole army under Burrow Shehan, Generals Green, Stephans and Lawson to Jamestown. a Battle was fought at that place, after which they went back to Morben Hill where they were stationed until he was discharged by Capt. William Clark about the last of July 1781 - The whole time of service rendered on this tour is three months - his discharge is lost and cannot be found, but the service rendered is proved

Page 17

by Leray Shelton who was a Soldier with him in the same companies, and at the same places throughout the tours - That as Soon as he returned home from serving his above tour which was in the month of August 1781 he enlisted with Wm. McGraw who was a deputy Quarter Master for the Southern army at Peytonsburg Pittsylvania County Va. during the war and remained in the service of the United States engaged as a Wagoneer driving the public teams under the Command of the said Wm. McGraw until after the end of the war, the whole time of service rendered under this enlistment was at least one year, his discharge ^is lost and cannot be found but the service rendered is proved by James M. Williams who was in the same service with McGraw at the same time - that he was born in the County of Halifax in the State of Virginia in the year 1761 - He has no record of his age but has seen it of record in his fathers family - but knows not what became of it - that he lived in the County of Pittsylvania when he entered the service of the United States and has lived in the ^said County ever since the war ended - 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of any States.
Sworn to and Subscribed this day and year aforesaid - 
           his
Robert  R  Ferguson
           mark
Pittsylvania county Virginia to wit
This day personally appeared before  me John Williams a Justice of the Peace for Said County Bazaliel Wire Sen. & made oath that during the Revolutionary war he employed Robert Ferguson as a Substitute to perform a six months tour of duty for him as a Militia man which said

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Tour he has no hesitation that he faithfully performed - Given under my hand this 31st day of July 1832
John Williams, J.P.
I James M. Williams, Sen. of the County of Pittsylvania and State of Virginia do hereby Certify and Solemnly Swear that in the year 1781 I enlisted with Williams McGraw in the army of the revolution and was employed as a Carrier of the mail, and other public dispatches for one year and that Robert Ferguson was in the service of the United States at the same time engaged as a Waggoner under the Control of the said Wm. McGraw who was a deputy Quarter Master for the southern army at Peytonsburg. Given under my hand this 18th day of August 1832
J. M. Williams
I also Certify that I was a soldier and Saw Robert Ferguson in the army as a soldiier under Genl. Greene just before the battle was fought at Guilford in March 1781.
Given under my hand this 18th day of August 1832 - 
J. M. Williams
I Leray Shelton of the County of Pittsylvania and State of Virginia do hereby Certify and Solemnly Swear that in the month of April 1781 I was drafted in a Company of Militia and marched from the County of Pittsylvania in a Company under the Command Capt. Henry Burnet to Prince Edward courthouse and was attached to a Company under the Command of Capt. John Buckley and marched from that place with him to Dandridges old Field where I was transfered to the Company under the Command of Capt. William Clark and marched with him to Morben Hill and were stationed at that place several weeks - and that

Page 19

Robert Ferguson of the said County of Pittsylvania was drafted
at the same time and marched in the said Companies with
me under the above named officers untill [until] he performed
three months service and that the said Robert Ferguson was honorably discharged by Capt Clark at
Morbend Hill in the month of July 1781-
Given under my hand this 20th day of August 1832
Leroy Shelton
This day Leroy Shelton appeared before me Thomas
Shelton a Justice of the peace for the County of Pittsylvania and subscribed his name and swore to the foregoing certificate and I do certify that the said Leroy
Shelton is a credible person and that his statement
is entitled to credit.
Given under my hand this 20th day of August 1832
Thos. Shelton
Pittsylvania County to wit
This day came Joseph Ferguson personally
before me a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid
and made oath that about the year 1779 Robert Ferguson
a Revolutionary soldier was employed by Bazalie Wier as a
substitute for him and served a tour of 3 or 4 months
and afterwards to the best of his knowledge, the said Robert
Ferguson served another tour of six months as a substitute
for William Bennett and was out in the service of
the Revolution at the time the battle at Guilford was
fought in the year of 1781 - Given under my hand
and seal this 17th day of August 1832
Jas. M. William J.P.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion
after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogating prescribed by the war department, that the

Page 20

abovenamed [above named] applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served
as he states. And the Court further certifies that Bazalie Wier, James M. Williams, Leroy Shelton and Joseph
Ferguson who have given the preceding certificates are 
residents of the County of Pittsylvania and are credible persons
and that their elements are entitled to credit
---
I William Tunstall Clerk of the Court of Pittsylvania County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter
of the application of Robert Ferguson for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 
my hand and seal of office this 8th
day of September 1832
---
Will Tunstall

Page 21

Mrs. John Harbour McBee
1201 River Road
Greenwood, Mississippi.

March 15, 1940.
BA-J/ILL
Robert Ferguson
W. 7262
Dear Madam:
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on
file in pension claim, W. 7252, based on service of Robert
Ferguson in the Revolutionary War.
Robert Ferguson was born in the year 1761, in Halifax County,
Virginia; the day of his birth and names of his parents were not
given. At the time of the Revolutionary War, he resided in Pittsylvania
County, Virginia.
He enlisted sometime in 1779, and served six months as
private in Captain Fitcher's Virginia company, during which he marched
from Pittsylvania County, Virginia, into North Carolina. In the
spring of 1780, he assisted in driving some cattle into North Carolina;
while at Wilkes Court House in that state, he enlisted about May 15,
1780 and served four and one half months as private in Captain William
Cleveland's company, Colonel John Cleveland's North Carolina regiment,
engaged against the Tories. He returned to Pittsylvania County, Virginia
, where he enlisted in December 1780, served as private in Captain
John Winn's Virginia company, was transferred to Captain William Dix'
company, was in a severe battle with the enemy under Lord Cornwallis
and retreated to the Iron Works near [illegible] River, and was discharged in
April 1781. He enlisted the last of April 1781, in Pittsylvania County,
Virginia, served as private in Captains Henry Burnett's, John Buckley's
and William Clark's Virginia companies, and was in a battle near Jamestown, length of this service three months. He enlisted in August 1781,
in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, as a wagoner under William McCraw,
Deputy Quartermaster, and continued in that service for about one year.
Robert Ferguson was allowed pension on account of his service
in the Revolutionary War, on his application executed August 22, 1832,

Page 22

at which time he resided in Pittsylvania County, Virginia; he had
continued to reside there ever since the Revolutionary War. He
died there April 28, 1850. He made no reference to children.
Robert Ferguson married May 4, 1818, Besheba Newbill (Newbell):
they were married by a Methodist Minister in Pittsylvania County,
Virginia. The names of her parents were not given, nor the date of
her birth.
Besheba Ferguson was allowed pension on her application executed
June 20, 1853, at which time she resided in Milton, Caswell County,
North Carolina; he had moved there from Pittsylvania County, Virginia,
about the year 1851. She was allowed one hundred sixty acres of
bounty land under the Act of March 3, 1855, on account of her husband's
service in the Revolutionary War. Warrant #19751 was issued under that
Act, on an application made by her April 12, 1855. She resided in
Wilton, Caswell County, North Carolina, in 1867, at which time she
was aged about sixty-five years. Her pension was increased in 1868.
In August 1832, Joseph Ferguson of Pittsylvania County, Virginia
, made affidavit regarding the service of Robert Ferguson during the
Revolutionary War; he did not state any relationship between them.
In 1888, one R. A. Newbell resided in Milton, North Carolina;
he was present when this soldier's widow, Besheba Ferguson, made
request regarding her pension. No relationship between them was
stated.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner,
you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office,
this city, and furnish the following data:

Besheba Ferguson, widow of Robert Ferguson,
Certificate # 3295
Issued March 13, 1869
Rate $96 per annum (increase)
Commenced July 27, 1868
Act of July 29, 1868
North Carolina Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
2.

Page 23

1916 Feb 4 [illegible]
Mrs. John Reese Jr Frr
[illegible)

Revy Wido, &c.
File no. 7262
Besheba Ferguson wid
Robert Ferguson Prirt Rev War
act: July 27, 1868
Index: Vol A Page 233

Page 24

1916, Feb. 4. History to
Mrs. John Reese, Jr.
For
1940. Mar 15 Hist to Mrs. John
H. McBu.lff


Revys [?]
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 7262

Besheba Ferguson
Wid"
Robert Ferguson
Privt Rev War
---
Act: July 27
1868
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 233
Arrangement of 1870.}

Page 25

19.757
No 2476
Bersheba Ferguson of
[illegible possibly Robert]
Letta S O' Neal-
[illegible
Letta S. O'Neal
Oct 4/53

Page 26

Pension Office September 12, 53
Sir
Please report [illegible] of last payment to or death of [illegible] named pensioner
Respectfully
F Burt Esq
S Cole for [illegible]
Present
Robert Ferguson Act 32
$80.00 [illegible] paid
to the 4th March 1850
no date of death on our books
F Burt Auditor

Page 27

R. C. Powell fors 28"18/15
3.295
North Carolina Fayetteville
Besheba Ferguson
widow of Robert
who served in the Revolutionary war, as  a private,
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
________
Certificate of Pension issued 21st day of Dec. 1853
and sent to G. D. Neal
Pittsylvania Ct House,
4 March [illegible] Va:
Recorded on roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 134. Vol. A

Page 28

3293
Restoration
North Carolina
Besheba Ferguson
widow of Robert Ferguson
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the ^Raleigh Roll at the rate of 80 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on [3d February, 1853 struck through] 4th March 1861 [handwritten]
Certificate of Pension issued 2nd day of May 1867 and sent to Dr. R. J. Powell
Washington
DJ[initials]
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 212 Vol. U [?]
[signature] G N Amish, Clerk

Page 29

3293
North Carolina Fay
Besheba Ferguson
widow of Robert
who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private,
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
________
Certificate of Pension issued 21st day of Dec. 1853
and sent to G. D. Neal
Pittsylvania Ct House,
[initials]
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 134 Vol. CC

Page 30

To
91012
_____
additional evi[dence]
Mrs B Ferguson
Oct 55
Bounty land
Boynton
Jennings Pigott
Present

Page 31

This is to Certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Continental [handwritten] Line as settled their Accounts and received Certificates for the balance of their full pay, according to An Act of Assembly, passed the November Session 1781, directing the Auditors of Public Accounts to settle and adjust the pay and accounts of the said Officers and Soldiers from the 1st January 1777 to 31st December 1781, (See Hening's Statutes at Large, Vol. 10, p.462,) that a settlement was made on the 17th [handwritten] day of August 1787 [handwritten] in the name of Robert Ferguson [handwritten] as Sol. Infy [handwritten with line following] and evidence of the indebtedness of the State to him for L 4n 6m 8 delivered to his father [handwritten] but as the original settlements or copies thereof are not to be found in this Office, the term of service embraced therein cannot be stated

Given under my hand, at the [word crossed out] Auditor's Office, Richmond, this 5th [handwritten] day of January 1856

{NO SEAL
     OF
 OFFICE}

G. W. Chitter [handwritten signature]

Page 32

Robert Ferguson

Page 33

[typed form with handwritten entries]

Know all Men by these Presents that I, Robert Ferguson, of the County of Pittsylvania and State of Virginia, do hereby constitute and appoint Thomas Williams of said County, my true and Lawful Attorney, with a power of substitution for me and in my name, to receive from the United States, the amount of pay now due to me, under the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832 entitled an Act Supplementary to an Act for the relief of the Surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Revolution as a soldier in the Army of the Revolution. As Witness, my hand and seal this 22d day of August 1832

Sealed and delivered in the presence of }
Robert R Ferguson his mark

Before me Matter Coles a Justice of the Peace, in the County of Pittsylvania and State of Virginia Personally appeared this day Robert Ferguson whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Power of Attorney, and acknowledged the same to be his Act and Deed Given under my hand this 22d day of August 1832
Matter Coles

Before me Matter Coles a Justice of the Peace, in the County of Pittsylvania and State of Virginia Personally appeared this day Thomas Williams the Attorney named in the foregoing Power of Attorney, and made Oath that the same was not given to him by reason of any transfer, or of any attachment, levy, or seizure, by any legal process whatever, of the pay therein authorised to be received, but that the said pay is intended to ensure wholly to the personal benefit of the person by whom the said power was executed. 
Witness, my hand this 22d day of August 1832 Matter Coles

I William Turnstall Clerk of the Court, of the County of Pittsylvania in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Matter Coles before whom the foregoing Power of Attorney acknowledged, and Affidavit was Sworn, was at the time a Justice of the Peace, duly empowered to Administer Oaths
In testimony whereof I have herunto set my hand and affixed this seal of said Court this 7t day of September 1832
Will Turnstall

Page 34

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Robert Ferguson which require further proof or explanation.  

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes

V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amou[n]t of pension he is entitled? Yes

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes

Page 35

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
No Clergyman [handwritten]
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
No  [handwritten]
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? This living witnesses  [handwritten]
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
Yes -
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? 
Yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? 
yes
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?
Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
Yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services, but
according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For_____year
_____months, and _____days,  I served as a _____ _____ _____ For _____ months and _____days,  I served as a _____ _____ _____; and for such service I claim a pension.

Page 36

It is important in all cases to deterrmin with presicion the period for qhich each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according ot the grade of the pensioner and the lenght of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c, without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit; 
quere XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the appliccant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certifiied by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
Quere XVI. Mode of authenticating papers
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the ceal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperrly attached to the certificate.
In every case wherre the clert of the court, or ther certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers

Page 37

Brief in the case of Bersheba Ferguson widow of Robert
Caswell County and State of N. Carolina
act of February 3, 1853
Caswell
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband a private in Va Mil. 2 yrs,
pensioner under act of June 7, 1832.
Allowed $80 per annum Commencing Feb. 3--1853.
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Marriage proved by credible witnesses
Death proved by Auditor's, report
Identity & Widowhood proved by Cr Witnesses
Name and residence of Agent
G.D. Neal
Pittsylvania Co.NC.
Va.
Examining Clerk.
J L Gray

Page 38

3295 ^Raleigh
Restoration
Brief in the case of Bersheba Ferguson  Widow of Robert
Who was a Rev soldier
Caswell County and State of North Carolina
2o the Act 3 Feb. 1853.
CLAIM FOR NEW PENSION CERTIFICATE,
PROOF ExHIBITED,
He was a pensioner on the Roll of Fayetteville NC at $80.00 per annum & paid to March 4, 1861  She now claims restoration having made proof of loyalty-
Widowhood & returned her good certificate
Restored April 30. 1861 to a pension at $80
annum commencing March 4. 1161
Name and residence of Agent.
Dr. R. J. Powell
Washington
D.C.
W E Trask
Examining Clerk.

Page 39

North Carolina Institution for the Deaf & Dumb 
and the Blind.
Raleigh Dec. 12 
Hon C.C. Cox
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir,
Enclosed please find application of Mrs Besheba Ferguson for increase of Pension under 13th Section of act of July 27 1868. Please let me know whether or not application is made out in due form and let me hear from you at your earliest convenience.
Very Truly Yours
W.J. Palmer
PS
Mrs Ferguson is a poor woman and I hope you will give this matter your early attention

Page 40

Payment to be made at Raleigh by 
Andrew Meller 
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of North Carolina

Payable on the 4th September and 4th March


Recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 3d, 1853, Page 212 Vol.  "36"

J. N. Smith Clerk

Page 41

Restoration
Department of the Interior.
Widow's Pension
I certify that, in conformity with teh 2d section of the act of February 3, 1853, Besheba Ferguson widow of Robert Ferguson who was a private in the revolutionary war, is inscribed on the Pension List, at the rate of Eighty dollars and ~~ cents per annum, commencing on the 4th March 1861, and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable fter the time of such marriage.
Given at the Department of the Interior, this Second day of May one thousand eight hundred and Sixty Seven
W.T. Otto
Acting Secretary of the Interior
Examind and countersigned, Joseph H Barrett Commissioner of Pensions

Page 42

3295
^Increase
Brief in the case of Besheba Ferguson
Widow of Robert Ferguson,  Private Rev. [revolutionary] War Militia
^Raleigh
Caswell County and State of North Carolina
Act 2d [2nd] Sec Feb. 3, 1853.
CLAIM FOR NEW PENSION CERTIFICATE,
Sec Act July 27, 1868
PROOF EXHIBITED,
A pensioner roll of Raleigh at $80.00 per annum
Certificate returned.
Claims for increase as
provided by act of July 27, 1868.
Personal identity as continued widowhood [illegible].
Admitted Feb 19. 1869 to a pension at $96 per annum 
to commence July 27, 1868 deducting pay since
Name and residence of Agent.
Claimant
Care W.J. Palmer
Raleigh
No Carolina-
W. E. Trask
Examining Clerk.

Page 43

N.C. Institution for the Deaf & Dumb & the Blind,
Raliegh January 27th, 1869.
Hon C.C. Cox
Dear Sir,
Please find enclosed Pension certificate of Mrs Besheba Ferguson which you will please file with the paper applying for an increase of Pension. Please let me hear from you as soon as possible about her case.
Truly Yours,
WJ Palmer

Page 44

(written sideways on page)
Besheba Fergusson
No Carolina
Rev

Call for Cat
Feb 4  HGY

Page 45

State of North Carolina
County of Gaswell
On this hte 1st day of December A.D. One thousand eight hundred and Sixty Eight, personally appeared before me J.L. Staton a Justice of the Peace withing and for hte county and Stae aforesaid, Mrs Besheba Ferguson aged sixty seven years, a resident of Milton, Gaswell County, in the State of North Carolina, who, being duly sworn according to Law, declares that she is the identical Mrs Besheba Ferguson to whom was granted Pension Certificate No 3.295 payable at the agence of North Carolina, at the rate of Eighty dollars per year, issued under the act of February 3rd, 1853 that she makes this declaration in order to secure the increase of her pension to which she is entitled under the thirteenth section of the act of July 27th, 1868, and she further declares that she has never intermarried but cintinues the widow of Robert Ferguson . My post office

Page 46

address is follows; Milton, Caswell
County North
 Carolina
               her
Besheba    X      Ferguson,
               mark
Also personally appeared Geo. W Thompson and R A Newbill, residents of Milton,
Caswell County North Carolina persons
whom I certify to be respectable and
entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Mrs Besheba Ferguson make her mark to the
foregoing declaration; and they
further swear, that they have every
reason to believe from the appearance
of the applicant and their acquaintance
with her, that she is the identical
person she represents herself to be and
that they have no interest in the prosecution
of this claim.
Geo W Thompson
A Newbell

Page 47

Sworn to and subscribed before me this
1st day of December, A.D 1868; and I hereby certify that I have no interest direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
J. S. Staton J.P.
State of North Carolina SS
County of Caswell 
I, H. F. Brandon
Clerk of the Superior Court of the County and
State aforesaid, do hereby certify that
J. L. Staton is a Justice of the
Peace, duly commissioned and qualified
and that his signature above written is
genuine
Given under my hand and the Seal
of Said County
this 2nd day of Dec
A.D. 1868
H F Brandon [illegible initials possibly Stanton's]

Page 48

For the Restoration of Pension

Department of the Interior 
APR 27 1867
Pension of 

Address
Dr. R.J Powell, 
Washington, D.C.

Page 49

State of North Carolina ⎬SS
County of Caswell
On this the 5th day of April A.D. One thousand, eight hundred, sixty seven, (1867) personally appeared before me H.F. Brandon Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, in said State and County, the same being a Court of Record, Mrs Besheba Ferguson, aged about sixty five years a resident of the town of Milton, Caswell County, in the State of North Carolina, who being duly sworn according to law, declares, that she is the identical Besheba Ferguson, who was a pension on the roll of the Agency at Fayetteville, North Carolina, and whose pension certificate is herewith returned; that she resided since the first day of January A.D. One thousand, eight hundred and sixty one (1861) in Milton, Caswell County, in the State of North Carolina, and that during this period her means of subsistence has been weaving sewing and knitting for her neighbors; that she has not borne arms against the government of the United States, or in any manner encouraged the rebels, or manifested a sympathy with their cause; and that she was paid her pension on the fourth of march A.D. 1861.
This application is made for the purpose of securing a restoration of her name to the Pension Rolls, and of obtaining a new pension certificate, such as she may be entitled to under existing law, reference being made to the evidence heretofore filed in the Pension Office, substantiate the original claim. her Besheba + Ferguson. mark. Also, personally appeared Abneer R. Terry and Williams J. Farley residents of the County of Caswell, and state of North Carolina, persons whom

Page 50

I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn, say tht they were present and saw Mrs Besheba Ferguson make her mark to the foregoing declaration, previous to which, the contents of said declaration were fully made known to her, and they further swear that they have every reason to believe from the appearance that the applicate, and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and they further swear that they believe her to have been loyal and that she did not in any manner encourage the rebellion or manifest a sympanty withteh cuase of the rebels, and that her means of support during the rebellion were weaving, sewing, and knitting as certified by her, and that such sewing knitting and weaving was not for the purpose of aiding or assisting the rebellion; and they further swear that Besheba Ferguson, who makes this application for the restoration of her pension, still remains the widow of Robert Ferguson, who was a private in the Revolutionary War, never having married since his death, and they further swear that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
A.R. Terry
W.T. Farley
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 5th day of April A.D. One thousand, eight hundred and sixty seven (1867.) and I herby certify that the contents of the foregoing declaration were made known to Mrs Besheba Ferguson, in my presence before signing the same, with her mark, and that I have no interest direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim.
H.F. Brandon Clerk [illegible]

Page 51

I, Besheba Ferguson, do solemnly swear in the presence of Almighty God, that I will henceforth faithfully support, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the Untion of the States thereunder; that I will in like manner abide by and faithfully support all laws and proclamations, which have been made during the existing rebellion, with reference to the emancipation of slaves; So help me God.
her Besheba + Ferguson mark
[illegible] Thos J Brown [illegible]
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this the 5th day of April A.D. 1867. And I herby certify that the contents of the above oath were made known to her before signing and that Thomas J. Brown is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Gaswell and Sate of NOrht Carolina
H.F. Brandon Clerk

Page 52

Payment to be made at Fayetteville by James Huske agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of N. Carolina
Payable on the 4th September and 4th March
Recorded in the Pension Office on the Roll of Pensioners under act February 3d, 1853 Page 134 Vol A
G.T. Getty Clerk

Page 53

Department of the Interior.
Widow's Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the 2d section of the act of Febraury 3 1853, Besheba Ferguson widow of Robert Ferguson, who was a private in the revolutionary war is inscribed on the pension list at hte rate of Eighty dollars and cents per anuum, commencing on the 3d of Bebruary, 1853 and continuing for life, unless she should again marry; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage.
Given at the Department of the Interior, this twenty first day of December one thousand eight hundred fifty three.
RW Clelland
Secretary of the Interior.
Examined and Countersigned
LP Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions.

Page 54

To The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC
EEW

Page 55

Dear Sir
Pittsylvania House, Virginia
June 27, 1853
I herewith tender the application of
Mrs. Besha [Besheba]Ferguson for the back pay of her husband at the time of his death also her application for pension under the act of the 3d February. 1853
I thought it best to have the Widow and Witness in open Court and to have all the proceedings 
expressed [?]upon the Records of said Court, should you require any other evidence of marriage. It can be had form the clerks office of said Court. please acknowledge this and the Receipt of the enclosed declaration. 
I am very Respectfully your G O'Neal
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
DC

Page 56

[Circular Stamp with Pittsylvania Sep 30]
[stamped FREE]
[Illegible] 1133
Bersheba Ferguson
etvir Robert

The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
DC

Page 57

Pennsylvania Co Va
28 Sept 1853
Dear Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your communication of date the 11th of Sept. in relation to the application of Mrs Besheba Ferguson for pension. I was somewhat surprised that you should suspend her claim for insufficient evidence of marriage. It is a rule laid down in the United States courts, as well as the State's Courts, that no higher evidence can be produced than the record of a court of law
duly authenticated, and we are bound to respect that evidence unless we have reason to believe that it is not a true copy. In the case of Mrs Ferguson, she appears in open ^Court
and testifies to the facts set forth in the declaration, witnesses  so considered before the court testify as to her marriage with Robert Ferguson & that she is now a widow.  The certificate of pension in her possession
is also produced in Court and it certifies upon satisfactory evidence which is in there that she is the widow of the said Robert Ferguson
[illegible] who was a war pensioner, that they were legally married, that he is dead, that she is now a widow. This as occurred in the courts as
at the regular proceedings of said Court a
Copy of the said  [illegible] manuscript, duly authenticated by the clerk. The office of said court & yet in the face of this evidence, your decision would set aside this record evidence and admit as evidence

Page 58

^this
the [crossed out] case; a copy of the previous record of this marriage. We deem it unnecessary to refer you to any authorities upon evidence, believing, that you will on an examination of the papers filed in the case 
[illegible: assuredly of a???]
such a rule of evidence.
[illegible] as is laid down in your instructions, But should you adhere to your
decision, We would be pleased to learn of the affidavits of witnesses before a Justice out of Court will deem admissible.  We [illegible ] in the approach of this. I am sure of the difficulty of processing the admittance of witnesses, who remain some distance from this affair [?]
in open court. We see also that you have suspended the claim of Mrs Elizabeth Linford  widow of Anthony P. Sepford as well as that of Mrs. Chaney for the same cause
I am very Respectfully yours
G O Neal

To the Commissioners

Herewith [illegible] a copy of your intentions
“A copy of a public or private record of the marriage
of Besheba Ferguson must be admitted to
this office of army [illegible]. If no such record
exists then the claimant must make affidavit
of the fact and accompany the same with
affidavits of credible witnesses who may testify
to common institution of marriage”
The Court testified to all these facts once and it now stands
in the records as the proceedings of said Court.
your [illegible] would request the record stand

Page 59

of the Court and as a private record of the
marriage as evidence, a portion entirely [illegible]

Page 60

[Postmark} Pittsylvania C.H.
FREE
To The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City DC
Oct 12, 1853
A[illegible] in case Besheba Ferguson widow of Robert.
G. D. Neal Pittsylvania C.H.

Page 61

Pittsylvania CH Va
7th [July?][illegible] 1853
Enclosed is a power of attorney executed
to me by Mrs. Beseba Ferguson widow of Robt [Robert]
Ferguson deceased. [crossed out]. Please file it
with her application for back pay
I am very Respectfully G. D. Neal
To the Commisions of Pensions
Washington DC

Page 62

[postmark] Pittsylvania Dec. [December]15
Free
Besheba Ferguson
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC
Geddes
Recd [received] Decr [December] 19th 1873

Page 63


Pittsylvania CHouse, Va [Virginia]
15th December 1853
Dear Sir
In obedience to your insertions
in the case of Besheba Ferguson for pension.
Herewith under her declaration & the appearance [illegible]  of S. C. Townes & R. M. Kirby, which you
will please file in her original application for pension suspense the 16th Sept
1853
I am very Respectfully yours
J D 
To The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D C

Page 64

B Ferguson

Page 65

Know all men by these presents that I,Besheba
Ferguson, of Caswell County in the State of North Carolina,
 formerly of Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
hereby make, constitute and appoint Griffith D. Neal
of Pittsylvania County Virginia my true and lawful
attorney for me and in my name, place, and [illegible]
to examine the Records Documents, and all papers on
file at the Department of the Interior in the city of
Washington, in relation to or in any wise connected
with the services rendered by my husband Robert
Ferguson, deceased, during the Revolutionary war
and to take such steps as he may deem necessary
and proper in regards the pension in which I may be
entitled, in consideration of the services aforesaid under the
act of Congress passed the 3rd February 1853 to
[illegible] and receive from the Commissioner of Pensions
the certificate of pension, and is as all and every
act necessary proper to be done in the premises
Hereby satisfying and confirming all cases  everything my said attorney may legally cover 
in rising there
to be done for me and in my name ^by voicing thereof as
If I were present in person witness my hand
and seal this 16th day of April 1853
Besheba ^[her mark] Ferguson [illegible]
[illegible]Robert  K. Powell

Pittsylvania county court
On this 14th day of April
1853 Personally appeared before Mr. Robert B

Page 66

Cunningham a Justice of the Peace within and
for the County aforesaid in the State of Virginia
Besheba Ferguson whose name is signed to the
foregoing writing, and acknowledged the same
in my County aforesaid to be her act and and
Given under my hand the day & year above
written
R B Cunningham J.P.
State of Virginia [illegible]
I Langhorne Scruggs Clerk of the County Court
of Pittsylvania County in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that
Robert B. Cunningham who hath given the preceding certificate is
and was at the date thereof an acting Justice of the peace for
the said County duly elected, commissioned and sworn and that
his signature thereto is genuine
As Witness my hand and seal of
Office this 21 day of April 1853.
L. Scruggs
[seal]

Page 67

Payments to be made
at Richmond Va
by the Presid. W. S. Br. Bk
Agent for paying Pensioners.
in the Agency of Virginia
Recorded
by Nathan Rice
Clerk, in Book D Vol. 7 
Page 129

Page 68

WAR DEPARTMENT 
Revolutionary Claim.

I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, Robert Ferguson of the state of Virginia who was a private in the Army of the Revolution ___

is entitled to receive Eighty dollars and _____ cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March, and 4th of September, in every year. 

Given at the War Office of the United States, this 14 day of March __ one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
Lew Cass
Secretary of War

Examined and Countersigned.
J L Edwards

Page 69

State of Virginia
County of Pittsylvania
Be it Known that before me
Stephen Townes a Justice in and for said County personally appeared Basheba Ferguson [illegible] with
that she is the widow of Robert Ferguson and
the identical person who was a pensioner [illegible] and is
now dead and in whom a certificate of pension was
issued which is herewith returned that the
deceased pensioner in the County of
Pennsylvania in the state of Virginia for the
space of what upwards of 80 [?] years that before
her mail, and that she is not assessed that he
lived in any other County
her
Basheba Ferguson
mark
Sworn and subscribed this 10th day of June 1853
before me Stephen Turner a Justice of the Peace
in said County
S. C. Townes J.P.

Page 70

Virginia to wit
At a County Court continued and held for
the County of Pensylvania at the Courthouse thereof on the
21 day of June 1833
The Court doth certify that satisfactory evidence
has been exhibited to the court, that Robert Ferguson was a
pensioner of the United States at the rate of eighty dollars
per annum, was a resident of this county, and died in
this County on the 28" day of April 1850 and that his
life a widow whose name is Besheba
I Langhorne Scruggs Clerk of the county Court of Pittsylvania County in the
State of Virginia, do hereby certify that the foregoing order of
Court is truly copied from the records of the said Court, that the
said Court is a Court of record and that Stephen
Townes before whom the within Declaration was made
is and was at the date thereof an acting justice of the
peace
for the said County, duly elected, commissioned and
Sworn and that his signature thereunto is genuine
as witness my hand and
seal of office this 23 day
of June 1853
S. Scruggs Clk
[seal] COUNTY COURT PENSYLVANIA VIRGINIA VERITAS

Page 71

Besheba Ferguson
pensi

Page 72

I ^ Besheba Ferguson of Caswell County North Carolina, formerly of Pittsylvania County Virginia, widow of Robert Ferguson deceased, who was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States, do hereby constitute and appoint G.C. Neal my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to receive from the agent of the United States for paying pensions in the city of ^ Richmond in the State of Virginia the ballance of said pension from the     ___ day of      to the 28th day of April 1850 being the day of his death. Witness my hand and (illegible Seal?) this 20th day of June 1853.
            her 
Besheba  X  Ferguson    seal (circled)
            mark

Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of 


State of Virginia
County of Pittsylvania} SS
Be It Known that on the 7th day of (May crossed out) June: in the year 1853 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county personally appeared ^Besheba Ferguson above. Named and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be her act and deed In testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand the day & year above written
L. C. Townes J.P/
Wm. G. Walker
Nathaniel R. Royall

Page 73

State of Virginia
County of Pittsylvania SS

Be It Known that on the __________ day of _____ 1853 before me a Justice of the Peace within and for said county personally appeared.

the attorney named in the foregoing
power of attorney and made oath that the same was not given him by reason of any sale, transfer or mortgage of the pension or arrears of pension therein authorized is be received by him

Sworn and subscribed the day & year above named before me

State of Virginia, Pittsylvania County (Illegible)

I Langhorne Scruggs clerk of the county court of Pittsylvania County in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Stephen C. Townes before whom the within Power of Attorney from Besheba Ferguson to G. D. Neal
was acknowledged, is and was after date thereof an acting Justice
of the peace for the said county, duly elected, commissioned & sworn and
that his signature thereunto is genuine

As witness my hand and seal of office
this (illegible) day of October 1853

L Scruggs clk

Page 74

State of Virginia viz
   On this 1st day of December AD.  Eighteen hundred and fifty three, personally appeared before me Mr. Stephen C. Townes a Justice of the Peace within and for the county of Pittsylvania in the State aforesaid Besheba Ferguson, a resident of Caswell county in the State of North Carolina formerly a resident of Pittsylvania County Virginia  who first being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on the 3fd May of February 1853. That she is the widow of Robert Ferguson deceased wo was a private in the army in the revolutionary war that her said husband received a pension of Eighty dollars per annum payable: semi annually at the agency in the city of Richmond. in consideration of the service rendered by him during the said was. For proof of her said husband's services during the said war she refers to his original application for pension and the evidence there is                 on file as the pension office. She further states that she was married to the said Robert Ferguson deceased in the county of Pittsylvania in the State of Virginia on the 4th day of May 1818 by one Reverend Mr. Elliott a Methodist minister and that her name before her said marriage was Besheba Newbill. that she has no other proof of her said marriage than that herewith presented. That her said husband died at his residence in the county of Pittsylvania Virginia on the 28th day of April 1850. that she has remained a widow ever since the period of his death and that she is now a widow. That she appeared in open court before the county court of Pittsylvania county in the state aforesaid and

Page 75

and made a declaration, substantially to the foregoing facts on the 20th June 1853 which declaration is now on file at the pension office and which are as suspended on the 14th September 1853 for want of sufficient evidence of marriage. She makes this additional declaration in order that it with the additional evidence of marriage hereto is filed with her original application for pension suspended at the time & for the cause above stated.
Besheba X her mark Ferguson
Attest
[illegible]
James Taylor
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid in said county attest aforesaid and I hereby certify that the said Beshaba Ferguson is well known to me to be the widow of Robert Ferguson, a revolutionary pensioner of the county aforesaid and that I am in no way interested in the provision of her claim for pension. Stephen C. Townes JP

State of Virginia
On this 1st day of December 1853 personally appeared before me Mr. Richard M Kirby a Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Pittsylvania in the State aforesaid. Stephen L Townes a resident of the county and state aforesaid, who first being duly sworn acrroding to law, doth in his oath declare that Beshaba Ferguson is the widow of Robert Ferguson who was a revolutionary pensioner of the county and state aforesaid. That he knows the said Robert Ferguson [illegible]

Page 76

Besheba, his wife for upwards of ten years
that he lives in the same neighborhood we as
[      ], at their house that they lived together 
as man and wife and was so recognized by 
the neighbors [ in?  ] the community in which
they live that the said Besheba Ferguson is  
[      ] person and that she is adventurous [     ]
wife.                                          S. C. Townes 

   AU[  ]

Stephen C Hodges
              her
Elizabeth x Hodges
              mark

Sworn and subscribed before me [   ] any [   ]
aforesaid and I hereby certify that the said 
Stephen C Townes is a [    ] of  the [     ] and 
state aforesaid, that he is a [      ] [       ] and 

Ms. Besheba Ferguson [    ]
                                       R. M. Kirby {   }

State of Virginia by
                                 On this 1st day of December
1853 personally appeared before me.  Stephen C.  Townes a justice of the peace within and for the county of Pittsylvania, the state aforesaid
Richard M. Kirby as [    ] of the county and
State aforesaid who first being duly sworn according to law does in his [    ]   [    ] that Besheba Ferguson is the widow of Robert Ferguson [  ]
who was a revolutionary pensioner the said
Robert Ferguson deceased at this agency ion the city of Richmond
for about ten years that the amount he [  ] was
[    ]   [   ] payable semi annual this

Page 77

the said Robert Ferguson and in the month 
of April 1850 that the said Besheba Ferguson
has [        ] a will in [     ] the [   ] of the 
said husband and thus she is now a widow.

     [     ] and that she is of 
      T F Boone                    R. M. Kirby 
      Geo M. Brooks

sworn to and subscribed before me this day  [  ]
aforesaid and I hereby certified that the said
Richard M Kirby is a [    ] of Pittsylvania
County, Virginia that he is a credible witness
and that I am in no way [    ] in the   [    ] in
of Mrs. Besheba Ferguson claim for pension.

                                        S. C. Townes

State of Virginia  Pittsylvania County

        I [ Sanghouse ] Scruggs clerk of the county court of Pittslvania county in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that Stephen C. Townes, who hath given the presiding certificate and before whom the foregoing declaration was made and that Richard M. Kirby before whom the foregoing Affidavit of Stephen C. Townes was made and and was at this date thereof acting as Justice of the Peace for the said county duly elected Commissioned and sworn and that these signatures thereunto are genuine.
                                    
            As witness my hand and seal of office
             this 15th day of December 1853.
                                 S. Scruggs clk

Page 78

In reply to your request of ...................., received ................... for a statement of the military history of Robert Ferguson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (and for his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. 1779. May 15. 1780. Dec 1780. April 1781. Aug 1781.
LENGTH OF SERVICE. 6 mo. 4 mo, 15 days. 4 months. 3 mo. 1 yr.
RANK. Pri,
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. Captain. Witcher. MM Cleveland. John Winn, MM Hink. Henry Burnett, John Buckley, MM Clark and MM McGraw.
Colonel. John Cleveland. Major Burnett. Major Purnell.
STATE. VA

Battles engaged in, ................
Residence of soldier at enlistment, ...Pittsylvania Co. Va...
Date of Application for pension, ...Aug, 22, 1832. His [illegible]..
Residence at date of application,... Pittsylvania Co, VA...
Age at date of application,...B. in 1761, in Halifax Co, VA...
Remarks... He married May 11, 1818, Besheba Newbill. He died April 28, 1850 in Pittsylvania Co., VA and she [illegible] June 20, 1853 Mr [illegible] a resident of Comwell Co NC, [illegible] 51 yrs....

Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Page 79

Rare Save/1
Newton [Illegible]
Jan. 25 1915
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Sean Sir:-
Will you please look at the records of these three soldiers. Their family record too.
Ferguson, Robert. S.  of W. 1835 Pen, 2, 83.
Ferguson, William S. of W, 2, 94.
Ferguson Robert, 2.184.
All of Virginia.
And Oblige .
(Mrs.) John Reese Sr. 
122 Harrison St.

US Pension office, C
Jan 31, 1916

Page 80

Feb. 8, 1940
Mrs. John Harbour McBee
1201 River Road
Greenwood, Mississippi

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir, Please send me the pensions records with family data as well as military service of Thomas Swearingen, sergeant of Cavalry, (S.C.) living in Amite Co. Miss. in 1831 (Rev. service)

Robert Ferguson of Pittsylvania Co. Va. (Rev. service)

These are wanted for his trial and genealogical purposes.

Very Truly yours
Mrs. John H. McBee

Page 81

Mrs. John Harbour McBee
1201 River Road
Greenwood, Mississippi


Dear Madam,
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Robert Ferguson, of Pittsylvania Count, Virginia, and Thomas Swearingen who served from South Carolina and resided in Amite County, Mississippi, in 1831.  

The records of these two pensioners are furnished you herewith from pension claims-Robert Ferguson, W. 7262, and Thomas Swearingen, W. 6113

Very truly yours, 
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
of the Administrator