Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2071, David Cobb, N.C.

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SERVICE								NUMBER
     NC				Cobb, David				     R.2071
				     Catharine

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State of Tennessee}
Smith County}				Court of Monthly Sessions February
					term it being the first Monday
					in said month and year 1837
Present the worshipful Exum  Whilley  Alfred A Brevard
Leroy Cage & Reason Barrow and Isaac Goodall Esqs
On this 6th day of February 1837 Personally appeared before
the county court of Smith county Catharine Cobb __
a resident of the town of Carthage and county of Smith
and State of Tennessee aged seventy five years as 
near as she can recolect (having no record of the same or 
other documentary evidence) Who being first [“sworn” crossed out] duly
sworn according to law in open court 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
the 4th 1836 That she is the widow of David Cobb
who was a private in the army of the revolution and was drafted
as one of the militia from Lincoln County State of North
Carolina  he was marched from thence into South Carolina to 
join the army under General Gates  The commanding officer
that headed the troops from Lincoln was General Caswell
She does not at this time recolect the Captains named as it
was previous to her marriage and before she was much acquainted
her recolection therfore on this part of his service rest more from 
hearing her two brothers converse with him after their return
^and this statements^
^ her brothers were John Bird and William Bird who were
enlisted regular soldiers and were engaged in almost all
the principle Battles fought in North ^ and South^ Carolina  John
was a Captain and drew his pension and is yet living
resident on Broad river still a pensioner she further
states that her husband was present and engaged in the 
Battle of Camden where the brave DeKalb was killed
he was then marched or rather retreated to Charlotteville [sic] and 
was engaged in several partial engagement some times under
Genl Sumter and sometimes under other officers whose
names at this distance of time she does not recolect

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he served this time six months and some day as she has frequently heard him say and also received a discharge but thought
^time^ and old age it has been destroyed
     He remained but a short time at home before he entered 
the service again but in what names or how long she is
not able to say as in those days the whole county were some
times under arms at other pursuing or endeavoring to pursue
their own occupations at home   it was not long after this and
and during these little excursions that she became acquainted
with and was married to her husband the said David Cobb
It was brought about and hastened more on account of 
the acquantance with her brothers who we still in the
army and as these were her only brothers he sympathy
perhaps led her to respect the life of a soldier as for 
superior to those who stayed at home   She was married
to the said David Cobb in 1780 in the Spring of 
the ^same^ year they were married by Robert Alexander
who was a Justice of the Peace and then or afterward
a quarter master in the army.  But the Tories who
were about this time taking courage from the presence of
Cornwallis the British General – began to be very
troublesome and the consequence was a draft for most
of the young men in Lincoln County; her
husband therefore was drafted and went under the command
of Captain Loftain   Their Generals name was Dixon
He was marched to Battys Ford where they had a severe
Battle with the torees.  They were marched from there to 
Salsbury and there were at the taking of several Tories
some of which were hung…They were then marched back
and were engaged in several battles with the tories some
 times under Col William Moore some times under 
General Sumter  he served this tour six months and was
discharged but the discharge has been lost or mislaid
together with all the paper by which any information
could be obtained   this was the summer after their marriage as 
well as she can recolect   She further declares that she has

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no record or other documentary evidence of the facts herin
forth that through old age and infirmity of body she
cannot recolect many circumstances that a few year ago
were quite familiary to her.  She is verry certain that their
marriage took place as above stated and before the last
period of her husband services   That her husband the aforesaid
David Cobb died on the 27th day of June1827
and that she has remained a widow ever since that period
as will more fully appear by refference to the proof
hereunto annexed
     Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written
       in open court				her
					Catharine (x) Cobb
						mark
State of Tennessee}
Smith County}     Court of Sessions February term 1837
Personally appeared Richard Rison a resident of
the county of Smith and State of Tennessee in open
court and made oath that he has been acquainted with
Catharine Cobb and her husband David Cobb for the
space of twentyfive years that David Cobb her husband died 
on the 27th day of June 1827 and that she has remained a widow ever since that ^ that period that full faith and credit are due
to her statements.  That he has frequently heard the said David
Cobb speak of and relate the circumstances of his service
in the army of the revolution and has no hesitation in
saying that they were married before the last term
of the said David Cobb services and that he served
as above stated                      Richard Rison Jr [hand drawn seal]

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State of Tennessee Smith County
     I John J Burnett clerk  of
the County Court for said Smith County do hereby 
certify that the forgoing Containing the original
proceeding of the said Court and  the matter
of the application of Catharine Cobb for a 
pension.  
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office in Carthage this 13 day of February 1837 & 61 year of our Independence
		John J Burnett clerk
		for Smith County court  [vertically:  “1371”]
[vertically on right of page:  “V137
			      Catharine Cobb
			     Tennessee”

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Know all men by this presents that we David
Cobb & Barney West of the County of Lincoln & state
of North Carolina held & firmly bound unto
Richard Caswell Esq Govr. in the full sum of two hundred
pound specie for which payment (illegible)
truly to be made & (illegible) we bind ourselves our heirs
& administrators jointly & severaly [severally] firmly by this presents
sealed with our seal & dated this 5th day of 
October AD 1785.
		The condition of the above obligation
is such that whereas the above bounded David
Cobb hath this day obtained a license of marriage
to be celebrated between him & Kitty Bird & if at 
shall appear at any further time hereafter that this
is no  just cause to obstruct said marriage then
the above obligation to be void other wise to remain
in full force & virtue  -
Signed & delivered				David (x) Cobb
in presence of					Barney West
Willie Baldrige
I H. Cansler Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter
Sessions of Lincoln County.  Certify that the above 
marage [marriage] bond is a true coppy [sic] taken from the 
original -  In testimony whereof I have hereunto

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State of North Carolina}
	Lincoln County}  I James J Alexander chairm-
-an of the Court of Please & Quarter (illegible) for the County
of Lincoln & State of North Carolina   do hereby Certify
that Henry Causler whose signature appears to the
above certificate in the Clerk of Lincoln County Court
aforsaid & also that Jacob H Ramsour (?) is his law_
ful & legal deputy & that their acts as clerk of
aforsaid and entitled to all due faith and credit 
in such       Given under my hand at Lincolnton
this 18th day of June 1838
		J. J. Alexander Chairman

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		Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of
		the provisions of the acts of Congress of the 7th
		July 1838 and other acts for the benefit of certain widows
State of Tennessee}
Marion County}       On this 23d day of July 1851 personally
appeared before me John C Marshall one of the acting
Justices of the peace in and for the county of Marion
aforesaid and a Justice of the county court being a court
of record Mary Rison a resident of the county
and state aforesaid aged fifty three years who being
first duly sworn according to  law makes the following
Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions
of the act of Congress passed the 7th day of July
1838 and the different acts referred to in the original
papers of Catharine Cobb now on file in the pension
office at Washington
	That she is the daughter and heir at law of 
Catharine Cobb descended who made application in her 
lifetime for a pension under act of July 7th 1838
passed by Congress.  That the said Catharine Cobb
was in her lifetime entitled to a pension in right 
of the services of her husband David Cobb father of 
this Declarent and filed proof sufficient documentary
and by living witnessed who had a personal knowl 
>edge of the facts of his service    Declarant states
that her own recolection of the services of her father is
from the often and repeated narratives and descriptions
given by her father in his lifetime of his services
as a soldier  in the war of the revolution and of the 
battles he was engaged in and the tours of service
he performed     She heard these things so often repeated
by her father while living that they became familiar
to her all of which she fully believes to be true
her father was in the habit of telling over
these hardships to his family and more especially to

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to his old companions in arms Soldiers of the revolution that
often he met with in her presence and she had no doubt
whatever was true.  She will here state in adition to what
her mother has stated and which now on file in the pension
office and which she here specially refers to (“that” crossed out) and
prays(?) may taken as part of this declaration     That she
has often heard her father state his tours of service
wherein he served at the battle of Batys Ford in North
Carolina where General Davdson was killed the tour
of service in South Carolina at the battle of Eutaw 
Springs his tour of service at the battle of 
Guilford and other places in the war of the 
Revolution       His battles with the tours all of which
she is informed and believes are stated in the original
papers on file as before stated and she further
declares that she believes from her own recolection his
tours of service in their months tours on six months
continuously was at least twelve months in all 
and for this she claims the benefit of the (illegible)
for such service that should have been allowed
her mother in her lifetime.  She further declares
that her said mother Catharine Cobb died on the 17th
     day of May 1843     That her said mother remained
a widow from the death of her father until she
(died?) her own death as above stated and that she has
not (illegible) married but remained a widow.   That she
knows of none of her brothers or sisters now living
but herself all of which will more fully appears
by deference to the original paper and the proof hereto
annexed     Sworn to and subscribed before me this 
day and year first above written
				Mary Rison  (scribble)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 23rd
     Day of July 1851	James Marshall  J. P.  (scribble)

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State of Tennessee}
Macon County}		I John C Marshall one of the 
acting Justices of the peace in and for the county of 
Macon aforesaid do hereby certify that I am well
acquanted with Mary Rison who has made the foregoing
declaration before me   That owing to (illegible) and bad 
health she cannot appear in open court to make this
declaration without endangering her health
		the testimony whereof I have hereunto
		set my hand and affixed my official
  		signature this 23d day of July 1851
			John C Marshall J.P
State of Tennessee}
Macon County}  Fourth Judicial court July term 1851
	I Peter A Wilkinson clerk of the circuit court
of Macon County do hereby certify that satisfactory
evidence has been exhibitted to said court now in
session before the Honorable Alvin Cullom Judge
of said court that Catharine Cobb was the widow 
of David Cobb was a resident of the county of 
Smith in the State of Tennessee and during her liftim
made application for a pension while a resident in said
County and died in the county of DeKalb State of
Tennessee on the 17 day of May 1843    That she left
(scribble) a daughter whose name is Mary Rison and that
she is the only heir at law now living or known to 
be alive		In testimony hwereof I have hereunto set
			my hand and affixed the seal of 
			said court at office in Lafayette
			this 25 day of July 1851  P. A Williamson

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State of Tennessee}
Macon County}		I Jefferson B Short clerk of
				the county court of said Macon
County do hereby certify that John C Marshall whose
name appears to the forgoing declaration of Mary Rison
and the accompanying certificate is now and was at the 
time the same was executed one of the acting Justices
of the peace in and for the county aforesaid duly
commissioned and qualified to act as such and that
full faith and credit are due and of right ought
to be given to all his official acts and that the 
signatures purporting to be his are genuine & further
certify that the annexed power of attorney was duly
acknowledged before me by Mary Rison as stated
in my certificate and attached by me to this declaration
without being out of my possession
		In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
		my hand and affixed the seal of said
		court at office in Lafayette this 23d
		day of July 1851
				J. B. Short  clerk
			    of Macon County Court

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				Washington July 31st 1854
Sir
	I wish to examine the (illegible) of Catharine
Cobb wido of David Cobb under act 7 July 1838
also the case of Henrietta Cooper widow of 
Dabney Cooper made same act or act 1844
suspended cases form Tennessee
				Respectfully
					A Fergusson
(scribble)
(scribble)	(scribble)
July 31 / 54

J P Waldo Esq
Commission of Pensions
Washington City

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				June 20. 1845.
				Record proof filed in
				the case of (scribble)
				Catharine Cobb
				widow of David Cobb
				under act of 7th July
				1838
					Filed by A Fergusson

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		Washington 19th June 1845
Sir
     In the case of Mrs Catharine Cobb widow of 
David Cobb.  In your last report you required more
proof of service this claim was presented under act
7th July (marked out) 1838   I herewith furnish this
record proof form the Comptroller of North Carolina
which is in conformity with your (illegible)
I hope you will allege this claim without
Delay			Respectfully
				A Gergusson
J J Edwards Esq
	Commission of Pensions
		Washington

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		2071  (vertically:  “REJECTED” stamp) and illegible initial
P.O.
          Catharine Cobb
Service:  widow of David
Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed:
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
		Recognized.  	(illegible)
		Cert. of Dis.	Searched for

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					Washington, March 3d 1853
Sir,
	Herewith please find a power of atty. from
A Fergusson Esq. of Tenn.  authorizing me 
to prosecute the claim of Catharine Cobb,
dec’d widow of David, for the benefit of
the Act of 7th July 1838.
	Having examined the papers on file, it
appears to me that the claim ought to be
allowed under the last mentioned act.
	It is claimed that David Cobb served in 
the militia of North Carolina about twelve
months in all.  The certificate of the comp-
troller of that state shows payments to David
Cobb amounting to (L) 27.11c.  ($68.75) – enough (illegible)
more than 10 months service.  With the service
thus moved the claimant’s busband is iden-
tified by the (illegible) testimony of one witness,
at least, who was personally acquainted 
with while he was in the service
	There is record evidence of marriage 
in 1785.
	The claim has (illegible) been prejudiced
by the fact that Mrs. Cobb first presented
a claim under the Act of 1836, in which
she alleged that her husband served one
tour after her marriage.  I presume

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that she confounded some service which
he mustered against the Indians, after
the close of the revolutionary war, with
Revolutionary service, in making this de-
claration.  Whether this is the case, or
whether, as often occurs, she was in-
duced by the agent who made out her
declaration to state more than she was
documented in stating, I do not think
she should be thereby barred from
receiving under the act of 1838, the 
pension for service clearly proved,
both by record and (?) oral evidence,
to have been rendered during the 
revolutionary war.
			I am, very respectfully
				(illegible) (illegible)
				J. J. Coombs
J.E. Heath Esq
	Comm of Pensions

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			Comptroller Office Raleigh, N.C.
I, William F Collins, Comptroller of Public
Accounts, do hereby certify that it appears
of record in the Military Books of my 
office that David Cobb, had the follow-
Ing specie  Certificates issued in his 
favor for military service, viz: one
for nine pounds (L9.) found in Book No
25, page 45(?) , another for nine pounds, two
shillings (L9.2.) found in Book 25,
page 61; and another for nine pounds,
nine shillings (L9.9) found in Book
A.U.(?) No 16, page 4.  Given under my
Hand and seal this 24 day March
1845  		Wm F Collins  Compt…

27			9	
  20			9.2
8/550.00		9.9		9
$68.75			27.11		9   2
			29		9   9
			45		27
			15.75		2
			58.75		54
					13
					67

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(at bottom of page…..)	
	B
Hon W. ^Campbell
	(illegible)

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Report.
Mrs Catharine Cobb Pension
I  (illegible) Charles Hutchins upon the rolls
of (illegible) State line
(illegible) the rolls returned for the (illegible)
Indian Fighters_

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State of Tennessee}
Smith County}		On this day personally
			appeared John Scott a
resident of Smith County and state of 
Tennessee before me Nelson Thornton one
of the acting Justices of the Peace in and
for the county aforesaid and made oath
in due form of law that he was well acqu
=anted with David Cobb the husband of 
Mrs  Catharine Cobb during the war of
the Revolution or that part of it which
was carried on in North Carolina.  This dep
-onent then was young about eight years of
age as well as he recolects, his father lived on 
the main road leading across the Catawba
river in Lincoln County North Carolina
David Cobbs father lived aboutn 1 ½ miles
off and this deponent was well acquanted with
the family.  About the time of Gates defeat
or a little afterwards and before the British
marched past his fathers house this deponent
distinctly recolects of seeing David Cobb in
service marching past his fathers and knows of
his own knowledge that the Service was in
army of North Carolina under Colonels Dixon 
and others he recolects that David Cobb was
in the light horse troops  he saw him when
marching by in the army or Brigade or regi
ment he had on a horsemans cap a sword and
a brace of pistols before him (3 words marked out)
(4 words marked out) but this dep
onent thinks they were militia (illegible) (illegible)
army and not regulars and thinks and 
believes they were drafted for six months.  This deponent

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deponent does not recolect the particular Captains
under whom David Cobb served but Captain
Loftin was a resident of that county and
Cobb may have served under him   the first 
Colonel of the County of Lincoln was 
Grimes who was disgraced under the follow
ing circumstances.   This deponent uncle  Major
Chronicle (?) was major under Grimes in the
battle of Kings Mountain and just before
the army arrived at that place Grimes told
Major Chronicle that he had received verry distre
ssing news – that he must return home or
never expect to see his wife who was sick
that he must leave the command of his regi
ment to him.  Major Chronicle accordingly took
command was foremost in the charge and 
was killed in the early part of that hard 
fought battle   Grimes of course was considered
a coward and was superceded(?) by Colonel Dixon
The battle of Batys ford that Mrs Cobbs
speaks of took place three miles below
at Sherrods ford but it may have went
by the name of Batys Ford   Cobb was out
at that time and a considerable time afte
wards the Cobbs were true republicans and 
fought well for their country and indepen
dence  there were one of them  Ralph
Cobb ^was^ in the regular service as this depon
ent believes.  This deponend believes that
said Cobb was in service passing and repassing
his fathers house sixi months at least and
has no doubt but he served much longer
as he was out continually but believes
so far as his knowledge goes it was princip

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in the drafted or volunteer troops.  This deponent
cannot state only what he saw with his own eyes and
heard confirmed by others.  This deponent has
no doubt but he served at least six months
and he would not be wrong he thinks if he
was to say (blotted out) twelve months at different
tours     Sworn to and subscribed before
	me this 29th day of april 1839
N. Thornton (initials)		John Scottt
for Smith County

State of Tennessee}
Smith County}		On this day personally appeared
			Isaac Goodall before me Nelson
Thornton one of the acting Justices of the Peace in
and for the county aforesaid and made oath that
he is well acquanted with John Scott who has
made oath to the above affidavit that the lives in
a remote part of this county   That he is a man
 of good character and standing also a man of 
(illegible) and truth as much so as any person in
the county aforesaid and that his statements
are entitled to full faith and credit
		Sworn to and subscribed before me this
		4th day of May 1839
N. Thornton (JP)		I Goodall

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State of Tennessee}
Smith County}		I Nelson Thornton one of the
			acting Justices of the Peace in
and for the county aforesaid hereby certify that
from the foregoing testimony of Isaac Goodall
and other sources of information I have hesi
tation whatever in believing that John Scott
who has made the foregoing affidavit is a 
man of veracity and truth (and althoug I am
not well acquanted with him) that full faith
and credit are due his statements.  I further certify
that Isaac Goodall with whom I am personally
acquanted is a man of veracity and truth and that
full faith and credit are due his statements
			In testimony whereof I have
			hereunto set my hand and affixed
			my seal this 4th day of May
			1839  N Thornton
State of Tennessee Smith County
		I John J Burnett clerk
of the County Court of said Smith County hereby
Certify that Nelson Thornton before whom the 
forgoing affidavits (illegible) made is one of the
acting justices of the Peace for said County
of Smith duly commissioned and qualified 
as the law directs and that the foregoing signature
(illegible) to be his are genuine
		In testimony whereof I have
		hereunto set my hand and 
		affixed the seal of said
		Court at office the 4 (illegible)183(9?)
		John J Burnett (illegible)
		of Smith County Court

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(top of page):   Tenn.
		G. Cobb
(bottom of page):  Hon W B Campbell
				(illegible)

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(top of page):
Mrs Catharine Cobb of Smith County Ten.
(illegible) Edwards will please re-examine the proof in her
case_  Let me know the result.
		W B Campbell

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(Left page of notebook):		(Right page of notebook):
Catharine Cobb			Catharine Cobb
     Tennessee					     Tenn
     Rejected
See let 15 Augt				A Ferguson Aug 1  1852 (?)
1839 to A Fergusson
let 13th Sep.1839 to (illegible)
let 24 Feb. 1840 Hon. W.			2071
B. Campbell
did not serve
six months during 
the revolutionary war
Let.to (illegible) John Taliaferro
		April 13, 1840.
to A. Fergusson 21 June 1845.
	J. Bryan (illegible) 31/51
Act of July 1838
J. J. Coombs 17th June 1853.			July 7  1838

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	V
Catharine Cobb
     Tennessee
(next 3 lines with slashes through them):
     Suspended 
Let (illegible) 37
J. G. Burnett clk
Let to A Fergusson, May 30. 1837
No letter written 
it having been (illegible)
that one of (illegible) cases
tran(illegible) with this, that
of Jane Brent, is
fraudulent
let 30 May 38  Hon
W.B.Campbell
file with (illegible)
case

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					Washington, (illegible) 22d 1853
Sir:
     The enclosed report in the case of Catharine Cobb,
widow of David, who claimed a pension under 
the act of 7th July 1838, strikes me as so manifestly 
unfair that I feel it my duty to ask you to
give it a personal examination.
     The claim is founded upon alleged service
of the said David Cobb in the North Carolina
Militia, in the war of the Revolution.  As there
is record evidence of the marriage in 1785,
The only point to establish by proof, is the
alleged service of the said David Cobb.
     The widow, Catharine Cobb, made two de=
Clarations in her life-time – one claiming the
benefit of the Act of 4th – July 1836, and the other
claiming under the act of 7th July 1838.
     Since her death, her daughter, Mary Reson,
has made a declaration for the purpose
of reviving the claim.
     The examiner who wrote the report, not dis=
tinguishing between the allegations of the 
claimants, in their declarations, and
the evidence offered in support of these 
allegations, has taxed his ingenuity to 
show, that these declarations do not 
contain evidence to establish the claim!

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Truly, this is a wonderful discovery!  For
my part, I never dreamed of asking any
statement of Mrs. Catharine Cobb or Mrs.
Mary Rison to be taken as evidence.
I only ask that such of their statements
be taken as true as have been proved
to be so, by other and disinterested testi=
mony.
     Both Mrs. Catharine Cobb, and Mrs.
Mary Ryson, claim, in their declarations,
that David Cobb, the husband and father
served from six to twelve months in
the militia of N. C.  Are these allegations
proved, or are the not?
     Let us see – First, we have the certi=
ficate of the comptroller of N. C. showing
that one David Cobb received payments 
for service in the North Carolina Militia,
amounting, in all, to L27.11. (about $68.00)
     2d, We have the deposition of John Scott,
who knew David Cobb, the husband of 
Catherine, from his infancy, and has 
a distinct recollection of seeing him
almost daily in the service, for a
period which he estimates at about 
six months.  Now, as it is not pre=
tended that there was more than one
service Cobb in said service, does it

Page 31

not follow, when we prove by an eye
witness, that David Cobb, the husband of 
Catharine, was in the service, that he 
is the same man to whom said payments
were made?
     The manner in which the examiner has dis=
missed the testimony of John Scott, is truly amu=
sing.  “John Scott says David was in a light
horse troop, and thinks he served six months.
Perhaps he did – but we have no proof of it.”
     By what authority does this examiner pro=
nounce the testimony of John Scott himself, 
“no proof?” – or what has become of the com=
ptrollers certificate!
     Lastly, the examiner says, that “The service
Of David Cobb are in no way identified with those
Described in the Comptroller’s certificate,” etc.  Let 
us see.  (illegible) to whom said payments were
made was David Cobb.  The Claimant’s hus=
band, who is alleged to have performed ser=
vice of that character, was named David Cobb.
They are, therefore in one way at least, identified
As the same person.  But again, we have
Proved by an eye witness that David Cobb, 
The husband of the claimant, was ac=
tually engaged in the same kind of 
service for which these payments were
made.  Yet, according to this very dis=

Page 32

=tute (astute?) examiner, all this testimony does not
even raise the slightest (illegible) that
David Cobb the husband of the claimant
was the man to whom these payments
were made.
     The examiner’s criticism upon the statement
of Mrs. Mary Rison, in which he pretends to un=
derstand  her as swearing to a personal recol
lection of events which, according to her 
own showing, occurred many years before
her birth, smacks too much of the spirit 
of a captious attorney in a (illegible) place, to
merit any further notice than to say
that where she uses the terms “from her
own recollection,” she is speaking of her
own recollections of her father’s statements, 
as is perfectly apparent from the preceding
test of her declaration.
     In conclusion, I have only to say, that
when this claim was originally presented 
to the Pension Office, the certificate of the comp=
troller of N.C. had not been obtained.  The claim 
was disallowed, and taken to Congress.  In
the meantime, however, the certificate of 
the comptroller was obtained and filed
in the Pension Office.  The original papers,
having been returned to the Pension Office,
the case now comes up, for the first
time, for examination on all the evidence.
     Such(?) I am informed is the state of 
fact – but do no personally know 
			I have the honor to be
Hon L.P. Waldo
Court of Pensions		J.J. Coombs

Page 33

(right side of page, top):
Catharine Cobb
	(illegible)
Wid. of David
       _______
Tenn.  Act 1838 – (illegible)
(right side of page, bottom):
J J Coombs
               Present

Page 34

(illegible) Coombs & Markland
 	You are hereby authorized to take up the
claim of Catharine Cobb of Tennessee for a pension
under act of 7th July 1838 but first presented under
act of 4th July 1836 now suspended in the Pension
Office in Washington City reissued in the name of Mrs.
Mary Rison in September 1852, and examined the same
and furnish any facts necessary on argument you
find in the case also to do and perform any act
or acts thing or things in and about establishing
the same to carry on all correspondence and others
acts necessary in as full and ample a manner as
if I were present and acting as I am fully empowered
to do as attorney in fact     Hereby ratifying and confirming
whatsoever you shall lawfully do by virtue hereof
	Witness my hand this 17th day of February
1853			A Fergusson

Page 35

				Carthage Tennessee
				28th August 1839
Dear Sir
     Your letter of the 16th instant is before
me.  I regret that the testamony has been
so construed in examining the claim of 
Mrs Cobb as to preclude her pension
being allowed.  It is true the old lady
was mistaken in her first declaration as
I found out satisfactorily afterwards by
obtaining record proof of her marriage 
but I am very far from beleving after
the most minute investigation but whet
her husband served in the Revolution 
a sufficient length of time to entitle
her to a very handsome stipend but
at this late period it is impossible to 
furnish ample testamony in many cases.
The facts a witness recolects are to be put
down and not those he suposes to have
taken place.  In drafting a statement 
therefore I frequently could with the
witness to be more material to the point
wanted yet my duty to him as well
as his own responsibility forbid, that
any thing but his own words should
be stated.  Under this state of cercumstances

Page 36

affidavits are no doubt frequently sent to 
you conflicting with other testamony furnished
in the same case each witness stating a 
cercumstance as he recolects it.  The witness
in the last application to wit, Mr. Scott on whom
all reliance is placed to establish the service states
as well as I recolect that he saw him in service
and that his service in all that he has a 
personal knowledge of must be twelve or 
nine months in the verry period of the 
Revolution and while Cobb was unmarr=
ed said Scott lives but a mile or two from 
Cobb; also he was well acquanted with
Catharine or (Kitty) Bird as he had said his
(illegible) to her afterwards and before her
marriage with Cobb at least he 
was frequently in her company and knew
full well that the service described
by himself was performed in the Revol
ution and not after Indians    Mrs Cobb
has told me frequently that her husband 
was out after the Indians but she does
not set up any cliamon that account
It also can be proved that he was always 
fond of the soldiers life having in the
late war with Great Brittain went
under General Carrol to New Orleans
in (illegible) of one of his sons although

Page 37

far advanced in life and returned home and
died ^of a disease contracted^ in consequence of his fatigue and
exposure while in service     All these 
facts can be fully proved.  I would respectfully
ask therefore that you give another examiner
on the case and if you will suffer Mr
Scott to make an amendment I am sure 
he can explain his testamony to your satisf
action also I have o doubt that but other
positive proof can be obtained and if so
I hope you will allow us to take it
		With great respect I am
		     Yours  A Fergusson
(bottom left of page):
James S Edwards Esq
     Commission of Pensions

Page 38

(top left of page) (outside of letter envelope?) :
Carthage TN Postmark   “FREE”  25
James S Edwards Esc
     Commissioner of Pensions
          Washington

Page 39

			Carthage Tennessee
			   4th May 1839
Sir   I incase to you the new declaration
and proof of Mrs Catharine Cobb together
with her marriage records.  I would here
refer you to her first declaration made in 
1837 which was sent to you under act of 
4th of July 1836 and which was rejected
for want of proof.  In 1838 I sent to
North Carolina by a gentleman who brou
ght me the marriage bond for her (illegible)
by which the old lady I see was mis
-taken as to the period of her marriage
She explains it in the way that her hus
band was out in service after the Indians
and when I asked her if he had served
after they were married she was not appri
zed that the service must be during the war
of the Revolution    consequently she
misled me in drafting her declaration
though I believe had no intention what
ever in doing so.  The witness who has
made his affidavit about her husbands
service is a very respectable man
with whom I am personally acquanted 
he was here at the late term of the 
court an attending (illegible) the term

Page 40

and his information about Mrs Cobbs
husband came to my knowledge by accident
and I have availed myself of the oppor
-tunity carried him to see the old lady and
after recognizing each other after so long 
which I have no doubt whatever are true
If you cannot allow her claim for as (illegible)
as she alledges in her declaration yet I
think you will feel fully authorized to
allow her for six months as the witness
is certain of that period and I will
try and get other proof is possible
hereafter for the other six months.  The
lady is verry needy and pay for six months
would help her some.  She is a citizen of
this town and deserves well of her acquantances
I have a much better knowledge of her case
Than I had where I drafted her first declaration
Indeed I had at that time but an imperfect
knowledge of the pension laws to what I 
flatter myself I now have
			With respect &
			     I am &
				A Fergusson
James S Edwards
     Commission of 
                    Pensions

Page 41

Pension Office
				June 17th 1853
     Sir,
	Yours of the 3d of March 1853 relative
To the claim of Catharine Cobb widow of David of 
North Carolina, has been received.
	A careful revision of this claim induces
a conclusion at variance with yours, as to it admissi
-bility.
	That Catharine’s statements deserve no
no audit is plain – they contradict each other – 
and are unsupported by a single witness – the office
can give them no weight.
	Mary Rison’s evidence (mostly
hearsay), is in the same predicament.  She says
she is the daughter of Catherine, and that in the 
year 1851 she was 53 years of age – she affirms her
father repeatedly described himself then a having 
been a revolutionary soldier; and a little after this 
declares that “she believes from ^her^ own recollection
“his tours of service in three months tours or six months
“continuously, was at least twelve months in all.”  -
It would appear from this that she recollects events

Page 42

which occurred about fifteen years before she was born.
between Catherine and Mary we have not a very clear
historical sketch of Davids Revolutionary career.
	John Scott says David was ^in^ a light horse
troop & thinks he served six months.  Perhaps he
did – but we have had no proof of it.
	The services of David are in no way identi=
=fied with those described in the Comptroller’s certificates
how – when – , or where he served it does not show.  It
has no been proved when David & Catharine died.
			Very respectfully
			Your Ojb Serv	
				L P Waldo
				Commissioner
(bottom left of page):
J. J. Coombs Esq
		Present

Page 43

			Carthage Tennessee
			      26th July 1851
Dear sir
	Inclosed please find the amended declaration
of Mary Rison daughter of Catharine Cobb
who was an applicant for a pension under
Act of 7th July 1838.  When at Washington
A few days ago I found her original 
papers in the House of Representatives
and placed them back with the last papers
filed.  You will discover now that the reason it
was not allowed was that in the first file of
papers witnesses having a knowledge of his dervices
were relied upon and documentary evidence was
required and that was furnished by me in
1845 and acted on without the original
testamony which was filed in the House 
of Representatives as far back as 1840
You will have no hesitation now in
allowing the claim as the Comptrollers
certificate and the witnesses clearly establish
the facts I have wrote to the Honble Joseph
Bryan to attend to any explanation you may
want.  Be pleased to allow the claim as
 soon as convenient and send on the Pension
certificate		Respectfully
James E Heath Esq	       A Fergusson
        Commission of Pensions

Page 44

		Brief Catharine Cobb wid. Tenn
Cath. Cobb (1st Monday Feb 1837. ^aged 75 years^Court sessions) declare
she is the widow of David Cobb private in rev-
-olutionary army, drafted in militia from
Lincoln Co. N.C. under Genl Caswell – does
not recollect the Capt names as it was pre-
vious to her marriage & before she was
much acquainted.  her recollection of his
services in more from having her two brothers
commune with him after their return – John &
Wm Bird who were enlisted regular soldiers &
engaged in almost all the battles in NC & S.C.
John Bird a Capt & pensioner – her husband was
present engaged at the battle of Camden when DeKalb
was killed.-  some of his tours under Genl
Sumter – served this time 6 months & some days
as she has frequently heard him say & re-
cieved his discharge – but it is destroyed –
He remained a short time at home   enter-
-ed services again in what manner or how
Long she cannot say _ It was not long
After this & during this excursion she be-
Came acquainted with & married David.

Page 45

Married in 1780 in spring of war _ by Robt
Alexander.  (illegible) afterwards (illegible) in
Army _ The Tories about this time taking
courage from the presence of Cornwallis
became very troublesome _ a draft in conse-
-quence was made & her husband was draft-
-ed & went under Command Capt Loftain; Genls
name was Dixon _ fought the Tories _ some-
times under Col Wm Moore. & (illegible) under Genl
Sumter _ this time was for 6 months & discharged.
discharge was lost _ this was the (illegible) after their
marriage as well as she can recollect _ no record
or documentary evidence of above facts _
very certain her marriage took place as above
stated & before last period of David’s services _
David died 27th June 1827 – she has remained a 
widow _ 
(Mary Rison – marked out) Marriage bond entered into 5th Oct 1785
Cath. Cobb (2d Declaration 5th Nov 1838 ^aged 75 years^ open court) declares
She is the widow of David Cobb, a private who
Served a term 6 months in N.C. militia under 
Genl Caswell & some part under Genl Sumter, (illegible)
diminished part under Genl Gates – as battle
Camden, sometime afterward dreated from Lin-
-coln Co. N.C. & served 6 months under Capt Thos.

Page 46

Loftin – Genl Dixon.   thinks battle Guilford
C.H. was fought during last tour.   cannot say
if he was in it_  married 6th Oct.
1785 – David died July 1827 _ was not
(illegible) to last period of service_ but before 
1794 __
John Scott_ (29th Apl. 1839) says he was well acquaint-
-ed with David husband of Cath. Durine war
in N.C._ Dept was then 8 yrs age – was well
acquainted with the Cobb family _  about the
time of Gates defeat or a little after saw David
marching past his father – in service & known 
of his own knowledge the service was in Army 
of N.C. under Cols Dixon & others_ Cobb was in 
light horse troops _ had on a horsemans cap;
sword and brace of pistols_ thinks they were
militia horse Co.  thinks drafted 6 months Cobb
was out in Battle of Batys Ford & a con-
-siderable time afterwards_ thinks he was
In service 6.mos.
Comptroller certificate of N.C. shows payment – amounting
(illegible) to L27.11s. –
Mary Rison. (23d July 1851.) aged 53 yrs:  believes from 
her own recollection his services were
for 12 mo. _ Cath died 17th May 1843.

Page 47

(top of page):  court certifies------
(bottom of page vertical up left side):
Brief Case
Cath Cobb
     Tenn.

Page 48

(all on right half of page):
Catharine Cobb
March 16.1840.
Revol Pensions
July 10.1840
Report versus-no 663
Abt (illegible) et al
(bottom of page): Mr. W. B. Campbell

Page 49

		26th Congress
		  1st Session
	Congress of the United States
	In the House of Representatives
			March 16.1840
On motion of Mr. Wm. B Campbell,
	Resolved, That the Committee on
Revolutionary Pensions be instructed to inquire
into the expediency of allowing a pension to Cath-
arine Cobb of smith County, Tennessee, for the 
services of her husband David Cobb, as a soldier
of the Revolutionary War; and that the papers
on file in the pension office relating to said case, be 
referred to said committee.	
	Attest:
		H. A Gadens
				Clerk
Papers in the Pension Office

Page 50

     Know all men by these presents that I
Mary Rison a daughter and heir at law of
Catharine Cobb my deceased mother of the county
of Macon and State of Tennessee do hereby nominate
and appoint Adam Fergusson of Carthage Tennessee
my true and lawful attorney for me and in my
name ^to^ (illegible) and prosecute my claim to a pension
in right of my mother Catharine Cobb who (made?)
application for a pension ^in^ her lifetime under (illegible)
of 7th July 1838 and other acts refered to in her
original papers now on file in the Pension office
at Washington City and further I do hereby
authorise and empower him to procure all proof
necessary to file all papers to examine all paper
now on file should any further proof or
papers be necessary with power an attorney
or attorney to appoint under him to act in 
the permits in as full and able a manner as
if I were present and acting for my self am
I hereby authorise and empower him to do and
perform any act or acts thing or things in and
about obtaining the pension or arrears of pension
that should have been allowed to my said
mother as fully and compleat as if I were present and
doing the same myself.  And I hereby make this
power of attorney irrevocable for my (illegible) heirs and 
assigned and constitute the said Adam Fergusson
my only attorney to receive my pension certificate
from the pension office or Secretary of the 
interior where issue for my benefit hereby 
(illegible) and confirming all the lawful
Acts of my said attorney in and about the
(illegible) my hand and seal this 23d
Day of July 1851
Charles Carter			Mary Rison  (scribble)
Mary C Carter(?)

Page 51

State of Tennessee}  I Jefferson B Short clerk of the 
Macon County}  County of Macon ^County^ do hereby certify that
						On this day personally
     appeared Mary Risen (deleted line) a resident of the 
County of Macon aforesaid with whom I am 
personally acquanted and acknowledge the 
forgoing power of attorney to be her act and due
for the proposes therin contained
		In testamony whereof I have hereunto
		     Set my hand and affixed the Seal of
			Said court at office in Lafayette
        			   This 23d day of July 1851
				J.B.Short Clerk
			Of Macon County Court

Page 52

(this page is difficult to transcribe as it the backside of another written page and there was much bleed-through…)
State of Tennessee}
Smith County}					November term 1838
				On this 5th day of November
In the year 1838 personally appeared before the 
County court for said Smith County Catharine
Cobb a resident of Carthage Smith County and
State of Tennessee aged seventy five years
who hereby first 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 (illegible) July 7th 1838 entitled 
“an act granting half pay and pensions to (illegible)
War widows    That she is the widow of David
Cobb who was a private soldier in the War of
the revolution and served a tour of six months
in the militia service of North Carolina under
General Caswell and some part of the tour was
Under Genl Sumpter but the principle part of
this service was under General Gates    her husband
was at the battle of Camden or Gate’s (illegible)
where the Baron de Kalb was killed this
applicant had two brothers in the service at
the same time.  John Bird a Captain in the
regular army and her other Brother was 
William Bird who was a corporal    Her husband
Brother Ralph Cobb was a Captain of a 
(illegible)  She cannot recolect the names of
his Captain at this time but recolects the
he served this tour six months as she recolects
how was always kept fresh in her memory
his frequently conversing about it afterw
ards and when her brothers would come 
to their house it was generally the topic of
conversation.  The next period of his service
was sometime afterwards he was drafted

Page 53

again from Lincoln County North Carolina 
and served a tour of six months under Capt 
Thomas Loftin and belonged to the troops
under General Dixon    he was at the battle 
of Batys ford on the Cataba river   He 
was marched from there to Salisbury and
was present at the taking of several 
Tories on the (illegible) and from there was
engaged in several partial engagements but
owing to the great lenth of time she can
not be particular    She thinks the battle 
of Guilford was fought during this last tour
of service but she cannot say whether
he was in it or not    She frequently heard
him speak of Gen Green and she thinks 
her husband must have been part of this 
last tour under him but of this she
will not be positive.    He served six months
this last tour and was regularly discharged
which discharge was lost after the marriage
She further declares that she was married
to the said David Cobb on the 6th day of 
October Seventeen hundred and eighty five by
Robert Alexander a Justice of the peace
That he husband the aforesaid David Cobb
died at Florence Alabama on the 
day of July 1827       That she was
not married to him prior to his leaving
the service but the marriage took place
previous to the first day of January seven
teen hundred and ninety four to wit at
the time above stated
     Sworn to in open court on the day and 
year above written                       her
John J Burnett clerk           Catharine x Cobb
                                                   mark

Page 54

State of Tennessee Smith County
	I John J Burnett clerk of
Smith County court have certify that the written order
(illegible) was sworn to in open court
		In testimony hereof I have
		hereto set my hand & affirmed
		the seal of said court at office
		this 16th day of December (?) 1838
			John J Burnett  clerk
			    Of smith County Court