Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 27540, David Denham, N C

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SERVICE
NC

Denham, David
Fanny

NUMBER
W.27540
BLH56853-160-55

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6259
Tennessee Knoxville

Fanny Denham
widow of David Denham
NC
who served in the Revolutionary 
war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 26 dollars 84 cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853

Certificate of Pension issued 10th day of Oct. 1857 
and sent to 
Wm. M. Strickland,
Sneedville, 
Ten.

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under 
February 3, 1853, Page 252, Vol.

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Sir Wm. M. Strickland Jany 9/57
Vol. D 68. 
258. 028 

[diagonally] 56.853 March 13th /57

Fanny Denham, wife
David Denham, heir

[underlined] Private
[underlined] [illegible]

Short service

Revy war

In Pen. paper Act Oct. 3 1853

Lenn [crossed out] June 32 July 53 
Ad. 160 acs Mar 11/57
[illegible]

Wm. M. Strickland,
Sneedville,
Tenn.

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State of Tennessee} On this first of December 1834 
Hawkins County} Personally appeared before me John J Walling one of the Justices of the Court of plus + Quarter [illegible] for the County. [underlined] David Denham aged about [underlined] Eighty years old who being first duly sworn according to Law worth on his Oath make this following Declaration in Court to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832 That he Entered the Service of the United States under the following name as Officers + served as therein held (court} About the 26 day of August 1778 he Entered the Service of the United States by volunteering in the County of Gilford + State of Nothern the Company commanded by captain John Leak of the Regiment of [illegible] commanded by Col. James Martin. [illegible] + it was march to Soulsberry at which place Gen. Reatherford was Commander at Saulsberry he was marched tp Gaitheys Fort on the Cotawby River + being stationed there two months He was marched to the Indian towns near the heart of the Inneser River where he was discharged by his said Captain + Col. which was about the 10th day of February 1779 and on about Returning home his said Captain prevailed on him to Continue in Service three months Longer this declarant states he did then volunteer under his said Captain John Leak of the militia of Col. Martin which was about the 13th of February 1779 he Entered the Service of the United States and was marched to the frontiers of South Carolina + North Carolina + Virginia. Serving in turns around the frontiers of those states until about the 14th of May 1779

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and on the 15th day of May 1779 he was discharged by his said Captain + Col. + Returned home Having served nine months and was discharged in writing as he believes at Gatheys Fort north carolina. This Declarant states about the 15th day of August 1779 he Entered teh Service of the United States by volunteering in the said County of Gilford + state of North Carolina in the Company commanded, by Captain Sevier of the militia commanded by Col. Haston and from Gilford County he was marched to the Long Islands of Holston + from the Long Islands of Holston he was marched to the frontiers of north carolina to an Indian town + he was in a battle with the Indians in which battle there was thirty Indians Killed and twenty taken prisoners and from there he was marched to the frontiers of South carolina + north carolina and he was discharged at wilmington Northcarolina Having served six months which was about the 18th of February 1780 and Returned Home This declarant states about the 12th day of September 1780 he Entered the Service of the United States by Volunteering in the said County of Gilford in the Company commanded by Captain Elijah Witt of the militia Commanded by Col. John Sever + may or Walton + he marched with the intention of being in to the Expected battle of the British at Kings mountain which did take place about the 24th of September 1780. This declarant states about the 23rd of the said month September he was wounded by the Kick of a horse

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Which prevented his being in the battle of Kings mountain. this declarant states he then Continued in Service until about 14th of march 1781 When he was discharged in writing and Returned home making [underlined] six months This declarant states some time about the 14th of July 1781 he Entered the Service of the United by Volunteering in the said County of Gilford and was marched under the Command of Captain Elijah Witt of the Militia Commanded by Col. John Sevier and Major Walton and was marched again to the frontiers of South Carolina Georgia +  north carolina garding the frontiers of those states until about the 20 of January 1782 when he was discharg. This declarant states some time about the 14th of march he Entered the service of the United States six other months under the command of the said Captain Elijah Witt who was Commanded by Col. John Sevier + Major Walton Garding the frontiers of northcarolina Virginia + South Carolina until about the 15 of September 1782 when he was discharged in Washington County state of north carolina this declarant states about the 1st of March he again volunteered under the Command of the above named officers and served Six other month + was discharged by his 3d officers, in Washington County State of North Carolina which was above the 3rd day of August 1783 when he was discharged in wrighting making altogether three years + three months which last time he was discharged in Washington County

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state of northcarolina and Returned home and states he was acquainted with Genl. Lawson + Stevens + Col. Preston of Lynch and with Genls Buttler Eaton + Reatherford of north Carolina + virginia who Commanded the Militia from those states + with General Green of the Regular army and he is acquainted with James Gilbert Clergyman for the County of Claborn + Hawkins + he is also acquainted with Christian parson of ES Goodman and he was born in Luisa County state of virginia and he has no record of his age and was living in Northcarolina when first Called into Service and he Received written discharges as before stated but they have Long since been lost or Mislaid so that he cannot produce them
And he hereby Relinquishes Every claim to a pension or bounty Except for the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state
Sworn to and Subscribed to the day and year aforesaid
before me { David his x mark Dunham
John Walling
And also on this 9th day of January 1835 Pearsonally appeared James Gilbert Clergyman before me the undersigned Justice of the peace and states that he is a near neighbor to the said David Denham who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that

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32,750
(B) Declaration of David Denham
died 14 June 1830
Tennessee

[illegible]

Hon. S. Bunch

[vertical] D Denham

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He believes him to be Eighty years of age and that he is Reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have ben a soldier of the Revolutionary War and that his Statements is Entitled to Credit Sworn to and subscribed to the day + year aforsaid
before me
John J. Walling     James Gilbert

And also on this 9th day of January 1835 Pearsonally appeared Christian Parson ES Goodman of the County of Hawkins + state of Tennessee + Residing near the same neighborhood of the said David Denham who has Subscribed + Sworn to the above Declaration that he believe him to be Eighty years of age and that he is Reputed and Believed in the neighborhood where resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we Concur in that Opion
Sworn to and Subsribed to the day and year aforesaid
before me
Witness
John J. Walling { Christian Pearson
{ES Goodman

And I the said John J Walling a Justice of the peace and also a Justice of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Pensions for the said County of Hawkins do hereby Declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after puting the

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the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and Served as he states and that by Reason of Blindness and other bodyly deformity Cannot attend Court for the purpose of making out his claim
And I further Certify it appears to me that James Gilbert is a Clergyman for the County of Claborn + Hawkins who has Signed the Preceding certificate and a neighbor of the said of the applicant and also that Christian Pearson + ES Goodman is Residents of said County of Hawkins + neighbors of the applican and are all Creditable Persons and that their Statements are entitled to Credit in testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand this 9th day of January 1835
John J. Walling 

State of Tennessee
Hawkins County
{I Stockley D Mitchell clerk of the court of pleas and quarter Sessions of Hawkins County in said state do hereby certify that John J Walling before whose name appears subscribed thereto is now and was at the time the same heard date an acting

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Justice of the peace of said County and state duly [illegible] and qualified and fully authorized to administer oaths and that said signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
Given under my hand and seal of office at office in Rogersville this 19th day of January AD 1835
SDMitchell Clk
by MBMitchell DClk

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32.750
Declaration of 
David Denham
died 14 June 1830
[illegible]
[illegible]
Han S. Bunch

[vertical] D Denham

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Fanny Denham
Claim to Pension
under act 3 february 1853

Filed By
Wm M Strickland
Sevierville
E Tennessee

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State of Tennessee
County of Hancock ss
on this second day of July 1836, [illegible] appeared before the Justice of the peace Fanny Denham A resident of the County of Hancock and State of Tennessee aged about 80 years who being first Duly Sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision afforded by the act of Congress passed February 3d 1853 that she is the widow of David Denham who was a soldier in the company of Capt Luke + Carl James [illegible] in the revolutionary war about 1778 + 1779 She further Declares that she was married to the said David Denham in September 1811 in [illegible] County Tenn by Thomas McKnelly A minister of the gospel that her husband aforesaid David Denham died on about 14 day of Lord 1850
and that she has remained a widow ever since that time and is now a widow and that her name before her said marriage was Fanny Lucas That She [illegible] her said husband never kept any record in writing of this date or other facts concerning this said marriage nor dos she believe any person is now alive that was present when they were married as aforesaid and she from her memory cannot more safely state they facts from her recollection more correctly but for the [illegible] of her said marriage [illegible] reputation She refers to the [illegible] hereto annexed

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[illegible] to and subscribed on the day and year above written before:  X { Fanny Denham her mark A Howell J P [illegible] Mr Wm Standifer and Isaac Goin residence of Hancock county and state of Tennessee upon and oaths declar that the fine going declaration was signed and acknowledg by Fanny Denham in our presents and that we personally know David Denham in his lifetime know that he is dead know nothing of their marriage of the parties but know that the madien [maiden] name of the said Fanny was Lucas that her and the said David Denham who we understand and believe was a revolutionary soldier lived manny years together in the county state and neighborhood whr he died as man and wife so conducted and behaved wr so reputed and respected by the neighbors generally up to the death of the said David Denham and that since the death of the said David Denham that the same Fanny Denham has never agane bin married but has remained and is now a widow and that we believe from personal knowledge, and from what the applicant says and from her age and facts and circumstances known to us that she is the person she represents herself to be and we have no interest in her claime William Standifer Isaac Goin

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The fore going declaration and affidavit was sworne to and subscribed before me this day and year above written and I certify that I know the witnesses to be credible persons and residents of  of this county and have long known the claimant know that she is the person she represents herself to be and [smudged out word illegible] she cannot from bodily infirmity attend the court and that I have no interest in this claim  A Howell J Seal Justice for Hancock

State of Tennessee 
[this entire section is crossed out with large X marks] Hancock County Richard Mitchell Clerk of the county court for said county do hereby certify that A howell Esq before qhom the foregoing affidavis  and power of attourney was [illegible] was at the date thereof am acting Justice of the peace within and for the county and state aforesaid [illegible] [end of crossed out section]

state of Tennessee Hancock County} I Richard Mitchell Clerk of the county court for said county do hereby certify that A Howell whos genuine signature appears to the above [illegible]  at the date [illegible] an acting justice of the peace within and for the county and state aforesaid leagally commissioned and sworn witness my hand and offical seal at office in Sneedville this 3rd day of July 1856 Richard Mitchell clerk 

[octagon shaped seal appears at the bottom left of the letter, illegible]

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State of Tennessee County of Hancock On this 1[smudged, illegible] day of Sept + AD one thousand eight hundred and fifty six [1856] personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace within and for the county and state aforesaid Fanny Denham aged about 80 years resident of Hancock county in the state of Tennessee who being duly sworn according to law declars that she is the widow of David Dunham [Denham]  Deceased who was a Revolutionary soldier and for his service in said war she has made application which is now now on file in that office submited in the claim of said widow Fanny Dunham to pension under the 2 section of the act of congress, passed on the 3 February 1853 to which she refers. She further states that she was married to David Dunham in the county of Hawking an state of Tennessee on the  [space is left blank] day of September AD [word is blotted out and illegible] one thousand eight hundred and eleven by one Thomas Mcknelly A minister of the gospell and that her name before her said marriage was Fanny Lucas that her and her said husband never kept any record or writing of ther dates or other facts conserning their said marriage nor does she know or believe that any person is now alive that was present at her marriage to said David Dunham as aforesaid and she from her memory cannot more safely fill the blanks nor state the other facts from her recollection more correctly but for the further proof of her said marriage cohabitation and reputation she refers to evidence filed in that office in constituting her claim to pension, aforesaid and also to the proof hereto satisfied she further states that her said husband died at home in this [illegible] called, Hancock county state of

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Tennessee on or about 14 day of June 1850 and that same the death of her said husband she has never again been married but has remained and is now a widow. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she is entitled under the act approved March 3 1855. Know all [illegible] these present that I Fanny Dunham aforesaid do hereby constitute and appoint Wm M Strickland of Sneedville Tenn to be my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to demand and receive from the commissioner of pensions a [illegible]  for the quantity of land due me as aforesaid or [illegible] pension claim or claims or other [illegible] of any kind [illegible] that may be found to be due me for the service of my said husband as it my appear for that department and my said attorney is hereby fully authorized and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more substitutes or attorneys for the purpose [illegible] expressed Fanny Denham her mark

We Sephen Hopkins & Avy Sullivan residents of Hancock county in the state of Tennessee upon our oaths declair that the foregoing declaration and power of attorney was sworn to and acknowledged by Fanny Denham in our presents to be her free act and deed and that we personally known David Dunham in his  lifetime, know that he is dead know nothing of the said marriage of the parties but know that the maiden name of the said family was Lucas that her and the said David Denham who we understand and believe was a revolutionary

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soldier lived about forty (40) years together in the county state and neighborhood where he died as man and wife so conducted and behaved and so reputed and respected by the neighbors generally up to the date of his death for which time we have been personally acquainted with the parties know that they have raised 9 children the eldest is about 44 years of aged and the youngest about 23 years of aged that since the death of said David Dunham the said the said Fanny has never againe been married but has remained and is now a widow and that we believe from personal acquaintance with the applicant from what the applicant sais from her age facts and circumstances known to us that she is the person she represents herself to be we are no ways related to the claimant and we have no interest in her claims whatever stephen Hopkin Avy Sullivan

The foregoing declaration power of attorney and affidavit wer sworn to and acknolwedged & subscribed before me the day and year above written and I certify that I know the witness to be respectable and entitled to [illegible] and persons of sufficient age to know the facts about which they state and residence of this county, and have long known the claimant know that she is the person she represents herself to be and that I am not interested in this claim D J Gilbert JP for H County

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State of Tennessee Hancock County} Richard Mitchell Clerk of the County court for said county do hereby certify that DJ Gilbert whos genuine signature appears to the foregoing certificate was at the date thereof our acting justice of the peace and [illegible] county and state aforesaid legally commissioned and [illegible] into office, Witness my hand and official seal at office in Sneedville this 18th day of september 1856 Richard Mitchell Clerk

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March 2, 1914. Hon. Halvor Steenerson. House of Representatives. My dear Mr. Steenerson: In response to your letter of the twenty-eighth ultimo, I have the honor to advise you that you are herewith furnished the history of the only soldier named David Denham found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau. From the papers in the claim. Wid. File No. 27,540. it appears that David Denham was born in Louisa County, Virginia about 1754, volunteered from Guilford County, North Carolina and served as Private in the militia under Captain John Leak and Colonel James Martin. from August 26, 1778, to May 14, 1779; under Captain Sevier and Colonel Heaston from August 15, 1779 to February 18, 1780; and under Captain Elijah Witt and Colonel John Sevier for four tours as follows; from September 12, 1780 to March 14, 1781. from July 14 1781 to January 20, 1782, from March 14, 1782 to September 15, 1782 and from March 14, 17 [two digits are smudged and illegible] to August 3, 178 [last digit is smudged and illegible]. He was in a battle with Indians on the frontier of North Carolina. He married in Hawkins County, Tennessee in September

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1811. Fanny or Francos Lucas. They raised a family of nine children whose names are not given. He died in Hancock County, Tennessee, June 14, 1850.  She was allowed pension on her application executed July 2, 1856, at which time she was eighty years old and lived in Hancock County, Tennessee.

Very Truly yours,
[signature]
Commissioner.

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Application for Restoration to the Pension Rolls Whose Names have been Dropped under the Act of February 4, 1862. State of Tennessee County of Claiborne, SS. On this Thirteenth day of November, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and sixty seven, personally appeared before me, (1) William H. Cunningham a Justice of the Peace [a typed word is crossed out] in said State and County,  [typed words are crossed out] (2) Francis Denham, aged Eighty five years, a resident of Claiborne County in the State of Tennessee, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that (2) she is the identical (2) Francis Denham who was a pensioner on the roll of the agency at Knoxville Tennessee, and whose pension certificate is lost (see affidavit) is herewith returned [is herewith returned is crossed out]; that (2) she has resided since the first day of January, A.D, 1861, as follows: in Hancock County Tenn untill Febry 1863, and since then she has resided in Claiborne County Tenn that during this period (2) her means of subsistence have been (4 1/2) living upon the charity of her children. and that [2] she has not borne arms against Government of the United States, or [2] she has not in any manner encouraged the rebels, or manifested a sympathy with their cause; and that [2] she was last paid [2] her pension on the forth day of September A.D. 1860. This Application is made for the purpose of securing a restoration of [2] her name to the pension rolls, and of obtaining a new pension certificate, such as [2] she may be entitled to under existing laws, reference being made to the evidence heretofore filed in the Pension Office to substantiate (2)  her original claim. And I hereby appoint [illegible] of Washington D.C, my Attorneys to present this my application and perform all that is necessary therein, without revocation, as well as to receive my Certificate when issued. [illegible] B McKinney Geo Carter. Francis Denham her mark Also personally appeared (6) George Runions, a resident of (7) claiborne County Tenn and (6) Nancy Cunningam a resident of (7) Claiborne County 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 (5) Francis Denham, 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 (2) her that (2) she is the identical person (2) she represents herself to be; and they further swear that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. (8) George Runions [8] Nancy Cunningham her mark Sworn to and subscribed before me, this Thirteenth day of November A.D. 1867; and I hereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. [1] W H Cunningham Justice of the peace for said County OATH OF ALLEGIANCE.

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State of Tennessee County of Claiborne SS. I, David Cardwell Clerk of the County Court within and for said county, do certify that William H Cunningham Esq., before whom the foregoing declaration, affidavits and acknowledgement were made, was, at the time of taking the same, and still is an acting Justice of the Peace within and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn, and that the several signatures, purporting to be his, which are appended to said declaration, affidavits and acknowledgement, are his genuine signatures. In Testimony Whereof, I hereto set my hand and affix the Seal of our said Court, at [illegible] this 3rd day of December A.D. 1867; David Cardwell Clerk of County Court of said County  (Seal.) INSTRUCTIONS

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1914. Mar. 2 [illegible] Hon Halvor Steeverson M. C. (letter returned) Reorg WIDOW, &c. File No. 27540 Fanny Denham Wid. of David Denham Priv. Rev. War Act Feb 3 d 1853 Index: Vol. , Page [Arrangement of 1870.]

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56,853 [illegible]

B Suspended [page is torn and marks are illegible] See letter to Hon S Bunch In Wm. Spurlock R 10023 18 Feb 1835 
11 May 1835 D Alexander  
[illegible] Ms Farmer Sept 26 1844 
[words are faint and illegible]

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Fanny Denham widow of David, Hancock Co Tennessee comitted, act Feb, 3, 1853. at rate of $26.84 per annum, commencing at date of said act. " Service 8 + months private of infantry. " pay widow" Certificate to William H. Strickland, Sneedville, Tennessee

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No 6529 Fanny Denham Widow of David, Tenn Wm H Strickland July 15 1856 Same Sept 29/56 Same Dec 5, 1856 Same Apl. 17. 1857 Secr Mt Sept 3/57 3 Feb 4 1853 - 2 [illegible]

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State of Tennessee Claiborne County } This 13th day of November 1867 Personally appeared before me William H. Cunningham a Justice of the peace in and for the County and state aforesaid. Mrs. Francis Denham a resident of the county of Claiborne and state of Tennessee aged Eighty five years who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the identical Francis Denham who was a pensioner on the rolls at Knoxville Tenn. That her pension certificate has been lost under the following circumstances. that some three or four years previous to the war of 1861 she made application for widows pension and her attorney one William Strickley of Sneedville Hancock County Tenn obtained her certificate and made out the necessary voucher and drew her money for her, and still kept her certificate and at the proper time made out the vouchers for her semi annual payments and she consented to allow him to hold the said certificate as it would be safer with him. During the rebellion said Strickley Entered the rebel army and was killed and since his death she has been unable to get possession of the certificate or learn of its whereabouts

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being uneducated she dont know the number of said certificate nor can she now recolect to what Regiment or orgaization her husband David Denham belonged that owing to her old age she is unable to appear before a clerk. B McKinney Geo Carter Francis + Denham her mark subscribed and sworn to before me the day and year first above written and I certify that from the appearance of the applicant and my acquaintance with her that I should deem it impossible for her to appear before a clerk & make this application the county seat being nearly seven miles away. I have no interest either direct or indirect in this claim. W. H. Cunningham Justice of the peace said County 

State of Tennessee Claiborne County } I do hereby certify that William H Cunningham before whom the foregoing affidavit was made is an acting justice of the peace duly authorized to administer oaths and the above is his genuine signature. [illegible] my hand and seal at office in Tazewell this 3rd day of December 1867. David Cardwell Clerk of the county co

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(upper left faded handwritten-illegible)
- This is too blurry

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State of Tennessee County of Hancock} SS On this 26th day of October AD 1857 personally appeared before me Anderson Howell a Justice of the peace within and for the county aforesaid Fanny Denham aged about 81 years widow of David Denham A private in the revolutionary war and resident of Hancock county in the state of Tennessee doth upon her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the arrears [illegible word is crossed out] due to her said husband under the act of congress passed June 7th 1832 to commence from the fourth day of March 1831 at the rate of Twenty Six dollars and Eighty four - cents to which he was entitled too under said act to the 14th day of June 1850 which is the day of his death and that previous to the day of his death he [illegible] nothing and that since her said husband death as aforsaid she has made application under act pased 3d march 1855 and received a warrant for one hundred and sixty acres, No 56853 isued on the 13th day of March 1857 and that she   has also made application for a pension under the second section of the act passed February 3rd 1853 and has received a certificate payable at the Knoxville Agent for paying pensions in Tennessee: recorded in the pension office on the roll of pensioners under act February 3rd 1853 page 252 vol [illegible] now for the purpose of obtaining the sum know all men by thes presents that I Fanny Denham aforesaid do hereby constitute and appoint Wm M Strickland of Sneedville my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to demand and receive from the proper office at the department of the United States the arrears due to me in Right of my said husband at the rate of 26 dollars and 84 cents per annum from the 4th day of march 1831 to the 14th day of June 1850 and my said attorney is hereby fully authorised to do all lawful acts that I could or must do were I personally

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present at the doing thereof and I further promise that I will not revoke this power hereafter witness my hand and seal the day and year above written atty B G Gully  Marvel = Collens his mark Fanny = Denham her mark 
 W B G Gully and Marble Collens upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration and power of attorney was sworn to and acknowledged and signed by Fanny Denham in our presence on the day it bears doth and we know the said Fanny Denham and we further certify that she is the identical person she therein represents herself to be and that we have no interest in this claim whatever witness our hand and seals this 26th day of October AD 1857 BG Gully Seal Marble = Collens his mark Seal State of Tennessee County of Hancock } ss
on this 26th day of October -----AD 1857 personally came before me Anderson Howell a Justice of the peace within and for the county and state aforesaid Fanny Denham to me well known and made oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration and acknowledged the power of attorney therein after to be her free act and deed and that she is a citizen of my county and signed the same before me and I certify that I know the claimant that  [that is crossed out] Fanny Denham that she is the identical person she therein represents herself to be: and then came B G Gully and Marvel Collens the witnesses and made oath to the truth of the affidavit by them respectively subcribed and signed the saim before me and fortify that they are each credible persons residing in my county allow on the day and year alone [illegible] and I have no interest whatever in this claim witness my hand and office seal A Howell JP Seal

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State of Tennessee Hancock County} J Richard Mitchell clerk of the County Court for said County do hereby certify that A Howel is an acting Justice of the peace [illegible] and for said county and state leagally commissioned and [illegible] out that his signature to the herewith attached declaration is genuine given under my hand and office & seal at office in Sneedville this 27th day of October 1857 Richard Mitchell Clerk

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Comptrollers Department Raleigh Aug 27th 1856 Mr Strickland, Dr Sir Please find enclosed certificate [illegible] all the evidence that officers of the [illegible] of David Denham in the N C [illegible] of the revoluon [revolution] The nam occurs differently spelled, but I presume it is all the same man, The certificate will be fully understood by the commissioner of pensions at Washington City. The fee of $5 has been [illegible]
Respectuflly your [illegible] servt, M W Brooks Comptroller NC

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Hon Commissioner of Pensions Sneedville E Tennessee Sept 18th 1856 Dear sir I enclose you a Declaration [illegible] in claim of Fanny Dunham to land claim widow of David Dunham or Denham we do not know how he spelt his name we ask you please as soon as any claime may be found due to the old lady from the proof that your would ishure immediatly from the fact that the old lady is on sufference she is just depending on the money of her neighbors vary respectfully yours Wm M Strickland Sneedville E Tennessee 
[illegible] commissioner of pensions Washington DC

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Sneedville September 19th 1856 dear sir in all cases wherein I am agent or attorney we desire payments [illegible] at Knoxville pay agensy E Tennessee and a Blige your Respectfully Wm M Strickland [illegible] & Team [illegible] commissioner of pension Washington DC

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Wm M Strickland Sneedville

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State of Tennessee Hawkins County I Jame H Vance Clerk of the county court of Hawkins County in the State aforesaid by my deputy Willie B Mitchell do certify that I have made diligent search in the files of my office for the marriage licensce of David Denham & could not be found and that no other record of marriages were kept in said office at the date of 1811 and before that time except the filing away of the licence and Bond and that a marriage licence may have issued to David Denham and no record of the same kept in my office Given under my hand and seal of office at office in Rogersville the 26th day of September AD 1856 Ja H Vance clerk [illegible] deputy W B Mitchell

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Sneedville Tennessee Oct 16th 1856
Sir Just having received yours dated Sept 29th 1856 in reply to the certifficat of the comptroller NC as evidence in the case of Fanny Denham as aforesaid it semes that your Hon is not satisfide with any of payments of the said husband of claimant from the variance of the spelling of his sir name which is but a small variance the widow having had the misfortune to have her hous burnt up sence the death of her said husband and all she had with all his papers we have no record of his name

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and we do not know how he him self spelt his name and as his family has not got any education they do not no exactly how their sir name are spelt I just spell his sir name as I understand the sound and that is the way it is understood by Som and Som people understood it differently. we all agree on his crisson name David but there is but vary fiew that agrees on his sir name from the fact that it is a vary singular name and it dos appear to me that the husband of claimant aut to be satisfactarily identified with all of the said payments from the  fact we corispond in his crison name a slite

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variation in his sir name therefore it does appear from all the facts in the case the that the claimant  ant to be alowd her claim the neighbors that have long bin acquainted with the claimant is satisfide that claimant is entitle and that david Denham or Dunham was a revolutionary soldier in NC all ways under stood that he was from NC and we have no knowledge of any only the one family of that name or anything like the saim naim and that was david My dear sir we do not know hardly what [illegible] to pursue, and if on file is not sufficiant to establish the claims we would be glad to hav som information what

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what would be conclusive to the case for it dose appear for me that the claimant is entitled vary Respectfuly yours Wm M Strickland Sneedville E Tennessee 
I, Minor commisioner of pension

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Comptrollers Department Raleigh NC Oct. 27, 1856
Mrs Fanny Denham [illegible] East [illegible] Madam Your of the 16th mst. has been [illegible], asking an [illegible] of my certificate of the service of David Denham [David Denham is underlined twice] of the Revolution, In Reply I have to day, that every circumstane connected with the [illegible] satisfide me of the great probabilities of these names included in my certificate, being for your man David Denham, though differently spelt, In the first place it is well known that the same name was differently spelt, in many instances, secondly two of the payments were allowed in the [illegible] [illigible] of the counties of Washington & Sullivan - now that portion of Tennessee where its said Denham is alledged to have lived, the payments in the [illegible] District may or may not have been to the same man I have no means of identifying it. The payments were all in [illegible] you are at liberty to submit this as additional testimony. Respectfully [illegible] Geo w. Brooks, comptr

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Sneedville Tenn November 20th 1856
Dear Sir We introduce for your consideration a letter as additional testimony from the comptroler office of NC And we humblly ask your Promp attention and disision in the claims of the said Fanny widow of [smudge] David Denham or Dunham, as he frequently gose by thes names here, the No, of her land claim 258,078 filed sept 26th 1856 Pension claim was filed July 15th 1856 at that office yours vary respectfuly hon commisioner of pension washington DC Wm M Strickland Sneedville E Tenn

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Sneedville February 2d 1857
Hon Geo C Whiting
Commissioner of pensions
Sir In reply to your favor of December 5th 1856, in regard to the claim of Fanny the widow of David Dunham a revolution ary [revolutionary] soldier & entitled to pension under act approved February 3d 1853 you say if the opinion of the comptroller of N. C. Should be Deemed conclusive Still her claim could not be alloud that the payment to David Dunham entered as from Washington and Sulivan counties only amount to £ 11..9..6 not [illegible], a Sufficient time to entitle Entitle [Entitle is crossed out] her to pension! Sir if the pay from Washington and Sulivan counties only had been all the proof of pay to David Dunham, that I had Reduced to that office I Would have suspended the prosicution of her claim to pension for ever! But my dear Sir I will refer you to  the original certificate of the comptroller of N.C. in that office dated about august 2 nd 1856, which gives the sevral payments (and full opinion of the comptroller) N.C.| amounting to  £21..9..6, which is a sufficient time to entitle her to pension --- And I beg leave to say that my clyant has just as much Rite to all of the payments in the original certificate as she has to any one of them, therefore I contend that my

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Clyant is entitle to her claim to pension, And that She is just as much entitle to Receive a pension from the original certificate and opinion of the comptroller of N.C. as She had to receive her land warant No, 56,853, for one hundred and sixdy acres, under a part of [of is crossed out] of it, which was a clear case; owing to the original certificate & opinion amounting to a Term of more than six months service: And that her claim under the second section of the act approved February 3d 1853, Should commence pay from the forth day of March 1848, according to the proper construction of the 2 sec of that act which Relates to Revolutionary soldiers widows pensions: In connexion with the act approved July 29th 1848 [illegible] which takes its commencement of pay from the 4th day of March 1848, N.B. the second Section of the act approved February 3d 1853. Says, And be it further enacted that the widows of all officers non commissioned officers musicians and Privates of the Revolutionary army who wer married Subsequent to January Anno Domini 1800, Shall be entitle to a pension in the same manner as those who wer married before that date [two dashes are hand drawn in] What other construction I ask can this act have only that they shall be intitle to ther pension to commence pay from the 4th day of March 1848, if it would not be in the same manner as if ther [crossed out] ther mariag had taken place before 1800 if it was to begin at or from any other period than that of March 4th 1848. for under the act approved July 29th 1848 as I have before stated if ther mariage took place before

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January 1800, ther pay would commence on the 4th day of March 1848, And if the section second of the act approved February 3rd 1853 relating to Revolutionary Soldiers widows' pensions is to be alloud in the same manner as if ther marriage had taken place before January 1800, they are entitled to Receive pay from the rth March 1848, and this is all, and the properest construction that I can give it &  if this is not your construction of it I would be pleased to have your construction [line] in full on it; I know there have been other and different construct ions given in this class of claims; & that they should take affect from  the passage of the act or that the pay should begin from the passage of the act approved 3d February 1853, this construction in my opinion is only applicable to thos who are only entitle to 5 years half pay and those that  [the word that has been inserted above those and have] have hertofore received a five years half pay [some symbols. maybe the & sign with something else underlined] But not by no means do I think that it is applicable to the second section of the act approved February 3d 1853, Hon Sir, I submit the foregoing for your consideration hopeing that you will duly consider the case, feeling as I do that my clyant is entitled to a pension under the second section of act approved February 3d 1853,  and that to commence pay from the 4th day of March 1848, [the 4 is written over]  Vary Respectfully your humble servant Hon Geo C Whiting commisioner of Pensions Washington DC 
Wm M Strickland Sneedville E Tennessee

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Sneedville February 11th, 1857
Dear Sir Your favor of the 9th [illegible] 18567 [6 is smudged] just at hand in the case of Fanny Dunham for bounty land NO, 258078, under the act of March 3d, 1855 you say as its allowance depends upon  [smudged out word, illegible] the same condition as that of her allowance to pension you say you have only to Refer me to the corisponde nce, on that subject Sir I beg leave to differ with you I do contend that her allowance to bounty land dos [does] not depend upon the same conditions as that of her allowance to pension her allowance to pension Requires the proof of six months service therefore I suspend [suspend has a smudge in the middle of the word] the prosicution of her claim to pension for the present and proseed to prosicute her claim to Bounty Land I refer you to the 8th section of the bounty land Law for Fourteen days service in any war act of March 3d 1855 whitch says and be it [word is smudged out] enacted that the officer and soldier of the Revolution ary [Revolutionary] war or there widows or minor children shall be entitle to the benefit of this act now sir we have sent over [illegible] to the controller of north Carolina and have procured the Record proof of the said Dunhams pay and that each differen t, payment would amount to more than a suficeant period of time at least to entitle his

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widow to a Land warant [warrant] as the Law only Requires fourteen days servise to entitle her, and that if it should be name that you would need have refferance to, in the manner in whitch the name is spelled it was a matter of misundr standing with me for the claimant when I when I went to make out her claim I ask her how they spelled ther names she Replied I, do not know I, am schol [the rest of the word is smudged] and you may athribe [ascribe] it to my bad speling [spelling] as well as anything els I find by inquiring into the way the said David speld his name in his life time all that has had any dealings with him knows that he spelled his name David Dunham in the plase of the way I spelled it, Denham and we proved in the application for the land warrant in the certificate to it that his name was spelled David Dunham & that the payment that was made to this name is a suffisiant period of time to allow her a law claim as aforesaid and that as to the marriage we have proved it by Repputation & cohabitation and also the service we have proved it presumptive by men that has been acquainted with him for more than forty years & have alays [always] undre stod [understood] and believed him to be a Revolution ary [revolutionary] soldier, and we proved by the justice of the peace in his certificate that they of sufficsiant , age, to know the facts about whitch they state

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we have also shone by the clerks certificate of Hawkins county with regard to ther marridg [marriage] record that ther was no record kept of the maridges that took place in the year She alledges that she was married as alledged in Hawkins county and I do insist on the allowance of my cliance [client's] claim feeling and believeing as I do that we have made sufficiant proof for to establish her claim to bounty land, and I further Reply to your Honor if you do not deem the evidense in this case Sufficient to establish her claim to bounty land I humbly ask your Honor to move Exsplisitily, inform us what is required in the claim to establish for I am satisfide that she is entitled to her claim and further I am satisfide that the testimony in that office in Regard to the mariage is suficcent prima facie evidence in the absence of rebuttal testimony to establish her claim as aforesaid, as you will find in T, T, C, Triplett,s compalation the opinion of attorney general, June 23, 1846, in the second scection on page 30, 31, and with these Remarks I submit the case to your honor for your consideration hopeing that you will submit to the allowance of my cliance claim with me haveing to Reply to the secretary office [illegible] I do here with submit

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for your consideration and Remain your Humble servant vary Respectfully, Wm. S Wickland
Sneedville E Tenny

Hon Commissioner of Pension, Pension office Washington DC

Page 53

[typed] Breif [brief] in the case of 

[handwritten] Fanny Denham, widow of David [Illegible] 

[typed] County and State of

[handwritten] Tennessee

[typed] act

[handwritten] February 3 1833

[typed] Claim, ("original," or "for increase.") ["for increase" is crossed out.] Proof exhibited, (if original.) Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.

[handwritten] Payments to claimants' husband, amounting to £21. 9. 6. 0, and covering a [illegible] over 8 months service, as private of infantry in the revolutionary war, are shown by certificate of Comptroller of North Carolina. Marriage, identity and death of husband, [illegible] by parol.

[typed and crossed out] (If for increase.) Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

[handwritten] Husband died June 14, 1837, as stated by claimant in her declaration. 
Admitted at rate of $26.84c per annum, commencing February 3, 1833.

Wm H. Strickland [squiggle] Speedville, Tennessee.

[typed] Name and residence of Agent

[handwritten] R. Eddy
[typed] Examining Clerk

Page 54

Leey's Decision

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Department of the Interior
October 5th 1857.
Sir, I have carefully considered the claim of Fanny Denham widow of David Denham, for a pension under Act of February 3rd 1853, upon which an appeal has been taken from your decision. The Comptroller of North Carolina in his Certificate of August 27th 1856, says he presumes that the "David Dunham", "David Dennam" and "David Dennan", mentioned in his other Certificate of the same date, are one, and the same man, and I am of the opinion he is [illegible], and that the soldier therein mentioned was the widow's husband. The claim should therefore be admitted, provided satisfactory evidence respecting the point, alluded to in your report, shall be filed. The papers in the case are herewith returned. Yours respectfully, J. Thompson [underlined]
Secretary.

Hon. G. C. Whiting.
Commissioner of Pensions. [squiggle]

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Sneedville Oct 28th 1837 
Hon, George C Whiting Commissioner of pensions Dear Sir I [illegible] for your consideration the claim of Fanny Denham [illegible] arrears of pension due to her said husband David Denham at his death: according to the acts of congress and the decision of the or opinion of attorney general, April 13h 1847.) I pray your immediate and due attention to this claim as it is a clear case and you [illegible] [illegible] your humble Servant Wm M strickland Sneedville Tennessee Hon Geo C Whiting Commissioner of pensions Washingtion DC

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W M Strickland Sneedville Tenn Jan 5 1858 [check mark, dash] Respecting the claim of Fanny Denham. Wife of David Ten [illegible] 1853
Respectfully referred to the Com of Pensions. Dept. Int Jan 14 / 58} Moses Kelly

Additional Letter of [illegible] in the case of Fanny Denham husband Rights Wm M Strickland Sneedville Tenn

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Speedville January 5th 1858
[illegible], Sir
by application for the arrearages of pensions Due to Fanny Denham which was due her husband David Denham which he applide [applied] for but did not live to [illegible] adjusted Fanny Denham his widow has been plased on the roles and is now  [illegible] a pension at the rate of 26 dollars and about 84 cents, She now claims & has applide for the pension due to her husband as aforesaid from the 4th of March 1831 to the day of is death to which she is justly entitle according to the 2nd section of act approved July 4th  1836, the Hon [illegible] Whiting commisioner of Pensions Rejects the claim from the fact that his claim was not adjusted in his life time so I beg leave to differ with him from the fact it is contrary to the section of law refered to [illegible] it appears to me that from the 2nd section of act approved July 4th 1836 together with other [illegible] as her husband made application for the claim in his lifetime and as she has furnished satisfactory proof of service she is and should be clearly entitled to the

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claim and I now demand of your honor that Justice according to the acts and opinion [illegible] to my clyant [client] with thout delay and oblige yours respectfully obedient servant Wm Strickland Sneedville E Tennessee Hon Secretary of the Interior Pension Office

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Mulberry Gap Ten 14th sept Mr J L Edwards War Department Washington City DC Dav Denham

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Mulberry Gap Claiborne County Tennessee 14th September 1844

Mr J L Edwards Dear Sir I have been repeatedly solicited by a very old man by the name of David Denham to endeavor to obtain some information in relation to drawing a pension. He Denham says some four or five years ago there was some two or three men from Hawkins County Tenn -- that came to him - and -- [smudge] undertook to superintend the business [business is smudged at the end] for him. But says owing to some error in the declaration as they informed him his claim was [a word is smudged out] suspended. The old gentleman is quite infirm and entirely blind and his recollection is I have no Doubt very imperfect, as to his serving his country in the Revolutionary War is a matter that I know very Little about, he says himself that all those who he was aquainted with in the  [word is hidden by a crease] has long since died or moved out of the [illegible] of his knowledge. Though he bears the name of a common honest man here and the people who have been aquainted with him for thirty years seem to believe he served his country. if he has been a soldier ignorance on his part, nor the neglect of those who he trusted to manage for him ought not to prevent him from receiving the benefit.

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of the laws of his country, for I am certain from my own personal observation that no man can be in greater need I hope sir if it will not be deviating from your duty and the laws you act in conformity to that you will reexamine the papers in your office should there be any and give me such information as you may think to be right and just in relation to his claim. I am Sir, very Respectfully your obedient servant John Farmer

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State of Tennessee Hawkins county [illegible] appeared before mr Lewis Click a Justice of the peace in [illegible] for the county & state aforesaid John Berry aged about forty four years - and Christian Pearson age about fifty years - who being duly sworn according to law whose and say that they are well acquainted with David Denham an applicant for a pension under the act of 7 June 1832 and whose claim was made out before John Wallen [illegible] of Hawkins County, in cause of said Denhams not [illegible] (by reason of bodily infirmity, to attend court - And these [illegible] say that they verily believe that said Denham could not have attended court, by reason of bodily affliction and visibility [word crossed out], being partly blind so much so, that he can see very little, and being also badly [illegible] so that he cannot ride = said Denham lives north of [illegible] mountain, from Rogers [illegible] the County Town, [illegible] having the mountain to cross which is very long, steep and hard to cross and also stone mountain

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and [illegible] wife also very bad and they [illegible] he could not have been got to court to swear to his declarations, and further say not sworn to and [illegible] before me this 3 day of April 1835 
Lewis Click [illegible]
John Berry
Christian Pearson his mark [a mark is crossed out at the end of Christian]

State [illegible] Hawkins County }
I Lewis Click a justice of the peace for said county state do certify that the above named John Berry and Christian Pearson are both [work is crossed out and illegible]  [illegible] citizens with whom I am well acquainted and that they are both credible persons and their statement is entitled to credit. In [illegible] whereof I have [illegible] of my hand this 3 day of April 1835 Lewis Click [illegible]

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[stamped FREE]
"[illegible] claims"
James L Edwards Esq commissioner of Pensions War Department Washington City [illegible]

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[illegible] - East [illegible]
April 30th 1835
J. L. Edwards Esqu
[illegible] Enclosed I have you the additional proof required by you in to the claimint David Denham being unable to appear in court - The proof I trust will be satisfactory to you - The proof, in [illegible] has not yet been presumed Im with much regard Your off. servant  [name is obscured but partially legible] nder

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State of N. Carolina
Comptrollers Department
I, George W. Brooks Comptroller of Public accounts in and for the state aforesaid do hereby certify that it appears of record in my office among the payments made to sundry peresons for military service in the revolutionary war as follows

David Dunham [underlined]
Book no. 1. Page 32, £ 7,, 8,, 6 Washington & Sullivan counties allowed in June 1783

David Dennam [underlined]
in [illegible] no. 904 £ 4,,1 Washington & Sullivan co.s June [June is smudged] 1783

David Dennan [underlined]
Book C Entry 1666, £10,, Hillsboro Distr
The above name differing in orthography were probably for the same man, now called David Denham [David Denham is underlined]

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said office on this the 27th day of August 1856
Geo. W. Brooks

[There is a square stamp with a circle inside it to the left of the signature of M. W. Brooks]