Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8146, Jacob Boy, Va.

Page 1

(8-1776)

SERVICE
Va.

Boy, Jacob
Mary

NUMBER
W.8146
B.L.Wt. 16276-160-55

CONTENTS

Page 2

Jonesborough Agency ["12826" crossed out]
["13.628" crossed out]
Tennessee
Jacob Boy 13.628

of Sullivan in the State of Tennessee 
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Sensum of the Regt commanded 
by Col Campbell in the Va Militia for 
1 year 6 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Tennessee 
[page damage] [at] the rate of 60 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum
[page damage] commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of May
1833
and sent Saml Rhea
Blountsville Ten

Arrears to the 4th of Mar 1833 $120:00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 33 30:00
[total]       $150:00

{Revolutionary Claim, }
{Act June 7, 1832.       }

[page damage] [rec]orded by Geo B Whiting Clerk,
[Bool] E Vol. 6 Page 122

Page 3

[July 26-1856 [illegible]

717
[page damage] [Ten]nessee, Jonesborough
Mary Boy
[page damage] [wi]dow of Jacob Boy
who served in the Revolutionary 
war, as a private

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

Certificate of Pension issued the
9th day of June 18[illegible] 
and sent to 
Hon A. Johnson
House of Reps

Recorded on Roll of Pension under act 
July 29, 1848, Page 18 [illegible]

Page 4

Vol. Bo-6.

[right side]
133.632 
Act Mar 3/53
May 14/53

Mary Boy
widow
Jacob Boy privt
Pension

Mary Boy wid: Jacob,
Priv

Va Contl. line

ReW [Revolutionary War]

No 16276 iss [issued] - Feb 19/56

Revolution War
ad:160ac, Feb:14/56
.
Tenn July 48 Boyton [illegible]

A G Graham
Present 
Jonesborough
Tenn

Page 5

4833.
Jacob Boy

Page 6

State of Tennessee
Sullivan County
on this 21st. day of August 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Court of Pleas
and for Quarter Sessions for Sullivan County now sitting Jacob 
Boy a resident in said County and State aged Eighty one 
years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his 
oath make the following declaration in order to obtain 
the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he entered the services of the united states under 
the following named officers and served as herein stated
That he was born in York County Pennsylvania and 
removed from thence to Loudon County Virginia - that 
sometime he thinks in the fall of the year 1779, he was 
draughted [drafted] for Eighteen months - he cannot recollect the 
name of the Captain under whome he marched the Lieuten
=ants name was Ptlzforten that they marched from Lees
=burg, through Fredericksburg and Richmond to their 
rendevouze [rendezvous] at Chesterfield Courthouse -- that there he 
was put under Captain Sensum in Cols. Campbell's 
regiment -- that after lying there some time they 
marched to Guilford Courthouse Carolina --that he 
was in the action there under Genl. Green -- from there 
they marched to Cambden where they stayed perhaps 
three or four weeks and then marched to Ninety six 
where they had another action -- after which they marched 
to the high hills of Santee, where they remained in quarters 
sometime and then marched to the Eutaw Springs 
at which place they had another battle, from whence 
they marched in different directions untill [until] they came 
to Salisbury, where he was discharged -- he says he 
has since lost his discharge but thinks it bore date some
time in the year 1781-- and that he has no documentary 
evidence, and that he knows of no person whose testimony 
he can procure who can testify to his service and that there is 
no clergyman in his vicinity whose testimony he can procure. 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension on annuity except the present and declares

Page 7

that his name is not on the pension role of the agency 
of any state. 
Jacob his x mark Boy
Sworn and Subscribed 
the day and year aforesaid

We William Rockhold & Thomas Rockhold
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jacob Boy who has subscribed and sworn to the above 
declaration that we believe him to be about Eighty one 
years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the 
neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier 
of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Wm Rockhold
Thomas Rockhold
Sworn to and Subscribed   )
the day and year aforesaid )

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion 
after the investigation of the matter and after putting 
the interrogatories prescribed by the War department 
that the above named applicant was a revolutionary 
soldier, and served as he states and the court further 
certifies that it appears to them that [illegible] who signed the proceeding 
certificate are residents in the neighborhood of the applicant in 
said County and their Statement is entitled to credit.

I Richard Netherland Clerk of the Court of Pleas and 
Quarter Sessions for Sullivan County do certify that the 
foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said 
Court in the matter of the application of Jacob Boy 
for a pension -- In Testimony whereof I have hereunto 
set my Hand and Seal of office this 20 day of Augt 1832
Richard Netherland Clerk
By G W Netherland DClk

Page 8

State of Tennessee )
Sullivan County      ) Ss
on this 29th day of March 1833 personally appear
=ed before me Ireson Longdere one of the acting Justices of the peace
for said County Jacob Boy and made and subscribed the following 
affidavit on amendment and explanation of his forgoing decla
ration for pension, to wit, that by reason of old age and consequent
 loss of memory he cannot be positive as to the period of the war 
when his services were rendered but believes they commenced as 
stated in his declaration in the fall of 1779 that he served 
in one continuous tour Eighteen months the time for 
which he was draughted [drafted that he served all the time on as a private. 
In answer to the 1st & 2nd Interrogatory of the war department 
he saith that he was born in the year 1751, that he has a record 
of his age, which is now in possession of his son in this county.
In answer to the 3rd Interrogatory of the department he says that 
he was living in Loudon [Loudoun] County Virginia when called into ser
vice and that a few years after the war he removed to what 
is now Sullivan County Tennessee where he has resided ever 
since.  In answer to the 5th Interrogatory he says he at this period 
can recollect no regular officer with whome he served but  
Genl. Green -- He further states that his name as spelled in 
his native language - the German is Jacob Buch- 
tho generally pronounced and written in English Boy- But 
whether he was entered on the master roll as Boy or Buch 
he does not know
Jacob his x mark Boy
Swon [sworn] to and subscribed before 
the day & year above written
Ireson Longdere
Justice of the peace

I am well acquainted with Ireson Longdere 
Esqr whose attestation is to the foregoing amended
affidavit & know the same to be genuine
March 29th 1833.
J Blair

Page 9

133654
Mary Boy
Rev. Bounty Land Claim
Act 3 March 1855

Ho [House of] rep [Representatives:-
A. G. Graham
Jonesborough
Tennessee

May 9 [illegible] 5__

Page 10

State of Tennessee  )
Sullivan County -     )
On this 23rd day of April 1833, before 
me, an acting Justice of the Peace in and 
for the said County, personally came Mary Boy aged 78 
years, a resident of the said County, & who, upon oath duly
administered states that she is the widow of Jacob Boy, who was a soldier of the Revolution, & for whose services therein
she is now in the Receipt of an annual pension at the
rate of Sixty dollars per annum, payable the
Jonesboro [Jonesborough] --Ten [Tennessee]--agency-- as may be seen from her original
papers in her said application now on file in the Pen-
sion office, -- She states further that she was married to the
said Jacob Boy in the said County on the 12th day of 
Nov. 1796, by me Saml. Mccorkle J.P. that her name prior to
said marriage was Mary Drummon, that her said husband
died in said county on the 20th day of May 1833, since
which time she has remained a widow.
States further that the best proof she can make of her
said husband's services during the Revolution will be found
in the files of the Pension office before referred to, as well
also her marriage, &c;, and she refers to them as a part of
this declaration, and asks that the benefit of such proof
as they may contain may he allowed her in this claim, which
is for the Land Bounty to which she may
be entitled as the widow of a Revolutionary soldier under
act 3 March 1855; this being her first, and only ap
plication under this, or any other act of Congress.
Mary her x mark Boy

Page 11

We Jonathan Morrell & William Morrell residents of the aforesaid 
County, hereby state, on our oaths, that the foregoing declaration was 
signed and acknowledged in our presence by the said Mary 
Boy; and that, from personal knowledge, we know her to be
the identical person of that name who is the widow of Jacob 
Boy dec'd [deceased] a soldier of the Revolution & who now, as  
such
widow, is drawing a pension at the Jonesborough Agency
for her said husband's services in the war of the Revolu-
tion, we state further that she is still a widow, and the
identical person who has made the within declaration
& that we are not interested in her foregoing claim.
Jonathan Morrell
& William Morrell
The foregoing affidavit & Declaration were sworn to &
subscribed before me on the date aforesaid. And I cer-
tify that I know said witnesses the credible person &
that the said Mary Boy is the identical person she
represents herself to be & that I am not interested in her
said claim
Reuben Hicks
Justice of the Peace

State of Tennessee  )
Sullivan County       )
I, John C. Rutledge Clerk of the County
Court for said County hereby certify
that Reuben Hicks Esqr. whose genuine
official signature appears to the foregoing instrument is now
and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the
peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn, and
I further certify that I find no marriage license in my office in the
case of Jacob Boy and Mary Drummon but I find on file in my
office a marrige [marriage] bond executed by Jacob Boy on the 18th day of October
1796 for to obtain a marriage licensase [license] for himself and Molly [Mary] Drummond
Witnessed by Matthew Rhea Clerk. I am not interested in this

Page 12

application for Bounty land,
Given under my hand and official seal at office in Blountville this 7th day of May 1855.
John C. Rutledge Clerk

Page 13

10457
Mrs Mary Boy

Mary Boy
Ten-
Act 7. July 38

Page 14

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 
entitled an act granting half pay and pension to certain widows 
and in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed March 3rd 1843
granting one years pay and pension to certain widows
State of Tennessee  )
Sullivan County       )ss
On this 28th day of December 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace Mrs Mary Boy
a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged Sixty Eight years 
who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make 
the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision 
made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled an act 
granting half pay and pension to certain widdows [widows]
and in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed March 3rd 
1843 granting one years pay and pension to certain widows 
That she is the widow of Jacob Boy who was a soldier in the North
Virginia Militia in the war of the Revolution that the aforesaid Jacob 
Boy drew a pension under the act of Congress of 7th June 1832 of $60
for his said services she further declares that she was married to the 
said Jacob Boy on the 12th October Seventeen hundred and Ninety Two 
That her husband the aforesaid Jacob Boy died on the 20th May 1833 
That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the 
marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen 
hundred and Ninety four viz at the time above stated.
Mary her x mark Boy
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me

Page 15

a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid and I further
certify that the said Mrs Mary Boy is from bodily infirmity
unable to attend Court In witness whereof I have hereunto set
my hand this 28th of December Eighteen hundred and forty three
Reubin Hicks
Justice of the peace
State of Tennessee  )
Sullivan County       )  ss
January term 1844 County Court
The declaration of Mrs Mary Boy certified
on the 28th day of December 1843 by Reubin Hicks a Justice of the
peace for said County being submitted to the Court the said Court
doth approve his proceedings and acts in said case and hereby direct
the Clerk to endorse the approval on the papers
State of Tennessee  )
Sullivan in County   ) ss
I, John C. Rutledge Clerk of the County Court
of Sullivan County do hereby certify that the foregoing procedings [proceedings] are the
original procedings [proceedings] had and approved of by the County Court
of Sullivan County at its January term 1844 relative to the declaration
of Mrs Mary Boy to obtain the benefit of acts of Congress relative
to Revolutionary pensions and I further certify that the aforesaid
Reubin Hicks is and was a Justice of the peace for said County duly
commissioned and quallified [qualified] according to law and that the signature
purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed my seal of Office at Ofice [Office]
in Blountville this 4th day of January 1844
John C. Rutledge Clerk

Page 16

State of Tennessee
Sullivan County

On this 28th of December 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace for said County 
William Rockhold Esqr a resident of the County and State 
aforesaid in his sixty sixt [sixth] year of age and after being duly sworn 
according to law doth on his oath make the following affidavid [affidavit] 
That he is well acquainted with Mary Boy who resides
in this County and was well acquainted her husband Jacob
Boy up to the time of deth [death] affiant well recollects the marriage
having been at the wedding and from an examination of some
records in affiants posesion [possession] together with his recollection that said
marriage was previous to the year or the first of January Seventeen
hundred and ninty [ninety] four and that Mrs Mary Boy has remained
a widow ever since the deth [death] of her husband Jacob Boy
Wm. Rockhold
Reuben Hicks
Justice of the peace
sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before
a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid and I further certify
the full faith and credit may be given to his Wm. Rockhold
statements In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this
Reuben Hicks
Justice of the peace

Page 17

State of Tennessee  ) 
Sullivan County       ) 
Mr. Thomas Rockhold and 
Patience Royston being disinterested persons do 
swear, that we were present at the Marriage of Jacob Boy 
and Mary Drummond now May Bay, by Samuel McCorkle
Esqr.  We further declare that they were married in the month 
of October 1795, to the best of our knowledge and belief, and 
we further declare that the marriage took place prior 
to the first January, Eighteen Hundred (1800) and that Mary 
Boy is the widdow [widow] of said Boy, dec. a Revolutionary soldier
Thos Rockhold Seal
Patience her x mark Royston Seal

Sworn and subscribed to before me the subscriber a Justice 
of the peace for Sullivan County and state of Tennessee, and 
I certify that the affiants Thomas Rockhold and Patience Royston 
are personally known to me and are in respectable standing in 
this county and are entitled to credit, are disinterested. In 
Testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand & seal on this the 
1st day of November 1849.
Christian Crumley
Justice of the Peace

State of Tennessee )
Sullivan County      )
On the first day of November 1849, Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace 
for the aforesaid County and state, Mrs. Mary Boy, a resident of 
Sullivan County aged about 74 years, who being duly sworn 
according to law, doth on her oath make the following 
Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed 29th July 1848, entitled
'An act for the relief of certain surviving Widows of officers 
and soldiers of the Revolutionary War'.

Page 18

That she is the Widow of Jacob Boy decd who was a private 
soldier in the Virginia Militia during the Revolutionary War 
and that her said Husband Jacob Boy drew annually Sixty 
Dollars for his said services at the Jonesboro [Jonesborough] Agency,
She further declares that she has 
made application under former acts of Congress, believing 
that she was married prior to the year 1794, but is sat
isfied she was mistaken after consulting persons who were 
present at her marriage, She further states that she cannot 
say on what day she was married, but thinks it took place 
in the month of October Seventeen Hundred and ninety four
That her Husband the aforesaid Jacob Boy died on the 
20th day of May 1833, -- that she was not married to him 
prior to his last service, but the marriage took place prior 
to the first January 1800.
She further declares that she has 
applied to the County Court Clerk for a Copy of the License 
& Marriage Bond &c. but, he has failed to find them
She further says that she is still 
a Widdow [widow] and refers the Department to her former papers 
for services &c. 
[signed] Mary her x mark Boy

Sworn and subscribed to before me the subscriber a Justice of the 
Peace for sullivan County on the day & yr first mentioned 
and I certify that the aforesaid Mrs Mary Boy is unable 
to attend Court from bodily infirmity and that she is 
personally known to me as the Widow of the late Jacob 
Boy a soldier of the Revolutionary War. In Testimony 
whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal
Christian Crumley
Justice of the Peace 
for Sullivan County,

Page 19

State of Tennessee )
Sullivan County      )
November term 1849 County Court
The declaration of Mary Boy 
Widdow [widow] of Jacob Boy decd, a Revolutionary Soldier 
certified on the 1st day November 1849 by Christian 
Crumly Esqr a Justice of the Peace for the aforsd [aforesaid] 
County & state, being submitted, to the Court, the said Court doth approve his proceedings and 
acts in said case, and hereby direct the clerk to endorse the approval in the papers,
Wm Hawley JP
Chairman of the County 
Court of Sullivan County

State of Tennessee )
Sullivan County      )
I Tos P Ford Clerk of the 
County Court of Sullivan County do hereby testify 
that the foregoing proceedings are the original Proceedings had and approved of by the County Court 
of Sullivan County, at its November term 1849
relative to the Declaration of Mary Boy to obtain the 
benefits of the Act of Congress relative to revolutionary Pensions and I further Certify, that Christian Crumly Esqr whose 
signature appears to the Declaration of Mary Boy and the affidavits 
of Thos Rockhand and Patience Royston is now and was at 
the time of doing the same a Justice of the Peace for Sullivan 
County, duly elected, qualified & commissioned, and that 
full faith and credit are due & should be given, to all his 
official acts and deeds, & the signature purporting to be his 
is genuine, I further certify that I have made diligent 
search for the Marriage license and Bond of Jacob Boy & Mary Drummund now Mary Boy

Page 20

and that it is not in my office,
In Testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed my deal of office at Office in Blountsville Tennessee on this 3 day of November 1849.
[signed]Tho P Ford Clerk,

Page 21

State of Tennessee  )
Sullivan County       ) 
I Robbert P Rhea Esq chairman of 
Sullivan county court do hereby certify that Tho P Ford 
is Clerk of our county court duly elected and quali
fied according to law and that his certificate is in due 
form of law and intitled [entitled] to full faith and credit as well 
out of court as in court Witness my hand and private 
seal - having no seal of office this 15 day of March 
1850-
Robt. P. Rhea (seal)
Chairman Cty Court.

State of Tennessee )
Sullivan County      )
I Tho P Ford clerk of the county court 
for Sullivan county do hereby certify that Robbert P Rhea Eqr chairman of our county court 
duly elected according and that full faith and credit are due all his official acts In testimony thereof 
I have here unto set my hand and 
affixed the seal of my office at 
office in Blountville this 16th 
day of March 1850
Tho. P. Ford Clerk

Page 22

State of Tennessee Sullivan County - to wit:
Know all men by these presents that we Jacob Boy 
and Thomas Rockhold are held and firmly bound 
to John Sevier Esquire governor in and over the state 
aforesaid in the penal -sum of six hundred pounds to be 
paid to him the said John Sevier Esquire and successor in 
office to be void on condition that there is no lawfull [lawful] 
objection why the above named Jacob Boy and Mary 
Drummond may not be joined together as man and wife in 
the holy estate of matrimony - as witness our hands and seals 
this 18th day of October anno Domini 1796.
Jacob his x mark Boy (seal)
Thomas Rockhold (seal)

Witness 
Matthew Rhea Cle

Marriage Bond
Jacob Boy
Thomas Rockhold
Sullivan
1794

State of Tennessee  )
Sullivan County       ) 
I Tho P Ford clerk of the county court for sullivan [Sullivan] 
county and state of Tennessee do hereby certify the above is a true 
copy of the originale [original] marriage bond of Jacob Boy and Mary Drummond 
now in file in the county clerk's office in Blountville and I fur
=ther certify that I have searched diligently for the marriage 
Lieins [License] of the above named Jacob Boy and Mary Drummond 
and cannot find them in my office and that the above bond 
is all the record of their marriage that I can find in my office 
Given under my hand of office this 15" day of March 1850-
Tho. P. Ford clerk

Page 23

February 12, 1937

Jacob Boy
W. 8146
BA-J/AWF

The Quartermaster General
Memorial Branch
War Department
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to your request for the Revo-
lutionary War record of Jacob Boy, private in the 
battle of King's Mountain, died May 20, 1833 in Tennessee.

The data which follow were obtained from papers 
in pension claim, W. 8146, based upon the service of 
Jacob Boy in the Revolutionary War.

Jacob Boy was born in the year 1751 in York County, Pennsylvania. The names of his parents were 
not given. He moved to Loudoun County, Virginia, 
date not shown.

While residing in said Loudoun County, Jacob Boy enlisted in the fall of 1778, served as a private 
in Captain Sensum's (?) company, Colonel Campbell's 
Virginia regiment; he was in the battle of Guilford 
Court House, an engagement at Ninety-Six, and in 
the battle of Eutaw Springs, after which he was discharged. It was not stated that he was in the battle of King's Mountain.

Jacob Boy continued to live in Loudoun County, 
Virginia for a few years after the Revolution, when 
he moved to, what was later Sullivan County, Ten-
nessee.

He was allowed pension on his application exe-

Page 24

cuted, August 21, 1832, then living in Sullivan County, Tennessee.

Jacob Boy stated in 1832 that his native lan-
guage was "the German", and that his name in that 
language was spelled "Buch". Jacob Boy died in 
Sullivan County, Tennessee, May 20, 1833.

Jacob Boy married in Sullivan County, Mary Drummond; their marriage bond was dated October 18, 
1796.

The widow, Mary Boy, was allowed pension on her application executed, October 7, 1848, at which 
time she was seventy-three years old and living in 
Sullivan County, Tennessee. She continued to live 
there in 1855. She died July 26, 1856.

Reference was made to a son living in 1833 
in Sullivan County, Tennessee. Their son, Andrew 
Boy, gave his address in 1849, Blountville, Ten-
nessee.

The papers in this claim contain no further data relative to family.

The application for headstone for Jacob Boy is returned herewith.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator

Correspondence Concerning
John Sharp - (neg Files) - Jacob
Boy (W.8146) Wm King (S21355) &
Henry Massengill (W.25681)
Signed-Mrs. R.P. Carmack
Bristol-Tenn R.FD. 3--all returned
with records & applications for headstones for these
soldiers, in one large envelope to The O. M. Gen. memorial 
Branch
Washington D.C.
Feb 12-1937

Page 25

February 12, 1937

BA-J/AWF
our

The Quartermaster General
Memorial Branch
War Department
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir:

You will find enclosed herewith Revolutionary War records of Jacob Boy, pension claim, W. 8146,
William King, pension claim, S. 21335, Henry Massen-
gill, pension claim, W. 25681, and a report on John 
Sharp, soldier of the Revolution. 

The application for headstone for each soldier is attached to the correspondence in regard to him. 
You will, also, find enclosed a letter from Mrs. R.P. 
Carmack of Bristol, Tennessee, R.F.D. 3, in which 
she gives a description of these soldiers. 

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator

Everything returned

Memorial Branch advised 
March 2 -37 Jacob Boy's 
Rev. rec [illegible] -
see neg. Files under John Alison

Page 26

[printed form, handwritten responses]
Revolution 
Virginia
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 8146
Mary Boy
Wid
Jacob Boy
Privt Rev War
Act: July 29" 1848
Index:-Vol. A, Page 72
[Arrangement of 1870.]

37-Feb 12 - hist to 
Memorial Branch applica-
tion for headstone & corresp. 
returned [illegible]

Page 27

C tho
1 Free the the the the the
Free app the
c coat coat the Poter Porter 

Dec 17th 1849
Pension Office
Mary Boy
wid. Jacob

Blountville
Nov 49

To the 
Honl
Andrew Johnson
Washington City seat of 
Government

in the Sou Sauce Sauce
im

Page 28

Blountville Nov 19 1849 -
W A Johnson sir often [offer] my complements [compliments]
to you In closed [enclosed] you will Find my Mothers 
Pentions [pension] papers Requesting you to attend to 
them you will Find the original recpt filed 
at the office if you will attend to these papers and get the mony [money] for my mother you will - 
confer a favour on the widow which will 
not be for gotten -and for your trouble you
shal [shall] be paid 
Respectfully your
Andrew Boy
By Tho P. Ford

Page 29

One month after date I promise 
to pay Andrew Johnson the 
Just and and new Some the no 
the the the the

Page 30

No 83
Mary Boy, 
widow of Jacob 
Te
Act 29 July 1848

Married 1796
Husb died 1833

Adm 18 mos pri
$60 per annum
Cong 4 March 1848

Jonesboro Agcy

Hon A. Johnson
14 ocr

Page 31

Pension Office
October 16 1850

Sir
The additional evidence in the case of 
Mary Boy, widow of Jacob, transmitted through 
you has been received. 
It appears from the record that Mary Drum
mond was married to Jacob Boy prior to 1800. But more satisfactory evidence of identity of the 
claimant must be produced. The extraordinary treachery of memory exhibited by the claimant and her principal witnesses who have sworn posi-
tively to her marriage first in 1792, then in 1795, 
and finally in 1796, demands caution in ex-
tending credence to their statements. If she
is the widow of the pensioner and has been married to him so long it will not be difficult 
to show the fact by many witnesses of her vicinity.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully
Your obt. Servt.
J L Edwards

Honl. Andrew Johnson.
Greeneville.
Tennessee

Page 32

Blountville November 19 1850
I hereby certify that I have been ac-
quainted with Mrs. Mary Boy, widow 
of the late Jacob Boy, for more than twenty years, and have no hesitation in saying 
that she was the wife of the said Jacob 
legally married to him - They lived 
together as man and wife and were
so esteemed by the whole communi-
ty - I further certify, that said Jacob 
Boy was a pensioner of the United 
States and continued to draw a pen-
sion to the day of his death. 
I further certify that Mrs. Boy 
who is now asking from country 
a pension is worthy and I have 
no doubt is entitled to it. 
Given under my hand
Saml. Rhea

Washington City 
Dec 4, 1830,
I hereby certify that I am personally ac=
quainted Samuel Rhea, Esq, who has given the above certificate, and that he is a credible person 
and a gentleman of the highest respectability.  I
am also well acquainted with the above name Mary 
Boy. 
Andrew Johnson M.C.

Page 33

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress 
of the 2nd Feby 1848 entitled "an act making further 
provision for surviving widows and soldiers of the Revolution.

State of Tennessee  )
Sullivan County       )
On this 7 day October 1848 personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice 
of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid Mrs. Mary 
Boy a resident of Sullivan County aged 73 years 
who being first duly sworn according to law, doth 
on her oath make the following declaration in order to 
obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress 
passed on the 2nd February 1848 granting pension to widdows [widows]
of persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the Widdow [widow] of 
Jacob Boy who was a private soldier in the Virginia 
Militia during the Revolution and that her said husband 
drew 60 $ annually as a pension for his said services 
and that she refers the department to her declaration 
under former acts & other papers pertaining to her right to a pension
and she now makes this declaration in order to obtain 
a pension, and she further swears that she is still a Widdow [widow]
Sworn to and subscribed before me 
the day and year above written
Mary his x mark Boy (Seal)

And I certify that the declarant is personally known to 
me as the Widdow [widow] of Jacob Boy and that she has made 
application for a pension under prior acts. In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal 
Caleb Morrell 
J Run  (seal)

Page 34

State of Tennessee )
Sullivan County      )
I Tho P Ford clerk of 
the county court for 
said county do hereby certify Cabel Morrell Esqr whose name appears to the fore going declaration is 
now and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace in and for said county 
and that his signature appears to be in his own proper 
hand writing
Given under my hand seal of office at 
office in Blountsville this 14th day of Oct 1848
Tho P Ford Clk 
of Sullivan county court

Page 35

Jonesboro Tennessee Nov 1st 1848
J L Edwards Esqr.
Sir: attached you 
will find the declaration of Mrs Boy 
Widdow [widow] of Jacob Boy for a Pension which I hope you will attend to 
as speedily as possible
Respy your obt Svt
J. T. O'Brien
Attorney

Page 36

[printed form, handwritten responses]
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those 
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of 
Jacob Boy which require further 
proof or explanation. 

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

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

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

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? No

V. [star symbol] Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he 
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No

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

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

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes

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

Page 37

2

XI. Has the applicant obtained evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to 
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolu-
tionary service? No - certified by two citizens 

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtain-
ing it? Yes, states there is no Clergyman in his vicinity 
whose testimony he can procure. 

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one 
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Yes

XIV. [cross symbol] If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who 
administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? [blank]

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? [blank]

XVI. [double bar cross] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? [blank]

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered? No

EXPLANATORY NOTES
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how 
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: 
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being 
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he 
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recol-
lection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For ___ 
year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a ____.  For_____ months 
and ___ __days, I served as a ____; and for such service I claim a pension."

Page 38

3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, 
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of 
the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase "about three or four months" is too 
indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. 

[cross] QUERE XIV. Proof of Service
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he 
must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits 
the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as 
well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may adminis-
ter the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly au-
thenticated, as above directed.

[double bar cross] QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not 
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the 
certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape of narrow ribbon, the ends of which must 
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being im-
properly attached to the certificate.

Page 39

The undersigned William Rockhold a citizen of Sullivan 
County Tennessee, aged seventy-two years next May upon 
his oath deposeth and Saith that he was acquainted with 
Jacob Boy deceased and his wife Mary Boy. dep further 
Saith that his acquaintance is general in East Tennessee 
and that he never knew two persons of the same name 
to be inter-married except the Said Jacob and Mary and 
he further Saith that it is his deliberate opinion that a 
certified copy of a bond that is before him is a true copy of 
the bond executed by Jacob Boy and Thomas Rockhold his 
security as certified by the clerk with his Seal bearing date 
eighteenth day of October Seventeen hundred ninety six
deponent further Saith that he believes and has no doubt 
of the fact that the said parties were married within 
a few days of the date of Said bond, and he further 
Saith that he was at the wedding of Said parties but 
did not see them married, but as well as recollection 
will Serve it was in the fall Season of the year
Deponent further Saith that there is 
a letter before him purporting be sent from the pensi
-on office by some of the clerks, asking for an explana-
-tion of the discrepancy in Mrs Boy's declarations 
made at different times as appears from said letter 
deponent is of opinion that Said errors grew out of the 
laps [lapse] of time and want of memory as Mrs Boy and her 
husband were and are almost illiterate and are without 
any record proof in their family. further deponent 
Saith that he was present when she made her first 
declaration through Mr Newman, and deponent well 
recollects that She was very cautious as to the date of her 
marriage but especially gave it as a matter of opinion 
which he believes She thought to be correct deponent gave 
testimony at the same time which he supposes is on 
file in the pension office and then stated the he

Page 40

believed the marriage took place previous 17.94
but would not be definite as to time and he supposes 
that it was written out as he stated deponent further
Saith that Mrs Boy came to him after Mr Newman
had failed in the first instance and applied to him to attend to her business in procuring her pension
and that he wrote out a declaration for her to swear
to and before the declaration was sworn to deponent
discovered that she would not obtain her pension under
the act 7th July 1838 and so advised her deponent is advised
and believes that Mrs Boy applied after that through another
person and asserted her marriage to have taken place in
17.95 and he supposes that She furnished some proof to that
effect as he has been advised that he has no doubt 
that both Mrs Boy and those who gave testimony were
acting in good faith but were under mistakes as to the
dates and deponent further Saith knowing Mrs Boy and
the parties who gave testimony though it appears they were 
in error knowing them as well as deponent knoweth
them any thing that they may have said touching the
premises ought not to opperate [operate] to their prejudice as they
are old and infirm further deponent saith not
Wm. Rockhold
This 21th day of March 1850

State of Tennessee  )
Sullivan County       )
On this 21st day of March 1850
William Rockhold the subscriber
to the above affidavit made oath in due form of law before
me a Justice of the peace for the county aforesaid that the
facts stated in the above affidavit as to be of his own
knowledge is just and true and those facts from informa
-tion and belief he believes to be true given under my hand
and seal this 21st day of March 1850 
Caleb Morrell (seal)
Justice of the peace

Page 41

State of Tennessee )
Sullivan County      )  
Tho P Ford clerk of the county court 
for said county do hereby certify 
that Caleb Morrell Esq. whose name appears to the 
within certificate is now and was at the time of signing 
the same an acting Justice of the peace in and for said 
county duly commissiond [commissioned] and quallified [qualified] according to law 
that full faith and credit are due all his official acts and that his signature appear to be in his own 
proper hand writing  In testimony there of I have here 
unto set my hand and affixed 
the sael [seal] of my office at office in Blountville he  22d day of March 
1850
Tho P Ford Clerk

Page 42

Oct 26. 1850
Respy case
Mary Boy 
File 717
29 [illegible]
Rockhold Ten
free
Oct 16
Capt Mcfleet
Hon J.L. Edwards
Pension Office
Washington city
D.C.

Page 43

Locust Grove Sullivan Ten Oct 18 1850
Hon J L Edwards
Sir
Last spring I forwarded to 
your office, a certifyed [certified] copy of the bond executed when Mary 
Boy's marriage license were obtained, with other papers, at 
the time I did not entertain a doubt that her certificate 
of pension would be sent immediately, after waiting 
through the summer, I wrote to your office through the 
Hon Andrew Johnston, and received your answer stating 
that the papers forwarded in the Spring had not come 
to hand, immediately I replied, giving as my opinion 
that they had certainly been received, and had been 
misplaced, and requested on making Search for them if they 
were not found, immediately to advise me; that I might 
furnish other papers, being anxious to avoid trouble and 
expense before I forward other papers I ask the favour [favor] of the 
department to advise me whether or not the papers have 
been found, and if, found your early decision:  Mrs Boy 
is very old and infirm and is in need has been long 
kept out of her claim by the mismanagement of her 
heretofore agents will you honour [honor] me with your early 
answer I am very 
respectfully 
Wm Rockhold

Page 44

Mr Edwards has heretofore been kind enough to forward me laws and instructions on pension claims 
I presume they are plenty in your office, there are many 
old soldiers in my neighbourhood [neighborhood] that are daily applying 
to me on their business and I am totally unprepared to 
give correct answers will you be kind enough to cause me 
to be furnished with the law and instructions & if my request is out of order you will please excuse me
respectfully

Page 45

Hon.ble. [Honorable] J.L. Edwards

Page 46

Locust Grove Sullivan Cty Ten Rockhold P Office

Sir
Accompanying this you will receive a file of papers on 
the subject of placing Mrs Mary Boy on the pension lists 
which no doubt would have been done long Since, had it not 
have been for the neglect and inattention of those whom she 
employed to attend to her business, we flatter our selfs [selves] that 
the inclosed [enclosed] papers will contains [contain] everything that your 
department can reasonably require:   Here in our State the 
law requires the officiating party that celebrates the rites 
of matrimony to return the license endorsed to the clerks 
office, and it made the duty of the clerks to return the 
license and record the same as far back as 1786 this accura
-cy in business was almost wholly neglected, and many of the 
bonds as well as the license have been lost or misplaced 
fortunately for the applicant the bond for the marriage 
license has been found a certifyed [certified] copy of which will be before 
you together with my affidavit   I confess it is always a 
matter of delicacy with me to make affidavit in the premises 
where I am concerned in prosecuting the claim, in the 
present instance it appeared I was the only one that was 
conversant with the nature of Mrs Boy's claim, that could 
Satisfactorily explain the discrepancy in her two declarations  
I hope all of which documents that are forwarded will be 
Satisfactory to your department, and that I will have the 
pleasure of receiving her certificate of pension at an early 
day I am instructed to say to you all further correspondence 
on Mrs Boy's claim if any will be with your obedient servant 
and none other very respectfully
your obd s.v.t.-
Wm Rockhold

Page 47

Septr 27/50
Respy Case
Mrs  Buy

Rockhold Rd PO Ten
Septr 20

[page damage]

Honble [Honorable] J. L. Edwards
Pension Agent
Washington City
D.C.

Page 48

Rockhold PO Tennessee
Sullivan Co ty [County]
Sept 20 1850                        

Honbl. J. L. Edwards.

Sir
A copy of your letter 
purporting to have been written to Andrew 
Boy Esq under date of the 21 of Feby 1850.  also 
your letter of the 9th sent to Honbl A Johnson 
have been forwarded to me by Mr Johnson on both
of which are before me.  In support I have 
to Say - - In 1844, I believe, Mrs. Boy 
made her Declaration through Mr. Newman
of Knoxville, On his failure; Subsequently 
she employed a Mr. O'Brian, On his 
failure.  Mr. A Boy, through some individuals 
unknown to me wrote to the Department 
& he used the letter of the 21st Feby which 
yours of the 9th such purports to be a copy 
On receipt of said letter, he Boy, handed 
it over to me and requested more 
attention to the business.  I immediately 
undertook a thorough search in our 
clerks office, and found the Bond 
that was executed to obtain the 
License for the marriage of Jacob 
& Mary Boy.  (the date of which is not 
now [illegible]).  I obtained a Certified Copy 
from the Clerk under the Seal of the County 
Certificated by the Chairman of our Court & 
produced & made my own affidavit [illegible].  
Certified as for of which facts is recollected for 
Setting forth Mrs. Boys old age and infirm
ity [illegible]  Education & [illegible] intelligence

Page 49

and giving my opinion, of his good
moral character simplicity and honesty
further Stating that if she committed
an error as to the date of her marriage
and that I believe the marriage took place
immediately subsequent to the date of said
above [illegible] Bond, further, that I was
at said wedding but was not present
when the marriage ceremony took place
[illegible].  With my own hands I mailed
said papers and forwarded them to the
address of the Pension Agent I will 
not suffer myself to doubt but that they
an in the Pension office, As I think
they left here in the month of April
last and I presume they have foun-
d their way into some improper file
I am sorry to be troublesome
to the Department, but do hope [illegible]
Edwards will cause an immediate
search to be made for said papers
and if found, act upon the [illegible]
immediately, And forward to me the
[illegible] without delay as I must
think Mrs Boys business has been
unfortunately managed
Should the Dept fail, please notify me
immediately that the papers are not
found, that I may forward new
copies I do not wish to complain
but must urge that Mrs Boy.s [Boy's]
business has been badly managed
I am Sir your very Respectfull
and obt srvt
William Rockhold

Page 50

16.276
[illegible]

Page 51

No. 10,457

Mary Boy
Tenn
Let to Jacob Newman
Sept 5th 1849

[illegible] J. T. O'Brian May 7 49
[ditto] Anderson Boy 21 Feby 1850
Hon. Andrew Johnson 9th Sept 1850
[ditto]  16th Oct/50
act July [illegible] 1838

Page 52

Blountville
Apl 1
Pension Claim
Free
Cm. .J.L. Edwards
Washington City

Apl 13
Ten

ReW

Page 53

Blountville April 1. 1833
Dr Sir
Enclosed are Jacob Boys pension 
papers - any communication made 
to me on the subject will be 
attended to 
Yr [yours] Respectfully
Saml Rhea

Page 54

10.45
Jan 24 1844 

[date stamp]
KNOXVILLE
JAN
16
TEN.

N

Ten
Mary Boy 
7 May 1838

Mrs. Boy's 
Declaration

FREE

J.L. Edwards Esq
Com of pensions
Washington D.C.

Page 55

Knoxville East Tennessee Jan 15th 1844

Dr Sir 
I wish you to make Mrs Boy pension 
payable at Jonesborough and as to the character of Mr
Wm Rockhold Esqr I refer you to [illegible] A Johnson of the 
house of Representatives 
Yours, 
Jacob Newman

Page 56

Rockhold Ten
Sept 20

free

Honbl A. Johnson (of Tennessee)
House of Repr
Washington City 
D. C.

Col Edwards will please have 
the attached evidence examined 
to in this letter and forward the reply 
to me - and much

A. Johnson

Page 57

Rockhold PO. Sullivan County T
Sept 20th 1850
Honbl. A Johnson
Dr Sir
It is said one good 
turn deserve an other.  You were
kind enough to call Mr. Edwards att-
ention to Mrs. Boy's business under
my care.  Which brought forth the 
immediate reply, the letter which
Mr. Edwards furnished a copy was
before in March last [illegible] the hands
of A Boy.  I immediately caused 
search to be made in the Clerks office
& obtained a certified Copy of the Bond
for the marriage license forwarded
it, unthinkable with my affavit [affidavit] 
explanatory of certain facts 
Now Mr Edwards seems to write that
said papers now comes to hand, I do
not entertain a doubt but said pa-
pers are lying in the office, perhaps
misplaced
On the receipt of this will
Mr Johnson be so kind as to cause paid
papers to be hunted up and the case
acted on, and if the papers are not
found, cause me to have early
advise of the same that I may
furnish other copies
It does seem strange that Golphin
and other George claims can be passed with
such avidity, while a poor old widow
is so neglected I am very Respectfull yr
obt srvt
Wm Rockhold