Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8615, Francis Cole, Va.

Page 1

SERVICE - Va

Cole, Francis
Martha

NUMBER
W. 8615
B.L.M. 36660-160-55

Page 2

Virginia 12.982

Francis Cole
Of Dinwiddie in the State of Virginia who was a pri: in the company commanded by Captain Goode of the Regt. commanded by Col. Bott in the Virginia line for 2 years

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

Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of June ‘33 and sent Hon: M. Alexander Lombardy Grove Va

Arrears to the 4th of March ‘33 –             160
Semi-anl. Allowance ending 4 Sept ‘33 –  40
                                                                 200

{Revolutionary Claim,
 Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Wm. Miller Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 6  Page 5

Page 3

332

Virginia Rich

Martha Cole widow of Francis Cole Va who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 3rd February 1853

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of May 1853 and sent to S. D. Watkins Petersburg Va

Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act July 29, 1848, Page 122 Vol. A

1832

Page 4

[lower left side of page] Vol. C2 – 21 –

[right side of page - parts are difficult to read due to bleed through or written over]

233.985     ? [illegible]
55 [circled]
Feby. 2nd 1856
Martha Cole Widow of Francis Cole decd.

Martha wid: Francis Cole

Revolutionary War

Rev. Pension dates
11th May 1853 under Act of Feby 3, 1853
Feby 53 - 322
? [illegible] 160 ? [illegible] Aug: 5/56
Boynton?
Collier & Goodwyn
Petersburg Va

Page 5

[right side of page - sideways] in the year of our Lord 1832 I [the next line is illegible due to smeared ink]
[Seal image]  W. Crump C. D. C.

[left side of page] Francis Cole’s Declaration for a Pension
15411
V

Page 6

State of Virginia}
County of Dinwiddie} Towit:

On this 17th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the County Court of Dinwiddie County, now sitting, Francis Cole a resident of the county & state aforesaid, aged 81 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.

1.  That he entered the service of the United States, under the following officers, & served as herein stated, towit. That soon after hostilities commenced with Great Britain, but he does not recollect the precise date, and in the very first militia company which was called out from the County of Chesterfield, where he was born & lived until after the termination of the revolutionary war, he was drafted as a private under Capt. Ben: Branch of that county & performed a three month’s tour of duty. His Lieut. was Isham Cheatham, & his Ensign was Wouldridge - that the company was attached to a Regt. commanded by Col, Goode & was marched first to Hampton - then to Portsmouth - subsequently to York then to Williamsburg where the company remained until it was discharged. That the British during most of the time were in Hampton road & other parts of the Bay & often sent parties up the rivers to plunder & harrass [harass] which occasioned the frequent movements of the militia.

2. That the next tour was commenced in about 2 months after his return, in the company from the CY commanded by Capt. Creed Haskins. That one of his subalterns was named Turpin but he does not recollect the other. This company was placed under command of Col. Bott & marched to Williamsburg & a number of other positions up & down the James River from Richmond down to watch the enemy & endeavor to keep them from landing & prevent as much mischief as they could & after the three months service ended, was discharged at Portsmouth.

3. That the third tour which (as was uniformly the case from his situation

Page 7

between the James & Appomattox Rivers was commenced within abt. two months after his return from the second. (& stated? he frequently did not remain at home half that time together) he was called out under Capt. John Hill whose Lieut: was Elam - Ensign not recollected. This company was under command of the same Col. Goode as was the first tour - served generally this the three months up & down James River. It was during this tour that the enemy under Philips Arnold came up to Petersburg & while they were there his company with three others were stationed at Sudsburg’s in Chesterfield on James River, & some tory having guided a large party of British Cavalry to the place they came on the militia entirely unexpected. Their Col. was absent at the time at home (incidentally & expecting no danger), & Major Scott the next in Command immediately retreated. It was a rainy day just one gun in fifty would fire. The British took about fifty prisoners among whom was his cousin Hamlin Cole & about fifteen others of his company but he himself escaped.

4. The fourth tour he went under Capt. Archd Baugh does not remember either subaltern. The Col. was Bott - the same as on the second tour they were marched & kept principally on the North side of the upper part of James River from Richmond above - in the counties of Henrico & Goochland. This was while parties of the British were going thru the county - particularly Tarlton’s corps of cavalry  - some penetrated to Prince Edward, (here belongs what is written on page 3.)

The declarant states that he was in actual service in the militia in the revolutionary war altogether he thinks as much as four years although he cannot recollect distinct tours quite to that amount. That he was in no engagement other than those enumerated in this Declaration heretofore & recd no wound. That he recd written discharges, he thinks on each occasion which were subsequently burnt as previously stated. He possess no documentary evidence of his services. That he has no written register of his age. The Bible in which there was one together with his discharges which he preserved having been burnt when his house was burnt down about years ago but does not doubt from information always given to him, that it is what he has above represented. That he was born, & resided in the County of Chesterfield until after the war, & performed the services he rendered under requisitions on the militia from that County & that about 4 years after the war he removed to the County of Prince Edward & lived there until he removed to Dinwiddie in the year 1819 or 1820 where he has ever since resided. That most of those with whom he served & all the officers have long since died but

Page 8

(This belongs at the asterick on pa:2)

and a party went as far as Charlottesville. The object of the militia was to watch the reactions of some of there parties & counteract them as far as possible. He served his three months out on this occasion & was finally discharged below at old James town whither? they had gone by land watching a party of the enemy that descended by ?[illegible] & often attempted to land - spoil this inhabitants ?[illegible]

5. The next three months tour of duty was performed under the same Cap. Branch (as on the first tour) - does not recollect positively who were his ?[illegible] on this occasion - having served so often under different officers, he finds some confusion in his memory from the length of time in distinguishing those who command on one tour from other tours. This company was not under any Colonels immediate command but with a party commanded by Major Frank Goode and was not stationed long at any one position - but at Williamsburg - Portsmouth - Norfolk & other places up & down the Rivers, in which parties of the enemy from their ships still lying in the Bay were very troublesome. This company was discharged at Portsmouth.

6. The next three months tour of duty was under Capt. Creed Haskins again - his Ensign was Trabue, does not remember certainly the Lieutenant. The company constituted part of a Regt. commanded by Col. Flournoy, and served principally in various positions on both sides of the river in the neighbourhood of Richmond & was ultimately discharged on the North side of the James between Richmond & the Chickahominy River.

7. The next three months tour of duty was performed under Capt. Hill again, Lieut: Isham Cheatham again - Ensign not recollected - attached to Col. Goode’s Regt. also was then again in service himself. This Regiment was engaged during its whole tour pretty much as has been before described - abt. Williamsburg, Portsmouth & up & down James River watching parties of the enemy & was ultimately discharged just above James Town.

8. The next three months tour of duty was discharged under Capt. Saml. Elam - Lieut: Turpin - Ensign not remembered. The Col. was Bott again - & the service performed was ?[illegible]

Page 9

(continuation of pa:3)

Similar to the former - in the neighbourhood of Norfolk Williamsburg & on lower James River. That during the progress of this tour the British ships left our waters. The militia lay idle at Williamsburg about five weeks believing that the British had gone around to the North - on the end of the three months was discharged at Williamsburg, & in about a fortnight after, the British returned to our waters.

9. That he soon after performed another three months tour under Capt. Baugh again - was marched from Chesterfield Ct. H. through Petersburg then on down south side of Appomatox to its junction with the James - thence down south side below Jamestown - thence to Portsmouth - were stationed there some time - the British again went off & staid some time - his company was marched to a place called “the burnt mills” where the enemy had destroyed some valuable manufacturing mills in Isle of Wight County where they were ultimately discharged.

10. That soon after he was called out again under Capt. Haskins (having served three tours under Haskins & three under Branch & four under Hill he thinks in all). The three months were expended principally in marching up & down James River. They crossed the James at Bermuda hundred over to the North side - from intelligence brought that the enemy were about to land opposite Williamsburg - hurried down to that place - it turned out that they did not land - staid some time at Wmsbg. - went to Portsmouth where ultimately discharged.

11. The next tour of the same duration was performed under Capt. Hill again in similar services which were of very harassing character up & down James River. Our cavalry were always in sight of those parties of the enemy which were running up & down the River & which frequently landed & did much mischief - & very often ?[illegible] from this Cavalry who supposed the ?[illegible] evidences often intended on the part of the enemy to land, would cause forced marches on the part of the militia often in waiting as the enemy would alter their plan & go

Page 10

(continuation of pa 3)

off elsewhere - the company was discharged that term below Petersburg at City Point.

That he thinks he served one more tour before that in which he went to N. Carolina, but is not distinct in his recollection especially as he cannot recall any of the incidents of it.

12. Some time after, but he finds it impossible from memory to indicate the particular year in which any particular tour was performed, having retained no written memorandum, he was called out on a tour under Capt. Branch - with a Regt. commanded by Col. Bott, that they marched thru Petersburg & thence on to Guilford in N. Carolina, where he was in the engagement which took place there with the British having arrived about two days before it. In the confusion of the flight he got separated from his company - in the woods - about 15 or 20 miles from Guilford was taken by a party of tories who confined him about four weeks  - on no food but bread - & insufficiently that. That they then after many threats & great suffering on his part they branded him on both hands - the marks of which he now exhibits to the court & turned him loose, & he wandered about a fortnight on foot before he got home, so weak that he was scarcely able to walk.

13. In about three weeks after his return, & after getting ?[illegible] in strength, he was again called out under Capt. Hill & Col. Flounoy - marched thru Petersbg. thence down the River to Portsmouth - & other positions on the River & was discharged at the end of the three months at Hampton.

14. That he performed one other tour after this previously to the one in which he attended the siege of York, at points up & down James River, but is unable to recollect under what officers he went on that occasion having so frequently been called out, & altho he feels convinced that he has not recited as many tours in number as he actually served up to this point of time, for that he was almost constantly out during the whole war - living with a few miles of James River, he is unable to state even this last with any thing like precision, or satisfaction to his own mind.
15. The last tour he performed was under Capt. Wouldrige & Col. Goode under whom he marched to York where they arrived three or four days after the siege had commenced

Page 11

continuation of pa : 3

where he assisted in the works & in the siege until its termination. Had the gratification of seeing Genl. Washington every day - as his Masque was very near the Declarants tent - saw Lord Cornwallis but not when the British marched out on their surrender, but when he crossed York River to go with that part of the prisoners who were carried up to Winchester. That when the enemy marched out of York he was one of the party who received their arms & assisted in storing them away in an old barn ?[illegible] which the British had been ?[illegible] to stack them. That he was then detailed as one of the party who guarded the prisoners up to Winchester where he was discharged on their arrival.

Page 12

4)
he refers the court to the written affidavits (filed herewith) of Nathan Anderson & Hamlin Cole, taken before a magistrate of Chesterfield, where they reside, as they cannot from their age and infirmities attend this court with any convenience, and also to the certificate of the Rev'd. Henry C. Thweatt, who knows that he has always been reputed & believed to have been a Revolutionary soldier.
He the said Francis Cole hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, or annuity, except the present, & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Francis Cole + his mark
We Henry C. Thweatt, a clergyman residing in the County of Dinwiddie, in the State of Virginia, and Drury Moore a planter residing in the same county, do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Francis Cole, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be 87 years of age; that he is reputed & believed, in the neighborhood in which he resides, to have been a soldier in the revolution & that we concur in that opinion.  Sworn to & subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Henry C. Thweatt
Drury Moore + his mark
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

Page 13

5

soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that Henry C. Thweatt who has signed the foregoing certificate, is a clergyman resident of Dinwiddie County, & is a credible respectable person to whose statements full credit is due. And that Drury Moore who has also signed the same is a resident of the same County, is a credible respectable person, & that his statement is entitled to credit.

I, John P. Crump Clerk of the County Court of Dinwiddie, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Francis Cole for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, & the seal of my office, this 17th day of September in the year of our Lord 1832 & of our Independence the 57th ?[illegible due to smeared ink]

[seal image]   J. P. Crump C.D.C.

[lower right corner of page - written sideways]
Francis Cole’s
Declaration 
for a Pension
15411
V

Page 14

State of Virginia; Dinwiddie County

On this 20th day of May 1833 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the County Court of Dinwiddie now sitting Francis Cole, who being first duly sworn, states in addition to the Declaration heretofore made by him, in order to obtain a pension & which is appended hereto that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot positively swear to the precise period of times, months days & in which he was engaged in service during the revolutionary war, with any more particularity than he has heretofore done - nor can he from the same cause state the names of any Regular officers, who were with the troops where he served, or what continental or militia regiments served with him, other or further than he has already done - having to the very best of his remaining recollection stated the names of every officer and other requisite pointed out in the interrogatories to him which he can.

As to the names of persons to whom he is known in his present neighbourhood, who can testify as to his character for veracity, & their belief of his revolutionary services, he refers to the Revd. Henry C. Thweatt and Drury Moore, whose certificates have been already taken by the Court.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.

Francis “--” his mark Cole

I John P. Crump Clerk of the County Court of Dinwiddie County, in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the additional proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Francis Cole for a

Page 15

pension.

[seal image]
In testimony whereof, I have herewith set my hand, and the seal of my Office this 30th day of May 1833, in the 57th year of the Commonwealth.

J. P.. Crump C.D.C.

Page 16

No 383
Martha Coles
Widow of
Declaration

1853  February Court. Decl. made
VA
$80 per annum. ?[illegible]
3 Feb 1853

S. D. Watkins
Petersburg
Va

Page 17

State of Virginia}
City of Petersburg} SS

On this 17th day of February AD 1853, personally appeared before the Hustings Court for the City of Petersburg state of Virginia, which is a Court of record, Martha Cole, a resident of the City of Petersburg aforesaid, in the State of Virginia aforesaid, aged eighty eight years, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order that she may obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the second section of the act of Congress passed the 3rd day of February AD 1853. That she is the widow of Francis Cole, who was a private in the Virginia Militia in the war of the Revolution, and that the said Francis Cole died on the 17th day of August 1834 and before his death he was a pensioner of the United States - as may be seen by proceedings had in the County Court of Dinwiddie on the 20th July 1834 as per certificate of the Clerk of said Court now here shewn marked (A): That she was married to the said Francis Cole on the 25th December AD 1802 by the Rev: Abner Watkins as may be seen by the certificate of the Clerk of the County Court of Prince Edward County marked (B) and now here shewn, and that before her marriage her name was Martha Cliborn; That she is still the widow of

Page 18

the said Francis Cole and that she has never married again since his death; That the said Francis Cole drew a pension for some years before his death and she thinks, but cannot say with certainty, that he was placed on the pension roll about the month of June 1833, and that as to his services she would refer the Commissioner of Pensions to his declaration made for the purpose of obtaining pensions and whatever evidence was then furnished with it: That some years ago she was told that she, as her husbands widow, was entitled to a pension and had the papers prepared to draw the same, which papers she gave to Benjamin Jolly to draw the pension for her if she was entitled to it, but that the said Jolly soon afterwards moved away and she has heard nothing of the matter since except that she has heard that he sold them to some one. She further declares that she was not married to the said Francis Cole prior to his leaving the service, but that the marriage took place at the time before declared, viz, on the 25th December 1802, and that she has never before made application for a pension unless the papers prepared and given to the said Benjamin Jolly as aforesaid be considered as an application.

Martha Cole

Witness
Jas M B Steward

Subscribed by and sworn to in open Court by Martha Cole this 17th day of February AD 1853.
D M Bernard Clk

Page 19

Virginia, City of Petersburg to witt, At a Hustings Court held for the said city at the Courthouse, on Thursday the 17th day of February AD 1853 the same being a Court of record.

This is to certify that Martha Cole this day appeared in open Court and made oath to, and subscribed the foregoing Declaration, which fact was duly entered of record.
[seal image] In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 17th day of February AD 1853

D. M. Bernard Clk

Page 20

The declaration of Martha Cole
widow of Francis Cole
233.985.

Page 21

State of Virginia, City of Petersburg, to wit:

On this 30th day of January 1856, personally appeared before me, a Justice within and for the City and State aforesaid, Martha Cole, aged Ninety four years, a resident of the city of Petersburg, in the State of Virginia, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Francis Cole deceased, who was a soldier in the war of the revolution, for proof of which, reference is made to her certificate for a pension dated 11th May 1853, and it is certified that she is entitled, as the widow of said Francis Cole, under the 2nd Section of Act of February 3rd 1853 to eighty dollars per annum commencing on the 3rd February 1853.

She further states that she was married to said Francis Cole in Prince Edward Cty on the 25th day of December 1802, by one Rev: Abner Watkins and that her name before her said marriage was Martha Cliborn; that her said husband died at Dinwiddie Cty on the 17th day of August 1834, and that she is now a widow.

She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the County land to which she may be entitled under the Act approved March 3, 1853. She also declares that she has not received a warrant for bounty land under this or any other Act of Congress, nor made any other application therefore.

Martha “X” her mark Cole

Witness
C. F. Couch

Page 22

We John Grant and Robertson Tucker, residents of the City of Petersburg, in the State of Virginia, upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Martha Cole in our presence; and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be.

John Grant
Robertson Tucker

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.

C F Couch J.P.

State of Virginia
City of Petersburg, to wit

I David M Bernard Clerk of the Court of Hustings for said Cty, do hereby certify, that C. F. Couch whose genuine signature appears to the preceding certificate is now and was at the date thereof, a justice of the peace in and for said City duly appointed and qualified as such, as appears from the records of said Court.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court, this 31st day of January AD 1856

D. M. Bernard Clk

Page 23

[right side of page]
15411
Francis Cole
2 M’ch 1833
Obj. 14.16
P. 280

Admt? as ?[illegible]
2 years $80.00

Hon
M. Alexander
H.R.

Page 24

BRIEF in the case of Francis Cole
County of Dinwiddie in the State of Virginia,
(Act 7th June, 1832,)

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

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

3. How old is he? 81

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period - Enter’d soon after hostilities commenced with Great Britain
[applicable column headings - Period / Months / Rank / Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served]
1st tour - 3 months - private - Col. Goode, Capt. Ben. Branch
2nd tour - 3 months - private - Col. Bott, Capt. Creed Haskins
3rd tour - 3 months - private - Col. Goode, Capt. John Hill
4th tour - 3 months - private - Col. Bott, Capt. Archd. Baugh
5th tour - 3 months - private - Major Frank Goode, Capt. Branch
6th tour - 3 months - private - Col. Flournoy, Capt. Creed Haskins
7th tour - 3 months - private - Col. Goode, Capt. Hill
8th tour - 3 months - private - Col. Bott, Capt. Saml Elam
9th tour - 3 months - private - Capt. Baugh
10th tour - 3 months - private - Capt. Creed Haskins
11th tour - 3 months - private - Capt. Hill
12th tour - not stated - private - Col. Bott, Capt. Branch
13th tour - 3 months - private - Col. Flournoy, Capt. Hill
14th tour - not stated - private - not recollected
15 tour - 3 months - private - Col. Goode, Capt. Wouldridge

5. In what battles was he engaged? Guilford

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Chesterfield County Virginia

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By living witnesses, as to two tours, By traditionary evidence

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? And if so, in what respect? Not properly attached

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

Chas. S. Wilcox Examining Clerk
24th July 1832

Page 25

BRIEF in the case of Francis Cole
County of Dinwiddie in the State of Virginia,
(Act 7th June, 1832,)

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

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

3. How old is he? 81

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period - Enter’d soon after hostilities commenced with Great Britain
[applicable column headings - Period / Months / Rank / Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served]
1st tour - 3 months - private - Col. Goode, Capt. Ben. Branch
2nd tour - 3 months - private - Col. Bott, Capt. Creed Haskins
3rd tour - 3 months - private - Col. Goode, Capt. John Hill
4th tour - 3 months - private - Col. Bott, Capt. Archd. Baugh
5th tour - 3 months - private - Major Frank Goode, Capt. Branch
6th tour - 3 months - private - Col. Flournoy, Capt. Creed Haskins
7th tour - 3 months - private - Col. Goode, Capt. Hill
8th tour - 3 months - private - Col. Bott, Capt. Saml Elam
9th tour - 3 months - private - Capt. Baugh
10th tour - 3 months - private - Capt. Creed Haskins
11th tour - 3 months - private - Capt. Hill
12th tour - not stated - private - Col. Bott, Capt. Branch
13th tour - 3 months - private - Col. Flournoy, Capt. Hill
14th tour - not stated - private - not recollected
15 tour - 3 months - private - Col. Goode, Capt. Wouldridge

5. In what battles was he engaged? Guilford

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Chesterfield County Virginia

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By living witnesses, as to two tours, By traditionary evidence

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? And if so, in what respect? Not properly attached

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

Chas. S. Wilcox Examining Clerk
24th July 1832

Page 26

Revy WIDOW, &c.

File No. 8615
Martha Cole
Wid
Francis Cole
Privt Rev War
Act July 29 1848
Index:--Vol. A, Page 145
[Arrangement of 1870]

Page 27


This affidavit of Nathan Anderson taken in the County of Chesterfield, and state of Virginia. This affiant being duly sworn before me a Justice of the peace for the said County, and state of Virginia Saith that he knew Francis Cole, served a tour of duty of three months in the Militia, under Col. Robert Goode, and was Discharged at McKays Mills in the County of Nancymond, in the said state, and further this affiant saith not.

Nathan Anderson

The affidavit of of Hamlen Cole (an old revolutionary soldier) taken in the County of Chesterfield and state of Virginia saith, that he is acquainted with Francis Cole, an applicant for a pension under the late act of Congress, and knows the said Cole was on a tour of Duty, at the Defeat at Sudsburys, and he the said Francis Cole made his escape and this affiant was wounded and taken prisoner and I know the said Cole was at the siege at york town, and that the said Francis Cole went to Winchester with the British prisoners. I have every reason to believe the said Cole was an actual soldier in the Militia.

Hamlen Cole

Page 28

I William Elliss, a Justice of the peace for this county of Chesterfield and State of Virginia do certify that Nathan Anderson, an old soldier, and Hamlin Cole also an old soldier made oath to the within affidavits, and that they are respectable men and due confidence may be given to their affidavits.
Given under my hand and seal this 21st day of July 1832 
William Elliss J. P. Seal
I Henry C. Thweatt of the county of Dinwiddie & State of Virginia minister of the gospel:  do certify that Francis Cole is living immediately in my neighborhood & that I have known him for some years and that he has ever been so far as I can understand an irreprehensible character, a man of truth & [illegible] and that all the accounts which he has related to me & many of which he was [illegible] interviewed corresponded strikingly with all his written & oral statements that have come under my knowledge in relation to the revolutionary war.
Given under my hand & seal this [illegible] of July 1836
Henry C. Thweatt
Virginia: Chesterfield county court clerk's office
I Parke Poindexter clerk of the county court of Chesterfield in the state of Virginia do hereby certify that William Elliss esquire whose name is affixed to the above certificate is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace in and for the county of Chesterfield aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified as such, and that full faith and credit should be had to all his official acts as such and that his signature thereto is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, at my office this twenty fifth day of May anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty three and in the 57th year of our Independence.
Parke Poindexter clk
[seal]

Page 29

Petersburg Va   Feby 23 1853

Sir

Enclosed you will receive the papers of Mrs Martha Cole who applies for pension. You will please advise me of their proper form etc etc

Respectfully
W. L. Watkins

To:
The Commission of Pensions
Washington City

Page 30

Prince Edward Co. ?[illegible]       5
Oct 11

S. D. Watkins
Petersburg
Virg

[lower right side of page - (upside down capital B)]

Page 31

Virginia, Prince Edward County to wit:

I Branch J. Worsham clerk of the county court of said County, do hereby certify, that it appears by the records and files in the clerks office of the court of said county, that a marriage was solemnized by the Revd. Abner Watkins, between Francis Cole and Martha Cliborn, on the 25th day of December in the year 1802.

In Testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand and annex the seal of the court of said county this 9th day of October 1849.

[Seal]     B. J. Worsham

Page 32

Petersburg Va.   March 7th 1853

Dear Sir,

I should be pleased to hear from you in relation to Mrs Martha Coles demand for pension as the widow of Francis Cole decd. The papers were forwarded to you some time since. Mrs Cole is a very old woman and in the most indigent circumstances.

Yours respectfully
W. L. Watkins

Page 33


Petersburg   August 9th 1853

Dear Sir

I received your answer this morning concerning of Mrs. Cole pension. Mrs Cole employed W. L. Watkins to attend to the gitting of it? and he says that he has never got it. hir husband was named Francis Cole and was wounded in the old Revolutionary war and he drew a pension for every year as long as he lived. The old lady lives with me and my wife is hir niece and she got me to write to you to know what was the reason that she could not git hir back pay as well as others and she never drew any pension since the death of hir husband and he drew 96 dollars per year untel his death and I wish that you would attend to it for Mrs Martha Cole the widow of Francis Cole. She is giting vary old and it will be a great help to hir.

Yours most respectfully
Robertson Tucker

Page 34

S. D. Watkins Esq.
Peters.

[lower right side of page - upside down] (A) - K. Edwards - Martha Cole

Page 35

In Dinwiddie County court   July the 20th 1835

It appearing to the satisfaction of the court, by the testimony of John Fitts, that Francis Cole decd. was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States, and that he departed this life on the 17th day of August 1834, leaving a widow named Martha, who is now alive; which is ordered to be certified.

Respy, Teste
Jno. P. Crump

Page 36

Brief in the case of Martha Cole widow of Francis 
Dinwiddie County and State of Virginia
Act 3 Feb 1853

Claim, [“original,”)

Proof exhibited, (if original)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband was a pensioner under the Act of 18 March 1818 [foregoing date crossed through] 7 June 1832, at $80 per annum.
Proof of Marriage - Certificate from County Clerk of Prince Edward County.

(If for increase.) 
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim?  If so, what?

Name and residence of Agent
S. D. Watkins
Petersburgh, Va

S. Cole
Examining Clerk

Page 37

233.985

Page 38

Petersburg Va

Jany 31, 1856

Dear Sir,

You will please acknowledge the receipt of the enclosed declaration and correspond with me in relation to it.

Very respectfully yrs
Collier & Goodwyn

Page 39

[front of envelope]

233.985

[stamp] PETERSBURG Va  JAN 31

FREE

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City, D.C.

Page 40

V.

36.660

?[illegible] ?[illegible]