Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21122, Benjamin Copeland, S.C.

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SERVICE - S.C.

Copeland or Coplin, Benjamin

NUMBER - S21122

CONTENTS

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[Left side of page] Pulaski 
West [crossed through] Tennessee  29.730

Benjamin Copeland
of Bradford Co. in the State of Tennessee
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Isbell of the Reg. commanded
by Col. Sumpter in the So. Carolina mil.
line for 6 months

Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee
at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of Feb.
1835 and sent to Hon. J. K. Polk. H.R.

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. ‘34    70.00
Semi-anl. Allowance ending 4 March ‘35   10.00
                                                                  $80.00

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

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book ‘E 2  Vol. 7  Page 85

[right side of page - missing words due to partially torn page]
[torn] 24. 1836. See letters to 
[torn - missing words]
[torn] Hon. E. J. Sheelds & As?
to Pen Age  16 Feby 1838
To Pulaski Tenn. fr. 4 Sep 1837.
14th March 1838

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[bleed through writing - difficult to read]
Bnjn. Coapland
P. 30.423
For Declaration

A. Pusiosa[illegible]

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State of Tennessee}
Bradford County}

Benjamin Coapland this day personally appeared before me James Reed an acting justice of the peace in & for said State & County: aged about 70 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his ?[can’t decipher] oath, make the following declarations in order to obtain a pension under the act of Congress passed 7th June A. D. 1832.

I was born on Indian Creek in ?[can’t decipher] district State of South Carolina. I have no record of my age, but believe myself to be about 70 years old. At the age of fifteen I volunteered under General Lincoln & served from first of Jany 1780 to the 15th of May same years, & was at the siege at Charleston; on 15th May 1780 after the evacuation of Charleston as the British advanced up to the upper parts of South Carolina I volunteered under Capt. Littleton Isbell & Lieutenant John Houston & Col. Sumpter and marched immediately for Rocky Mount & on our rout on the 12 of July 1780, attacked a large party of Tories & British whom with our Capt. Huck & Col. Ferguson of the British Militia was took prisoners in a barn owned by a Mr. Williamson by  intercepting them at both end by posting the horse at our end ?[illegible] the fool at the other. We on the thirtieth of July 1780, attacked the Rocky Mount & on the next day after burying the dead proceeded on to the hanging rock & arrived there in time to take a part in that battle, which was fought on the 7th day of August 1780. The prince of Wales’s regiment were mainly all killed as well as many Tories under Col. Byan from North Carolina.

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About the middle of August 1780 we captured a British Post on the Wateree? river by throwing a hot ball, & therewith about one hundred prisoners. I was one of the guard appointed by Col. Sumpter to carry them to Salisbury ?[illegible] North Carolina which we did in this engagement we took a great deal of clothing food & other munitions of war, which we ?[can’t decipher] found on our return from Salsbury to rejoin Col. Sumpter had been all recaptured by Tarlton & Sumpters whole core entirely dispersed on this 17th day of August 1780. I was in actual service with Sumpter from the first of July 1780, up to his dispurtion? & defeat, on the date above stated. I then immediately joined Col. Washingtons regular regiment of horse ?[can’t decipher] on the 20th of August 1780 & was with him at the taking of Rugelies fort better known by the name of Rugelies Mills, which was done by causing a push log to be made to resemble a cannon this achievement as well as I can now remember was performed about the last November or first of December 1780. I after this transaction remained in the service of my country in Col. Washingtons regular regiment until we were all disbanded at the end of the war; having neither house or father or mother I continued in the army as above stated, one term of service after another; and was with both Washington & Sumpter in all of their principal engagements. I further state that I have no documentary evidence to produce nor do I know of any person whose testimony I can procure who can testify to my service, and I hereby relinquish every claim to any pension or annuity whatever except the present, & do most solemnly declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state in the United States

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I also state that my poverty & weakness, sickingly, and other bodily infirmalies are so great, that I am entirely unable to go to the Court House of this County which is at least 22 miles from my place of residence, to prove up this claim & am therefore compelled to prove it up in this manner.    Sworn to & subscribed before me this 2nd day of September A.D. 1834

Benjamin “X” his mark Copeland
Attest James Reed J.P.

And I the aforesaid James Reed justice of the peace, after a full investigation of this matter ?[illegible due to ink smear] do declare that I believe the said Benjamin Copeland was in reality a soldier of the Revolution, and did acually serve as above stated. I further certify ?[illegible] know that he is unable to go to the Court house of this county to prove up this claim in open court in consequence of his extreme poverty, old age, sickness, & other bodily infirmities, I further state that John Paxton & George W. Haywood, who have assigned ?[illegible] & sworn to the succeeding certificate are residents of Bidford County Tennessee? & that they are creditable persons & of good moral character & that their statements are entitled to full faith & credit. I also further certify that Benjamin Comings & William Martin who have subscribed and sworn to, the subjoined certificate are men of truth & good moral character & that their statements are entitled to full faith and credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day & year above written.   James Reed J.P.

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State of Tennessee}
Bedford County}

This day personally appeared before me James Reed an acting justice of the peace in & for said County William Martin & Benjamin Comings and made oath that they have been well acquainted with the aforesaid Bnjn. Copland for the last 15 years both in Georgia and this state and that he has always been reputed & believed in the neighbourhood in which he has lived both in this state & Georgia to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion, having seen his several discharges to that effect,  - sworn to & subscribed before me the day and year shown written.  Attest James Reed J.P.}
William “X” his mark Martin {seal}
Benjamin “X” his mark Cummins {seal}

And I the aforesaid James Reed J.P. do further certify that I am well acquainted with the subscribers to the above certificates to wit William Martin & Bnjn. Comings & that they are men of good moral characters & are entitled to full faith & credit & that I fully concur with them in the opinions that they have expressed in the above affidavit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day & year above written.   
James Reed J.P.

State of Tennessee}
Bedford County}
We John Paxton ?[next couple of words illegible due to ink smear] W. Haywood both citizens of Bedford County this day personally appeared before me James Reed J.P. and made oath that they are well acquainted with the

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Above applicant Benjamin Coapland & believe him to be a man of truth, aged as above stated and a soldier of the Revolution, and that he is reputed and believed in his neighbourhood to have served as such, and we believe the facts to all other things set forth in his declaration to be true. Given to and subscribed before me the day and year above written.  – List
Attest James Reed J.P.

John Paxton {L. S.}?
G. W. Haywood {L.S.}?

State of Tennessee  I James M Kisick Clerk of Bedford County Court do hereby certify that James Reed before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavits was sworn to is an acting Justice of the peace in & for the said County of Bedford duly commissioned and sworn & that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.

[Seal] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the Court and Office in Shelbyville this 5th day of September 1834
Jas. McKisick Clk

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State of Tennessee
Bedford County

This day Binjamin Coapland personally appeared before me Jas. Reed a Justice of the peace in and for said county & made oath that the proceeding Declarations contain the best statements he can make of his service as a revolutionary soldier & that they are true & that he has no further proof to offer & that his discharges are all lost & that he knows of no person alive by whom he can prove up his claim to a pension & that he claims a pension for 20? months in the militia ?[illegible] & 14 months under Col. Washington all of which he ?[illegible] he did truly dutifully & honestly discharged as set fourth in the two ?[illegible] declaration and the two ?[illegible] statements of his several different tours of service theunto attached. He further states that he is confident that he served a great deal longer in the militia than is herein stated but cannot from the impaired state of his mind recollect the precise dates or circumstances, sufficiently well to make oath to such service & therefore claims pay for no more than what he has above stated.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 12th day of January 1835.

Benjamin “X” his mark Copeland  {Seal}

Attest James Reed J.P.
A Justice of the peace

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State of Tennessee

I James McKisick clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions of Bedford County in the state aforesaid do hereby certify that James Reed before whom the foregoing declarations & certificates, to wit, the original one & the one amended and thereunto attached is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County of Bedford and duly sworn and commissioned as such and that the signature purporting to be his to the foregoing declarations and certificates are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County this 20th day of October 1834.

[Seal]     Jas. McKisick Clerk
By his deputy Danl. McKisik

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Revolution

21 122

INVALID.

File No.  21,122
Benjamin Copeland
Pri   Rev War

Act:  June 7” 32”
Index:---Vol. 2, Page 77”
{Arrangement of 1870}

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Union Bank of Tennessee
Nashville  12th Nov. 1836

J. L. Edwards, Esq.

Dear Sir

Application at at this office has been made to day by Mr. Henry B. Kelsey the attorney Benjamin Copeland a Revolutionary Pensioner under the Act of 7th June 1832 and by instructions I was not authorised to pay him, his Identity is herewith inclosed for your inspection with the exception of the pension certificate which he has retained. Please do say whether it shall be paid and advise the pensioner or his attorney at Benton Post Office Marshall County, Tennessee.

With Respect,
John M. Bass Pct
By Stephen Cantrell

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A Statement Showing the Militia Service of Benjm. Coapland
[handwritten chart - headings are difficult to read - I’ll number them so it is easier to decipher which column the information is found under]
1 - Period where? the service were ?[illegible]
2 - Duration of claimants service - Years - Months - Days
3 - Rank of Claimant
4 - Names & Rank of the officers under whom he served
5 - Age at ?[illegible] residing place or abode ?[illegible] ?[illegible] the service
6 - Proof by which the accompanying Declarations are supported

1 - From 1st Jan of 1780 to 1st April 1780
2 - 3 months
3 - Private
4 - Gnl. Lincoln
5 - 70 years - I lived in Chiraw? District S. Carolina when I entered the service
6 - I have no other proof to offer Sans this and the accompanying documents. My discharge being or destroyed & I know of no personal proof

1 - [part of page missing] April 1780 to 15th May same year
2 - 1 month - 15 days
3 - Private
4 - Gen. Lincoln
5 - 70 years of age in the service of the U. ?[illegible]
6 - I have no other testimony to offer except this and the accompanying documents. My discharge being lost or destroyed & know of no personal proof 

1 - 1st July 1780 to 17 August 1780
2 - 1 month - 17 days
3 - Private
4 - Col. Sumpter, Capt. Littleton Isbill, & Lieut. Jno. Houston
5 - 70 years Chinrow? District S. Carolina
6 - I have no other proof to offer in support of this claim. My discharge being lost or destroyed & know of no personal proof

A Statement Showing the Service of Benjm. Coapland under Col. Washington
[same column headings as above]

1 - From 7th August 1780 to the 17th Oct. 1781
2 - 1 year - 2 months
3 - Private
4 - Col. Washington
5 - 70 & 71 years of age - Chiraw? District - S Carolina
6 - I have no other testimony to offer in proof of this claim, except this and the accompanying documents. My discharge being lost or destroyed & I know of no personal proof

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State of Tennessee}
Bedford County}

This day Benjamin Coapland personally appeared before me James Reed an acting justice of the peace in & for said County, and made oath that the foregoing declaration with all of its different amendments and the two statements in tabular form shown his services as a Revolutionary soldier, there annexed are all true and correct, and that they contain all the testimony he now has to offer or knows of in support of his said services and that he honestly & dutifully performed all the services ?[illegible] in stated, and that all of his discharges which certify all of these particulars have been lost or destroyed, or mislaid so that they cannot be found & that he claims a pension for six full months, as a militia man private and fourteen months as a private soldier under Colonel Washington.  Sworn to and subscribed before me this 12th day of January A.D. 1835.

Benjamin “X” his mark Coapland {Seal}

Attest James Reed J.P.}
A Justice of the peace}

[left hand side margin of page] Hon. J. K. Polk
[written sideways on top of this page] 31.428 - Benj. Copeland - Tennessee - ?[illegible] 1780 pension? $20. - Hon. J. K. Polk

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Union Bank of Tennessee
Nashville 27th Feby. 1838

J. L. Edwards Esq.

Dear Sir,

Your esteemed favor of the 16th instant requiring information to what time Benjamin Copeland a Revy. Pensioner under the Act of the 7th June 1832 at the rate of $20 per annum was last paid is duly to hand. And in reply have to inform you he has been paid to the 4th Sept. 1837 at this office. I am very Respectfully Your Obt. Servt.
John M. Bass Prct. & Pension Agent By S. Cantrell

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Washington City
Feby. 3d 1835

Sir

I enclose the amended Declaration of Benjamin Copeland, and have to request that you will cause the case to be reviewed? and inform me of the decision.

I am Very Respectfully
Yr Obt. Servt.
James K. Polk

James L. Edwards Esq.
Comm. of Pensions
Washington City

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State of Tennessee}
Bedford County} to wit

I James McKisick Clerk of said Bedford County Court do hereby certify that James Reed is a Magistrate as above and that the foregoing signations purporting to be his are genuine.

[Seal]  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this 13th day of January 1835.

Jas. McKisick Clerk
Of Bedford County Court
By his Deputy A. H. McKisick

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APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
State of Tennessee

County of Giles

On this Seventeenth day of January 1838, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Giles personally appeared Benjamin Copeland who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Littleton Isbells in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Sumpter in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Tennessee Maury Co. from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State (District, or Territory,) of Tennessee, Giles County where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in the future. The follow- are his reasons for removing from Maury County Tennessee to Giles was that I am a poor man and ?[illegible] land and I could not obtain such a place in Maury County as wanted but my ?[illegible] and did obtain ?[illegible] Giles in which I can make a support and as there is an agency in Pulaski which is much nearer than Nashville. I therefore wish my payment transfer from Nashville Ten. to Pulaski Ten.

Benjamin “X” his mark Copeland

Sworn and subscribed to before me,}
The day and year aforesaid}
J. J. Patrick
W. L. McClelland

The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The County Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.

The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the pensioner’s identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath, is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.

In every case where the Clerk of the Court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should be sent with the papers

Mode of authenticating papers. – In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officers who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or small ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

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State of Tennessee}
Giles County}

Be it known that on this 17th day of January 1838 before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared William Martin and made oath that Benjamin Copeland the person named in the foregoing affidavit is the identical person named in said certificate or affidavit from his own personal knowledge.

William “X” his mark Martin

Subscribed and sworn before me this day & year last above mentioned.

J. M. Patrick
Justice of the Peace
W. L. McClelland

I J. M. Patrick an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Giles do certify that I am personally acquainted with Wm. Martin and believe him to be a man of ?[illegible] veracity.  Given under my hand and seal this 17th day of January 1838.
J. M. Patrick J.P. {seal}

Washington City}
D.C.} 
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of J. M. Patrick Esq (having often seen him write) and that the shown signatures purporting to his are genuine and further that the said Patrick

[written in left hand margin - sideways] Hon. E. J. Shields - ?[illegible]]

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at the date of the above certificates purporting to be his, was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Giles, state of Tennessee and that full faith and credit are due to his ?[illegible] as such.

Given under my hand this 17th day of February 1838

E. J. Shields MC?

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State Tennessee}
Bedford County}

Benjamin Coapland this day personally appeared before me James Reed an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the State and County aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration as an amendment to the one heretofore made viz on 2d day September 1834 and hereunto attached in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed on 7th June 1834.

That about the last of December 1779 at the age of sixteen years I ran away from home Chesow? District South Carolina and went to Charleston South Carolina after being there a few days ?[illegible] on the first day of January 1780 as well as I can now recollect I volunteered under Genl. Lincoln at which time we were in daily expectation of an attack on the City by the British under the command of Sir Henry Clinton, To what Company or Regiment I was attached or who were their commanders I cannot at this distance of time remember owing to extreme old age and the consequent loss of memory and impaired powers of my body and mind. I was transferred to one or two different regiments & companies during my service at this place. At the end of my first term of service viz on the first day of April

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(Page 2)

Seventeen hundred and eighty, I revolunteered again under the same Genl. Lincoln at Charleston South Carolina during the pendane? of the siege of the City of Charleston about which time as well as I can now remember the Governor ordered all the militia of Charleston and the neighbouring to rendezvous at the place fourth with for its defence & thoug the country was on the eve of distruction all most - but few obeyed the call under these circumstances I was induced to revolunteer and serve one & a half months more until the fifteenth of May of the same year as stated in my previous declaration hereunto annexed. When I left home in the first instance I sat out with a determination to join Genl. Lincoln and calculated on finding him at Savannah and found out by some disbanded militia of North Carolina on his way home that he was at Charleston South Carolina to which place I proceeded and joined him as above stated.

After my last tirm of service was over at Charleston I volunteered under Col. Sumpter who about this time viz 1st July 1780 raised a body of men in the defence of this country. We were in all the battles and under the officers in the order of time sit fourth in the previous declaration hereunto annexed and immediately after my service was over

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as therein stated viz on 17th day August 1780 I found Col. Washington and was with him at the taking of Rugeleys Mills as stated in my previous declaration hereunto attached & annexed which as well as I can now recollect was on the about the first December 1780; about the last of December 1780 our Regiment of about 70 men with Col. Washington at our head & about two hundred militia were detached and marched forty metes the first day & on the next day surprised a body of Tories at Ninety ?[illegible] ?[illegible] about 150 we took prisoners and killed & wounded about forty without any loss on our side. About middle January 1781 we fought the Battle of Cowpens near Pacotet? River under the Command of Genl. Morgan - in this battle we had about 10 or 12 men killed & 50 or 60 wounded - we took prisoners & killed & wounded altogether about 700 men besides two pieces of artillery & several baggage wagons & dragoon horses besides several small arms. Our Regiment pursued Tarleton ?[illegible due to ink smear] several metes when a majority of them finally escaped. We then marched directly for Dan River Virginia and Lord Cornwallis with an expectation of overtaking & destroying our army commenced a pursuit and were stopped at Catawba River just after we had cossed by a heavy rain which had just fallen the night before about the last January 1781. As soon as the river fill viz in about three days Cornwallis continued his pursuit of us & so close in our rear that we had several skirmishes

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with each other. Our whole army under Genl. Green joined at Guilford Court house ?[can’t decipher] 7th or 8th Feb not being able to do so after then previous separation on the rout and after same refreshments? proceeded on to Dan River Virginia. We thence marched across the Dan again and fought the battle at Whitsetts Mills on Reedy fork Creek. We lost 50 men killed & wounded in the battle which was fought about about 6 or 7 March 1781, we thence went to Guilford Court house & there on 14th March engaged with Lord Cornwallis & were beaten after a battle of about two hours. We then retreated to Reedy fork Creek & crossed it & went on to Spud well’s  Iron works 8 or 9 miles from the Battle ground. We lost several horses & two or three ammunition waggons in this reencounter & the two cannons previously taken by Morgan. About the 20th Cornwallis left Guilford & we commenced? a pursuit of him immediately afterwards & on the morning of the 28th arrived at Ramseys Mills on deep river a short time after the enemy had left there where we found many of their dead and a good deal of provisions such as beef ?[can’t decipher] which we ate hastily. We about the first of April after discharging all of the militia set out from deep River and in 18 or 20 days were camped at Logtowne?, we thence went to Hobkisks Hill a few days afterwards about one mile frommden where we

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stationed our selves. About the 25 or 26th while we were at our breakfast we were attacked by Lord Nowdon?. Genl. Green soon had our troops formed for battle but the enemy being too strong for us we were forced to retreat, our ?[illegible] as ordered by Green to turn the right flank of the enemy and to charge in the rear which we accordingly done and had taken about 250 prisoners whom we had to let loose again after seeing our army were about retreating. We lost out of our regiment 3 men & took 50 prisoners. After this the British returned to Camden & we went back in about four miles of our former position. Our loss was about 300 men. Soon after this battle after detatching? to Marion a reinforcement Genl. Green marched us across the ?[illegible] River and took such posts as he thought would from time to time be necessary to prevent any success from ?[illegible due to ink spot] to Camden. We thence went to Ninety six? About 20th or 25th May to offended? an attack on that place then under the command of Col. Crager and after several days siege about 20th June we were pursued by Roudan? & crossed the Saluda River & retired to the ?[illegible]. We after halling? and refreshing our selves returned and offered Lord Roudan battle at Fort Granby that he would not venture an attack. We marched about 7 miles that evening & we camped. The next day the state troops & cavelry & I amongst

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was ordered to march towards Charleston & the rest of the army was marched to the Hills of 
Sautee?. Genl. Green with the main army and our Regiment included reached the Sautee Hills a short time afterwards and remained there until the last of August following. We then under Genl. Green proceeded to the Eutaw? Springs about 50 or 60 miles from Charleston and attacked the enemy under Col. Stewart in this battle our Regiment in conjunction with the Deleware troops commanded as well as I can now remember by a Capt. by name of Kirkwood we marched at 4 oclock in the morning & soon after the battle began & we repulsed them in all quarters until many of them took shelter in a garden full of thick shrubs & bushes. ?[illegible] Col. viz Washington was while commanding us and attempting to dislodge them from that place was[crossed out] taken prisoner after being wounded and his horse shot from under him. After this battle was over we returned to the Sautee Hills again and the British went to Manks? Corner. About middle November Genl. Green ?[illegible] all the Cavelry and about 200 or 250 infantry to Dorchester in which detachment our Regiment was included. At which place we had a small skirmish and lost 8 or ten men killed & four or five taken prisoners. The British then retreated to the quarter? house

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[six lines of text crossed through]

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on Charleston Neck? We a few days afterward joined the main army under Col. ? Williams at Round O under whose command they were previously left by Genl. Green at Sautee Hills. We reached Round O about 10th of December 1781 which includes all my service?. This is the best narratives I can at this late state make of my service? My discharges being lost mislaid or destroyed ?[illegible] I do most solemnly swear that I served as a militia man private three months viz from first Jan to first April 1780 & ?[illegible words due to ink spots] 11 months more from first April 6 ?[illegible due to ink spot] May in same capacity at Charleston. And I served one month and 17 days as a militia man private under Genl. Sumper from 1st July to 17th August 1780. I also served under Col. Washington from first August 1780 up to the time he was taken prisoner at the Eutaw Springs which is 13 months. I also served in his regiment after he was taken prisoner 3 months more until December 1831 & that all of my different discharges have been lost or misplaced so that they cannot be found ?[illegible word crossed out] ?[illegible]

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I do solemnly swear that by reason of old age and other in- other infirmities & the consequent loss of memory that I cannot positively swear as to the precise length of my service but to the best of my recollection served not less than periods mentioned above and in the following grades viz I served as a Militia Man six months in a private capacity and in the order of time as stated in my previous declaration hereunto attached and for at least 14 months if not more I served in Col. Washingtons ?[illegible] of horse of the Virginia line & all of my discharges proving my service are lost misplaced or destroyed by fire for which ?[illegible] I claimed a pension. I was not during the above service in any civil pursuit.

Sworn to & subscribed before me this 15th day October 1834.

Benjamin “X” his mark Copeland {seal}

Attest  James Reed J.P.

State Tennessee}
Bedford County} to wit

Benjamine Commings & William Martin personally appeared before me James Reed a Justice of the Peace in and for said County & State and made oath that they were well acquainted with Benj. Copeland and know that he served 6?[illegible due to ink spot] months & ?[illegible due to ink smear] as a militia man private and 14 months in Col. Washingtons Regiment of horse of Virg. Line as a private having seen his 4 different discharges that affect. Sworn & subscribed before me this 15?th[illegible due to ink spot] October 1834 & they are ?[illegible] by believed.

Benj. “X” his mark Cummings {seal}
William “X” his mark Martin {seal}

Attest James Reed J.P.