Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 9734., Robert Bigger, N. C.

Page 1

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[3-1776] 

SERVICE
N. C.
Bigger, Robert
             Catharine

NUMBER
W.9734

CONTENTS

Page 2

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[left side] 8130 
W. Tennessee

Robert Bigger
of Montgomery in the State of Tennessee
who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Willis of the Regt [Regiment] commanded by Col. Williams in the N. Carolina line for 6 months - - -

Inscribed on the Roll of Tennessee
at the rate of 20 Dollars – [Cents crossed out] per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of March 1833 - - - and sent to Hon. C. Johnson Ho. Of Rep [House of Representatives]

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1832          $40
Semi=anl. [annual] allowance ending 4 Mar ’33   10
$50

{Revolutionary Claim}
{Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Geo C. Stiles Clerk, 
Book D. Vol 9. Page 144

[right side] See letter to Hon. Cave Johnson March 24, 1836

Page 3

State of Tennessee} 
Montgomery County} SS 
This 21st day of August 1832 personally appeared before the Circuit Court of the County of Montgomery now in session, Robert Bigger, a resident of said County aged seventy-one who being duly sworn according to law doth upon his oath make the following declaration for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832 for the benefit of Revolutionary soldiers – that he entered the service of the United States in the month of May 1780 in the County of Mecklenburg North Carolina where he then resided having prior to that time removed from York County in the State of Pennsylvania where he was born in 1761, as a volunteer in the Brigade commanded by Genl Davidson [General William Lee Davidson] & in the Regiment commanded [Illegible words crossed out] by some officer whose name he does not certainly recollect & in Captain Pitts [Potts?] company & that the troops to which he was attached was considered as minute men and at all times ready for service and shortly after he marched on a tour ag.t [against] the British & Tories & was in service about twenty days & again returned home & during the summer of 1780 he was on various expeditions of a similar character for ten, fifteen or twenty days as the service demanded but was almost constantly during the summer & fall of that year engaged in such expeditions under Genl [General] Davidson & Genl [General] Rutherford – That he served in the month of September October of the year under Capt. Starnes & afterwards under the command of Capt. Willis & he continued in the performance of such duties until about December of that year & then he was drafted as a militia man for three months & entered the service in the company commanded by Capt. Potts in the Regiment commanded by Col. Williams & Major John Caruth in s.d [said] County of Mecklenburg and then marched in various parts of North Carolina until the battle of Reedy fork River in Caswell County where we had a battle & was defeated about two weeks before the battle of Guilford Court-house & afterwards we marched & joined the main Army under Genl Greene [General Nathanael Greene] – we were attached to the brigade

Page 4

commanded by Genl. [General] Eaton as he is inclined to believe but is not certain of the militia of general he was attached to – the main Army shortly after marched to Guilford Court-house where we were again defeated & shortly after the company to which he belonged was discharged & I received a discharge from Capt. Potts & Maj.r [Major] Caruth which accompanies this application – he recd also one other discharge certifying to the performance of other services prior to that time & which also accompanies this application – he does not recollect to have recd [received] any other discharges for other tours of duty performed by him in the summer & fall of 1780 but if he did he has lost them – he has no other written evidence of the performance of any services – that he does not know any person by whom he can prove the performance of the services, that he continued his residence in the same neighborhood but which was after the Revolution changed to Cabarrus County until 1805, when he removed to Montgomery County Tennessee where he has ever since resided. He 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 above named in open Court 
[Signed] Robert Bigger 
Test: 
P. N. Marr, Clk [Clerk]

Page 5

WE William Shaw a clergyman residing in the county of [Montgomery crossed out], Robertson & John Perdue residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Robert Biggers who has subscribed & sworn to the preceding declaration that we believe him to be seventy one years old; that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concern in that opinion. 
Sworn to & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open Court 
P N Marr Clk [Clerk] William Shaw, John Perdue. 

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that William Shaw is a clergyman resident in s.d [said] county who signed the preceding certificate and John Perdue - is a resident in the same county and is a credible person t& hat their statement is entitled to credit & the said court further orders the original certificates to attached hereto which may be Identified by the signature C Johnson on each of them & which is hereto annexed.

Page 6

I Parry W Humphreys the judge of the fifth Judicial Circuit Sitting in the town of Clarksville do hereby declare my opinion after the investigations of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states and I further Certify that it appears to him that William Shaw who signed the preceding Certificate as a Clergyman resident of Robertson County and John Perdue who has also signed the same is a resident of Montgomery County and is a credible person and that their statements are entitled to Credit. 
Parry W. Humphreys 

[written upside down] 7224.

I Peter N Marr Clerk of the Circuit Court for the County of Montgomery do hereby certify that the foregoing Contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Robert Bigger for a pension. 
{[Illegible seal]}

In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & private seal having no publick seal of office in the town of Clarksville this 21st day of August 1832 
P N Marr Clk [Clerk]

Page 7

6604
Catharine Bigger
of Robert
Tennessee

[written sideways] 6604
Hon. Cave Johnson 
H. R. [House of Representatives]

Page 8

State of Tennessee} 
Montgomery County} June Term of the County Court 1839 
Catharine Bigger widdow [widow] & relict of Robert Bigger dec'd [deceased] personally appeared before the justices of the County Court of Montgomery in open court, it being a Court of Record, for the purpose of making a declaration to obtain the benefit of the act & resolution of Congress passed for the benefit of the widdows [widows] of Revolutionary soldiers - the said Catharine being duly sworn deposeth as follows, that she is the widow of Robert Bigger dec'd [deceased] who was a private in the Revolutionary war & was on the Pension Roll of the United States for the State of Tennessee & Montgomery County - his pension certificate bore date the 13th of March 1833 & was signed by Lewis Cass Sec. of War & also by J. L. Edwards Com. of Pensions & marked at the back "8130" by virtue of which he drew his pension at Nashville to March 1837 & she refers to the pension papers in his case as evidence of his services - She herself knows nothing of his services further than she has often heard him speak upon the subject - She further declares that she was married to Robert Bigger the 10th of January 1789 in Cabarrus County in the State of North Carolina - she does not think there is any Record kept of her Marriage but she has a Record of the Birth of her children & her oldest child John M Bigger was born the “8th of November in 1789” which enables her to give the precise date of her marriage - the said Robert Bigger died the 29th day of August 1837 at his residence in Montgomery County Ten. - that she was not married to him until after he left the service & was married to him prior to the 1st of January 1794 as above stated - and that they lived together as man & wife from the time of their marriage to the time of his death - and that she has never since intermarried with any other 
Sworn to & subscribed in open court 
June 3d 1839            Catharine [her X mark] Bigger
Test 
Saml Mc Fall Clerk

Page 9

State of Tennessee} 
Montgomery County} County Court June Sessions 1839 
Abner Gupton Esq. Personally appeared in open Court & makes oath that he moved to Montgomery County Tennessee about the year 1808 & shortly after become acquainted with Robert Bigger the Revolutionary Pensioner & his wife Catharine the present applicant. They at that time resided together as man & wife, with a family of children around them & he knew them both from that time to the time of the death of the sd [said] Robert which took place in the summer of 1837 - that they were always reputed as man & wife & so lived together all that time and having excellent characters in their neighbourhood - and he knows the present applicant to be the Widdow [widow] of the said Robert and also that the sd [said] Robert was a pensioner - and the said Catharine now resides on the same place when the sd. [said] Robert died and is unmarried –
Sworn to & subscribed  } Abner Gupton
in Open Court  } 
Test 
Saml Mcfall Clk [Clerk]

State of Tennessee} 
Montgomery County} Thompson Bigger makes oath that he is the son of Robert Bigger & Catharine the present applicant that he has now before her the Record of the Births of their children, kept by s.d [said] Robert in his life time and that the Birth of the oldest son as recorded as follows
" John Milton Bigger was born November 8th day in the “ year 1789 " Sd [said] Record continues on a statement of the Births of all his brothers & sisters to the youngest born in 1809 - this affiant stands recorded as having been born December 26th 1797 - this affiant has always resided with his father & mother & his oldest brother died when young & his oldest sister born July 16th 1790, died in 1836 & always resided with the family until the time

Page 10

of her death-- Moses Thompson Bigger the third child was born according to the Record the 3rd of October 1792 & died in his infancy - the fourth child Eli Begger [Bigger] was born February the 25th 1795 & is now residing somewhere Kentucky - & this afft [affiant] stands on record as the fifth & his father & mother always resided together as man & wife - to the time of his death the 27th of August 1839 & she still lives on the same place & is still unmarried & he knows her to be the Widdow [widow] of Robert Bigger the Revolutionary soldier who drew a pension - he resided with them until lately he removed a short distance from them –
Sworn to in Open Court   
Thomson Biggar [Bigger]
Test 
Saml Mcfall Clk [Clerk]

all of which being done in open Court & is ordered by the Court that the same be certified and also, that the said witnesses are respectable citizens of all county and are entitled to credit as witnesses.    In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & offered the seal of my office at Clarksville this third day of June 1839 
Saml McFall Clk [Clerk]

Page 11

The certificate & signatures signed Saml McFall Clerk is in his proper hand writing and he is the Clerk of the County Court of Montgomery  June 25th 1840 C Johnson

[written sideways] 6604

Page 12

State of Tennessee} 
Mongomery County} County Court April [ink smear 10] 1840 
This day personally appeared in open Court Robert T. Gupton & John Perdue who makes oath that they are well acquainted with Catherine Bigger who swears to the within declaration, and has been for twenty years that they were also acquainted with Robert Bigger in his life time that said Robt & Catherine Bigger lived together as man & wife, and raised a family of children, and that Catherine who deposes & swears to this declaration is the identical same woman that we Know as the wife of the said Robt Bigger in his life time. And further that we put full faith & credit in any statement she may make in the premises 
Test Saml McFall 
John Perdue 
R T Gupton

Page 13

[Family record-- transcribed precisely] 
John Milton Bigger was born November the 8 Day in the yer [year] 1789 

Eisabeth [Elizabeth] Bigger was Born juley [July] the 16 in the yer [year] 1790 

Moses Thomson Bigger was Born on the 3 Day of october [October] in the yer [year] 1792 

Eli Bigger was Born fabourey [February] the 25 in the yer [year] 1795 

Thomson Bigger was Born December the 26 in the yer [year] 1797 

Hiram Bigger was Born october [October] the 6 in the yer [year] 1800 

Robert Adeson Bigger was Born November the Eleventh in the yer [year] 18002 [1802]

Catharine Bigger was Born june [June] the 14 1805 

James McLean Bigger was born October the 31st day 1809

Page 14

State of Tennessee}
Montgomery County:  S.S.   I Saml McFall Clerk of the County Court of Montgomery County do hereby certify that The foregoing proceeding was had before our County Court holden in the Court House in the Town of Clarksville on the Sixth day of April 1840 And Ordered to be Certified 
In Witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of our said Court at office in the Town of Clarksville this 6th day of April 1840 and 64th year of the Independence of the United States 
Saml McFall Clk [Clerk]

Page 15

State of Tennessee} 
Montgomery County} - I Benjamin J. Hinton Proceeding Magistrate of the County Court Montgomery County do hereby certify that of Saml Mcfall whose name appears to the foregoing certificate is and was at the time he signed the same the Clerk of the County Court for said Montgomery County duly elected and qualified according to Law. That his signature is genuine and that his certificate and attestations in due form, and that full faith and credit are due and should be given in all his official acts. I do further Certify that the said County Court of Montgomery is a Court of Record. Given under my hand and seal this 15 day of June 1840.
Bn. J Henton {Seal}

Page 16

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[left side] 1832
Missouri 7715. 
Catharine Bigger 
widow of Robert Bigger N C 
who was a Private 
in the Revolution 

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of April 1846 and sent to Hon. O. B. Ficklin House of Representatives 

[Act of March 3, 1843. & June 17, 1844]

Recorded in Book A 
Vol. 2 --- Page 233, 

[right side] Rep.d [Reported]
let [Letter] to U. Manly May 6 46 [1846]
let [Letter] to Wm Newberry 7 May 1851

Page 17

[Typed form]

[left side] C. W. & N. Div. 
F. S. 
M. E. C. 
W. 9734.

[center] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 
WASHINGTON, D. C., March 23, 1896. 

Sir:

In response to your request for the military record of Robert Bigger, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, I have the honor to advise you that he made an application for pension on August 21, 1832, at which time he was residing in Montgomery County, Tenn., and seventy-one years of age, and his pension was allowed for six months actual service as a private in the North Carolina troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time served under Capt. Potts and Col. Williams, 

He was born in York County, Pa., in 1761, and in 1780, when he first entered the service, was residing in Mecklenburg Co., N. C. 
Very respectfully, 

Acting Commissioner.

Hon. D. H. Mercer, 
House of Representatives.

Page 18

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[left side] Soldier personal 
Hon. D. H. Mercer, House of Reps.  M E C 
Jany – 10 – 1901 
Mrs. A. A. Bell – 
West Point Mission

[Center] Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 9734
Catharine Bigger
Wid. of
Robert Bigger
Pvt. Rev. War
Act: Mch. 3d/43; & June 17/44
Index: - Vol. A, Page 62
[Arrangement of 1870.]
[Illegible] roll Act 17 June [Illegible] Catherine [Illegible very faint] Robert Bigger [Illegible] last paid? Pd. To 4th March 1846 [Illegible initials] 
Pension Office Cole
[Illegible] Robert Bigger, W. Ten. act 7 June 1832 to what time past; Pen Office Jan. 29, 1840. Died 1837 pd to 4th March 1834

[right side] 
Mch. 23/96
Hon. D. [cut off]

Page 19

Headquarters Troblesome Ironworks 
This may certify that Robert Biger [Bigger] a Soldier in Capt. Potts Company Mecklenburg County Salisbury District has served a tour of three months and is now Discharged 
By me this 17th day of March 1781 
C. J. {Moor huge blot of ink of the surname}
Jont Potts Capt
John Carruth Major



Catharine Bigger 
of Robert 
Tennessee

Suspended – 
See let: 29 Jan ‘40 
Hon. C. Johnson -

Act 7 July 1838

Page 20

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[left side] 450 
Missouri, from Tennessee
Catharine Bigger 
Widow of Robert Bigger 
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 
and who died on the 29th August 1837 
of Madison Co in the State of Missouri 
who was a Private in the company 
commanded by Captain Potts, of the 
regt. commanded by Col. Williams in 
the N. C.  line for 6 months 

Inscribed on the Roll of Missouri 
at the rate of 20 Dollars  [blank]
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day 
of March, 1836. & end 29th August 1837 ,
from which time she has been paid.

Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of 
April 1846, and sent to Hon. O. B. 
Ficklin, House of Representatives. 
Total amount,   $   [blank]
[Act July 7, 1838.] 
& Restoration of Jan. 23 1845.
Recorded by D. Brown, Clerk, 
Book D. Vol. 1, Page 411.

[right side] Rep.d [Reported]

Page 21

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[left side of page] 5543 
Tennessee 
Catharine Bigger 
widow of Robert Bigger decd [deceased]
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832- 
and who died on the 29 August 1837, 
of Montgomery Co. in the State of Tennessee 
who was a private in the Compy [company] commanded by Captain Potts of the regt [Regiment] commanded Col. Williams in the N. Carolina line for 6 months. 

Inscribed on the Roll of Nashville 
at the rate of 20 Dollars --- Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 29 day of Aug. 1837. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of June 
1840, & sent to Hon. Cave Johnson, House of Reps. 
Arrears to the 4th of March 1840               $50.33 
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept ‘40   10.00 
                                                                    $60.33 

{Act July 7, 1838.} 
Recorded by D. McCurdy, Clerk, 
Book A, Vol. 2, Page 206. 

[right side of page]
Let [Letter] to Hon James Temple Feb 27, 1846 
do [letter] to Hon O. B. Ficklen Apl. 10 ‘46.

Page 22

January 16th 1781

[illegible] Robert Bigger
of Capt. [illegible Carruth's] Company [illegible]
at winter [illegible tower] with [illegible genl ] Davidson
below [illegible Charleston] a ten day [illegible tower] with [illegible Genl]
Rutherford [illegible] Colstons Exclusive[?] [illegible] all his
[illegible] hunts [illegible]
[illegible signature Jame Wickmas]

[illegible] on by [illegible]

Page 23

State of Tennessee} 
Montgomery County} County Court April 10. 1840 
On this tenth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred & forty, personally appeared before the County Court of Montgomery County now in session, Catharine Biggers a resident of Montgomery County and State of Tennessee; aged seventy six 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 act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled, an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows. That she is the Widow of Robert Biggers  who was a private in the revolutionary Army, as stated in his declaration heretofore filed with the department of War for a pension in his life time. She further states that her said husband Robert Bigger departed this life at his resident in the County of Montgomery & State of Tennessee on the 29th day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty seven. She further make oath that she has no family Bible or record of her marriage but states that she was married to the said Robert Bigger in the County of Macklenburg [Mecklenburg] & state of North Carolina on the 10th day of January one thousand seven hundred & eighty eight. She has no Biblical record of the ages of her Children, but

Page 24

encloses attached to this declaration, a paper in the hand writing of her late husband Robert Bigger, which was found among his valuable papers, except the age of James McClean Bigger which is in the hand writing of her son Eli Bigger, who at this time resides in the State of Kentucky. She further swears to the best of her knowledge & belief that said paper contains a true statement of the ages of her Children, She has no record of her marriage nor was there any kept by her husband to the best of her knowledge 
Test Saml McFall    
Catherine [her X mark] Bigger 

State of Tennessee} 
Montgomery County} This day personally appeared before the County Court of Montgomery County Thompson Begger [Bigger] & makes oath that as one of the executors of the last Will & Testament of Robert Bigger Decd that he found among the valuable papers of the said Robert the paper attached to this declaration showing the ages of the Children of said Robert which is in his own hand writing except the name of James McClean Bigger which is in the herewith writing of his brother Eli Bigger and that he believes the same to be correct 
Test Saml Mcfall 
Thomson Biggar

Page 25

Nashville, Tennessee March 17th 1846. 

Sir
Yours of the 12th containing enquiries concerning the Pension of Robert Biggar [Bigger] came to hand. 
In relation to the Pension, I have to say, that Robert Biggar [Bigger] died on the 29th day of August 1837, and there was due his widow the sum of $9”75, which she cannot now draw, owing to a limitation act of Congress in relation to the Pensions of Deceased Pensioners, fixing the time at six years, in which the Widow or heirs can come forward & draw the amount due the Pensioner up to the time of his death, which time has long since expired. 
Mrs. Biggar's [Bigger’s] name never was on the Books of this Agency and, consequently there is nothing now due her. 
Respectfully &c 
Joel M Smith 
Pension Agent. 

U. Manly Esq. 
Marshall 
Clark County 
Ill.

Page 26

Adm.t [Admitted] 450

No 456. 
Catharine Bigger 
widow of Robert Mo
Joint Resolution of the 23 
January 1845. 
Adm.d [Admitted] $20.00 per -
4 March 1836 to 29th Augt [August]
1837. from which time she 
has been paid under the act 
of 7 July 1838 

Adm.d Act 3 March 1843 
and 17 June 1844    9593 
499 
$20.00 per ann [annum]

Missouri roll 

Hon O.B. Ficklin 
House of Reps

Page 27

[left of page] 6604
Catharine Bigger
of Robert.
E Tennessee
admitted
Pr [Private] 6 mos [months] $20.
Cap Potts Col
Williams N.C.
died 29 Augt [August] 1837
Act 7 July 1838

Hon: Cave Johnson
H.R.

[right of page]
40.3.4
37.8.29
2.6.6

40
10.
.33
50.33

Page 28

[top right of page] Raleigh N.C.
Compt [Comptroller’s] office 

I William F. Collins Comptroller of Public Accounts in and for the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that the name of Robert Bigger appears of Record in this office as having had issued in his favor a Specia Certificate for three pounds twelve shillings as will appear in Book. No 5 page 13 which certificate was dated 13th June 1783 given under my hand and seal this 15th day December 1845 
Wm. F Collins Compt.

Page 29

Madison County, Missouri, 
March 6th, 1857 
Commissioner of Pensions} 
Washington City} 
Sir: Sometime since, as agent and attorney in fact for my mother-in-law Mrs. Catharine Bigger, a Revolutionary Pensioner widow of the late Robert Bigger, I forwarded to Washington her Certificate of Pension, together with a request that her pension then due might be the immediate subject of attention and the Agent as St. Louis be instructed to pay her claims, according to the terms of the Power of Attorney addressed to the agent at St. Louis. 

I have received no intelligence whatever, and Mrs. Bigger no pension, for the last three years and upwards. The old lady is in destitute circumstances and the Government is under the highest moral obligation to avoid all vexatious delay in paying dues to indigent Pensioners. There was no obligation whatever to send the Certificate of Pension but to satisfy the Department that the claim and authority to draw were genuine. I voluntarily sent the Certificate. 

The Department will do an act of justice only, to return the Certificate to me or Mrs. Bigger, directed to the Post Office Fredericktown, County of Madison, Missouri.

Page 30

In consequence of the lapse of time since Mrs B. has drawn her pension, it will be an accommodation to Mr. B. that any communication to her, be accompanied by such instructions as will enable her to acquire her pension, so necessary to her support, and to avoid any cautious objections that may be opposed to her at the St. Louis Agency, a thing of ordinary occurrence there.

Respectfully yours,
Robert S. Easton

N B Address her certificate and instructions to William Newberry Esq. Fredericktown

Page 31

Mar 19
Tenn [Tennessee]

Hon C. Johnson
H R

[written sideways]
Rob.t [Robert] Biggers

JL Edwards Esq.
Com. of Pensions

Page 32

17 March
Washington

Dr Sir,

You will oblige me by having the pension papers of Robert Bigger re-examined I give me a statement that will enable me to reply to the enclosed letter

Respectfully 
Yr friend
C Johnson

Page 33

State of Missouri} 
Madison County} Ss 
On this 13th day of Dec, 1845 before the Subscriber one of the judges of the County Court, in and for said County (the same being a court of Record and so declared by the law creating it) personally appeared Catharine Bigger, a resident of said County aged Eighty      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 provisions made by the act of Congress, granting Pensions and half pay to certain widows, passed - 7th July 1838, and March 3rd 1843. June 17 1844 and the Resolution of the 23rd of January 1845. 
That she is the widow of Robert Bigger, who was a private in the army of the Revolution, and a Pensioner on the Roll of Tennessee, Montgomery County, at the rate of twenty dollars per annum. That her said husband served six months in the regular army of North Carolina, and also three months in the light horse in the militia of the state but that he was only pensioned for six months service. That she refers to the application and papers of her said husband on file in the proper office in Washington City. That she was married to the said Robert Bigger on the 10th day of January seventeen hundred and eighty seven as heretofore set forth by her. She further declares that she was not married to the said Robert Bigger previous to his leaving the service, but that the marriage took place prior to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, Viz: at the time above stated. That her husband the aforesaid Robert Bigger died on the 29th day of August One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven and that she is still his widow.

Page 34

Subscribed and sworn} 
to before me on the day}
and year first above} 
written} 
R. M. Shannon Judge} 
[right side] Catharine [her X mark] Bigger

I certify that I am personally acquainted with the above named Declarant and believe her statement to be correct and that from old age and bodily infirmity she is unable to attend court in person. 
R. M. Shannon Judge –

At the same time and place, before me as aforesaid also came Robert S. Eaton who being first duly sworn according to law doth on oath say that he was personally acquainted with Robert Bigger as the husband of the above Declarant, that said Robert, the husband of the said Catharine died in the State of Tennessee on the 29th day of August in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty seven and that the said Catharine is still his widow. 
Subscribed and sworn to} 
before me this 13th day of} 
December 1845.}
R. M. Shannon Judge} 
[right side] Robt S. Eaton 

I certify that the above officiant is a credible witness. 
R. M. Shannon Judge. 

State of Missouri} 
Madison County} Ss 
I Edward Evans Clerk of the County Court in and for said County

Page 35

do hereby certify that Robert M. Shannon is one of the Judges of said Court, duly commissioned and qualified and authorized by the laws of the state to administer oaths, and that the several foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.

In testimony where of I have here unto subscribed my name and affixed the official seal of said Court at my office in Fredericktown in said County this 13th day of December one thousand eight hundred and forty five.

Edward Evans Clerk

Page 36

6604 June 26, 18[44?]
Tenn [Tennessee]
7 July 1838

[written sideways] Free
The Commissioner of Pensions

Hon. C. Johnson H.R.

Page 37

Washington
25 June 1840

Dear Sir,

I enclose you the papers of Mrs. Bigger, which was before you early in the winter & returned.

Allow me to wish you early attention to her claim

Respectfully
Your friend
C. Johnson

Page 38

Admd [Admitted]
6 mo. pri [private]
20$

[written sideways]
Statement of
C. Johnson

Page 39

Washington
17th Feby [February]

Dr Sir,

You will see upon examining the papers of Robert Bigger that he certainly served over six months & I presume would of course place him in that class of pensioners. I drew up the Declarations for Mr. Bigger & he could make no statement more precise than that contained in the Declaration.
I am personally acquainted with the clerk & judge before when the application was made - was present when the same was transacted in court & believe saw the signature of the Clerk affixed.  I am well acquainted with his handwriting & know the signature to be in his proper handwriting & also know that there is no seal of office.

Very respectfully
C. Johnson

Page 40

House of Reps
April 8th 46

J.L. Edwards Esq.

Sir
Have the kindness to advise me under what Catharine Bigger of Tennessee was pensioned, when did her pay commence & when terminated & at what agency was it payable?

Yours Respectfully,
Orlando B Ficklin

Page 41

6604 Jan 29 1840
Mrs. Bigger
Tenn.
July 7, 1838

Hon Cave Johnson
H. R.

[written sideways] Free
Col Edwards
Pension Agent
Washington City

[circular stamp] WASHINGTON CITY

Page 42

Washington
26th July 1840

Dr Sir,

I enclose you an application for Mrs. Bigger the widdow [widow] of a Revolutionary Pensioner & request an examination as early as may be convenient.

Very Respectfully,
Yr. friend
C. Johnson

Page 43

apl 24 '46
Cath [Catherine] Bigger
Tennessee

M

[written sideways]
[Illegible - crossed out]

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Com of Pensions

Page 44

Marshall Ill.
11 April 1846

Sir:
Mrs. Catharine Bigger widow of Robert Bigger of Tenn. applied to me to aid her for prosecuting her claim to a Pension. She states that she had received some $70 on a former allowance on examination of her claim it was reported that her claim had been allowed. Will you do me the favor to inform me under what act it was allowed and at what agency payable and whether she will have to apply under the act of 3rd March 1843 - I suppose the claim filed by Judge Temple will justify an allowance under act 3 March 1843 & if her claim has not been allowed under that act.

Very Respectfully 
U. Manly

J. L. Edwards Esq.

Page 45

Marshall Ill.
April 23/46.

H Manly

Pension claim of Catherine Bigger

M164 Rec May 2/ 46
Pension Office

[written sideways - left side]
Not your [Illegible cut off]

Page 46

Marshall Illinois 
23rd April 1846 

Sir:
Catharine Biggar [Bigger] widow of Robert Biggar [Bigger] of Tennessee was pensioned under Act of 7 July 1838 on the Tenn. Role at the note of $20 per annum.
She was never pensioned under Act of 3d March 1843 –
A fer months since I sent her Declaration under Act of 7 July 1838, 3rd March 1843 & 17 June 1844 The old Lady was not able to say whether she had been allowed a pension or not, nor under what act, but when in her Declaration to papers previously filed by her - The claim was examined and disallowed - This time she Declares under all these acts but on the major includes the minor it cannot be conceived how her Declaration is not good under Act of 3rd March 1846

Page 47

It is the custom of the office to allow certificates under 7 July 38 3rd March 1843 & 17 June 1844 on the same Declaration. This caused to have the applicant much trouble & expense -
Mrs. Bigger now resides in the state of Missouri & made her Declaration in that state -
The object of this communication is that her claim may be allowed and her Certificate sent to me under acts of March 3 1843 and June 17 1844 - it is thought no doubt can [illegible] tin he mind of the Department be an examination of the papers.

I have the honor
Sir to be very Respectfully
U. Manly

Hon. Secretary of War

Page 48

May 9 1846
M164
Pension office

See let [letter] to U. Manly
May 6 1846

[written upside down at bottom]
Hon. W. L. Macy, Secretary of War
Washington City D. C.

Page 49

[top right]
Marshall Illinois
April 30th 1846

Sir,
I had the honor to address you a few days since on the subject of finding a certificate of Pension to Catharine Bigger of Mo. formerly of Tenn. widow of Robert Bigger.
I addressed a letter to the Pension Agent at Nashville on the subject & I have now the honor to a clerk's reply -
I hope it may all be satisfactory and that a certificate may be issued to her under the act of March 3 1843 and the same sent to me as the agent of claimant. As before remarked her Declaration is on file in the Pension Office claiming the benefits of the above named act but the Court has failed to grant the certificate.

I have the honor Sir,
to be very Respectfully
U. Manly

Hon. Secretary of War

Page 50

New

West Point, Miss.
June 1, 1901

Hon. H. Clay Evans
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:

Please look on the Pension roll of Revolutionary Soldiers and write me if the name of Robert Biggar [Bigger] appears. 

He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War from North Carolina.

Page 51

2
He died in 1837, but his wife Katharine Bigger drew on pension is late as 1840, but I do not know how much longer.

Please let me hear from you at your earliest convenience..

I enclose self addressed stamped envelope for reply, and will appreciate the favor.

Very Respectfully,
Mrs. A.A. Bell

Page 52

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 
Own WASHINGTON, D. C.,

[note this was a letter sent from the Acting Commissioner possibly dated April 1898 but cannot read because it is too light]

Page 53

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[left side] THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES 
Form VAM-51 
12-5-41

[center] BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

[right side] Division of Veterans’ Administration Archives

Name Bigges or Biggs, Benjamin Grade Pvt. Line Maryland


WARRANT NUMBER s 12753 and 14116 ACREAGE    100      ISSUED March 25, 1795 to John Wright, assignee of Thomas Bigger or Biggs, administrator.

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of “Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800” which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.