Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9293, Simon Bright, N.C.

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Service: N.C Bright Simon Number: S.9293

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32.913 
North Carolina 
Simon Bright deed of [illegible] in the state of N.C. who was a private in the [illegible] commanded by Captain - of the Regt commanded by Col in the Revolution for [illegible] inscribed on the Roll of Tayetteville at the rate of 80 dollars 00 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day if March 1831. [illegible] 28 November 1835. Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of Dec 1857 and [illegible] arrears to the 4th of Present [illegible] $ 20:00 
{revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832} 
recorded by: [illegible] Clerk, Book: E vol. 6 1/2 Page: 47

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23.11.1
Simon Bright de?
N.B.
Oct I June '32 

[illegible]
in order to [illegible] the benefit of the act of [illegible] of the 7th June 1832 [illegible] person and arraign of pension

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Dieliratiow 
The order to [illegible] the benefit of the act of [illegible] of the 7th June 1832 [illegible] pension and arraign of pension in certain bases for revolutionary  service 

state of North Carolina Chalhom County | Dieluaton of Nancy Bright widow of Simon Bright aged forty eight years of makes the following the dieluation [illegible] oath in order to obtain the [illegible] of June 1832~ that [illegible] in the [illegible] of Simon Bright who was a solider of the revolution that he said [illegible] the said Simon Bright [illegible] months in the [illegible] line of North Carolina for [illegible]

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State of North Carolina Chatham County
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions

May Term 1845
It has been proved to the satisfaction of
the Court that Simon Bright a soldier of
the revolution departed this life in November
1835 & left a widow named Nancy
who is still the widow of the said Simon
Bright - The above is a true Copy
from the Minutes of the Court
-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand & affixed the seal of
office at Pitts borough 13th day
of Jan. AD. 1846
N. A. Stedman CCC

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State of North Carolina ⎬ On this thirteenth 
Chatham County
day of December, in the year of
eighteen hundred and forty five Henry T Bright
aged thirty years old personally appeared before the subscriber an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County who being first duly sworn according to Law upon his oath deposeth and sayeth as follows (lowest) that he is the son of Simon and Nancy Bright the present applicant for the pension that was due the said Simon Bright at the time of his death and he further sayeth that Nancy Bright the present applicant is the Identical person she represents herself to be in her Declaration and he further sayeth that his said father Simon Bright made application for his pension in his life time and that this deponent went to the County of Granville and took the deposition of Shadrick Owen who stated in his deposition that he was in the [ ? ] and a messmate with the said Simon Bright and also stated that he himself had established his claim and 
his pension- this deponent further sayeth that he did not at that time know that the seal of the Clerk of the County Court was necessary to complete the deposition and returned home without it and as he understands and believes they were sent on to the loan Department in the situation, and that the papers are therefore with drawn afterwords for the purpose of being properly authenticated and completed and he further sayeth that he believes that after the papers were Completed and prepared to return to the loan Department and the loan departed in the office at Pittsburgh and have not been heard from see and he further sayeth that Nancy Bright the present applicant still remains the widow of the said Simon Bright and resides in the County of Chatham and at the same place where her said Husband died at - Sworn to and subscribed before me the year and day after written I certify that Henry T Bright is a credible witness
Henry T Bright
Geo Luther

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Rev War
9293
INVALID
File No. 9293
Simon Bright
Priv Rev War
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: Vol. 1, Page 46
[Arrangement of 1870.]

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J. E. Heath Esq, Com. Pensions
Letter to Hon. W.P. Marquin 6.May 1866
"to Geo. Luther, Nov '46
Same May 28/51
J.L. Edwards July 8/51
J.L. Edwards July 22/57

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA,
OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE.
I WILLIAM HILL, Secretary of State, in and for the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify, that it appears from the muster-rolls of the Continental line of this State, in the Revolutionary War, that Simon Bright a private Soldier in Capt. Coleman's Company of the 10th Regiment, entered the service on the 1st day of January 1782 for the term of twelve month and that be nothing more is said of him on said rolls
---
Given under my hand this 11th
day of December 1844
W. Hill Secretary
State of North Carolina
Office of Secretary of State
I William Hill Secretary of State in and for the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that the name of Simon Bright does not appear on the muster rolls of the Continental line of this State in the revolutionary war but once
Given under my hand this
11th day of November 1845.
W Hill Secretary
of State

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32913
North Carolina
Simon Bright [illegible[ of Chatham Co. in the State of N.C. who was a private in the Company commanded by Capt ---- of the Regi. commanded by ---- in the Revolution line for 8 months
N.C. Line Record's completed. Dec. 12/04
Inscribed on the Roll of Fayetteville of the rate of 211 dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 & ending November 28th 1835.
Certificate of pension issued the 23d day of August 1851 and sent to Edwards & Smith
Arrears to the 4th of Present
Semi-annual allowance ending
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by H.R. Weightman Clerk,
Book E2 Vol. 6 1/2 Page 47

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J.L. Edwards [illegible] letter to the Commissioner in the case of Nancy Bright
The letter has been answered & then be filed among the papers.

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PO 23161
Simon Bright
Dec [illegible]
N.C.
Act of June 7th '32
Alld
2 years priv. $80.00
to com. Mar.4.1831 and end Nov.28.1835
Nancy Bright
widow of Simon Bright
Edwards & Smith
Washington

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Mr. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions

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April 30th 1844. Senate Chamber
To the Comm. of Pensions
Sir,
The accompanying papers were sent to my care to be delivered to W. Stedman, as the superscription shews. He has never called.
I have not examined them further than to see that they are in reference to a pension.
Will you have the examined, [illegible] me of the results.
Yr. Obt. Sert. J. Morgan

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1. July 1851
Jas L. Edwards
7 July 1851.
Letter to Edwards

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Washington July 1, 1857
Sir,
I respectfully request that you will
review the case of Nancy Bright, widow of
Simon Bright, who served in the North-
Carolina Militia during the revolution.
Her claim is for the amount of pension due
her said husband at the time of his death
the Books of the Comptroller of North Carolina
show very clearly that Bright received
at different periods upwards of an
hundred pounds for his service; But the
claim has been rejected on the ground that
all the payments referred to should be credited
to another man named Simon Bright
who was pensioned in September 1833.
While I commend the caution of the Clerk
who examined the claim of Nandy Bright,
permit me to say that he fell into an error in supposing that the payments were made
to the Simon Bright who was pensioned in 1833, that man was a soldier in the North Carolina Continental line; for such service only he asserted his claim, and for such service alone he was allowed a pension.
It will be seen by an examination of his case that he alleges service of one year in the North Carolina

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Continental line, and for that years service
he drew a pension of $40 per annum,
Nothing can be clearer than this. He was one
year a regular soldier, and for that service
alone he claimed and drew a pension,
The simple fact that the proof in Nancy Brights case embraces proof of service of 12 months
in the North Carolina line proves nothing
against her claim. The Executive Officers in
North Carolina, furnished all the evidence
in the Office on the application made to them
and left it to the claimant or her agent to
determine what portion of the service was
performed by her husband. There can be
no doubt in the mind of any unprejudiced
person that the claim is legal and just
She is shown to be the widow of Simon Bright
who was a soldier of the North Carolina
militia, and that the service is long enough to
bring the care under the law is equally clear from the amount he received
I understand that an objection has been made
in the Office that the sums received were too
large to have been received for militia service,
This is a great mistake, It will be perceived
by examining the printed list of payments made at Hillsborough and Halifax, N.C. that militia men drew very considerable sum for their service

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If I were not fully persuaded that this was a good claim I would have nothing to do with it. I will advocate no claim in
your office which I would not have allowed upon satisfactory proof, when I was commissioner of Pensions, agree with the 3 Auditor that there are numerous fraudulent claims against the Departments, I have had ample opportunities of knowing the fact to be so but there are some fair claims, and I believe Nancy Bright to be one of this description,
I am respectfully
Your Obt Sert
J. L. Edwards
James E. Heath Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions

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Raleigh NC
Dec 22 1845
[illegible]of Collins Comptroller of Public [illegible] and for the State of North Caorlina do certify that the name of Simon Bright [illegible] of Record in this office as having received the following payments in [illegible] [illegible] for military service (viz) one for seven [illegible] six shillings ($7.6) See Book 180 page 30 [illegible] [illegible] three pounds nineteen shillings and [illegible] [illegible] ($3.19.2) See Book 175 page 4. The [illegible] two payments is expressed for militia service  [illegible] also: appear in Book G No13 page 54 that [illegible] also received a payment in Certificates for Fifty Two Pounds ($52) given under my hand and seal this the day and date above written. 
Wm. Collins [illegible]

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Copy
"Pension Office
22 Jul 1851
Gentlemen,
Your letter of the 19 inst, enclosing a Certificate from the Comptroller of North Carolina, has been received. In the case of Simon Bright, the Certificate issued at specie valution for militia service amount to $46.37 1/2 and the currency Certificate for $52. "" may safely be estimated to cover one month more making eight in all. As the witnesses swear to eight months service,that term may be allowed as the case is now presented.
The date of Mr. Brights death however is not proved. This should be done by the Clergyman who officiated, by the coffin maker, or some one who kept a record of the date, or in failure of these, it should be certified by a Court of record, that the fact had been satisfactorily established.
Very Respectfully Yours (signed) J.E. Heath, Com.
[illegible] Smith & Edwards

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Washington, 20.Aug.1851
Sir,
We enclose herewith the proof of the death of Simon Bright, in compliance with your request of the 22 July.
In that letter you say that estimating the $52, currency payment to cover one month there are 8 months of service established for which a pension may be allowed.
We would respectfully request that the case may be taken up and disposed of without further delay.
But in relation to this $52, payment, the Comptroller of North Carolina informs us that the Books showing the dates of those payments are in the Pension Office, and we shall be much obliged if you will refer to them to ascertain the date of this payment, as we are confident that it will furnish evidence of much more than one months service. Indeed this payment was made after a settlement of the accounts of those soldiers, and the depreciation of the currency had been ascertained, and the amount paid was in legal currency at its fair value.
Very Repectfully Edwards & Smith
J.E. Heath Esq, Com. Pens.

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Washington 9 Dec, 1857
Sir,
Enclosed we hand you a supplemental certificate of the Comptroller of North Carolina as to the fact that the $52 payment to Simon Bright of the North Carolina Militia, was a specie payment & not currency. This payment was estimated by you in your letter of 22 July last, a copy of which is enclosed as a currency payment & allowed to cover but one months service. This with that previously allowed entitles the claimant to a full pension. We also return the Pension Certificate in the case & would respectfully request that as the case has been long delayed a new & corrected Certificate may be issued without further delay.
Very Respectfully Edwards & Smith
J.E. Heath Esq, Com. Pensions

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Washington 19 July 1851
Sir,
In the case of Nancy Bright widow of Simon Bright which on the 8th inst. you reported, I herewith enclose the certificate of the Comptroller of North Carolina, showing payments to said Bright of $70,11.2 all of which are certified to be for militia service, and $18.11.2, of which are specie payments.
The grounds of objection which you urge are that the certificates amounting to $102, are only specific military service & none of them were for specie value, and that the dates of the payments were not given. That the specie certificate amounting to $27.50 were issued for militia service which would not [illegible] four months in duration.
These seem to be the only objections in the report. We now furnish a certificate of specie payments for militia service, to the amount of $18.11, of $52, additional also for militia service. The specie payments alone show over six months service, but as here is positive evidence that this

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$52, payment was for militia service obviating the main objection of the report, it is foresumed there can be no further objection to its allowance.
It will be seen by refernce to the enclosed certificate of the Comptroller of N. Carolina, that the following payments were made for the militia service of Simon Bright. We could not apply to the case of Simon Bright who applied for and received a pension as a regular soldier in the Continental Army of the North Carolina line.
Book No. 180, page 31, $.7:6 specie for militia service
Book No. 175, page 4, 3:19:2 specie for militia service
Book No. 23, page 22, 7:6. specie for militia service
Book [illegible] No. 13, page 54, 52: _ _ Militia service
As this proof removes the objections set forth in your letter to me of the 8th inst, I presume that you can have no hesitation now in admitting the claim. You will very much oblige me if you will immediately act on it, as it has been a long time before the office, and should I think have been admitted at the first examination.
Very Repectfully, J.L. Edwards, on behalf of Edwards & Smith
J.E. Heath Esq, Com. of Pension

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Raleigh N.C.
Compt Office
Nov 24, 1850
I William F. Collins, Comptroller of Public Accounts in and for the State of North Carolina do hereby certify that the name of Simon Bright appears of record in this office as having had a certificate issued in his favor purporting to be for military service, for Twenty Five pounds ($25) as will appear in Book N.13. No12 page 47. Also another for Twenty five pounds see same book page 57. Given under my hand and seal the day above written.
Wm. F. Collins, Compt.

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State of North Carolina
Comptroller's Office
I, William J. Clarke, Comptroller of Public accounts in and for the State aforesaid do hereby certify that it appears of record in my office among the payments made by said State to sundry persons for military services in the Revolutionary war, that $52 (fifty two pounds) specie was paid to Simon Bright of North Carolina for military services.
This certificate is supplemental to the one heretofore given on the 27th of June last respecting said Simon Bright. I furthermore certify that said Simon Bright served in the militia.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 5th day of December A.D. 1851.
Wm. J. Clarke, Comptr.

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Washington 20.Apl.1852
Sir,
On the 26 of Aug last a pension certificate was issued to Nancy Bright widow of Simon Bright of N.C. for $26.66 per year from 4 March 1831 to 28.Nov, 1835, when her husband died, making a sum of $129.72 & sent to us.
On filing addl. evidence of service & returning the said Certificate, a new one was issued for a full pension $80. per year for the above time, making an aggregate of $378.50, as due the widow. This Certificate we forwarded to our agent, who now informs us that the pension agent in N.C. deducted the amount of the first certificate $129.72 from the second one of $378.50 & only paid him the balance.
As we returned the old certificate to the Pension Office when applying for the new one, without asking payment upon the old, the amt. allowed by it should not of course have been deducted from the new certificate, as nothing was paid on it. It never having passed out of our hands til we returned it to the Pension Office.

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We suppose therefore, there must have been an error in the second certificate in directing the pension agent to deduct the amount of the first certificate from the amt of the second, which could not have been paid because it had been returned to the department & never presented to the Pension agent.
In a letter from the Com of Pensions to George Luther he states that the amount allowed is $378. We would respectully ask that the pension agent be instructed to pay the claimant or her agent the $129.72  which has been thus erroneously deducted.
Very Respectfully, Your Obt. Servt. Edwards & Smith
J.E. Heath Esq, Com. Pens.

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Brief in the case of Simon Bright Dec. Chatham County and State of North Carolina act of June 7th 1832.
Claim, ("original")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. Record evidence Certificate of the Comptroller of North Carolina
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Edwards & Smith
Name and Residence of Agent.
Washington D.C.
F.H. Davidge
Examining Clerk.

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Case admitted
Doubt whether she is the widow
Simon Bright
N.6 at. 1832

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State of North Carolina, Chatham County
Know all men by these presents that I Nancy Bright of said county & state do hereby irrevrantly constitute and appoint William B. Scott of Washington City my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to examine any papers that may be on file in the pension office in relation to the claim of my husband Simon Bright for a pension as a Revolutionary soldier and to prosecute said claim hereby satisfying and confirming all that my said attorney may do by virtue of these presents. 
Test. R.W. Brown
Given under my hand & seal this 4th day of November 1852. Nancy Bright X - her mark Seal
State of Georgia, Lumpkin County
On this the 24th day of Nov 1852 personally appeard R.W. Brown whose statements are entitled to full credit & after being duly sworn states that he saw Nancy Bright make her mark to the above Power of Attorney for the purposes therein mentioned. Sworn to and subscribed before me the day above written. W.M. Varnum, N. Public, R.W. Brown

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Given under my hand and seal of office this the 24th day of Nov. 1852
W.M. Varnum N. Public
Case admitted
Doubt whether she is the widow
Simon Bright
N.6 at 1832

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Certificate of Court of N. Carolina [illegible] to Simon Bright
Edward + Smith

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State of North Carolina 
Comptroller's Office
June 27th. 1851.
I William J. Clarke Comptroller of Public Accounts in and for the State aforesaid do hereby certify that it appears of record in said office among the payments made by said State to sundry person for military services in the Revolutionary War, that the following payments were made to Simon Bright to wit: Book No.180 page 31 £7S6, specie for militia service
" " 175 " 4 £3S19.D2" . 
" No 23 " 22£7S6 "
" C" 13 " 54 £52
which payments appear to have been for militia services-
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name + affixed my seal of office the day and year first above written
Wm.J.Clarke Comptr.

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Raleigh 17th July 1851.
W. E. Jones Esqr.
Sir
In answer to your inquiries respecting the Milita of this State being in service in 1783, I can only say that I believe they were continued in service at that time for the protection of the frontiers, to keep the Indians and Tories from commiting depredations on the inhabitants of that part of the state. The [illegible] role, of the continual line shows, that the said line were not disbanded until after June 1783.
Yours respectfully
W,, Hill

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Payment to be made at Fayetteville. by James Huske Pn
Agent for paying pension=ers, in the Agency of North Carolina,
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E. Vol=ume 61/2 Page 47. by Clerk
H.R. Weightman

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Claim for Military Service
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, [crossed out] of the
Simon Bright accused State of North Carolina, who was a private in the Revolution, was entitled to a pension under Act 7. June 1832, and having died on the 28 November 1835, his widow Nancy Bright is entitled to the amount of the rate of twenty six, 66/100 dollars per annum, from [illegible] March 1831, to 28th November 1835, when he died.
Given at the Department of the Interior thus twenty third day of August one thousand eight hundred and [crossed out] forty fifty one
Will A Graham
Acting Secretary of the Interior.
JEHeath
Commissioner of Pensions
Examined and Countersigned

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State of North Carolina Chatham County 
On this the twenty first day of July one thousand eight hundred and forty four personally appeared before the subscriber an acting Justice of the peace in and for said county. Henry T Bright aged Twenty nine years old who being first and duly sworn in due form of Law whom his oath deporeth and sayeth that he is the son of Simon and Mary Bright the present appearent for the pension due Simon Bright a soldier of the Revolution and he whom his oath say that Mary Bright the present apparent in the [illegible] the represents herself to be in his Deoluation the widow of Simon Bright who was a soldier of the Revolution- and he further sayeth that his own knowledge he knows nothing of his fathers services, But that his father in his life prepared his Derlution for a person that he was at that time so disabled and unform that he could not personally attend to his own [illegible] and had to depend upon others to do it for him- that this deponant went for his father to the county of Granville and took the Deparetions of [illegible] Owen who was a Comisdo in arms with his father not knowing at that time that there was any documentary wisdom that he could [illegible] to [illegible] his claim and he further sayeth that his father had [illegible] or an agent who acted for him and thought he had Confirats no number of this family. Known what finally became of his papers whether they was sent to the pension office or not and he further sayeth that Mary Bright still [illegible] at the same place where her husband Died and state summons the widow of the said Simon Bright- sworn and taken unto before me the year and day first above written I certify that Henry T Bright is a credible witness 
Henry T Bright 
Geo Luther JP

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Nancy Bright 
Edward + Smith 
Power of Attorney
We devise to see the paper of Simon Bright ^or Nancy Bright his widow of either South or North Carolina, June 25 Edwards +Smith

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Know all men by these presents that I Nancy Bright widow of Simon Bright (who was a soldier of the Revolution) of the County of Chatham and state of North Carolina have constituted nominated and appointed and by these presents do contitute nominate appoint - The Honorable James L. Edwards & [illegible] Smith under the firm of Edwards & Smith of the City of Washington of District of Columbia my true and lawful attornies for me and in my name to prosecute my pension claim now in the pension office for Revolutionary services recorded by my said husband Simon Bright and to do all such matters and things in the [illegible] as to that [illegible] right and proper. I hereby ratifying and confirming what he was my said attornies may lawfully do in the premoses in as full and awful a manner as I could or would do was I personally present. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this 5th day of June 1851. Signed sealed and acknowledged in presence of Nancy Bright - her mark X
Test Charles Bright, W. Rives J.P.
State of North Carolina Chatham County
Be it known that Nancy Bright personally appeared before the subscriber an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be here [illegible] and did in testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 5th day of June 1851. W. Rives, J.P.
State of North Carolina Chatham County
Be it known that Nancy Bright personally appeared before the subscriber an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county and under oath in due form of law - that she is entrusted and she only person legally interested in the claim named in the foregoing power of attorney. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 5th day of June 1851. W. Rives J.P.
Nancy Bright - her mark X

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State of North Carolina, Chatham County
I, William P. Taylor Clerk of the county court [illegible] and for the county aforesaid certify that W.A. Rives [illegible] whose signature appear to the foregoing certificate is and was an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county at the time of signing the same, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony so hereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of office at office in Pittsborough the 5th day of June A.D. 1851.
W.P. Taylor, C.C.C.

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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 4th of July 1836 in favor of widow of the soldier of the Revolution.
State of North Carolina, Chatham County
On this 9th day of June 1845 Nancy Bright widow of Simon Bright who was a soldier of the revolution aged sixty eight years old personally appeared before the subscriber an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county (she being too infirm to [illegible] to count) upon her oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 4th of July 1836 and the several acts of Congress passed in favour of the [illegible] of soldiers of the revolution. That she is the widow of Simon Bright who was a soldier of the revolution. That her said husband entered the service as a private in the Continental Line on the 1st day of January 1782 and served [illegible] month that she understands and believes he also served a considerable time in militia. That her husband was an invalid and employed an agent to get his pension in his life time but soon after died and his papers have not since been heard of which they are in the war department or not. She does not know. That she must rely upon such other proof as she may be able to make in his case and claim what was due her said husband at the time of his death. That she married the aforesaid Simon Bright on the last day of September 1810 and that he died in November 1835 and that she still remains the widow of the said Simon Bright. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 9th day of June 1864. Geo Luther [illegible]
Nancy Bright - her mark X

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State of North Carolina, Chatham County
I, Nathan A. Stedman, Clerk of the Court of Pleas & quarter Legions for said county do hereby certify that George Luther whose name appears to the annexed declaration was acting Justice of the Peace for said county as therein expressed. That the signatures thereto are genuine and that full faith & credit are [illegible] his official acts as such.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and allixed my seal of office at Pittsbor this 27th day of August 1845. N.A. Stedman, C.C.C.
State of North Carolina, Chatham County
Court of Pleas & quarter legions May term 1845.
It has been proved to the satisfaction of the Court that Simon Bright a Soldier of the Revolution departed this life in November 1835 & left a widow named Nancy who is still the widow of the said Simon Bright.
I Nathan A. Stedman, Clerk of the Court of Pleas & quarter legions for Chatham County do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy from the records of said Court at its May term 1845.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office at Pittsborough August 27th 1845.
N.A. Stedman C.C.C
6560 Nancy Bright Aug. 9, 1836.

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[illegible] word 26
15 March 3 free
Honorable James E. Heath
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.
Widow of Simon Bright

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Haywood Chatham County [illegible] 15th March 1852
Honorable Jas E. Heath
Sir
I am some what perplexed with a case which I have had to attend to and wish information on the subject so as to set the matter right - the case is the widow of Simon Bright of Chatham County [illegible] some time during the last year the Edwards & Smith the Attornies in the case informed me that a certificate was issued for $26 66/000 per annum, which I declined to review untill the matter was finally [illegible] of in December last. They enformed me that the claim was allowed at $80 per annum and sent me the certificate amount to $348.50 subject to the deduction of the first certificate, which I never received and that amount deducted from the $378 50 less balance of $252-42 and charges $126-20 as having been paid - now what I wish to know is whether $252-42 is all that was intended to be allowed or $378 50 and if the $126-20 was ever paid as charged to have been done to whom it was paid. If the allowance at $80 per annum is the correct sum there is a balance due of $126.20 there is something in the case I do not understand and hope you will give me a satisfactory explaination in the matter as soon as possible.
Respectfully yours [illegible]
Geo Luther

Page 46

Simon Bright
N.C. 32
S Cole
Way 5
Honorable J.E. Heath
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City D.C.

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Haywood Chatham County NC 12th April 1852
Honorable J E Heath
Sir I was in hopes when the rule was adopted requiring claimants to have an authorized attorney to attend to their claims at the pension office, that much difficulty both to Claimants and to the Commissioner of Pension would be availed, but in this expectation so fare as I have had the misfortune to try the experiment I have been sadly disappointed. [illegible] a case of long standing in which I engaged the services of Edwards and Smith - by way of experiment and instead of getting the claim speedily adjusted I found that the object in [illegible] was to raise points to quibble on and mistify the case as much as possible in order to have a plea to [illegible] me with extravagant commissions. The case aluded to is the case of Simon Brights widow in September last they wrote me a letter stating that if I would send them $25.00 they would send me a certifcate in  Mrs. Brights case for $129.79 and that Thomas Huske would pay the money on the certificate and when I furnished the date of the $52 payment a at the same time they stated that the sum they charged me was much lower than there usual charge. I declined their offer the letter contained so much hypocritical [illegible] that I fell disgusted at it. There was then a three months [illegible] carried on with myself and the Comptroler without letting either the comptroler or me know what the object was untill I conjectured that it must be to asertain what kind of currency it was paid in. I went to the Controler and asertained from him that his Books showed that and that the $52 was a [illegible] payment. On forwarding the comptroller in December last Edward & Smith sent me a statement that they had got the pention allowed at $80 per annum amounting to $378-50 and on my sending them $56.77 they would forward me a certificate for that amount. I sent the money and hear their receipt for the same they sent me the certificate last [illegible] subject to the deduction of the first one the first one amounting to $126-20 this amount deducted from the last left $252-42 which is all that has been received. I sent immediately to them for the first certificate. They state to me that they returned the first certificate to you when the second was issued. Now it cant be believed that James L. Edward was ignorent

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of the fact that the whole amount of the pension could not be drawn with the certificates. Now if the fact be so that the certificate issued in August last for $36 66/000 has been returned and is in the pension office, I hope you will forward it to me. I have paid Edwards & Smith 15 percent commission on it and that aught to satisfy honest men if I cant get the certificate if it is withheld any longer I shall advise the claimant to file an affidavit stating the fact and get his money in that way. I had a high opinion of Mr. Edwards and placed the utmost confidence in his honor honesty and capability to discharge his duty in any claims intrusted to his [illegible] & I must think he does not pay his personal attention to the business but leaves it to the management of those who are not scrupelous of what they do. So are as I have had the misfortune of an acquaintance with their mode of transacting business with all the charity I have at command I am [illegible] to say it has had more the appearance of swindeling than a fair business transaction. I hope you will examine the registers Book and see the certificate allowed in December there you will see the [illegible] of the one issued in August before the money can be drawn unless the claimant is driven to the [illegible] of showing by [illegible] that her certificate is unlawfully withheld from her. Your immediate attention to the subject is earnestly requested and I hope to get the matter closed for it has so fare been a Darke case in spite of its name.
Respectfully yours [illegible] Geo Luther

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State of North Carolina, Chatham County
This day Joseph Bynum aged forty four years old personally appeared before this subscriber an "acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county who being first duly sworn according to law upon his oath deposeth and sayeth that he is the son of Marke Bynum who was the magistrate that married Simon Bright to Nancy his wife who is now a widow. That his father Marke Bynum was a magistrate at that time and remained in office until the day of his death and he further sayeth that he has a very distinct recollection of the matter that that he was going to school at the time and that his father [illegible] this deponant the marriage [illegible] for a thumb paper after the marriage was [illegible]. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13th day of February 1846. I certify that Joseph Bynum who makes this afidavit is a highly creditable witness and a member of the county court. J.Bynum
George Luther JP

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$125
Simon Bright
Act 7 June 1832
North Carolina
Suspended

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POWER OF ATTORNEY.
State of North Carolina
County of Chatham ss:
Be it known that before the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace personally appeared Nancy Bright aged seventy five years, who, being duly cautioned and then sworn in due form of law, states, that she is the widdow of Simon Bright, decd. who was an applicant for a pension and that she believes that she is entitled to whatever is due, and that the United States are still indebted to her, under the laws of Congress, for the pension that was due Simon Bright and that for the purpose of investigating and establishing her claims as aforesaid, she does appoint Tully R. Wise, of Washington, D.C., her true and lawful attorney with irrevocable powers, to examine all papers on file, and to do whatever she might do were she personally present to establish her claim.
In witness whereof, I have on this 17th day Feb 1853 hereunto signed my name, and affixed my seal. Nancy Bright - her mark X
Witness: Charles Bright
Witness: John B. Bright
Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me; and I further certify, that she has always by the community been known as the widdow of Simon Bright.
Dated on this 17th day of Feb WA Rives J.P.
State of N. Carolina, County of Chatham to wit:
I hereby certify, that William A. Rives Esq., before whom the foregoing power of attorney was made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature above written is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of Chathan, this 5th day of March one thousand eight fifty three. W.P. Taylor Clerk.
*State whether an applicant or a pensioner.

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Feb 20th 51
allowed
Addl Evi in case of Nancy Bright
Honorable
J.L. Edwards 
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Is the [illegible] and attention of the Hon. A.W. Venable

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Marthas Vineyard Chatham County NC 27th Nov 1850
Dear Sir
I by leave to call your attention to the case of Nancy Bright widow of Simon Bright. Mr. Bright was for some time before his death unable to leave home or attend to his business and got a man to prepare the papers in his claim, but it seems they never reached the pension office.  After his death the widow applied to me to attend to it for her and she informed me that her husband resided in Granville county during the Revolution and that he had proved his services by Frederick Owen and Shedrick Owen that they were the only men living that he could find and they they were both on the pension list - on enquire I was informed that both these men had left Granville for the west. I was informed that Jacob Byrum had also served with him who states that he served with him 5 months in South Carolina. I then examined the Secretarys office and found the name on the Continental line suffering it to be the same, but was afterwords informed that that men needed in Columbus County. I also applied to the Comptroler to see if I could find any evidence there and was informed that as soon as the Books [illegible] be properly indexed I could be informed. In the mean time NA Stedman the Clerk of the Court and his corrupt asociates commenced [illegible] holding up my papers in pension claims, and I could not tell where the fault lay. I stoped making any further enquires. Last week I was in the comptrolers offices and was informed by him that he had found several of the names that I had enquired for several years ago, some of which other agents had undertaken and applied for certificates - amongst others the name of Simon Bright for which he gave me a certificate which is herewith enclosed and which I hope will be satisfactory. The widow is from and has been hard times her husband was affected with Rhumatism from [illegible] in the serves which for several years in the latter part of his life disabled him from labour and to this the [illegible] your a large [illegible] of country assisted her has not made suport in [illegible] of the [illegible] and should her claim be personally determined and I verily believe it to be as just a claim as has been presented to the department it will prove a godsend to her.
I am Respecfully your obt. Serv.Geo Luther
Honorable James L Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions

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In Nancy Brights applin. for a Pension
Proof of date of death of husband Simon Bright
WP Taylor C.C.C.

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State of North Carolina Chatham County
On this day Joel Elkins aged thirty four years old and a respectable and creditable witness personally appeared before the subscriber and acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county and authorized to administer oaths - who being first duly sworn according to law upon his oath deposeth and sayeth that he was personally acquainted with Simon Bright in his life time and was at his funeral and that to the best of his knowledge Simon Bright died on the twenty eighth day of November eighteen hundred and thirty five. This deponent further saith that he was [illegible] to at the burying of Simon Bright to engrave the date of Simon Bright death on the head stone of his grave which he did. That his Elkins is father was the stone cutter and his deponant the engraver that he engraved on the day Bright was buried on in a few days after and that he can confidently say that Simon Bright died on the 28th day of November 1835. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 31st day of July 1851. Joel A Elkins
Attest G.W. Goldston JP

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State of North Carolina}
Chatham County}

I William P Taylor Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & Quarter sessions in and for the said county do hereby certify that George W Goldston whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit is and was an acting Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid at the time of assigning the same and the signature appears to be in his own proper hand writing and that full faith and credit are due of his official acts as such.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of office at Pittsboro July 31st AD 1859.

WP Taylor C.C.C.

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State of North Carolina Chatham County
On this day Jacob Byrum aged eighty years old personally appeared before the subscriber an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County who being first duly sworn according to law upon his oath deposeth and sayeth that he was well acquainted with Simon Bright in the time of the revolutionary war. That he served five months with him in the army in South Carolina that Simon Brighte was from Granville County and was commanded as well as he now recollects by Captain Gill. That that Chatham Granville Orange and Caswell County formed a military district and a Regiment. Captain Gill was from Granville Captain Johnson from Chatham Captain White from Caswell and Captain Chambers from Orange and Col Taylor from Granville these were the officers that commanded and he further sayeth that Simon Brighte was the brother of Isaac Brighte whos deposition has been taken in this case and he further sayeth that he has always understood and believes that Simon Brighte served a considerable time both in the militia and in the Continental Line but this he does not know of his own knowledge. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 5th day of January 1846. I certify that Jacob Byrum who makes the above afidavit is a Revolutionary pensioner and a creditable witness. Geo Luther JP
Jacob Byrum - his mark X

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6561 6560
Sept 2, 1845
Nancy Bright & Martha Seymour
Jul 4 1836
Nancy Bright widow of Simon NC
Act 4 July 1836
Rejected
Hon. James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Stamp - Pittsboro NC Aug 30

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Pittsborough 30th August 1845
Sir
I herewith enclose you the claims of Nancy Bright and James Seymore which I shall be glad to hear from them as soon they are expensed please adress me at Marthas Vineyard Chatham County.
Yours Respectfully Geo Luther
Honorable james L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions

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State of North Carolina, Chatham County
This day Abner Brown aged forty eight years old personally apeared before me one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for said county - who being first duly sworn according to law upon his oath deposeth and sayeth that Nancy Bright the applicant for his husbands pension is his sortie that she is the person she represents herself to be in her Declaration. The evidence of Simon Bright who was a soldier of the Revolution and he further sayeth that he was present and saw her married to her said husband. That the marriage was at the House of this deponent and Nancy Brights mother and that they were married by Mark Bynum who was a magistrate. The date of the marriage he does not recollect. But from the best calculation he can make it was about the time she states for he thinks he was about twelve years old at the time. The marriage took place and that there has never been any reason to doubt the legality of the marriage. Simon Bright received his share of his wifes from her fathers estate as her lawful husband and she has taken his claim in her estate same his death that his children have taken his estate as lawful heirs. Sworn to and subscribed before me the 29th day of January 1846. Abner Brown
Certify that Abner Brown is a creditable witness. Geo Luther JP

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State of North Carolina, Chatham County
This day John Horton aged fifty six years old personally appeared before the subscriber an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county who being first duly sworn according to law upon his oath deposeth and sayeth that he was not at the marriage of Simon and Nancy Bright but that he was in the neighborhood and saw persons the next day who informed him that the marriage had taken place and that in a few days afterwards he saw Mark Bynum the magistrate who married them and heard him speak of it and he further sayeth that from the circumstances of his having removed from North Hampton County to Chatham County to Chatham County in the year eighteen hundred and eight and where he lived in eighteen hundred and nine and when he was living in eighteen hundred and ten the year the marriage took place he is convinced the marriage to place in eighteen hundred and ten. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 29th day of January 1846. John Horton
I certify that John Horton is a creditable witness. Geo Luther JP

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Nov 4, 1846
[illegible] by case Simon Bright
Admisible
Mathas Vineyard Chatham County NC 23 October 1846 } 10
James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington City

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Marthas Vineyard Chatham County NC 28th October 1846
Sir
I herewith send you additional proof in the case of Simon Bright. My own bad health and that of the community at large has caused the delay. In this case when I commenced it I went to the State Department and Comptrolers office and found the name in both the evidence had no personal knowlege of the services and no other name of the same appearing. It was thought that he was the man. But if appears that there was a man of the same name in Columbus County who claimed for the 12 months in the Continental Line and that Simon Bright of Granville and afterward of Chatham only served 8 months in the militia which is all we found and all we claim. Isaac Bright the present  resides some times in Wake County and some times in Chatham. He lives with his children. I went to see him in Wake and took notes of what he stated and drew his deposition. When he came to Chatham where his fathers family record was he found he was mistaken as to his age that he was born in 1764 which makes him 82 instead of 77 years old which is so  and thus mistaken the name of his elder brother and Rob Richard instead of Robert which was also corrected before it was sworn to and subscribed. I was too feeble at the time to transcibe it. I hope to get the result of the decision on the base as soon as possible. Respectfully yours Geo Luther
Hon. James L Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions

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State of North Carolina, Chatham County
On this day Isaac Bright aged eighty two years old personally before the subscriber an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county aforesaid - who being first duly sworn in due form of law upon his oath deposeth and sayeth that he is a brother of Simon Bright who was a soldier of the Revolution. He further sayeth that during the revolution the whole family resided in the County of Granville North Carolina and he further sayeth that he very distinctly recollects that that in the time of the revolutionary war his oldest brother Robert Bright was drafted to go to South Carolina for a tour of five months and that his brother Roberts wife was in a delicate state of health at the time and it was not thought safe for him to go and he further sayeth that Simon Bright his brother who was a single man went a substitute for his brother Robert and served his time out and he he further sayeth that he recollects that Simon Bright and Jacob Byrum went and returned together from the servis and he thinks but is not positive that either Frederick or Shadrick Owens went at the same time. And he further sayeth that not long after Simon Bright returned home he was drafted himself to serve a three months tour that he went into the servis and served his time out that as well as he recollects either one or both of the Mrs Owens served with him again. The time or dates of his servis he cannot recollect but thinks the last time of his servis was about the time Cornwallis marched through the state for for he recollects hearing his brother [illegible] the park unless of one hard battle he fights in and he thinks but cant now positively say but his present confussion is that it was the Battle of Guilferd. That there was several bullet holes in his cloths and hat that he received in the battle and had his skin grazed in several places by the balls. This is all that he now recollects

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about his brothers services. He further sayeth that he thinks he was about fourteen or fifteen years old at the time his brother Simon Bright went into the servis - that he himself was not old enough to go into the servis untill about the close of the war. And he further sayeth that Nancy Bright the present applicant is the identical person she represents herself to be the widow of Simon Bright who was a soldier of the revolution. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 22d day of October 1846. 
{The word eighty two aged [illegible] substitued before signed. Isaac Bright - his mark X
Certify that Isaac Bright is a creditable witness. Geo Luther JP
State of North Carolina, Chatham County
I Nathan A. Stedman Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter sessions for Chatham County, do hereby certify that George Luther whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit is an acting Justice of the Peace for said county, and that his signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of office at Pittsborough 24th day of October A.D. 1846. N.A. Stedman C.C.C.