Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7113, Thomas Epperson, Va.

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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[3-1776]

SERVICE
Va.

Epperson, Thomas
Martha 

NUMBER
W. 7113.

CONTENTS

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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

2989 Virginia

Martha Epperson
widow of Thomas Epperson dec.d [deceased]
who died on the - - 1805, - -  
Charlotte Co. in the State of Virginia 
who was a Lieut. in the [blank] commanded by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded by [blank] in the Va militia line for 9 months. 

Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond at the rate of 120 Dollars -- Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of Augt [August] 1839, & sent to W J B Bedford, Charlotte C. H. Virginia 

Arrears to the 4th of Mar [March] 1839 $960.00 
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep [September] 39 [1839] 60.00 
$1020.00 

{Revolutionary Claim,} 
{Act July 4, 1836,}
{Section the 3 cl.} 

Recorded by D. M. Curdy, Clerk 
Book A Vol. 2 Page 156

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4457
V Declaration of 
"Martha Epperson"
for Pension
Under act 4th July, 1836 -
Married 1778
died 1805
Allow 9 mo. Lieut.
of Va. Militia
$120 per an.

Wm J B Bedford
Charlotte C. Ho.
Va.

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Declaration 
In order to obtain the benefit of the Third Section of the Act of Congress of the 4th July, 1836 - 

State of Virginia: Charlotte County to wit: 
On this 10th day of December, 1838, personally appeared before me [Wyatt Cardwell] a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, Martha Epperson, a resident of Charlotte County, State of Virginia, aged 80 years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4th 1836 – 
That she is the widow of Thomas Epperson late of Charlotte County, Virginia, who was a Lieutenant in the Militia service of Virginia, in the War of the Revolution and that from bodily infirmity, old age, and the consequent loss of memory, she cannot at this period of life, recollect distinctly, or relate the particulars of her late husbands services in the old war. She recollects, however, that after her marriage to him, which was in the month of July 1778, he was drafted several times in the Militia, and held the commission of Lieutenant in the Army, and marched to Richmond in Virginia, Guilford, North Carolina, and other places not recollected – and during his absences, she was left alone, to scuffle for herself, the best she could – 
That he was engaged in the battle of Guilfords [Guilford Courthouse NC, 15 Mar 1781], and other battles, the names of which she has forgot. She knows that the marriage took place,

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before the last term of her husbands service expired – and that she has never married since his death. How long he continued in service altogether she is unable to state precisely; but believes he was in actual service as long as nine months. For particulars of service, grade, line and Regiment to which he belonged, officers commanding &c &c she begs leave to refer to the Army Records of the period, and the accompanying certification of old soldiers –
She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Epperson, on the 20th day of July, 1778: that her husband, the aforesaid Thomas Epperson, died on the [blank] day of August 1805: and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed – 
Martha [her X mark] Epperson

sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me – 
Wyatt Cardwell J P 

Virginia. Charlotte County to wit: 
I do hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with Martha Epperson the widow of the above named Thomas Epperson, and know for my own personal knowledge, that she is very old and feeble, and cannot attend the County Court of Charlotte, from bodily infirmity, in order to make the foregoing declaration in open court I also,

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= further certify, that she is a credible person, and her statement entitled to full confidence – 
Given under my hand this 10th day of December, 1838 – 
Wyatt Cardwell J P 

Virginia. Charlotte County to wit: 
I Wyatt Cardwell an acting Justice of the peace in the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Thomas Epperson late of Charlotte, departed this life sometime in the month of August, 1805: 
Given under my hand this 10th day of December, 1838 – 
Wyatt Cardwell

Virginia, At a Court held for Charlotte County the day of January 1839.-- On this the declaration of Martha Epperson of Charlotte, for a pension under act of Congress passed 4th July 1836 with the accompanying documents and evidence was produced in Court and the same read and fully explained to the satisfaction of the Court - ordered that the said declaration and accompanying documents & evidence be certified by the Clerk to the war department

Virginia, Charlotte County towit:
I Wimslord Robinson Clerk of the County Court of the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true Copy of an order of the said Court, from the records

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of my office, and I further certify that Wyatt Cardwell and John Harvey are acting Justices of the peace in and for the said County, duly commissioned and qualified and that their signature annexed purporting to be theirs are genuine – 
Given under my hand and the seal of my Office this 11th day of February 1839
Wimlord Robinson

[seal with ribbons] [impression of another document, backwards]

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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

Own
In reply to your request of Aug. 24., received Aug. 24, 1910. for a statement of the military history of Thomas Epperson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in [crossed out - his (or] his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. W. of ctf. 7113.

[column headings:  DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. COLONEL. STATE.]
1780 3 mos. Lt. [Captain] Harvey Va.
1780 3 mos. Lt. [Captain]Williams
1781 3 mos. Lt. [Captain] Harvey

Battles engaged in, Gates Defeat; Guilford Mch. [March] 1781
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [check mark]
Date of application for pension, Dec. 10, 1838; Her claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Charlotte Co. Va.
Age at date of application, 80 years
Remarks: He married July 20 1778 Martha, dau. [daughter] John Cardwell of Charlotte Co. Va.; and died Aug. 1805

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Free

J. L. Edwards esq 
"Commissioner of Pensions" Washington City

[written sideways] July 26 Va. Martha Epperson Dec. proof Act ’36 4457 April 17 Let 19 July

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Free
J. L. Edwards esq 
"Commissioner of Pensions" 
Washington City
 
[written sideways] July 26 Va. Martha Epperson Dec. proof Act ’36 4457 April 17 Let 19 July

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State of Virginia 
Charlotte Ct. House 
July 22d 1839 – 

Sir,

your letter in regard to the claim of Mrs. Martha Epperson dated 19th instant, has been decided - Enclosed you will find the certificate of the Clerk as desired. The date of his commission, I presume, can be only found in Richmond –
I hope however, the enclosed will fully answer the purposes of the Department without sending to Richmond – 
I am, Sir, very respectfully
your Most Obt Sert [obedient servant] &c
Wm J. B. Bedford 

J. L. Edward esq 
Commissioner of Pensions 
War Department -

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[typed form, with handwritten responses]

Revy WIDOW, &c.

File No. 7113

Martha Epperson
Wid.
Thos. Epperson
Lieut. Va. line

Act: July 4"/36. Sec. 3d

Index: --Vol. A, Page 219

[Arrangement of 1870.]

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1910 Aug. 30. Hist. to W. S. 
Epperson.  M. P. H.

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Mr. W.S. Epperson,
Greensboro,
N.C.
Personal inquiry
Aug 24 1910
Thomas Epperson
of VA. troops
wid. file 7113

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Va. 4457
Act 1836 __
Martha Epperson
widow of Thomas
________
Let to W.J. B. Bedford
19 July 1839 --

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State of Virginia 
Charlotte Ct. House 
April 13th 1839 –

Sir

I send you enclosed the Declaration, with accompanying papers of Mrs. Martha Epperson the widow of Thomas Epperson, deceased, late of Charlotte, who claims a Pension under the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836 - They are certified by order of Court –
So soon as this Department can act upon them, they will be pleased to report the result to me as the agent of Mrs. Epperson – 

I am Sir with much respect,
your Obt Sert [obedient servant] &c 
Wm J. B. Bedford 

J. L. Edwards esq 
“Comr [Commissioner] of Pensions” 
War Department

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Virginia: Charlotte County to wit: [15 Dec 1838] 
I William P. Hamlett [S13305] of Charlotte do hereby certify, that I was acquainted with Thomas Epperson late of Charlotte in the Revolutionary war, and know the fact, that he was a Lieutenant in Capt. Harvey’s company, and marched to North Carolina in the early part of 1781, and was engaged in the battle of Guilford. How long he served on this occasion, I am unable to say; but presume, that he served three months, as the militia were generally drafted for that length of time. These facts come within my personal knowledge, being at the battle of Guilford, and a soldier of the Revolution. I am in the 79th year of my age.
[signed] William P. Hamlett

Virginia. Charlotte County to wit:
This day William P. Hamlett came before me a Justice of the peace in the County and State aforesaid, and made oath that the above certificate contained the truth. I further certify, that he is a credible person, and his statement entitled to full confidence. Given under my hand this 15th day of December 1838 – 
Wyatt Cardwell J P

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Epperson Thomas 
[Second or Sworn] Lieutent [Lieutenant]

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Charlotte County Court 6th October 1777 
Thomas Epperson Gent. came into Court and produced his Commission to be Lieutenant in the Militia of said County which was read, and then the said Epperson took the oath of a Militia Officer as by law directed. 
[A Copy]
[Illegible] Wimlord Robinson

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Thomas Epperson's
Marra: [marriage] license
Bmd

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Know all men by these presents that we Thomas Epperson and William Askins and held and firmly bound unto the Governor of the Common Wealth of Virginia in the sum of fifty pounds Current money. To which payment well and truly to be made to one said Governor and his successors, we bind ourselves, our heirs & jointly and severally firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals and dated this 20th day of July 1778. The Condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there is a marriage suddenly intended to be solemnized between the above bound Thomas Epperson & Martha Cardwell daughter of John Cardwell of said County. 
If therefore there be no lawful cause to obstruct the said Marriage, then the above obligation to be void, else to remain of full force & virtue.
Thomas Epperson {seal}
William Askins {seal}
Teste Jos. Woods 

Virginia. Charlotte County Court towit:
I Wimlord Robinson Clerk of the County Court of the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true Copy of the original bond on file in my office. 
Given under my Hand and the seal of my office this 6th day of December 1838
Wimlord Robinson clk [clerk]

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State of Virginia: Charlotte County to wit: [9 Dec 1838] 
I do hereby certify, that I was acquainted with Thomas Epperson in the War of the Revolution; and know the fact, that he was a Lieutenant in the militia service at least nine months. That he first marched in the early part of 1780, to Norfolk, Virginia, under Capt. Harvey, as a Lieutenant in the Company, and served on that occasion three months. That in the same year, he was drafted again, as a Lieutenant, in Capt. Williams’ company for three months, marched to the South, and was engaged in the battle of Camden [SC], fought in August, 1780 [16 Aug 1780]. He served then, three months. He was drafted the third time, for three months, as Lieutenant, under Capt. Harvey, and marched to North Carolina, and was engaged in the battle of Guilford in March, 1781. He served about three months. I have understood, that he was in other service, but do not recollect the particulars. These facts come within my personal knowledge, being in the service at the time, and a Waggon [Wagon] Master. [Thomas Harvey R4715] 
Thomas [his X mark] Harvey

Virginia: Charlotte County to wit: 
This day Thomas Harvey came before me a Justice of the peace and made oath to the above certificate according to law. I further certify, that he is a credible person, and his statement entitled to full confidence - Given under my hand this day of December 1838 – 
John Harvey JP