Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4400, William Witherford, Continental Va.

SERVICE
SERVICE Continental Va
Witherford William Mary
NUMBER _____
W. 4400
CONTENTS

Virginia 3179
Mary Withuford, widow of William Withuford, dec.
who died on the 31 January 1819. of Lunenburg in the State of Virginia who was a Sergeant in the Company commanded by Captain H. Hopkins of the regt commanded by Genl Green in the Virg a Cont t . line for 2 years.
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 17 day of Jany 1840, to Genl W. J. B. Bishop, Charlotte, G. H. Virginia
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 1839 $1020.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar ch 40 60.00 $1080.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d }
Recorded by D. M. Gandy Clerk, Book A. Vol. 2 Page 160.

4006 V Declaration of "Mary Witherspoon" for Pension - Va.
Surgeon's Voucher p. 318 under Act 4 th July, 1836.

Declaration -
In order to obtain the benefit of the Third Section of the act of Congress of the 4 th July, 1836 -
State of Virginia: Cumberland County to wit:
On this 26 th day of September, 1838, personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in and for the county and state aforesaid, Mary Withersford a resident of Cumberland county, Virginia, 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 4 th 1836: That she is the widow of William Withersford, deceased, who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution - That she knows very little as coming within her personal knowledge, respecting the services of her late husband in the Revolutionary war; but has always understood from him, and credible soldiers who served with him, and verily believe their statement to be correct, that in the county of Cumberland, he served in the Militia two Tours, of three months each , in the year 1777: That then he removed to the county of Cumberland, and whilst a resident of Cumberland county, and after the marriage of said William Withersford to said Mary Robertson, he enlisted under Capt. Hopkins, for the term of three years, in the Continental service, and marched to the south under General Greene, and served the said term faithfully, and was honorably discharged from service - For evidence of service, length of service, rank

in line, and other particulars of service, she refers to the Public Records of the Army, and the accompanying certificates of old soldiers who served with him — She recollects distinctly, that in October 1780, he enlisted in the Continental Service, and did not return home until about or near the time, peace was made —
She further declares that she was married by publication of banns to the said William Withersford on the 3 rd day of December, 1778; that her husband, the aforesaid William Withersford, died on the 31 st day of January, 1819 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed, and accompanying this declaration —
Mary Withersford
sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written —
George L. Bayn R.
Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:
I do hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with Mary Withersford, the above named widow of William Withersford, deceased, and know the fact, that she lives near fifteen miles from Lunenburg Ct. House and that she cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court to make the foregoing Declaration —

I farther certify, that she is a credible person and her statement entitled to full confidence - Gi- ven under my hand this 26 day of September, 1838 -
George L Bayn JP
Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:
I do hereby certify, that said William Withers- foord died in Lunenburg County on the 31 st day of January, 1819, as coming within my personal know- ledge -
Hillary Witherfoord
sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written -
George L Bayn JP
State of Virginia Lunenburg County ss. William H. Taylor Clerk of the County Court of the said County of Lunenburg do hereby certify, that George L Bayn Esq. who appears to be subscribed to the foregoing declaration of Mary Witherfoord, and to the certificate of Hillary W- therfoord is a magistrate as above, and that the signatures hereunto subscribed to be his are genuine. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said court this 29 day of September 1838
W m H. Taylor S

At a Court held for Lunenburg County the 13 th day of May 1839
On motion the declaration of Mary Wetherford of Lunenburg County Virginia with accompanying doc- uments and evidence for a pension under the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836 was presented in open Court and the whole papers read and fully explained to the entire satisfaction of the Court and the said declaration with the accompanying papers be certified to the War department
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court within this 13 th day of May 1839
W m H. Taylor

Virginia: Charlotte County to wit:
I Benjamin Evans do hereby certify, that I have been acquainted with William Witherford and Mary his wife, for the last sixty four years, and all their children; having lived in the same neighborhood with them - according to the best of my knowledge and recollection, the children of said William Witherford and Mary his wife, with their several ages, is as follows: Indith, the eldest child is about 60 years of age; Joseph, about 57; William, is about 55; Polly, is about 52; Josiah, is about 51; Jonas, is about 49; Tabitha and Peggy (Twins) are about 47; Ann, is about 44; Martha, is about 41; and Hillary the last child is about 39 - in all, making Eleven children - I honestly believe the above statement to be true and correct, from the circumstance that I kept a Register of my own children's ages, which vary but little from the ages of said Witherford's children -
Benjamin Evans
Virginia: Charlotte County to wit:
This day Benjamin Evans came before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, and subscribed 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 11th day of November, 1839 -
Joseph H. Robert J.P.

Virginia: Charlotte County to wit:
I Mary Robertson, do hereby certify, that for the last Seventy years, I have been acquainted with William Withersford and Mary his wife; was present at their marriage; and have lived in the same neighborhood ever since their marriage - I am also intimately acquainted with all their children; there being Eleven in Number - I do honestly believe, and know the facts that Judith the eldest child is about Sixty years of age - I further certify, that in regard to the ages of the balance of the children, as given by Mr. Benjamin Evans, whose certificate I have heard read, is all substantially true and correct -
her
Mary x Robertson mark
Virginia: Charlotte County to wit:
This day Mary Robertson came before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid and made oath to the above certificate subscribed by her, according to law - I further certify, that she is a credible person, and her statement entitled to full confidence - Given under my hand this 9th day of November, 1839 -
Joseph H. Roberts J. P.

Virginia, Charlotte County Court.
I William Robinson Clerk of the County Court of Charlotte in the State of Virginia do hereby Certify that Joseph H Robert whose name is signed to the foregoing Certificate to the affidavits of Benjamin Evans and Mary Robertson is an acting justice of the peace in and for the said County duly Commissioned and qualified, and that the signatures annexed to the said Certificate for so long to be his are genuine given under my hand the seal of my Office this 12th November 1839
William Robinson C

Rev  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 4400
Mary Witherford Wid.
Wm Witherford Sergt Arv. line
Act: July 4 th 86, Sec. 3 d
Index:—Vol. III , Page 338
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Mary Withersford, 4006
v a widow of Wm.
act 1836 - Let M. J. B. Red
ford 11 th July 1839 -
same Sept 24. 1839 - same
Nov 2 1839.

Cumberland to Ho Oct. 2 nd
123
William J P Bedford Esq. Charlotte Court House.
Va
6 1/2 19 60 34 681 22

Cumberland County Court Clerk's Office
October 2 nd 1838
Sir
Your letter dated the 27 th September 1838 has been received from which it appears that you wished to obtain a certified copy of the Marriage Register of William Weatherford to Mary Robertson and if that could not be found to send a Copy of the Marriage bonds. I have examined the register of Marriages recorded in my Office from the year 1781 up to the present time and also the Marriage bonds from that period up to the present time and find no register of marriage or bond as that above referred to. There is no register of marriage in my Office previous to the year 1781. It is probable that you may get a copy of the marriage register above referred to by application to the Clerk of Goochland as a great many papers were removed from this Office to Goochland Office when the Counties of Goochland & Cumberland were divided.
Yrs Very Respectfully
Miles Woodson

State of Virginia Charlotte Ct. House October 4 th 1839-
Sir,
You will find enclosed the Explanatory Declarations, with accompanying evidence, of "Mrs Mary Withford" and "Mrs Mary Robertson" referred to in your letter of the 11 th July last. The purport of the same was enclosed to you on the 16 th July last; but from your letter of recent date (Sept. 24 th ) none such papers have been received - at your Department -
As the enclosed papers are executed before the same Justice of the peace formerly certified by the Clerk under seal of office, and you can readily perceive it to be the same hand writing, I have thought it unnecessary to put the parties to additional cost - I hope they will prove satisfactory -
I am, Sir, very respectfully your Obedt. Servt &c W m L. B. Bedford
L. L. Edwards Esqr Commissioner of Pensions -

State of Virginia Charlotte C. House
Novr 13 th 1839-
Sir,
I have received your letter of the 2 d Novr 1839, respecting the claim of Mrs Mary Withersford, widow of William Withers- ford, deceased. The evidence requested in that letter, is herewith enclosed, which I hope will answer the wishes of the Department-
very respectfully
your Obedt Servt &c
Wm J. B. Bedford
L. L. Edwards CSg
Commissioner of Pensions -
War Department -

State of Virginia Charlotte Ct. House September 21 st 1839.
Sir,
On the 16 th of July last, I enclosed to you as Commissioner of Pensions the amended declarations of Mrs. Mary Witherspoon and Mrs. Mary Robertson; since which, I have heard no- thing in regard to either claim - I hope the papers in each case, reached you in safety - The Pension Certificate of Mrs. Martha Brown referred to in a former letter, has come to hand -
I am, Sir, very respectfully your Obedt. Servt &c Wm J. B. Bedford
L. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions -

Mary Witherford Wid of William vs
Ad July 4. 1836
Marmaduke
died 1879
Allow 2 nd Sergeant
$120 per ann
from 1 st March 4. 1837
vs Cont roll p 378
Capt Hopkins
W B Bedford Charlotte Co. H vs

Depart of War Pension Office Jan y 1840.
Sir
It is alleged that William Witherspoon enlisted for 3 yrs as a private in 1780,

B.C. eff.
Goodland single 6 Oct 10 # 18383
12 1/2 c
William J. B. Bedford esq. Atto. at law,
Charlotte C.H. Va.
Mail.

Goochland Clerk's Office
12 th Oct. 1838.
Dear Sir,
As requested by your note of the 6 th I have examined this Office and find no bond or other evidence here of the marriage of Mr. Weatherford to Mary Robertson, if any exists it must from what you write be in Cumberland county, as that county was taken from this long before the year 1776; the Clerk of Cumberland must be mistaken in supposing papers to be removed from that Office to this on the division of the counties this is much the oldest county and Cumberland was taken from this about the year 1748, consequently had no papers to remove here, & I am certain that I never have seen any that came from that Office to this -
I believe marriages in those days were more frequent under publication of banns and I think I have been told that our Parish Parsons, or the vestry registered marriages, of this I cannot speak with certainty - I presume you will find much difficulty in proving marriages before or during the Revolutionary war, the only chance I believe almost by living testimony of that day, which is hard to find at this day -
Yours Resp y
Wm. Miller, C lk

Virginia - Lunenburg County to wit:
I Benjamin Evans do hereby certify that I was well acquainted with William Withersford and Mary his wife, in the Revolutionary war; and know that they were married during the Revolutionary war, and before the expiration of said William Withersford's last period of service - That he enlisted in the continental service in October, 1780, I well recollect; and that he marched to the South under General Green, and did not return home until about, or near the time, Peace was made - I have always understood, that he served two terms of duty in the Militia service from Cumberland County, each for three months, before he married, and moved to the County of Lunenburg - He married in Cumberland County - I further certify, that the Mary Withersford, the widow, is still alive resident in Lunenburg County, and has remained a widow ever since the death of said William Withersford -
Benjamin Evans
Virginia. Lunenburg County to wit:
This day Benjamin Evans came before me a Justice of the peace in the County aforesaid, and made oath that the foregoing statement contained the truth, to the best of his knowledge and recollection - I further certify, that he is a credible person and his statement entitled to full confidence - Given under my hand this 26 day of September, 1838 - George L Bayn JP

State of Virginia Cumberland County Set
Witnesseth that Taylor Clerk of the county court of Cumberland in the state of Virginia do hereby certify that George A. Payne who hath given the preceding certificate as a magistrate in and for the said county and that the signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and annexed the seal of the said Court this 29 day of September 1838
W. H. Taylor

Explanatory Declaration of Mary Withford -

Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:
This day Mary Witherford, widow of William Witherford, deceased, came before me a Justice of the peace in and for said County, and made the following explanatory declaration under oath according to law, in order to obtain a Pension under the Act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836 - She states, that she married the said William Witherford in Cumberland County (now called) on the 3 rd day of December 1778, by Parson M c Cray of the Episcopal Church, by the publication of banns, according to the rites and ceremonies of that Church - That she has kept no Family Register - That she always understood from her husband in his life time, that he was merely a private soldier of Infantry, both in the Militia and Regular service in the War of the Revolution - That for some time before his death, he was in bad health, and mostly confined to his house and plantation, and rarely ever went abroad - That he died on the 31 st day of January, 1819, about nine months after the passage of the Act of Congress passed March 18 th 1818 - of which Act, she honestly believes, he never heard, - and if he did hear of it, his health was such, that he could not have attended to the prosecution of the claim - She moreover states, that he possessed in 1818, and at the time of his death, a good real and personal estate, sufficient to support him and his family comfortably, which would have excluded him from the benefit of that act - As to proof of all which, she refers to accompanying certificates of her neighbours &c
Mary her mark Witherford

sworn to and subscribed before me a Justice of the peace this 2 nd day of October 1839—
George L Bayn JP
Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:
This day Mary Robertson came before me and made oath that she was the sister of William Witherford who married the above named Mary Witherford, and applicant for a pension, and was present at their marriage, and know that they were legally married by Parson McClay of the Episcopal Church, by the publication of banns, in Cumberland County, about the 3 rd day of December, 1778, and that they lived as man and wife , and raised a large family of children, until the death of said William Witherford, — in 1819 —
Mary for Robertson
sworn to and subscribed this 2 nd day of October, 1839, before me — I further certify, that said Mary Robertson is a credible person, and her statement entitled to the utmost confidence — Given under my hand the date above mentioned —
George L Bayn JP
Virginia: Lunenburg County to wit:
This day Benjamin Evans came before me and made oath that according to his best recollec- tion, the said William Witherford was merely a private soldier of Infantry and served as he sta- ted in his former certificate — That about 1818, and the time of his death, the said Witherford

was in low health, and unable to travel much, and professed a real and personal estate worth from $ 5.000, to $ 6.000, dollars - That when the said Witherford, and wife, come to Linnunsburg, they were considered more than twice by all, and lived so to a good old age - They were married before the last period of his service expired to my certain knowledge - The eldest child of said Wm & Mary Witherford is at least 60 years of age at this time -
Benjamin Evans
sworn to and subscribed before me this 2 d day of October, 1839 - I further certify, that he is a credible person, and statement entitled to full confidence -
George L Bayn Jr.
Va: Linnunsburg County to wit:
I further certify, that living in the same neighbourhood, I have some acquaintance of the circumstances of said William Witherford, and think the estimate of his estate, as stated by Mr Evans is entirely correct - Given under my hand this 2 d day of October, 1839 -
George L Bayn Jr.

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Witherham, John GRADE Private LINE Pennsylvania
WARRANT NUMBER 10607 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED May 20, 1791 to Priscilla Davis, assignee
*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.