Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21,860, Henry Tyson, N.C.

SERVICE -
NUMBER
N. C.
Tyson, Henry Sarah
No. 21,860
CONTENTS

5247. D. Carolina Sarah Tyson dec. widow of Henry. — Tyson who died on the of N.C. in the State of S.C. who was a pri. of War in the commanded by Captain of the commanded by in the Rev. War line for D. G.
Inscribed on the Roll of Faysterville at the rate of $6 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 day of March, 1831 Ending 31 st Dec r 1844.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of Sept 1883 and sent to A. H. Markland
Arrears to the 4th of Semi-annual allowances ending
Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the
Recorded by N. C. Robinson Clerk, Book D Vol. 2 Page 381

Application of Arden Nichols for the Pension due to Sarah Tyson, widow of Henry Tyson, a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
8
6740
Sarah Tyson die N. 6.
Act. 4 July 36 3 years - N. 6. Line 6 mo Corp. 18 - pri.
Sarah Tyson died 31 July 44 Edy Nichols, only child
Act 4 th July 18 36.

State of North Carolina Pitt County
On the 25 th day of March 1846, personally appeared before me Marshall Dickinson one of the Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid, Samuel Vines of said County aged seventy one years, who being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says, in answer to questions as to Henry Tyson, a revolutionary soldier, his wife Sarah Tyson, their marriage, and children, and their ages and deaths, That as to their marriage I know nothing, but at my first acquaintance with them they lived together as man & wife and had children. I think one was a boy and rather deformed who was then eight or ten years old, and probably his name was Edmund, who I think died before he was fully grown, they had another child named Abner who was born after the above named one, and some years after, a daughter as I understood who has married Arden Nichols as I have heard, but this last one was born after I left the neighbourhood, and therefore I cannot speak positively as to her - I have some recollection of hearing of their loosing other children besides the above named, but whether they were boys or girls, or their ages I cannot say - When I was fourteen years old my father put me on a farm with a few hands to take care of myself, about eight miles westerly of Greenville in Pitt County, where I lived until 1802, when the latter part of the year, I moved to where I now live, further westerly. Henry Tyson lived near to the first mentioned place, and I remember very little about him & family, except what I knew, or occurred while

I lived at the above place - From what I knew of said Tyson, I can have no sort of doubt that he was the same Henry Tyson who served in the revolutionary war for three years and more - As to the marriage of said Henry Tyson with the said Sarah, all I can say is that they were supposed to have been legally mar- ried, and I can have no doubt of it, any more than I have of the marriage of any other couple whom I see live together as man & wife for a series of years in the midst of their families but for whom absolute marriage I knew nothing - In answer to another question, I say that I do not know of any person now living in the neighbourhood old enough to have been a witness to that mar- riage, unless such person was a mere child at the time. And further he saith not -
Sam l Vines
Sworn to and subscribed the day first above written before me - and I certify that the said Sam l Vines is a man of credit and worthy of belief -
Marshall Dickerson J.P.
State of North Carolina
Pitt County
} On the 25 th day of March 1846 before me, Marshall Dickerson, one of the Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid, personally appeared Ruthy Norris of said County, aged 68 years, who being duly sworn according to law, deposes as follows in relation to Henry Tyson and his wife Sarah and their children - viz

That I knew said Henry Tyson & his wife Sarah - They were married long before I knew them, and I always understood they were married about the time I was born, or a little before it - I am sixty eight years old, and very near to sixty nine, and when I was in my seventeenth year I was married to John Norris, a brother of said Sarah Tyson, and she was present and her son Edmund, who was then I should think fifteen years old - they had then another son alive named Abner, who was eight or ten years old - Edmund died soon after - I was some acquainted with the family, five or six or seven years before my marriage, when I think they had four or five children alive - I well remember James, & John & Edmund & Abner - one of them, James or John was larger and I think older than I was - After my marriage I understood from the family, that besides the above named they had a girl named Polly, who died when an infant, and that they had a boy whose name I don't recollect, born between Edmund and Abner, and another named William after Abner - these two died quite young - They told me they had one child born while Tyson was in the army, but I don't recollect that they mentioned which, but I think I have heard them say that Polly was the first born - All these children died before being fully grown, except Abner. Sarah Tyson had no children after William for ten or twelve years or more, as I believe, when she had a girl named Edy, who is now the wife of Arden Nichols - A short time after the birth of Edy, I think not more than a year, Tyson died, and soon after this, Sarah, with her two children, moved farther off, and I have not seen them much - I have heard that Abner, who was weakly and infirm, and lived a long time at the Poor House, died there some years ago, so that they are all now dead without children

children, except Edy, now Mrs Nichols, who I believe is still alive, though I have not seen her for many years. Said Tyron & wife Sarah lived a short time in the same house with me and my husband, and I have heard him talk about fighting in the War, but I do not recollect much. He spoke about his returning home once or more, and I remember he said he had been in nine states while he was a soldier. She complained that she had always had to work hard for support, and had but little help from him, and that she had never seen a brass farthing for all the fighting he boasted of, and Tyron said, true, he never got anything himself, but victuals & clothes, and hardly that. I do not know what year Tyron died, and never heard his age, but I think he was as much as fifty when he died. Sarah Tyron always remained the widow of said Henry, as I believe, to her death, which I think took place summer before last. I never heard her age that I know of. My husband, just before his death, stated his age to be eighty one years, and I always understood from him & family that Sarah was older than him, and that Henry his brother,  such was born after Sarah & before him (John) My husband died three years ago last fall. I have heard my husband speak of Sarah's marriage, as if he was present, but no date was mentioned — he said she married young — The words "Henry his brother" interlined before signing —
her
Ruthy Norris mark
Sworn to & subscribed the day }
first above stated, before me — and I certify that I know the affiant — that I think her worthy of credit, and I believe in her testimony —
Marshall Dickerson J.P.

State of North Carolina
Pitt County
Personally appeared before me, one of the Justices of the Peace for the County aforesaid. John Joiner of said County, aged Sixty six years, who being duly sworn according to law, states as follows in relation to Henry Tyson, a revolutionary soldier, and his wife Sarah. That he recollects the said Henry Tyson & his wife Sarah, that he was the latter part of his life, when Deponent knew him pale, and did little work, that his wife was a hard working woman - he has no reasonable doubt that the said Henry Tyson was the same who served three years & more in the revolutionary war, as on the muster rolls, certified by Secretary of War as it was a matter of public notoriety at the time - That the said Tyson & the said Sarah lived together as man & wife, and this deponent has no doubt nor does he think that any of his neighbours had any doubt but that they had been lawfully married, such a thing could scarcely happen in that neighbourhood, as a man living with a woman so many years, and not being married, to be suspected by no one - but he is of opinion that there is no person now alive, who lives in the neighbourhood, and was of their acquaintance, who is old enough to have been at their marriage so as to prove the fact. Deponent thinks, from the best of his recollection the said Henry Tyson died in the year 1803 or 1804 - and he knows nothing of his age, but his appearance at the time, this deponent thinks, indicated that he was something

something over fifty years of age at his death - but it is not probable that any record of his birth or death has been kept by any body, nor that any family record was kept of the births of their children - I do not distinctly recollect but two children of the said Tyson & wife, Abner and Edy, but I understood they had other children but had lost them before, I have an impression that he had another child older than Abner when I first knew him, but have no distinct recollection of his person - I never heard that I know of any time fixed as to the date of the marriage of Tyson & wife, but from circumstances the impression would rather prevail with me that they were married before I was born, and perhaps before his service but I do not know the fact - I was born sixty six years old last October - The words "Marshall Dickinson" and "as on the muster rolls, certified by Secretary Hill" are interlined before signed -
John Joiner
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day first above written - and I certify that I am acquainted with the affiant, and that he is worthy of all credit -
Marshall Dickinson J.P.
I certify that the foregoing affidavit of John Joiner was taken on the 29 th day of April 1846, and the date omitted to be stated, and the omission not discovered until evening of the same day -
Marshall Dickinson J.P.

State of North Carolina } Pitt County }
Personally appeared before me Marshall Dickinson one of the Justices of the peace for the County aforesaid, on the 29 th day of April 1846, Isaac Joiner of said County aged fifty four, who being duly sworn according to law, states as follows - That when a small boy he was acquainted with Henry Tyron, a revolutionary soldier and his wife Sarah Tyron - he lived within about two and a half miles from my father, - He came to my father, I recollect, when I was about ten years old, his son Abner being with him, during which visit, he stated about losing all his children except that one, and he was afraid this one would not survive  survive it, it was then in the spring of the year - I don't recollect that he stated how many children he had lost, but spoke of Edmund and James, and I believe others. But I heard from other people that he had older children than Abner, particularly Edmund and I think James - I think Abner was four or five years older than I was, but he was young - Henry Tyron died in a few years after his visit above alluded to - the latter part of 1803 or some early part of 1804 - Another child, called Edy, who is now the wife of Arden Nichols, was born a short time before his death - I do not know the age of Henry Tyron, or Sarah Tyron, nor do I believe there is or ever was any record of their births, or of the births of their children - From Tyron's appearance I should think he was over fifty years of age at the time he was at my father's - They lived together as man and wife, and I have not the least doubt

that they had been legally married, as I never heard any suspicion on that head - From what I have heard and knew of Henry Tyson & wife, and the ages which I have heard of some of their children, by persons who I believe had seen them, I am of the impression that they were married during his prison or before it, and I do not believe there is any person now alive, who lived in the neighbourhood at the time, old enough to prove the fact of marriage - The fact of his being a soldier of the revolution was notorious -
Isaac Gaynes
Sworn to and subscribed the day first above written before me - and I certify that I am acquainted with the affiant and he is worthy of credit -
Marshall Dickenson J.P.

State of North Carolina
Pitt County } Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions,
May Term 1846 -
On this 8 th day of May, 1846, in open Court, personally appeared before the Justices of said Court, Arden Nichols, a resident of the said County, aged 40 years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4, 1836, and other acts & resolutions of Congress granting pensions to certain widows of the soldiers of the Revolution &c. That he lays claim by virtue of his marriage with Edy Tyson, only surviving child & heir of Sarah Tyson, deceased, who was the widow of Henry Tyson, a soldier of the revolutionary War - That the said Henry Tyson, as he has been informed and believes, served in the Continental line of this State in the Revolutionary War, for the term of three years, one month and twentyone days, the first portion of said term as a corporal in Capt. Alderson's Company, of the fifth Regiment, and the remainder of the term as a private, as appears by the muster Rolls in the Secretary's office of this State, a copy of which is herewith sent, - That the said Henry Tyson died in the year 1803 or 1804, as he has been informed and believes, leaving the said Sarah his widow, and a son named Abner, and a daughter, named Edy, his only children then alive - and that this declarant married the said Edy Tyson in the month of January 1830 - That the said Abner died at the poor house of this County

county, between four and five years ago, leaving the said Edy, the wife of this declarant, the only surviving child of the said Henry Tyson and Sarah his wife, whereby this declarant, as he is informed & believes, is entitled in law, by virtue of his marriage with said Edy, to the claim which the said Sarah Tyson had on the Government of the United States, for a pension as the widow of the said Henry Tyson - which pension the said Sarah had failed to apply for, from her ignorance of the provisions of Congress in that respect - This declarant has no personal knowledge of many of the facts of his case - He has no knowledge of, and believes there does not exist any record of the marriage of the said Henry Tyson & Sarah his wife, neither public nor family, nor of their births, or of the births of any of their children - but from what he has learned from conversations with the said Sarah Tyson and her relations, at divers times, he is induced to believe that the said Henry Tyson and the said Sarah were married before the time of his service, or at least before the termination of it, and that they had five children, at single births, before the said Abner, who, according to his and his mother's reckoning, made & declared in the presence of this declarant, would have been upwards of sixty years old now, if he had lived to this day - This declarant has not been able to find any person who was present at the marriage of the said Henry Tyson with the said Sarah - She had four brothers, two of whom, though a little younger than she was, it is to be presumed were present at the marriage, but they are all dead, the last one died more than three years ago - nor does

he believe that there is now alive a single individual of their then neighbourhood, who is old enough to have been at their marriage. This declarant further saith that he often heard the said Sarah Tyson tell her age, and according to her declarations, made in his hearing, she would be at this time, between eighty seven and eighty eight years old - and that she was married in her seventeenth year. I have heard her say at other times - He further states that the said Sarah Tyson lived with him from the time of his marriage, except a few weeks, until her death, during all which time, he supported her, she having no property, and excepting the first two years, being unable to labour, and the last eight years she was so helpless that it was necessary to move her about the house, and to the table to eat, and to cut up her meat, and often to help her by hand to her food. She died at his house on the night before our August election, which in the year 1844, which it is said was held on the first day of the month in that year - She had never married again, but remained the widow of said Tyson to her death. This declarant is a poor man, and has seven children now alive, and one a cripple, and he and his wife have had to struggle hard to support the family - He has always been afflicted with partial blindness, which interfered in his labours, and is now almost blind, which state of sight has kept him at home, and he has thereby as he supposes been kept in ignorance of the pension laws, and that his mother in law also has been kept at home by her feebleness and probably this is one cause of her not hearing of any such law - A short time before her

her death, I heard a flying rumour that the widows of revolutionary soldiers were allowed pensions, I told my wife of it, but concluded not to trouble the old lady about it, until I found out more about it. He enquired among his neighbours and got but little satisfaction and gave the matter out, until, since the death of the said Sarah, some time during the last year, a stranger called on him at his house, who told him his mother in law, Sarah Tyson was entitled to a pension, and offered to get it for him, but he never returned again - which has led him to make application to the magistrates of this Court, to put him in a way to obtain whatever may be due him -
his Arden Nichols mark
I sworn to & subscribed in open Court as aforesaid. And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the declarant is worthy of credit, and their belief in the truth of his statement -
I, William D. Moyer, Clerk of the said Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court on the application of Arden Nichols for a Pension -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 6 th day of May 1846 -
William D. Moyer CLK

State of North Carolina Pitt County
On This 8 th day of May 1846. Personally Appeared before me Marshall Dickinson One of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Pitt aforesaid, Edy Nichols of said County, Aged 43 years, Who being duly sworn according to law, deposes as follows, I am the Only Surviving Child of Henry Tyson, and his Wife Sarah - (My Father, the said Henry Tyson, as I have been Told and believe, died when I was a Small Child, and I do not remember seeing him, I lived with my Mother, the said Sarah Tyson, until Sixteen Years ago last January, When I married Arden Nichols , by whom I have had eight Children, Seven of Whom are now alive - My Mother, excepting a few Weeks, lived with us from the time of Our Marriage until her death, which took place the night before the August election year before last - My Mother had no property, and was supported by my husband from the date of Our Marriage as long as she lived, she being unable to labour except partially so for about two years of the first part of the time - The latter years of her life, about eight years, she was almost helpless - We had to place her at the Table to eat, to cut up her Victuals for her, and sometimes to feed her by hand By my reckoning, from what my Mother Told me of my age, I am or shall be forty three years old sometime in the present Year, There is no record of my birth, and never has been any within my knowledge or belief, nor of the ages, or Marriage, or deaths of my Mother or Father, or any of their Children - A few months from my Mother's death she called herself Eighty Six Years Old, which agreed with what she usually called it. I never heard My Mother mention the Month or Year that she was born or married, that I recollect, but I have often heard her say, that she was married in her Seventeenth Year, and that she had had eight Children, of whom I was

The last, the names of those Children as given to me by her, were Polly, James, John, Edmund, Aaron, Abner, William and myself that none of said Children were alive at my birth except Abner - that her first born Polly died when an infant - that Edmund lived to be nearly grown, that one of the two first named boys, I think James, lived to be a smart sized boy, and she once told me that he was as large as my oldest son, who was then nearly fourteen years old, but soon after died - that all the others, except Abner, died much younger. I am not certain which of the two James or John, was born first, but as to the rest I think the above is the order in which I was told they were born, my mother also told me that there was about two years, between the births of her Children generally, but sometimes she had them faster - except that before my birth she had no child born for many years. Abner, who was the only son that lived to be fully grown died four or five years ago, at the poor house, where he had been for many years, and was a sickly, and infirm man in health - if he had lived to this time, according to his & my mother's calculations he would be over sixty years of age at this time - I don't recollect hearing any thing particular about my father's age, nor when he died, except that it was not long after my birth. I have heard my mother say that her husband served three years, three months, and eleven days in the revolutionary war, and I think she spoke about his returning home during the time, and I also remember her saying that he came through, or had been in nine states during the time, which is all I remember in particular of her saying about his service in the war, more than thirty years ago a man by the name of Stubblefield purchased of Abner his right to my father's military land, and told me he should come down to buy mine when I arrived of age, but I have never heard from him since, nor got any land. My mother never knew of her being entitled by law to a pension, somebody told my husband, a short time before her death, that the widows of soldiers were entitled to a pension - he told me of it, but chose not to say any thing to her until he knew more about it, he made some enquiries of his neighbours, who, it seems, knew as

little about it as himself, and it was lost sight of, until lately since her death, a stranger called on him, and told him he was entitled, and offered to assist him in procuring it, but he has not returned since, After the death of my father, Henry Nylson, my Mother remained his Widow unto her death. I do not know of any person now alive, nor do I believe there is any one now alive, who was at my Mothers marriage, nor do I know of any person who was of her acquaintance or neighbourhood, who is old enough to have been at it - Two of my uncles on my Mothers side, who, though a little younger than she was , I believe were at her marriage, are now dead, The last died more than three years ago -
her Edy X Nickols Mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year first above mentioned, before me - and I certify that I am acquainted with the affiant, and that she is worthy of credit -
Marshall Dickenson J.P.

State of South Carolina } Court of Pleas & Quarts Sessions Pike County } May Term 1846.
The foregoing affidavits of Samuel Varnis, Ruthy Morris, John Morris, Isaac Morris & Edy Nichols, taken before Marshall Dickinson a Justice of the Peace, & Chairman of this Court together with the declaration of Arden Nichols for a Pension, were exhibited in open Court from their knowledge of the affiants, & satisfactory testimony before them, the Court are of opinion that they are all creditable witnesses, & that they believe in the truth of their testimony. I William B. Mays Clerk of said Court do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Arden Nichols for a Pension - And I further Certify that Marshall Dickinson is a justice of the Peace & Chairman of the said Court, and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 9 th day of May A.D. 1846.
William B. Mays Clerk

Date of marriage of Henry & Sarah Tyson Sam Vines
First became acquainted with them when 14 yrs old. (which, according to his age is 1789)
1789
Then they lived together as man & wife -
would bring marriage as early as 1780 or 78- Oldest child deformed 8 or 10 yrs old - who died before manhood thinks Edmund, another son younger - Abner
And after a daughter since married to Nichols
Ruthy Norris
H & S. married long before I knew them Always understood they were married about time I was born or a little before
Am 68 nearly 69 - (25 March 1846)
marriage in 1777
(would bring marriage in 1777)
When I was 17. I was married to John Norris, brother of Sarah. She & her son Edmund were present. I should think Edmund was then 15 - E. died soon after
Edmund born about 1779-
Abner 8 or 10
5 or 6 yrs before my marriage they had, I think, four or 5 children - I remember James, John, Edmund and Abner - James or John was larger, & I think, one older than Edmund, wit thinks. older than I - (They said they had 1 child) born while H. was in service.

John Joiner - aged 66 in Oct 1845
Thinks H. & S. were married before his birth
Thinks as early as 1779
Isaac Joiner - 57 in Apr 46.
would carry marriage at least back to '81
When 10 yrs old - saw Abner 4 or 5 yrs older than I, and understood they had lost 2 older Jas & Edmund.
Henry Ingon died about 1808 & appeared over 50.
Declaration
Understood H & S were married before or during his service - Sarah according to her own statements
Sarah born in 1758 or 1759 & married in 1776 or 1775
would now be, if alive, 87 yrs old - (in May 1846) &
was married at 17 yrs of age
5 Children at single births before Abner
(86 - 11 yrs would = 75 -
Widow died 1 st days of August 1844 -
Numerous other particulars, bearing upon the date of the marriage, are stated by the witnesses, all tending to the same conclusion.
Certif of Clerk of no record of marriage.

Rolls in this office show the same
Certif of service Secy of N.C.
Served 3 yrs - 18 mos Corporal  Private & 19 mos Private
Certif & proof - Sarah died July 31, 1844 Edy Nichols only surviving child
Henry Tyson died in about 1803 -
The testimony of Vines, - R. Norris - and John Isaac Joiner, strongly indicate that the marriage must have been as early as 1779. Isaac Joiner's testimony favors the same conclusion tho' it does not establish it. The testimony of the witnesses taken together becomes very strong - as each sustains the other's recollection of facts, by different processes, and all agree with the declaration, which clearly carries the marriage back to 1776.
The last certificate of the Clerk. Showing that no records of marriages are in his office so far back as 1780, relieves the case of the doubt before implied from the want of this particular record.
No persons alive in the knowledge of the parties who can remember back beyond 1780.

virgo
Edmund born as early as 1781 or 1779
Abner was younger
Mrs Norris makes Edmund born as early as 1779
James, and perhaps Polly older
than Edmund - leaves
no doubt of the marriage
some six years before 1780
and confirms the information
of declarants that there were
5 children older than Abner
who was born as early
as 1774 or 1778
  5 children; intervals of 2 yrs  19    oldest 1 yr after marriage      makes marriage  1775  
Sarah Tyson Leeds Pringle

Typow
July 17. 46
Proof of 6 mo corpl + 2 y 7 m priv. - N.C. line admitted
Date of marriage before 30 Jan'y 1780 not satisfay shown)
Oct 7. 46
same objn
Sep 28. 47
No adl Evidence
Feby 15. 53
Explaining same views as above

Sept 24. 1846 CHP 20 ENVIRO
Adal ter can Edward Eng. Land Dyson Comr of Pensions Washington City D. C.

Greenville, Pitt Co. N.C. Sep. 20. 1846
Sir,
On receipt of your letter 17 July in the case of Sarah Tyson , I sent word to Arden Nichols, his son-in-law, and received a reply in return that he was too unwell to attend to the business, & unable to get to town - I requested a man in Mr. Tyson's neighbourhood to make enquiries on the subject, but have heard nothing from him - I have not seen Nichols since - I have done all for the poor fellow that I felt bound to do, and must drop it here - I am convinced there is no person now alive to prove the marriage nor any other evidence of it -
I enclose the proof of the Widow's death , and names of her children - and the certificate of the Clerk that there is no record of the marriage in Court - Our records furnish nothing but the Bond for licence - and the Clerk informs me that they do not go back further than '93 or '94 -
Yours, Respectfully Marshall Dickerson
The Court of Patent,

Case of the Heir of Sarah Tiron, dec. wid. of Henry
Oct. 23/57
am d to Hon. J.R. Denise Feby 15-53
PAID
Jas. E. Heath Esq.
Commonpleas of Pennsylvania
Washington City D. C.

Clerk's certificate No Licence

State of North Carolina } Pitt County }
I, William D. Moye, Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, for the Court aforesaid, hereby certify that I have made diligent search among the records of this Court for a Bond for license of marriage between Henry Tyson & Sarah Morris or some evidence of marriage between them, and there is no such bond or evidence to be found among said records, nor any of the marriage of the said Henry Tyson with any person whatever —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of my office the 18 th day of September, A. D. 1846.
William D. Moye Clerk

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 21860
Sarah Tyson Widow of Henry Tyson Copy Rev. War.
Act: July 4 1836
Index:—Vol. 16 , Page 92
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Aug 8/96
Mr.
J. L.
Reed Tyson
Stearns Eng.
Quinnipiac Station
Washington City
D. C.
No answer is required to this letter
5

Greenville, N. C. Aug. 2 d 1846
Sir,
Your letter informing me of the state of the case of Sarah Tyson was duly received. I have not seen Mr. Nichols who married her daughter since, and cannot say whether he will be able to procure any further evidence as to her marriage, and as I cannot attend any further to the matter, it will be probably abandoned, unless he can get some one to assist him - He is totally unable to do any thing necessary to find the proper  necessary testimony.
Please to let the matter rest until I see him on the subject, and communicate further to you -
Very respectfully Marshall Dickinson
J. L. Edwards Esq,

V No. 6740. —
Sarah Lydon Lee.
M. Dickinson July 17 1840.
Same Oct. 7. 46.
Same Sept 28. '47
Hon J. R. J. Daniel July 16 1852
11.565 9440 61 65
Act 4th July 1836

Feby 11/53
M Love
Sarah Tyson
N.C.
Feb 31
Commissaire of Penns Washington D.C.
On Official business

Sept 15th 1841 N. P. CAMPBELL GREENVILLE N.C. Mrs. C. C. Sarah Tyson
Three, M. Dickinson P.M. Greenville N.C.
FREE.
Edward Eng. Gent. of Penn. Ave.
Washington City

Greenville, Pitt C o . N.C. Sept. 8 th 1847
Sir,
I wish to call your attention to the case of Sarah Tyson, dec d . Your letter of the 17 July '46, stated that the evidence did not sufficiently prove establish the fact "that" she was married before 30 Jan y . 1780, when her husband's service terminated, so as to bring her case within the act of 4 July 1836."
You refered me to the Clk's office for further proof, and added that "the Court should certify the day of her death, and names of her living children."
I procured a certificate from the Clerk that there was no evidence in the office as to the marriage, and also the Certificate of the Court as to the widow's death, and her living child - and on the 20 th Sept r following, I forwarded them -
I think I stated, that there was no person of the neighbourhood old enough to prove the actual marriage, and knew of no further testimony - I supposed the matter would be determined in a short time - Enquiries were frequently made by the claimant about the issue, but, altho I really felt much solicitude in his behalf, such was the bad state of my health for a long period, that I have not hitherto troubled you on the subject - Perhaps a decision was made, and the notice of it miscarried -
If no decision has been made, I can only add that I know of no further evidence as to the

marriage, accept the evidence of those who knew them only many years subsequent to the marriage, who could know nothing about the actual marriage , but who will testify that no charge or suspicion was entertained at that time as to their previous legal marriage. If such testimony would be of any avail, sufficient can be had —
Please inform me on the subject -
Very Respectfully, Sir,
Your ob. Serv.
Markall Dikeman
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Copy. etc.

Greenville, Pitt Co. Oct. 19 th 1852
Sir,
In May 1846 I enclosed papers in the Application for a Pension, by the Heir of Sarah Tison , widow of Henry Tison, late of this County - and after some time, was informed by letter from the Com tee that the evidence of marriage was not sufficient - I then advised the appt d . that he had better apply to Congress, as his claim was undoubtedly a just one -
Nichols, the husband of the only Heir, being an infirm man and blind neglected to call for a long time, and before I had prepared his petition, I became sick myself - I was afterwards advised to wait, as there was expectation that positive proof would not long be required so rigidly - I have since perceived that a more liberal course is pursued in that respect, and I request you to inform me on the subject as far as your rules permit, and if further testimony is necessary, I should be extremely glad, on account of a very worthy & poor man and family, to be informed -
Yours respectfully
M. Dickinson
J.E. Heath Esq Com tee L

Greenville N o . C a . Nov. 21. 1852.
Sir,
Some time since I addressed to your Department, a letter of enquiry concerning the case on your files of Sarah Tyson , widow of Henry Tyson , a revolutionary soldier, claiming a pension - to which I have received no answer - But letters have lately been addressed to Sarah Tyson, or Heirs , by strangers in Washington City, offering assistance, on certain terms, which have been brought to me by the applicant; and thinking it possible that my letter fell into other hands than those it was intended for, I renew the request then made, that you examine that case, and inform me, so far as you are permitted by your rules, of its present position , and whether any further act is necessary to be done by the applicant, to obtain his just rights. Something of this kind seems proper, because it is a meritorious & just claim, and if no relief can be had from your Department, the applicant ought to know it, that he may apply to Congress. I am the more solicitous in this case, because I fear I have been somewhat negligent towards a very poor & worthy family -
Yours Respectfully M. Dickenson
J. E. Heath Esq Com d

Sir, (Copy) Greenville N.C. 21 Nov. 1852
Some weeks since I addressed to your department a letter of enquiry concerning the case of Sarah Tison widow of Henry Tison , claiming a pension - to which I have received no answer - But letters have been addressed to Sarah Tison , or her heirs, from strangers in Washington City, offering assistance on certain terms, which have been brought to me, which occasions a suspicion that my letter fell into other hands, than those intended for - Thinking it possible that such is the case, I renew the request that you examine that case on your files, and inform me, so far as you are permitted by your rules, of its present position, and whether any further proof is required, or other act done, by the applicant, to obtain his just rights - Something of this kind seems necessary, because it is a meritorious & just claim, and if no relief can be had from your department, the applicant ought to know it, that he may apply to Congress -
Yrs Respectfully, M. Dickinson
The Commission of Pensions Wash. City

Mr Lusk will please file with papers of June 6th 1853
AH Mackland

State of North Carolina }
Pitt County }
John Henry Sheppard Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid, hereby certify that I have made diligent search and cannot find amongst the records of this Office, any record or bond or license of marriage between Henry Fison and Sarah who was his wife, and that no such record is to be found as far back as the year 1780, and that this is the only proper Office in the County where such records are required by law to be made. Given under my hand and the seal of my Office this 14 th day of July 1853. J. H. Sheppard Clerk

Wm Hill Esq!
March 13, 1846
As to Henry Tyson's Service in the War of the Revolution -
en. 16 th .
This letter is sent only to show the identity of this Tyson with the one on the rolls -
Marshall Dickinson Esq re
Greenville
Pitt County N.C.

Raleigh 13 th March 1846.
Dear Sir
Your favor of the 7 th instant was received yesterday, and I here enclose a certificate showing how Henry Tysons name stands on the musterrolls. His land Warrant was drawn on the 28 th Feb y 1814, by Clem t . Stubblefield, and is N o 243 for 274 Acres of land, which has no doubt, passed into a Grant long since for land in the Western District of Tennessee.
Abner Tyson as heir to Henry Tyson gave the power of attorney to Stubblefield to draw the Warrant.
Fees for this service 50 Cents.
Yours respectfully
W m Hill
Marshall Dickinson Esq r

Sarah Tyson dec'd widow of Henry N.B.
Act July 4. 1836
Admitted.
Corporal 6 18 mos, & Private 6 mos at $86. per annum from Mar 4. 1831 to July 31. 1844. ~
Only surviving child Edy Nichols.
Agent A. H. Markland Present

Brief in the case of Sarah Inson, deceased, widow of Henry County and State of North Carolina act July 4. 1836
Claim, ("original," or "for increase." )
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Service. Documentary and Rolls Marriage - Parol - certif of no county records so far back Deaths - Parol - Henry died 1803 or 4. widow 31 st July 1844 Only surviving child - Eddy Nichols - Parol & certified Identity. Parol & circumstantial
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Name and residence of Agent
A. H. Markland Present
S. G. Dodge
Examining Clerk.

J. L. Edwards Esq
Coat of Pennies

Greenville, Pitt Co. N. C. May 12 th 1846
Sir,
I enclose the declaration of Arden Nichols for a perjury, and the affidavits in its support. I might avail the declarant of the assistance of our Representative, or of some of the agents for such purposes in your City, but I think it would only make you more trouble, without any advantage to him. I take the responsibility of pursuing this course.
If I believed in the statement of some member of Congress made lately in the H. R. I should not lend on this application, because no positivum proof is made, or can be made, of the marriage - but I cannot think that statement correct. The circumstantial proof in this case is much stronger for any Court or Jury here, than it would be considered if two ordinary witnesses swore to the fact. No poor couple could have lived together in that neighbourhood, where they were both born & raised, as man & wife, without suspicion, who had not been legally married. This is the opinion of all the old people there that I have had a chance to converse with -
The witnesses are all unexceptionable - Col. Vines is a planter of the first standing for virtue & probity. The W rs Joyner's are of the highest respectability, and each has represented the County many years in the Commons, and also in the Senate. All are remarkable for their caution in giving testimony, and must be understood to mean full as much , and a little more, than they express. Mrs Norris, the only intimate acquaintance of an advanced age, living in the same rank with Tyron & wife, now to be found, is a poor woman, against whose testimony, her neighbours inform me, no exception can be taken - I have this not only from her poor neighbours, but also from all

all I enquired of, from Col o . Vines and the two Joyners. In fact Col o . Vines & the Joyners refered me expressly to her, as probably knowing more about the matter than any other person alive, and as one who could be depended on - The declarant & wife are also poor, worthy people, inoffensive in every way, and have been compelled to live much at home in a very obscure situation in the piny woods, when the old lady, also, was confined, without ever going abroad as I understand, except when she was transported in a cart to the poor house to see her sickly son. I lived for 3 or 4 years within two miles of Nichols (by crosspath) but as during that time I did not visit his house, I never saw the old lady, and knew nothing of her - I mention these facts to account for their ignorance about of the pension laws, at a time when they could have proved the marriage, and when they so much needed assistance. You will pardon me for it, in such a hard case, where I cannot help, feeling as others acquainted with the facts, feel.
I have not thought it proper to introduce proof of the credibility of the witnesses any further than your rules prescribe - viz. in Court - If it is deemed of any importance the credibility of either & all can be fully supported - Col o . Vines & the Joyners, are known to W. Clark, our representative - and more especially to W. Biggs & W. Daniel, who have practiced in our courts -
The certificate of our Secretary of State I send, though not in proper form, as I suppose you have in your office, a copy of the same muster Rolls -
Yours Respectfully Marshall Dickinson
J. L. Edwards Esq Com d of Pension

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 Henry Tyson a Corp t . . . . . in Capt. Alderson's . . . . . Company of the fifth Regiment, entered the service on the 9 th day of Dec r 1776 , for the term of three years , was a private June 1778 , and discharged on the 30 th day of January 1780 . —
Given under my hand this 13 th day of March 1816
W. Hill Secretary of State

Certificate of Court of Hership Widows Death

State of North Carolina Pitt County } Court of Pleas & Quarter Gespions, Aug. Term 1846
I, William D. Mays Clerk of the said Court do hereby certify that it has been given in evidence to the full satisfaction of said Court, that Sarah Tiron, widow of Henry Tiron, a Revolutionary soldier, died in said County on the 37 th day of July 1844 - and that Edy Nichols, wife of Arden Nichols, of said County, is the only surviving child of the said Sarah Tiron, and is of lawful age -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office and subscribed my name this 7 th day of Aug. 1846 -
William D. Mays Clk

There is but one witness, Ruthy Norris, who knows much of Tyron & wife, at an early period. She swears that one of the children, James or John, was larger, & she thought, older than she was - Her own age being between 68 & 69, carries the marriage to 70 years back.
She also proves that when she was married, 51, or perhaps 52 years ago, Edmund was 15 years old - making his birth 66 or 67 years ago -
She is fully supported in the latter part by Col o Vines, who swears that 57 years ago Edmund was 8 or 10 years old, making his birth 65 or 67 years ago - He also rec d that hearing of their loosing other children than those then alive, Edmund & Abner.
John Joiner supports her in some degree - he understood that Tyron had other children which he had lost before, and by his strong impression that they were married before he was born, and perhaps, before the service. He was born, 1779, before the service ended -
Isaac Joiner supports her by stating that he heard the old man Tyron lamenting his having lost all his children except Abner - implying, in common parlance, that he had lost a great many, else he would have stated the number - that he "heard from others of his having had older children, particularly Edmund & James" - that from "what he knew & heard of Tyron & wife, and the ages which he had heard of some of their children by persons who he believed had seen them", he was of the impression that they were married during his service or before it. This I think, is a very strong support - Mr s Tyron & children have, for many years, lived very obscurely and out of any neighbourhood intercourse with these gentlemen, and their impressions about the marriage & older

children, must have been made at an early period, and from peculiar circumstances, otherwise they would not have remained so strong at this day —
Add to this, the opinion of all of them, (strongly disposed for such cautious men) that they did not believe there was any person alive in the neighbourhood, old enough to have been at the marriage.
If the testimony rested on these three gentlemen alone, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that the marriage took place before the last period of Tyron's service — and taking it with that of Mrs. Norris, the conclusion would be irresistible with any Judge or Jury in our Courts —
M. D.