Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1522, Thomas Blount Whitmill, N.C.

SERVICE
NUMBER
966
Whitmill, Thomas Blount. Ann.
W. 1522
CONTENTS

5214 James B. White
Dead at 6 P.M. Sept Sept 2. 1840
Mrs. White widow of Thomas Blunt White (N.C.) who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 20 th September 1798 of Davidson (in the State of Tennessee who was a Lieut. in the Comp y commanded by Captain Smith of the reg t commanded by Col. Polk in the N. Carolina line for 1 year & 12 days.
Inscribed on the Roll of a Vashville at the rate of 178 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of March 1840, & sent to Hon. C. Wilson House of Reps.
Arrears to the 4 th of March 1840 $714.66 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept '40 89.33
$803.99
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by J. M. Curdy, Clerk. Book A. Vol. 2. Page 209.

5841. Ann Whitnell of Thos. B. Whitnell Co. 10 Tennep
5841

N o . 1 Davidson County } State of Tennessee } On this 19 th day of November Eighteen hundred & thirty eight Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid Anne Whitmill a resident of said County and State aforesaid aged about seventy nine years who being duly sworn according to law on her oath made the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and Pensions to certain Widows: That she is the Widow of Thomas Blunt Whitmill generally called Blunt Whitmill who was (as I have understood from the said Whitmill and others) a lieutenant in the North Carolina Continent- al line but when he the said Whitmill went into the service as aforesaid and how long he the said Whitmill continued in the service aforesaid I can not tell if I ever heard I do not now recollect I do expect the Records of North Carolina will shew all these things as my Husband the said Thomas Blunt Whitmill obtained of the state of North Carolina on account of his services in the Revolutionary War a tract of land on the south side of Cumber- land River at the mouth of Harpeth River then Davidson now Dickson County State of Tennessee And (as I have understood) his (son)

son Drew S Whitmill has since received a Warrant by an act of the Legislature of North Carolina passing a law in his favour for eight hundred acres of land more on account of the services aforesaid in the Revolutionary War performed by him the said Thomas Blunt Whitmill I have heard my Husband the said Thomas Blunt Whitmill and others say that the said Whitmill was in the Battle of Brandywine and that he the said Whitmill received a wound in his knee in said Battle of Brandywine and I have seen the scars on said Whitmill's knee said to have been occasioned by said wound received as aforesaid, I never knew of my Husband Thomas Blunt Whitmill ever applying for or receiving a pension on account of said wound received by him in said Battle of Brandywine - I never knew the said Thomas Blunt Whitmill until after he left the service aforesaid he the said Whitmill was born & raised in Bertie County North Carolina and I was Born and raised in Scotland Neck Halifax County North Carolina and reside in the same until after my marriage with and until after the death of him the said Whitmill - The said Thomas Blunt Whitmill and myself the said Ann Whitmill (formerly Ann Smith) was

married in the latter part of the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine the day nor the month I do not recollect my Husband the said Thomas Blunt Whitmill died on the twentieth day of September seventeen hundred ninety eight, and I further state that I have never been married to any Person since the death of my said Husband the said Thomas Blunt Whitmill- And I do further state that I have no Records of any thing or circumstance which I have stated above in this my Declaration. Sworn to and subscribed the day & year above mentioned —
Ann Whitmill
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the 19 th day of November 1838 —
William Strongfellow Justice of the Peace
I do certify that the above claimant Ann Whitmill is not able to attend a court from bodily infirmity nor leave her room and that she is a person of Respectability — William Strongfellow J. P.

State of Tennessee, Davidson County. I certify that William Stringfellow whose name is signed to the within certificates was at the time of signing the same an acting justice of the peace for the county & state aforesaid, & that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name & affix the seal of said court at office in Nashville this 2 nd day of July 1839.
Smith Criddle clerk of Davidson County Court.

In The Name of God Amen. I Thomas Blount Whitmill of Halifax County and State of North Carolina being Sick and low but of perfect mind and memory. Thanks be given unto God calling unto mind the Mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally, and first of all. I give my and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my executors nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the Almighty Power of God and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with in this life. I give demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
First I lend to my beloved wife Ann Whitmill the plantation and land belonging thereto wherein I now live during her widowhood. I also lend unto my loving wife Ann Whitmill four Negroes Viz Jerry, Charles, Hannah, & Charlotte during her widowhood, which said four Negroes and their increase I (after my wife's decease) give to my two youngest children Ann Smith Whitmill & Thomas West Whitmill to be equally divided share between them share & share alike to them and their heirs forever —
I give to my loving wife four Negroes Viz. Ben, Hannah, Sam and Phillis to her and heirs forever I also give unto my loving wife my riding Chair and harness, three Horses, five Cows & Calves, Six head of Sheep, five Sows and Pigs two feather beds and furniture & one fourth part of my household and Kitchen furniture to her and heirs forever —
Item. I lend to my daughter Elizabeth West Whitmill six Negroes Viz. Sam, Eliza, Charity, Topsy, Lewey and Molly, and their increase during her natural life and if my said daughter Elizabeth West Whitmill should leave an heir or heirs lawfully begotten of her body I then give to the said heirs or heirs so begotten the said six negroes above named and their increase to them and their heirs forever and for want of such heirs My will and desire is for the said above named six negroes and their increase to be equally divided amongst my four children, Thomas Whitmill Drew Smith Whitmill Ann Smith Whitmill & Thomas West Whitmill to them & their heirs forever —

Item - I give to my daughter Elizabeth West Whitmill one horse worth Twenty dollars four cows & calves one feather Bed & furniture to her and her heirs forever -
Item - my will and desire is that my land lying on Cumberland River in Davidson County be sold, at the discretion of my Executors; and the money be equally divided between my two daughters Elizabeth West Whitmill and Ann Smith Whitmill to them and their heirs forever -
Item - I give to my daughter Ann Smith Whitmill one negro boy named Wilson to her and her heirs forever -
Item - I give to my son Thomas Whitmill my low ground land & Scrimp place which said Land joins Aschel Brannon Land (which land I bought of James Smith) to him and his heirs forever and if my son Thomas Whitmill should die before he comes of Age, or without an heir Lawful begetten of his Body then the said Land I give to my son Thomas West Whitmill and his heirs forever -
Item - I give unto my son Thomas West Whitmill the plantation whereon I now live and the lands belonging thereto, likewise the tract of Land I bought of John Thomas Also one hundred and fifty Acres of Land joining Kahukah bridge which land being part of a tract that I purchased of Percyholomew Barnes which said Land I give to my said son Thomas West Whitmill and his heirs forever, and if my said son Thomas West Whitmill should die before he comes of Age or has an heir Lawfully begotten of his body, then the above Land I give to my son Thomas Whitmill and his heirs forever -
Item - I give unto my son Drew Smith Whitmill all the remaining part of my Land which I have not given away before to him & his heirs forever -
Item - my will and desire is that if any my two sons Thomas Whitmill and Thomas West Whitmill should die without a Law- full heir begotten of their body then the said lands that I have given them, I give to my son Drew Smith Whitmill and his heirs forever -
Item - I give all the residue of my negroes (not before given away) to be equally divided amongst my four children viz Thomas Whitmill Drew Smith Whitmill, Ann Smith Whitmill and Thomas West Whitmill to them and their heirs forever -
Item - I give to my son Thomas Whitmill my Silver Watch -

Item - It is my will and desire that all my negroes (Except them which I have lent to my daughter Elizabeth West Whitmill) be worked on my lands untill my Son Thomas Whitmill shall arrive to the age of twenty one years and the profits arising therefrom to be equally divided amongst my wife Ann Whitmill and my four youngest Children viz Thomas Whitmill, Drew Smith Whitmill Ann Smith Whitmill & Thomas West Whitmill to them and their heirs forever -
Item - It is my will and desire that my Executors shall sell all such part of my Personal Estate as they shall think proper (that has not been given away) and the balance of the money there arising (after all my Just debts & Legacies are paid off) to be with the remaining part of my Estate (not before mentioned) equally divided between my two youngest children Ann Smith Whitmill and Thomas West Whitmill to them and their heirs forever -
Lastly - I make and Ordain my worthy friends Asahel Brannon William Grandbury, and Marmaduke Norfleet my Executors to this my last will and Testament in Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed my seal this twentyeth day of February and in the year Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred & Ninety Eight
Signed Sealed and Acknowledged in the presence of us
Thos B. Whitmill
H. Moran
Elizabeth Brannon
Be it known to all men by these presents that I Thomas Blount Whitmill of Halifax County and State of North Carolina have made & declared my last will and Testament in writing bearing date the twentyeth day of February One Thousand Seven hundred & Ninety Eight - I the said Thomas Blount Whitmill by this present Codicil do ratify and confirm my said last will and Testament (Except one clause wherein I give my Cumberland land lying in Davidson County on Cumberland River to be sold by my Executors and the money to be equally divided between my two daughters Elizabeth West Whitmill & Ann Smith Whitmill I do hereby annul that Clause and do hereby give and bequeath unto

my daughter Elizabeth West David all and Singular the above mentioned tract of land lying in the County of Davidson and on Cumberland river to her and her Heirs forever —
Item I give unto my sister Mary Slatter the Annual sum of five pounds Virginia currency to be paid unto her Annually during her Natural life and my will and meaning is that this Codicil be adjudged to be a part and parcel of my last will and Testament and that all things therein mentioned & contained be faithfully & truly performed and as fully and Ample in every respect as if the same was so declared and set down in my last will with my hand & Seal this tenth day of September One thousand seven hundred & Ninety Eight
Signed in presence of us
Thos. B. Whitmill Esq.
H. Moran, John Bell, Phoeby Bawco.
Halifax county ss.
November Session 1798 Then this will was exhibited in Open Court and duly proved by the Oath of Henry Moran who is also one of the subscribing Witnesses to the Codicil annexed to the said will made Oath that he saw the testator Sign seal and heard him publish & declare the said Codicil as a confirmation & in re-publication of said last will and Testament and an Motion ordered the same together with Codicil thereto annexed be recorded
Witness
J Long Clk.
State of North Carolina
Halifax County ss I J. Simmons Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing is a correct Transcript of Thomas Blount Whitmills will with the Codicil annexed thereto as appear to me of record in my Office In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Affixed the seal of my Office at Halifax Town the 27 th day of June 1839
J Simmons Clk

State of North Carolina
Halifax County } I Rice B. Pierce Chairman & Presi- =ding Magistrate, of the Court of Pleas, and Quarter Sessions for the County of Halifax, and State aforesaid; do hereby certify that S. H. Simmons whose name appears signed to the foregoing Certificate, is, and was at the time of signing the same, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions over which I presided; & that due faith & credit, is, and ought to be placed to all his Official Acts as such. — Given under my hand & private Seal hereunto having no public Seal of Office this 10 th day of July 1839 (Nine)
Rice B. Pierce Chair

State of Tennessee } Dickson County }
Personally appeared before me on this sixth day of March in the year Eighteen hundred and forty James Finley of County and State aforesaid, and made oath on the Holy Evangely of Almighty God That he is one of the Executors of Ann Whitmel deceased, Widow of Thomas Blunt Whitmel, and that after the most diligent enquiry and examination, he cannot find any family record of her marriage, or of the births of her children, and is fully satisfied there is no such record in existence.
Sworn before me this 6th day of March 1840
Joseph Morris (Seal) James Finley State of Tennessee } Joseph Morris one of the acting — Dickson County } Justices of the peace for said County hereby certify that I am well acquainted with James Finley whose name is subscribed to the above certificate, he is a man of respectability and intellect. To wit in oath or otherwise given under my hand this 6th day of March 1840 Joseph Morris (Seal)
State of Tennessee Dickson County I Wm Hightower Clerk of the County Court of said Dickson County do hereby certify that Joseph Morris whose name is subscribed to the foregoing is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine given under my hand this 9th day of March 1840 Wm Hightower Clerk

Asa Whitwell Tennessee
Suspended
See let. 16 Sep: 39 J. J. Bell, let: 7 Feb: 1840 H m C. Johnson
Act 7 July 1838

Pay WIDOW, &c.
File No. 1522
Ann Whitmill
Widow
Thomas B. Whitmill
Lieut. No. Carolina
Act: July 79 1838
Index: Vol. m , Page 328
[Arrangement of 1870.]

5841
Ann Whitmell of Thomas Blunt, Tennessee,
admitted.
St. 1 yr 1 mo. 12 days, $178.66 100
bapt Smith Col, Pk. N.C. line,
died 20 Sept. 1798.
Act 7 July 1838
Hon: C. Johnson N.R.

Hon. Cave Johnson wishes to have the case of Ann Whitmire (nch whitwell) reported to him. Papers lately sent here by J. Pringle of Tenn. See case N o 5841 act 1838 page 256 in Ref.

No 3.
Halifax 13. Dec r 1838
Sir Inc d yours of the 19 th ult o yesterday & am sorry that we have no record of Marriage licenses in our County. The only record ever kept of an intended marriage is the bond & we have none farther back than 1781. It is considered here that it is sufficient to prove what was the Comm n on report viz that A & B was married
Yours Respectfully
J. H. Simmons

State of Tennessee Dickson County }.
Personally appeared before me Shadrach Bell of County and State aforesaid and made oath on the Holy Evangel of Almighty God, That he was well acquainted with Thomas Blunt Whitmel and Ann Whitmel, and that they were reputed to be, and lived together as man and wife previous to the first day of January in the year Seven hundred and Ninety four, and further makes oath that is now about sixty eight years old, and that he knew Elizabeth West Whitmel, Thomas Whitmel Ezek Smith Whitmel, Ann Smith Whitmel & Thomas West Whitmel to be the reputed children of Thomas Blunt Whitmel and (of Halifax County North Carolina) Ann Whitmel, He does not recollect their ages, but remembers perfectly that Elizabeth West Whitmel was married to Mr David before the death of her father Thomas Blunt Whitmel
Sworn to & subscribed before me Shadrach his Bell mark. this 27th day of March 1840 Joseph Morris J.P.

State of Tennessee. I Joseph Morris one of the acting Justices Dickson County & of the peace for said County do hereby testify that I am well acquainted with Shadrach Bell whose name is subscribed to the within certificate he is very old & blind therefore he is not capable of subscribing his own name he is a man of very sound mind and great respectability and his is entitled to the utmost confidence as all or otherwise given under my hand & seal this 27th day of March 1840
Joseph Morris
State of Tennessee Dickson County. Mr Hightower Clerk of the County Court of said Dickson County do hereby certify that Joseph Morris whose name is officially signed to the foregoing affidavit is an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County of Dickson aforesaid and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine given under my hand at office in Charlotte and affixing seal of office this 17th day of March 1840
Hightower Clerk

J.
J. L. Edwards Esqr. Commissioner of Pensions Washington, City

Pension Office Nashville, Tenn:
August 24 th 1840.
Sir
In your Report of Pensioners to be inscribed on the roll of this agency, for September next, is that of Mrs. Whitnell. She died on the 27 th September 1839. and her Certificate of Pension appears to have Issued on the 28 th March 1840. and the pension due on the 1 st of September next. This being a case of a peculiar Character I feel somewhat at a loss to know whether I am authorized to pay the pension, due up to the time of her death, to her Heirs or not.
Please inform me
Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
J. M. Smith
Pen: Agent.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commr. of Pensions Washington, City

Washington
31 st Jan y 1840
Dear Sir,
I rec d a letter from the friends of Mrs Ann Whitnall, an applicant for a pension as the wife of a Revolutionary Soldier, desiring me to enquire whether additional evidence after marriage had been rec d ? since the case was suspended & whether other evidence was still wanting
I am respectfully Yr. fr d
C. Johnson
The additional evidence said to have been forwarded is a certified copy of the will of her husband many years ago. recognising her as his wife

95
John J. Bell Esq o
Nashville Tennessee

Raleigh 5 th Nov. r 1838.
Dear Sir
Your letter of the 20 th Ultimo came to hand this morning, and on the other half of this sheet I send you such certificate as the documents in my office enables me to make.
The seal of the State is not necessary to any certificate of mine sent to the Pension Office.
My fee amounts to 20 Cents only which please pay to my friend M. H. Howard Esq. of Nashville Tennessee
Yours respectfully
W. Hill
John I. Bell Esq.

(No 2) State of North Carolina
Secretary of State's Office
I William H. Hill Secretary of State in and for the State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that it appears from the Musterrolls of the Continental lines of this State in the revolutionary war, that Blount Whitnell a Lieutenant in Capt. Smith's Company of the 4 th Regiment, was commissioned on the 20 th Nov. 1776, and omitted in January 1778. That a Warrant for bounty land was issued for his services N o 342 for 824 Acres, which appears to have been allowed him for 27 months service.
Given under my hand this 5 th day of November 1838.
W. H. Hill

No 5 Dickson County } I Shadrach Bell State of Tennessee } of Dickson County and State aforesaid do on this 12 th day of July 1839 c certify that I was born and raised near Scotland Neck North Halifax County North-Carolina and that I am about sixty eight years of age and lived within two miles of Thomas Blunt Whitmill (commonly called Blunt Whitmill) and Ann Whitmill Wife of the said Thomas Blunt Whitmill she was formerly Ann Smith and that I knew them ever since I was old enough to be about and be acquainted with People and that M rs Ann Whitmill aforesaid Widow of him the aforesaid Thomas Blunt Whitmill commonly called Blunt Whitmill now lives in Dickson County State aforesaid within six or seven miles of me altho untill lately she lived in Davidson County State aforesaid — I did not see M r & M rs Whitmill married but they lived together as man & Wife and I have heard they were married and they were always respected by their neighbours and those who know them as man and Wife and they raised a large

and respectable Family of children with whom I have also been acquainted both before and since the death of the said Mr. Whitmill. and I have heard and have always understood that the said Thomas Blunt Whitmill called Blunt Whitmill was a Lieutenant in the Revolutionary war and that he was, wounded in the Battle at Brandywine I further state that I have always been intimately acquainted with the said Thomas Blunt Whitmill Family both in - North Carolina and since they have lived in the state of Tennessee I also state that the said Ann Whitmill is still a widow and never has been Married since the death of the said Thomas Blunt Whitmill and I further state that the said Ann Whitmill is the widow of the said Thomas Blunt Whitmill commonly called Blunt Whitmill who owned a tract of Land lying on the south side of Cumberland River now in the county of Davison but now in the county of Dickson in the aforesaid state of Tennessee I further state that said tract of land includes the mouth of Big Harpeth River and that the beginning corner of said tract of land is about three hundred yards above the mouth of the said Harpeth River I further state that I have owned the tract of land so being said Blunt Whitmill tract of land and that I have been living on my land but way  about between twenty five and thirty years. I further state that I have always understood by the Family of the said Blunt Whitmill and by others that the said Blunt

whitmel obtained said tract of land above mentioned for his services in the Revolutionary war.
his Shadrack X Bell mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 12th day of July 1839.
Joseph Morris Esq.
Justice of the peace for the county of Dickson and state of Tennessee
State of Tennessee { I Joseph Morris one of the sitting Dickson County } Justices of the peace for the county & state aforesaid do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Shadrack Bell whose name is subscribed to the above certificate I further testify that he is a man of great respectability and that the utmost confidence may be placed in what he will say relative to any matter. I further state that he is a very aged man and is entirely blind and therefore is under the necessity of making his mark in stead of writing his name given under my hand & seal this 12th day of July 1839 Joseph Morris Esq.
State of Tennessee { Mr. Hightower Clerk of the County Court Dickson County } of Dickson do hereby certify that Joseph Morris whose name is subscribed to the foregoing is an acting Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid and that all due faith and credit should be given to his official acts as such and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine in testimony whereof I have set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 16th day of July 1839 H. Hightower Clerk

Thomas F. Gurnee Esq. January 19 th 1840
Jan. 30. 1840
add. proof Anne Whitney
J. H. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Saxon County } 14 th January 1840 }
J L Edwards Esquire
Dear Sir
Herewith I enclose you an authenticated copy of the last Will of Thomas Blunt Whitmel, which you will please examine and file with the other papers in the suspended case of Ann Whitmel. This last Testament is the only additional proof we are at present able to adduce in support of her claim -
In this Document, she solemnly recognizes her as his wife, and after several bequests to her specially , devises the tract of Land on Cumberland River by Codicil to his daughter Elizabeth West David, which tract was granted to him for his Revolutionary Services, and its location &c, is most particularly referred to in the papers now on file in your office -
There is no one now living as far as can be ascertained who was present at the marriage - But Mrs Whitmel the claimant swears positively to the fact, and in addition Mr Shadburn Bell one of her few surviving friends testifies that they were always reputed man and wife, and reared a large and respectable family, as by reference to the suspended papers will more fully appear, which proof approaches as near as can be done the fulfilment of the requisitions of your letter

= to John I Bell of the 16 th September 1839
As the production of a regularly authenticated Copy of the last Will of Thomas Blunt Whitmel is now the best possible evidence which the nature of the case will admit - we trust that on a view of the whole ground, it will satisfy you, and obviate all further difficulty in granting the Warrant which the Law authorizes you to pass in the premises -
We take pleasure in referring you to the Honble. Care Johnson the member from our District for the respectability of Mrs Ann Whitmel's family and Connexions -
Very Respy.
J. A. Finley
Y. Direct as before to John I Bell, Charlotte Tennessee -

J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Dixon County July 1839
J. L. Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir -
The object of this communication is to present the application of Ann Whitmel, who claims a pension under the "Act of 7 th July 1838, Granting half pay and Pensions to certain widows." Her claim rests on the ground that she is the widow of Thomas Blount Whitmel, (commonly called Blount Whitmel) who served as a Lieutenant in the revolutionary war in the Continental Line of North Carolina in Captain Smiths Company of the 4 th Regiment. For the evidence in her case I will respectfully refer you to the accompanying documents. I ask leave to call your attention in the first place to document marked No 1, which contains the widows oath, proving her marriage and stating what she has heard in reference to the revolutionary services of her deceased husband, and among other things specifying a tract of land granted to him by the State of North Carolina lying on the south side of Cumberland River at the mouth of Harpeth. In connection with other statements she further says she has never since married - As next in order I will refer you to the certificate of W. Hill the Secretary of State for North over.

= Carolina testifying to the fact of Blount - Whitmel's services. viz "That it appears from the Musterrolls of the Continental line of North Carolina that he was a Lieutenant in Captain Smith's Company of the 4 th Regiment - was commissioned on the 20 th November 1776, and omitted in January 1778 - That a Warrant for Bounty Land was issued for his services No 342 for 824 Acres. allowed him for 27 months services - And I will further call your attention to the fact, that she has applied for the proper record proof of her marriage to the Clerk of Halifax County Court, in which County she was born, and married - and received for answer, that there were no marriage Bonds preserved in that County further back than 1781 - And that there is no record of marriage discenses whatever, sept in that County, - To this letter of the Clerk marked No 3. I respectfully invite your reference, in corroboration of my statement - The next Document No 4 is a copy of the Military Grants of North Carolina proving that the aforesaid War- rant No 342. for 824 Acres was laid on the South side of Cumberland River at the Mouth of Harpeth in Davidson County and State of Tennessee, and Granted to Blount Whitmel for his Revolutionary services. This Document is regularly Certified by Luke Lea Secretary of the State of Tennessee with the Seal of the State affixed, which by inspection will fully appear - The paper marked No 5. is the last Document with which I will trouble your attention

It gives you, the oath of Shadrach Bell testifying as to his personal knowledge of the parties - He states he did not see them married, but that they were always reputed man and wife in the neighbourhood, that they always lived together as such up to the time of Blount Whitmel's death, and that they raised a large and respectable family - And further proves that Blount Whitmel was the owner of the Tract of Land at the mouth of Harpeth above referred to, Identifying him as the husband of Ann Whitmel, and as Lieutenant Whitmel for whose Revolutionary Services the above specified Tract was granted by the State of North Carolina - By these Documents then, I think you are furnished with a regular and unbroken chain of Evidence, which connecting it with all the circumstances, and with the great lapse of time which prevents better proof being obtained, from the death of witnesses - is conclusive and irresistible - Proving for that Blount Whitmel was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary war - That he had a Tract of Land granted him for his services - That he married Ann Smith (Now Ann Whitmel the applicant, and that she has never since been married) - And from the proof which she has offered you, I think with due deference she has established a clear title to a pension under the provisions of the act - At least I am sure that the moral proof is conclusive, and if thro' ignorance she has left a chasm in the legal chain of testimony - You will confer a great

favour by pointing it out as soon as possible that it may be repaired if possible - Direct to John J Bell - Charlotte - Dickson County Tennessee -
Respectfully Sir
I am your
most obedient
servant.
Est. Finley
for Ann Whitmel

Dickson County 11 th March 1840
J. S. Edwards Esq.
Sir
I enclose you 2 Affidavits in the case of Ann Whitmel proving that there is no family record in existence, and that she was mar- -ried previous to 1794, which I believe fills up the measure of proof which you require. For the character and respectability of Shadrach Bell I refer you to Rev. John Johnson Esq.
very
Resp. J. Finley

State of North Carolina No 616.
Know ye that we have given and granted unto Blount Whitmee a Subaltine in the continental line of this State a tract of land containing eight hundred and twenty four acres lying and being in our County of Davidson, lying at the mouth of Big Harpeth River on the West side - Beginning at a large Red Oak in the fork of said river and Cumberland, and runs South thirty six chains to a stake thence West one hundred and thirty eight chains to two hickories on a ridge, thence North seventy chains to a Sycamore and hickory on the bank of Cumberland river, thence up the meanders of the river to the beginning. To hold to the said Blount Whitmee, his heirs and assigns forever - Dated the 15 th day of September 1787.
J. Glasgow Secretary W o Caswell.
Warrant No 342. Ro. Weakley S p . Elijah Root & William Nash S le . " "
State of Tennessee I certify the foregoing to be a true copy taken from the Books in my office containing copies of the Military Grants certified by the Secretary of N o Carolina & recognized by an act of the General Assembly of this State.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the State at Nashville the 3. day of July 1839.
Luke Lea Secretary of State.