Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7051, for John May, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
May, John Charity
92.7051
CONTENTS

25.844 Col. Tennessee. John May
of N o Mills in the State of Penn - who was a P o in the C o commanded by Captain Shultz of the P o commanded by Col. [illegible] in the - [illegible] line for [illegible]
18 [illegible] $ 33.33
Inscribed on the Roll of C o Penn at the rate of 33 Dollars 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 12 th day of June and [illegible] to - Mrs. Mary J. [illegible]
Arrears to the 4th of March 34 100.00 Semi-ant. allowance ending Sep 16.66
$116.66
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { bot June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by [illegible] Book [illegible] Vol. [illegible] Page [illegible]
Act. 31 st March 1837 - Pen. Agent

DECLARATION
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE BENEFIT OF THE ACT OF CONGRESS PASSED JUNE 7, 1832.
State of Tennessee, }
County of McMinn } ss.
On this 4 th day of September personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the County Court of said county, John May a resident of said county and state, aged about 71 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 act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That he entered the service of the United States as a Voluntary Militia man about the latter part of April 1777. in Henry County Virginia in a Company Commanded by Captain James Shelton of the County of Henry & State of Virginia and was attached to a Regiment Commanded by Colonel William Christy, which Campaign has been generally known by the name of Christy's Campaign against the Cherokees Indians, and the same time the Treaty was entered into with the Cherokees Indians at the Long Island of Holston, William Blevins was Lieutenant and Isaac McDaniel Ensign of the same Company, we Rendezvoused at Anthony Smiths on the Mays River in Henry County Virginia, then marched on up the Holston of the Dan River to Holston Gap, from thence to Days Ferry on New River, thence to Fort Chiszel, thence on down the Country passing through Wyndover, thence we struck for the head of Holston River, and thence on down to the Long Island when the Treaty was held, declarant was engaged in no battle, declarant marched in Company with Captain Peter Houston who Commanded a Company from the same County, and was discharged at the Long Island of Holston about the 1 st of July having served out the time for which he engaged, which was about 3 months. Declarant again entered the service of the United States about the month of December 1779. as a Mounted gentleman for 12 months to be ready at all times at a moments warning, to defend the Country against the Tories, under the Command of Captain Thomas Dash and Lieutenant Peachy Bleeker enrolled in Henry County and State of Virginia on the Manowbone Creek all under the Command of Colonel Abraham Penn,

Resided at Henry Francis's in Henry County within one mile of the North Carolina, from thence we marched on to the Moravian towns in North Carolina then to the shallow ford of the Rappahannock River, then crossed the Rappahannock at the shallow ford passing through a battle ground that a northern party of whigs had with the Tories the night before, thence to Leesburg where we remained some days, from thence we marched up the Rappahannock some distance and crossed it again, here on from thence to the hollows of the Dan on our course home until we arrived from where we started, and in the month of October 1780 Declarant received no discharge for this tour,
Declarant again entered the service of the United States, as a substitute in Miles Jennings' Room for a 3 months term of duty, in a Company Commanded by Amos Crighton Captain, Lieutenant William Pen from Ensign Jennings enrolled in June or July 1781 in Henry County Virginia. Declarant received a furlough from the Commandant of the Company to join head quarters at Hobbs Hill in Fanny River about 16 miles below Richmond on the North side, thence marched to the Pamunkey River to New Castle Crown, and at that place cleared out a parade ground.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the 4 th day of September 1832
John his M ark May
We John Boldin, a clergyman residing in the county and state aforesaid, and William May, residing as aforesaid, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John May who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; and we believe him to be 71 years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the 3 rd day of September 1832 that Mr. May has no reputation of being a Revolutionary Officer in this part of the Country because his present neighbors have only known him a few years. But no man who knows him would hesitate to believe what he would say or swear, even to disprove the 3 rd day of September 1832 William May John Boldin
And the Court do hereby declare their opinion, after investigating the matter, and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a
Clergyman, that he and
who has also signed it, are
resident as they therein state, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
D. Gault A. C. Robson J. H. Wakefield

Farm marched on down the Pamunkey River on the South side to Bacon's old fields, at which place declarant received his discharge; having been attached to the Wagon department at New Castle. Declarant received discharges for two tours of duty but has lost both; declarant has in his possession a Receipt from Nathl Rice Lieut Commanding Post of P. Edw. County Virginia which is in these words; Rec d of John May of Henry County One Six Monthly Soldier by the name of Archibald McCoy. Given at Prince Edward Court house Oct r 12 th 1781. And signed Nathl Rice Lieut Comdg Post P. Edw. for which declarant according to the Regulations of them times, entitled him a order for to a tour of duty - xxxxx to xxxxxxxx this 4 th day of xxxxxxxx 1832
William May Senior, makes oath that he is acquainted with the above declarant and knows of his having served the two last named tours of duty under Captain Bush and Cryte, that he served with him in both tours, both commanded in one tour by Captain Cryte, and that he belonged to Captain Dillard Company at the time declarant was commanded by Capt d Bush, he states he was not on the tour of Long Island, but is knowing to his declarant's going out on said Campaign and that the times specified by declarant affiant he believes to be correct - known to be subscribed this 4 th day of September 1832. W m May
Return answers to Columbus Gen

State of Tennessee McMinn County
Samuel W. Donnell
To James H. Fife
Two of the acting Justices of the peace for said County Certify that I am acquainted with William May who makes the within Certificate and believe him, To be an honest upright man, and one that should be fully relied on, so far as I know.
J. H. Fife
Sworn to in open Court 2 o Sept - 1833
Justice of the peace
Samuel W. Donnell
A. H. Farber
Justice of the peace.

Interrogatories put to John May in open Court
1 st Where and in what year were you Born Answer I was born in Essex County Virginia in the year of our Lord 1760 same time in the month of November —
2 nd Have you any Record of your age and if so where is it —
Answer I have no Record of My age but heard my father swear that My age was as above stated —
3 rd Where were you living when called into service Where have you lived since the Revolution War and where do you now live —
Answer I lived in Henry County Virginia when called into service thence moved to Buncombe County North Carolina thence moved to Blount County Tennessee thence moved to McMinn County where I now reside and have lived for the last 12 years —
4 th How were you called into service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom —
Answer I first enlisted, secondly I substituted in Miles ginning place after which I enlisted in the service service for twelve months after which I took a furlough which was to serve for a pair of duty for three months and delivered him at head quarters, —
5 th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops, where you served such Continental and Militia officers of the Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service —
Answer Colonel Christian commanded at the Long Islands of Walston, afterwards Capt. Crute marched us to head Quarters on Wabash Hill and then we were under the command of Gen. Lafayette there was a General Stephens was there commanding the regular troops But I belong to General Lawsons Brigade
6 th did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it

Answer I have Received discharges but do not know What has become of them nor do I Recollect who gave them to me I Recollect Capt. Conites give me a paper to a field officer and he discharged me but have no Recollection of the officers name nor what became of My discharge
4 th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your neighbourhood who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a Revolutionary Soldier ————— answer the Reverend Obediah Boulden the Reverend John Boulden Calvin Henry Bradford and Robert Sloan Esqr and Capt Joseph Cobb who are all acquainted with me for several years with all the neighbourhood
I do Certify that I have been acquainted with John May the applicant as named above and for the last twelve years I do believe him to be seventy three years of age and I further believe that he performed the the Revolutionary Services as stated above and is entitled to a pension, under the act of the 4 th June I also certify that he is a man of veracity Sworn to and Subscribed this 2 nd day of Sept 1833
Obediah Boulden Socd preacher of the m th Church
A. S. Fulkerson

we the Samuel McRae and John Miller two of the acting Justices of the peace for McMinn County do certify that we are acquainted with the  John May the above applicant and know him to be a man of veracity and do believe him to be a man of the strictest veracity and that he is entitled to a petition
Samuel McRae Justice of the peace
Sworn to in open court John Miller Justice of the peace 2 nd Sept 1833
A. R. Turk Clerk
State of Tennessee ss I Archibald R. Turk McMinn County Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions for McMinn County and State aforesaid do certify that Samuel McRae and John Miller Esquires whose names is subscribed to the above certificate is and was at the time of subscribing the same acting Justices of the Peace in and for said Coun- ty duly commissioned and sworn and that the signatures appears in their own proper hand writing Given under my hand and seal of office at office in Athens this 15 th September 1833 A. R. Turk Clerk

11168
Charity May dec?
Gen:
act 7. July '38
should be admitted
7057
Act 7. July 1838

Declaration of James Hawkins
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed July 7 th 1838 State of Tennessee Polk County } On this 6 th day of May 1844 Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the County aforesaid Mr. James Hawkins a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged thirty seven who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his Oath make the following declaration that he is the son-in-law of John May who was a pensioner at the rate of $33.33 1 / 3 per annum that his father-in-law the aforesaid John May died on the 28 th day of Dec r 1839 leaving a widow and the following named children viz Leray May W m May George May Peter May Phoebe Markrum Colender Rodgers Escheler Harris and Mary Hawkins affiant further declares that his mother-in-law Charity May died on the 27 th day of December 1842 this declaration is made to obtain the benefit of the pension due the widow at her death under the act of congress passed July 7 th 1838 James Hawkins State of Tennessee } Polk County }
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid and I further certify that full faith and credit may be given to his James Hawkins attolments I further certify that the aforesaid Charity May died on the 27 th day of December 1842 leaving the following named children heirs at law viz Leray May W m May George May Peter May Phoebe Markrum Colender Rodgers Escheler Harris and Mary Hawkins In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this 6 th day of May 1844 Robert H. Coleman Justice of the peace for Polk County

State of Tennessee ) May Term 1844 County Court the Polk County ) Declaration of James Hawkins certified on the 6 th day of May 1844 by Robert H. McConnel Justice of the peace for said county being submitted to the court the said court doth approve of his proceeding and acts in said cause and hereby directs the clerk to endorse the approval on the papers the said court do further certify that the aforesaid Charles May died on the 27 th day of December 1842 leaving the following named children heirs at law viz Leroy May W m May George May Peter May Phoebe May Elender Progers Eschuler Harris and Mary Hawkins the aforesaid State of Tennessee ) on the 28 th day of Dec r 1839 Polk County ) I James Parks Clerk of the County Court of Polk County do hereby certify that forgoing proceedings in the original proceedings had and approved of by the County Court of Polk County at its May Term 1844 Relative to the declaration James Hawkins to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed July 27 th 1838 Relative to Revolutionary pensions and further that the aforesaid R. H. McConnel is and was a Justice of the peace for said county duly commissioned and qualified according to law and that his signature purporting to be his genuine Signature
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at office in Benton May 6 th 1844, James Parks (Clerk)
J. W. Blackwell, Rep. in the 28 th Congress of the U.S. do certify that James Parks whose name appears to the above certificate, was at County Court of Polk Co. Tenn. duly elected and qualified according to law.

State of Tennessee
Polk County
On this 6 th day of May 1844 Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid Mrs Rhoda May. A Resident of the County and State aforesaid aged Seventy Eight years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her Oath make the following affidavit that she was well acquainted with John May and was also well acquainted with his wife Charlotte May and knew them to live together as Husband and wife long before the year seventeen hundred and ninety four and the reason affiant knows it to be so is in consequence of affiant's Marriage to her husband Wm May the Brother of the aforesaid John May that the Marriage of the aforesaid John May and Charlotte May was married some three years previous to affiant's Marriage and that affiant's Marriage took place in the year seventeen hundred and eighty three and that the Marriage of the aforesaid John May and Charlotte May never was dissolved.
Rhoda her May mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid I do further certify that full faith and credit may be given to her Rhoda May's statements In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 6 th day of May 1844. Robert H. McConnell
Justice of the peace for Polk County
State of Tennessee
Polk County
I James Parks Clerk of the County Court of Polk County do hereby certify that R. H. McConnell is and was a

A Justice of the peace for said County duly commissioned and qualified according to law and that his signature purporting to be his is genuine in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at office in Benton this 6 th day of May one thousand eight hundred and forty four
James Parks Clerk

23,038
John May, Tunja
1777 p 10- $ 33 \frac{33}{100}
B. J. Stadler N. H.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the Service of John May
   Period when the service was rendered Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1777 3 P Col. Hilt 71 Pa Traditions & Witness   1779 P Col. Hilt   1781 3 P not clear.    Note specific as to the time in actual service in Captain Bruns Company. Can allow for four months for actual service, under said engagement, which is the date of April 18, 1834. claim by Mr. May for same service.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following ( m ) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
□ The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

June 13, 1939.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Sidney C. Rymer, Grover, Utah.
BA-J/CC John May R.7051
Dear Sir:
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in pension claim, R.7051, based upon service of John May, in the Revolutionary War.
John May was born in November, 1760, in Essex County, Virginia, names of his parents not shown.
While a resident of Henry County, Virginia, John May enlisted the latter part of April, 1777, served three months as private in Captain James Shelton's company, Colonel William Christy's Virginia regiment and was in Christy's campaign against the Cherokee Indians at the Long Islands of Holston; enlisted in December, 1779, served as mounted gunman in Captain Thomas Bush's company, Colonel Abraham Penn's Virginia regiment and was discharged in October, or November, 1780; enlisted in June or July, 1781, in Captain Amon Cryte's or Crite's company in Henry County, Virginia, received a furlough from the commandant of the company to join headquarters at Mobbins Hill on the James River, and was placed in the wagon department at New Castle on the Pamunky River and cleared a parade ground, thence to Bacon's old fields where he was discharged.
After the Revolution he moved to Buncombe County, North Carolina, thence to Blount County, Tennessee, and in 1820, to McMinn County, Tennessee.
The soldier was allowed pension on his application executed September 4, 1832, at which time he was still a resident of McMinn County, Tennessee.
He died December 28, 1839.

John May married, exact date not shown, in Henry County, Virginia, Charity Taylor. Date and place of her birth and names of her parents are not shown. She died December 27, 1842.
The following named children survived John and Charity May:
Leroy May, William May, George May, Peter May, Phalby Markrum, Elender Rodgers, Escheler Harris, and Marry Hawkins.
In 1834, William May, Senior, stated in McMinn County, Tennessee, that he served with John May in the Revolutionary War, relationship not stated. In 1844, Daniel May was aged fifty-eight years and a resident of Polk County, Tennessee, and stated that his father, William May, was a brother of John May. In the same year, Rhoda May, then a resident of the said Polk County, was aged seventy-eight years and stated that her husband, William May, was a brother of John May, and that she and William May were married in the year 1783, and that John and Charity May "married some three years previous".
In 1844, James Hawkins, son-in-law of John and Charity May, was aged forty-seven years and a resident of Polk County, Tennessee.
In 1846, Mrs. Moly Hawkins, who was born May 6, 1760, was a resident of McMinn County, Tennessee, and stated that she had a daughter born February 1, 1780. Relationship to the family was not stated.
Very truly yours.
A. D. HILLER, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

No 11168 Chaitz May a/c Fin
to Hon J. M. Buchanan July 15 1844
to Hon J. H. Cazenove July 6 '46
Post Master Genl Sept 16. 46
Hon J. H. Cazenove Sept 19. 46
" " " " (Colt) March 29 '46
act 7 July 1838

REJECTED
70071
P. O. _____
Charity Kay
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18
1939-June 12 - Heir to Sidney C. Rayner cc - listed in file of com may 26-5335-

State of Tennessee Polk County ss
On this 11 th day of March 1846 Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace for said County Mr Daniel May in his Fifty Eighth year and A resident of said County and after being first duly sworn accor- ding to law doth on his oath make the following affidavit that he was well acquainted with Mr John May up to the day of his death and was also well acquainted with his wife Charity May up to the day of her death and knew them that is John and Charity May to line together as man and wife from affi- ants Earliest Recollection affiant do further that he has frequently heard the father of affiant and the aforesaid John May speaking of their marriages and that John May's Marriage was before that of affiant. Affiant has always understood that John and Mr May was Brothers and passed as such affiant's father was a person who was in his after Charity May as he always understood.
Daniel May
Sworn to and subscribed before me A Justice of the peace for said County on the day and year above written and i do further certi- fy that i am well acquainted with Mr Daniel May and that full faith and credit is due his Daniel May statements in Witness whereof i have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and date above written.
S. Gammie Justice of the peace

State of Tennessee
Park County ss James Parks Clerk of the County Court of Park County do certify that. Solomon Sumney Esq whose signature appears to the within certificate is genuine and that he was at the time of signing the same an acting justice of the peace for my County duly commissioned and qualified according to Law Given under my hand and seal of office at office in Benton this 17 th day of March 1846
James Parks Clerk

Atkins 29 th May 1834 -
Sir,
I send you enclosed the papers of Mr John May which were forwarded for further proof which the old man is entirely unable to make, you will please present them and make the best compromise for him you can. They say they cannot allow more than four months for a tour of 12 under Capt Beach perhaps you can get them up to 6 m th . If so do or do the best you can for him. It will have to be taken if latter cannot be had, I sent you some days since Col Duncalf's note which I presume you have ere this, and a request to attend to the case of Genl. Hays - I should like to hear from you on the reception of those papers. As now I think the Adm ty is gaining ground on the subject of the fleet, and I think the Senate rather have disgraced themselves, it will increase his popularity more than if they had suffered it to have been printed on their journals - Yours H on J. M. [unclear]

Colt Tennessee Agency Knoxville March 11 1837
Sir
You will find enclosed John Mays application for his pension for forty three dollars & thirty three cents per annum which my books show that amount due him as from the 4 day of September 1835 upto the 4 day of March 1837 — I have returned his original certificate of Pension — all of which is submitted for your examination and further instruction
I am Respectfully your obedt Servt J. H. P. Smith Agent
James L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Washington City
May 31 st 1844.
Sir,
I herewith present you the following papers in the case of Mrs. Rhody May, widow of W m May, also in the case of Mrs. Mary Denton, widow of John Denton — in the case of the Heirs of the John and Charity May — in the case of Amy Denton, widow of John Denton in the case of Mrs. Elizabeth Witt — in the case of Mrs. Priggins — in the case of Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson, widow of Rob t Johnson. To all of which I respectfully call your attention at your earliest convenience.
I am Sir,
Respectfully Your H on Ser t
J. W. Blackwell
La. L. Edward Comm. of Pensions

Sir
222 P. A. July 15. 44
I have the honor to inform you that the ad d evidence in the case of Elizabeth Witt is wholly insufficient to establish with the requisite certainty her marriage before June 94 — It does not escape observation that neither the claimant nor her witnesses state where & by whom she was married — In the case of Charles May Dec d the alleged date of the marriage should be established by the certified copy of the marriage bond or the Clerk should certify the facts which may account for the deficiency of his records — The evidence is not sufficient in the case of Tennant Campbell to establish the date of the marriage — And the alleged service of her husband for 6 mos in 80 under Capt d Gibson — 6 mos in 81 under the same officer & 2 mos. Dragoon under Col d Sevier should be verified by the books of the

Compt of N.C. when it is lately discovered -ed there are records of the N.C. militia service - This evidence will be the more insisted upon as the Dept. has no information that the laws of N.C. subjected her militia to term of 6 mo. duration -
The alleged date of the marriage in the case of Jane Darry should be verified by the cer- tificate of the Clerk of Augusta Co. Va. or the deficiency of his records to prove her marriage so accounted for - The parole proof is entirely unsatisfactory -
Shebe Steed's triplicate declaration is filed with her other papers - As a claim under the act of 4 July 36 as originally passed & now renewed you are referred to my letter to you of 9 th inst last for the objection to its admission -
Dear J. W. Blackwell Athens Tenn.

State of Tennessee } ss McMinn County }
On this 16 th day of March 1824, 6
Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace for said County Mrs. Moley Hawkins a resident of said County aged Eighty Six years the sixth day of May next and after being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following affidavit that she was well acquainted with Mr. John May up to the day of his death and was also well acquainted with his wife Charity May up to the day of her death and knew them that is John and Charity May to live together as man and wife long before the first day of January Seventeen hundred and ninety four affiant do further declare that she affiant had a daughter born on the first day of February Seventeen hundred and Eighty and at which time the aforesaid John and Charity May was living together as man and wife affiant is positive that the Marriage took place at the time above stated that is before the first day of January 1794 the reason affiant is so positive affiant was at the affair the day after the Marriage of John and Charity May
Moley Hawkins
Sworn to and subscribed before me a Justice of the peace for said County on the day and year above written and do further certify that I am well acquainted with the aforesaid Moley Hawkins and that full faith and credit is due her said Moley Hawkins statements of witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and date above
J. J. Ball Seal Justice of the Peace

State of Tennessee      J. James C. Garlock Memphis County      clerk of the county court ) for the county and State aforesaid do certify that J. J. Ball Esq. whose name appears to the within affidavit is now & was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace for Memphis County, duly commissioned & qualified. In due faith & credit are to be given to the official acts. & the signature that purports to be his is genuine.
Given under my hand and seal of office at office in Memphis the 6th day of April 1846 J. J. Garlock clerk

State of Tennessee Polk County } ss
On this 6 th day of May 1842 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace M c W m Baker a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged Eighty two, on the 10 th day of July next who being first duly sworn according to law doth in his oath make the following affidavit that he was acquainted with M c Charity May up to the time of her death and was also well acquainted with her husband John May up to the day of his death Affiant further declares that the aforesaid John May died in the latter part of the year 1839 having a wife Charity May who died in December 1842 Affiant further declares that he knew the aforesaid John and Charity May to live together as man and wife for sixty years and never had the marriage disputed and from records of affidavits the marriage took place long before the first of January Seventeen hundred and Ninety four Affiant for many years understood that the aforesaid John May was drawing a pension
William his M c Baker mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid and I further certify that full faith and credit is given to his statements in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 6 th day of May Eighteen hundred and forty four
Andrew B. Stephenson Justice of the peace for Polk County, Tenn
the time it bears, note Clerk of the and that the signature appears to be genuine given under my hand May 31 st 1844. J. H. Blackwell

State of Tennessee } James Parks, Clerk of the County Court of Patterson County } Patterson County, certify that Andrew R. Stephenson Esq. whose signature appears to the foregoing certificate is in his own proper hand writing, and that he was at the time of signing the same, an acting justice of the peace for my County, duly commissioned and qualified according to Law.
Given under my hand and seal of office at office in Benton this 6 th day of May 1844.
James Parks Clerk

For J. R. Grozier
July 6. 1874 P. ~

76 Prussian Office July 6. 1846
Sir,
I have the honor to return herewith Mr. Newman's letter and to inform you that the additional evidence in the case of Charles May widow of John May does not establish the date of their marriage with the requisite certainty.
If as it is alleged these parties were married in Henry County, the proof thereof should be found in the records of the County Court and By addressing a note to the Clerk you will no doubt be able to obtain from him any evidence these records may afford in  in this case.
Col. J. H. Crozier Bureau of Pubs.

Charlottesville Va July 29 th 1846
H.
Hon. John D. Grozier M.C.
Washington City
D.C.

Henry County Court Clerks office 29 th July 1846
Sir
Yours accompanying Mr Jacob Newman's letter of 15 th June has been rec d . He speaks of having written several letters to this office - they have not come to hand - about twelve months ago I rec d . a letter from a Mr Fleming dated Knoxville Tenn. asking for a copy of the Marriage bond of John May to Charity Taylor which was forwarded, since which I have heard nothing further on the subject -
Since the receipt of yours I have made search again for the said but cannot find it has by accident got misplaced. I though I cannot now find it I have a distinct recollection of the transaction - if the copy was not rec d . by Mr Fleming. It is likely that it might be found at the post office Department among the dead letters returned from Knoxville or Jonesborough on Oct. 1 st Jany last. The letter is now before me and I am not certain whether the signature is P. H. G. or R. H. G. Fleming or Fleming. I am of opinion that I addressed: R. H. G. Fleming for that is what I first took it to be.
Very respectfully yr
J. Gregg
Nov. 2 nd 6 th 1846

Knoxville Aug 24 th 1846
Dear Sir
I enclose a letter from the County Court Clerk of Henry County Virginia formerly addressed to yourself I wish you to forward the letter to Mr Edwards I think with this letter and the papers testifying in full in Mr Edwards Office the blame of the loss of Chas May will be removed.
Yours with Mrs. [unclear]
Jacob [unclear]
Hon J H Crozier

Wm J. W. Wrogeu
Sept 19:46

Pension Office
September 19. 1846
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that Upon the receipt of the letter of Mr. Jacob Newman enclosing one from the Clerk of Henry County Va. stating that a copy of the Marriage bond of John May to Elizabeth Taylor was forwarded by him to Mr. Fleming of Knoxville. A communication from this Office was addressed to the Post Master Genl. requesting that a search might be made in the proper office, to ascertain if such a letter had been returned as the Dead Letters. A reply has just been received stating that no such letter could be found.
If upon another search the Original bond cannot be found amongst the records of Henry County, and the Clerk will certify under Oath that such a bond did exist, that it showed that these parties were married prior to January 1794 and that such bond has been misplaced and cannot be found. it will be deemed satisfactory on this point  sufficient to establish the marriage
Rev. J. H. Cooper Knoxville Tenn.

Hon. Cave Johnson Sept 16. 46

321 Pension Office September 16 1846
Sir,
In June or July 1845 a letter from J. Griggs, Clerk of Henry County Virginia containing a Copy of the bond upon which license was granted authorizing the Marriage between John May and Charity Taylor was mailed at Madisonville and addressed to P. F. G. Fleming or R. F. G. Fleming, Knoxville Tenn.
This letter did not reach the individual for whom it was intended and it is supposed may have been returned to the Genl. Post Office about the first of January last as a dead letter.
As it is of some importance to the parties interested to recover that letter I have the honor to request that you cause an examination of the Dead Letter Office to be made and if such letter be found to forward the same to this Office
Then Carr Johnson Post Master Genl.

Sept 18 75
James
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT Official Business
M. Brown
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commission Pensions. Washington.

Dead Letter Office.
Sep 17. 1846.
Sir
Yours of yesterday asking for Letter to P. F. G. Hemming, or P. F. G. Fleming, cont d Copy of Bond is rec d .
Search has been made for the Letter in question, but it cannot be found.
I am Resp t
Yours very
Obt d
for the P. M. Gen t
J. O'Brien Clerk
J. L. Edwards Esq
600 m th Avenue P th Street, Washington
D. C.

205 Pension Office March 21 st 1848
Sir,
I have the honor to inform you that the Affidavit of Jane Joy Ivy, in the case of Jane Howree widow of Henry Howree is but a duplicate of her former Statement and therefore adds nothing to the evidence heretofore filed in support of Mrs Howree Claim.
I repeat that in my letter to Mr McAnally the agent who presented this Claim he was informed that the testimony of those only who were in service with Howree can could specify the several times for which the payments were made as exhibited by the Certificate of the Comptroller of North Carolina would be sufficient to identify Mrs Howree's husband with that Soldier. Females cannot possess such knowledge and their testimony can cannot be received then as evidence of the sense of in this case.
The date of their Marriage should be established by a Certified Copy of the Marriage binder or license from the Clerks office.

in the County, in which the sites were purported, or it must be shown that no such evidence exists before that of an in- ferior grade can be considered
The requisition of my letter to Hon. J. H. Crouzier of 19 th Sept. 1846, in the Case of Charity May, and a copy of which is herewith enclosed should be considered with also the date of her death should be estab- lished by the affidavits of the Undertaker or Minister, or who Officiated at her funeral or the Minister  Phisician who attended her in her last ill- -ness. It is very important that the particular date of Mrs May's death should be clearly established
No additional evidence has been received in support of the Claim of Miss Satterfield widow of William Satterfield since my report to J. H. McAnally of the 22 nd January last a copy of which you will find enclosed.
Hon. W. H. Cooke M c Alister 11/11/46
Hon. W. H. Cooke Dance of Rich,

June 2, 1939.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mr. Sidney C. Rymer, Grover, Utah.
BA-J/CG John May R.7051
William May W.5335
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John and William May who drew pensions in McMinn County, Tennessee.
You are furnished herewith the Revolutionary War records of John May, R.7051, and William May, W.5335, as found in the pension files of this office.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
most time thus 1 Claims based upon their Rev. in Thabman!

John May
23038

I H. D. Tuck Clerk of the County Court of the County of Franklin aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John May for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at office, this 15 th day of
September 183 2
H. D. Tuck By his Deputy J. M. McMillan
advised H. D. Tuck A. H. Lewis John

State of Tennessee McMinn County      I William May senior make Cath that he is acquainted with John May the foregoing Declarant and knows of his having served the two last named tours of duty as by him set forth in his Dcl under Capt. Bush and Cryts, and that he belonged to Capt. Dillard Company at the time declarant was commanded by Capt. Bush, that he served under that they were both in Capt. Cryts Company at the same time, and the Col. were Wm. D. Dillard & Stephens he also states he was not with him in the tour of Long Island but knew of declarant's going out in said Campaign and that the time as set forth by said declarant declarant affiant believes to be true —
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 29 th day of March 1834 Jacob Hope
W. D. Dillard      W. May
Justice of the peace for McMinn County
I Jacob Hope a justice of the peace for the County of McMinn in the State of Tennessee and before whom the foregoing declaration was sworn to. Certify that I am acquainted with William May Jr. and believe him to be a Soldier of the Revolution and a man in whom confidence can be placed as to his Statements —
Given under my hand this 29 th day of Mar 1834.
Jacob Hope
(200)
Justice of the peace for McMinn County,

State of Tennessee J. Archibald R. Turk Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions in and for the County of McMinn. Certify that Jacob Hester whose name appears to the foregoing Certificate, as a Justice of the peace, was at the time and now is one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for the County of McMinn, duly commissioned and Author- ized to act as such, and that full faith and Credit is due to all his Official attestations.
Given under my hand and seal of Office at office in Athens this 29 th day of March 1834.
J. R. Turk Clerk By his Deputy Saml Workman