Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5125, for David Laws, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER
N 6
Laws, David Martha
N 5125
Born in Va-
CONTENTS

12.447 North Carolina David Davis of Wilkes in the State of N.C. who was a Pvt. in the commanded by Captain of the Regt. commanded by Col. Manton in the - H.C. - due for benefit , —
Dead Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 to from 4 Sep to 2 nd Dec 1841. Aged Notified. 23 rd May 1843
let to Mrs. Martha Law July 13 43
Inserted on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 10— Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 th day of April 1833 and settled S. 47 Pension Wilkesmore
  Arrears to the 14th of March 1833  40    Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sep 1833  10        57—  
{ Revolutionary Claim, } due June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Math. Rice Clerk, Book 4 Vol. 6 Page 47

6948 N. Carolina
Martha Margaret Law widow of David Law who was a private in the N. Carolina Line.
Letter to A. A. Scraggs 13 June 1845
2 Certs. 1 act 1838 1 " 1843 & 1844
Reported Letter to Pen. Agt. 13 April 1847 Same - Same 25 March 1848
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20 Dollars & 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 day of May 45 and sent to A. A. Scraggs, Wilkesboro: N. Carolina
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
June 17, 1844
Recorded in Book a
Vol. 2 Page 157

6110

State of North Carolina Wiltz County
On this 17th day of January A.D. 1843, personally appeared Martha Luns before me a justice of the peace in and for said County and State, aged about eighty two years, (but being old and infirm she cannot state the precise day/month), who being first duly sworn according to Law doth, on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836; That she is the widow of David Luns deceased who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, for which service she knew and continued to draw a pension until the day of his death for said service - The time of his entering the service and the precise period of service will be more fully shown on reference to his declaration on file at Washington City - She further declares that she was married to the said David Luns about the year seventeen hundred and seventy eight in the County of Wiltz, she thinks, or Bryan & Affleck may have been, and that the marriage took place before the last period of the aforesaid David Luns died on the second day of December 1841, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed - She further declares that her bodily health is such that she cannot go to the Court house safely to file her declaration -
Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written John Parkin Jr. Interlined after 1843 Martha Luns mark

State of North Carolina
Wilkes County
I do hereby certify that Martha Laws who hath this day sworn to subscribed the foregoing declaration before me, is a credible person to be believed on oath. I also certify that she is by reason of old age & bodily infirmity unable to attend Court to make her declaration and I further certify that she is the widow of the Intestate David Laws, who was a United States prisoner as declared by said declarant, that they always lived together as husband and wife up to the time of said prisoner's death, that she is now a widow that never since married
Given under my hand seal this 17 January
1843
J. P. [initials]

State of North Carolina Wilkes County
This day of January 17, 1843
Com peared before me an acting Justice of the peace for the County of Wilkes and State of North Carolina Shadrach Laws of said County and State, being sworn in due form of law, deponeth & saith that he was well acquainted with David Laws (now deceased) and his wife Martha Laws formerly Martha Mitchell, we have lived together ever since we were small boys up to the day of his death - I recollect well that the deceased David Laws entered the service under one Captain or Hargrove, then an Mustering Officer, but the precise time I cannot state and the time of entering the service I cannot fully state, but it was some time before the Battle at Kings Mountain and returned home from service, which will be shown as the affiant believes by reference to the declaration of the deceased David Laws the husband of Martha - He further states that he was at the marriage that took place between the said David Laws & Martha Mitchell in the year of 1778 but the day month he cannot recollect, and was married by an acting Magistrate of said County John Greer, and they lived as good citizens together as man and wife until the day of his death. And that the old lady Martha Laws has remained a widow ever since and that her eyesight and bodily health is such that

She cannot safely leave her residence to go to the Court House to make her declaration known to the day above written -
John Parkin Jr. Shepherd Jones
State of North Carolina Wilkes County      § This 17th day of January 1843 came Elizabeth Mitchell before me an acting justice in and for said County and made oath in due form of law That she was present and witnessed the marriage between David Laws Deceased, and a revolutionary soldier and Martha Mitchell miss Martha Laws at her Father's house on Muddy Creek in said County some time in the year 1778 and have been neighbors to them ever since and that they lived together as man and wife up to the day of his death - And that the said Martha Laws has remained a widow since -
Known to and subscribed the day and year above written -
John Parkin Jr.      Elizabeth his Mitchell mark

North Carolina Walker County
I William Clark of the County Court of Walker do certify that John Purvis is an acting Magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Walkersboro the 23 rd day of Feb. 1843
William Clark
North Carolina ) I William Clark of the County Walker County ) Court of Walker County do
Certify that I have made diligent search for a Bond for marriage license between David Law and Martha McKeith, in my office and cannot find said Bond
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office at Walkersboro the 23 rd day of Feb. 1843
William Clark

State of North Carolina } Wilkes County } I William Mastin Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter sessions opened and held for said County according to law, do certify that the Court orders that satisfactory evidence was this day introduced that the Declaration over Martha Laws' signa- ture is genuine, and that she is the widow of David Laws a United States pensioner, & that from proof they were legally married at the time, set forth in the foregoing Declaration, and that she is a respectable person, & to be believed on oath, & that her bodily infirmity is such that she cannot leave her residence, to go to the Court House to file her declaration. I further testify that I have examined this office for the mar- riage of David Laws & Martha Mitchell, & that there is no such record in this office. And that the magistrate's name attached to the foregoing is & was an acting magistrate at the time of signing the foregoing declaration, & full faith & credit ought to be given to his official acts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of office at office in Wilkesboro N.C. August 2 nd 1843 Wm Mastin Clerk

State of North Carolina } County of Wilkes } p.
On the 29 th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, of the County of Wilkes & State of North Carolina, now sitting, David Lewis a resident of the County of Wilkes & State of North Carolina, aged Seventy Seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following dec- -laration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832 -
That he was born in the year 1755 in the County of Halifax & State of Virginia, (the record of which was entered in a Bible lately the property of the William Mitchell of Wilkes Co, but which is now lost or destroyed, so that the record cannot be adverted to,) where he lived until he was about eighteen years of age, when he removed with his father to the State of South Carolina, where he lived for about two years; when he again removed to Wilkes County N.C., where he has lived ever since. In a short time after this deponent settled in the County of Wilkes, probably about the last of August 1776, he entered the service of the United States, as a volunteer for three months, under Capt Francis Hargrave; and rendezvoused near Wilkes C.H. and as soon thereafter as they could prepare, they marched direct to the Pleasant Gardens in the County of Burke, where they joined the troops under Genl Rutherford - (they belonging however to the regiment of Col Martin Armstrong) - In a few days after joining Genl Rutherford, they marched as direct as they could, to what was called the Middle Towns of the Cherokee Nation - where they expected to meet with the troops from South Carolina, but which, did not arrive as this deponent understood, until a day or two after he left that place. During the stay of Genl Rutherford's troops at the Middle Towns, a good deal of sickness pre- -vailed among them from eating green Corn & Beef with- out salt; so that before they could advance from that

place, a new organization of the troops had to be made - accordingly Genl Rutherford issued orders for about a thousand or twelve hundred of the ablest, healthiest & stoutest of the troops to turn out for the purpose of marching to the Valley Towns, which was a distance of fifty or sixty miles - This detachment was one of those who turned out on that occasion, & as soon as the required number was made up, they set out and marched to the Valley Towns - upon arriving at the latter place, they found that most of the Indians had fled, and abandoned the town, leaving only a few straggling men, women and children, whom they took prisoners - from thence about fifty of them they marched a few miles down the river and destroyed a small town, and after having destroyed & burnt the Valley Towns, & all the corn, & other property they could find, they returned to the Middle Towns, and rejoined the troops which had been left at that place - after resting a few days, and recruiting themselves, the army set out upon its return to North Carolina, and when they reached the Pleasant Gardens, the company under Capt Mays received their discharges, and returned home -
In the Spring of the year following (1777) this detachment again volunteered himself for three months to march against the Cherokee Indians, and joined the company of Capt Benjamin Cleveland on Swain's fork, (a branch of the Yadkin) and very soon thereafter, marched to Carter's Fort on Watauga, (in what is now called East Tennessee) - where they were stationed a considerable time, during which, they were principally engaged in scouting parties after the Indians, who at that time were very troublesome in that part of the country - The appearance of troops however in the country gave the Indians some cause of alarm, and they abandoned that section of it and retired farther into the interior - when tranquility was restored, Capt Cleveland marched with his company to the Long Islands of Holston, where they found some troops collected at a Fort, and where some persons were engaged as commissioners on the part of the United States,

in forming a treaty with the Chiefs of the Cherokee Nation - after remaining there a short time (Capt Cleveland) with his company marched back again to Carter Fort, where they remained for two or three weeks, and then set out for home - which place this deponent believes he reached some time in the month of June. When they had arrived within a short distance of home, (Capt Cleveland) gave to each man a written discharge from the service - but the one given to this deponent has been lost or mislaid for many years, so that it cannot now be found. This deponent further states that during this last expedition there was no higher officer in command than a Captain.
This deponent has lived in the County of Wilkes ever since the revolutionary War, and resides there at this time - He has no documentary evidence of any kind to prove his service, but refers to the testimony of Moses Walker Esqr and Mr John Yates, hereto annexed, both of whom served with him during the war under Genl Rutherford, and the latter of whom served with him under Capt Cleveland to the Long Islands of Holston -
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 & Subscribed the day and year aforesaid -
W. Martin 6. H. 6. 6.
David his Laws mark
(In the day and year aforesaid, personally appeared aforesaid Moses Walker Esqr, who being first duly sworn according to law, deponeth and saith, that he served with David Laws the above applicant during the three months term of service performed under Genl Rutherford to the Cherokee Nation in the year 1776, and further, that the services set forth and specified in the foregoing declaration as having been performed by the said David

Lawr under Genl Rutherford, were performed by him - Sworn to & subscribed, the day & year aforesaid
S. Martin 6. W. 6. 6.
Moses Waller
On the day and year aforesaid, personally appeared in open court before the court aforesaid, John Yates who being first duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith, that he served with David Lawr the foregoing applicant during both the three months tour mentioned in the foregoing declaration - first under Genl Rutherford to the Cherokee Nation, and secondly to Carter's Fort and the Long Islands of Holston, also against the Cherokee Indians, under Captain Benjamin Cleveland - and further, that the services set forth and specified in the foregoing declaration as having been performed by the said David Lawr, were performed by him -
Sworn to & subscribed the day and year aforesaid
S. Martin 6. W. 6. 6.
John his Yates mark
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 Moses Waller Esq r and John Yates who have subscribed and sworn to the above affidavits, are residents of the County of Wilkes, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit -
By S. Martin, Clerk

18582
David Laws Wilkes co. N.C.
Admitted - 6 mo on oath, 820
S. F. (Ellison Wilkesboro N.C.

BRIEF in the case of  David Laws  of Wilkes Co  in the State of North Carolina  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 77  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Volunteer In 1776 3 Private Gen. Rutherford Col. Martin Armstrong   do 1777 3 do Capt Cleaveland  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? (Burning Indian towns)  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Wilkes county, N.C.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Living witnesses  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The clerk's seal not annexed as required - his signature in various places in the evidence 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
(J. B. Bradford.) Examining Clerk.

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section Am 9/11/23
October 10, 1923
R. E. Laws Covina, Calif.
Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim N. 5135 it appears that David Laws was born in 1759 in Halifax County, Virginia.
While a resident of Wilkes County, North Carolina on the last of August 1776 he enlisted as a private and served three months in Captain Francis Hargrave's Company, Colonel Martin Armstrong's North Carolina Regiment. In the spring of 1777 he enlisted and served three months in Captain Benjamin Cleveland's North Carolina Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 29, 1832 while a resident of Wilkes County, North Carolina. He died December 2, 1841.
Soldier, married in February 1778 on Moravian

Creek, Wilkes County, North Carolina, Martha Mitchell who was allowed pension on her application executed January 17, 1843 while a resident of Wilkes County, North Carolina aged eighty-two years. Their children are referred to, but no names stated.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

David Lairs.
1882

I Robert Martin Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions of the County of Wilkes State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of David Laws for a pension)
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of Office this 30 th day of October  November 1832
R Martin C. M. C. C.

B R I E F objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of David Law, Wilkes co. N.C. which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned 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? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Two respectable citizens testify to his services — no clergyman required. XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No the regulations are not complied with, some are unsworn. XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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, deposeeth 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 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 shewn 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
†QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
☞ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

State of North Carolina, I Wm Maston clerk of the County of Wilkes County Court of Wilkes County, Do hereby certify that I have made diligent search for a copy of the marriage license Bond of David Sawyer and his wife Margaret, and that it is not to be found, in my office.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at office this day of December 1844
Wm Maston Clerk By J. C. Maston D. C.

J. P. Edwards Esq.

Wilkinson N.C. June 5 th 1848
Dr Edward, Sir
On the 9 th April I mailed an additional affidavit in the Cause of Nat Laws and although near two months ago & in the interval lands absence of Congress I have not heard a word from it such long silence and inattention is perfectly unaccountable. I hope the matter will be given the early attention it deserves.
I have the Honor to be
Very Respectfully
Your obed Servt A. A. Seruggs

Covina, Cal.
Aug. 22/23.
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Gentlemen:
Please furnish me with such information as you have on record as to date of birth, ancestry, date and place of death of one David Laws who enlisted in the American Army in 1776, and served in Capt. John Kingsberry's Co. Artillery.
Applied for pension in 1840 from Wilks County North Carolina.
Yours truly, D. Laws, Covina Cal. U.S.A.
P.S.--Enlisted from North Carolina.
R.E.D.

1922 Oct. 10. Feb. 15. 1923. 1924. 1925. 1926. 1927. 1928. 1929. 1930.
Rey WIDOW, &c.
File No. 5125
Martha Hargaret Davis
Did.
David Davis
Beth. H. C. Davis
Act: Hech, 3 rd Dec, 8 June 17/44
Index: Vol. 84 , Page 417
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Wilkesboro N.C. Dec 12 th 1844
Dear Sir
I have the honour herewith to Enclose you the Certificate of the County Court Clerk in the case of Mrs. Margt. Laws, in answer to Yours, of the 5 th Inst. I feel assured that the old Lady has produced all the evidence she had, as I think it would, be far from her disposition to request from Your Department a pension by fraudulent measures. She is very, very poor, and deceived.
I am very Respectfully Your O bt Servt. A. H. Scruggs

Wiltshire Sept. 25 th 1844 Mr J. L. Edwards
Dear Sir
Enclosed is the all the proof that can be procured in the case of Mrs Davis. It is hoped that it may answer the lack of evidence pointed out in Yours of 26 th June last. If it should not, in the eyes of the disappointment they will bear in mind nothing is withheld that can or could be procured.
To be
I have the honour Respectfully Your Obedt Servt.
A. A. Levey

No 10959 Margaret Laws Widow of David A.C.
act 7 July 1838 and 1st Resolution of 23 rd June 1838.
Com. to M c Pui $20 00
No 7857 Com. act 3 March 1843 & June 1844
$20 00 No 617
A. A. Scroggs Meloboro A.C.

6115.
Margaret Laws
N.C.
Act 4 July 36

20: Reps. Washington, Feby. 26, 1844.
Sir,
I have the honor to refer to you the Pension Declaration of Margaret Lane of Wilkes County, N. C. I hope you will let me know the result as soon as it is acted on.
I am, very respectfully,
Your ob t servant
David T. Reid
J. L. Edwards Esq Com ee of Pensions.

20: Reps. Washington, Feby. 26, 1844.
Sir,
I have the honors herewith to refer to you the Pension Declaration of Margaret Lane of Wilkes county, N. C. I hope you will let me know the result as soon as it is acted on.
I am, very respectfully, Your obt. servant David T. Reid
J. L. Edwards Esq Com. of Pensions.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE.
2 May 10 th 1843.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the 3d section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The widow of David Laws, decd. a Pensioner on the Roll of the North Carolina Agency, at the rate of Twenty Dollars and Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. — to the 2 d Dec. 1841.  Respectfully, yours,
J. W. Foster Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

Wilkesboro N.C.
9 th April 1845
M c J. Edwards
Sir
Enclosed You will find the additional affidavit required in the case of Mrs. Lucas. You will see that in consequence of her having never drawn a pension it had to modify the forms which You Enclosed. I hope You may find it right. The old Lady is Poor Very poor & certainly needs all the aid she can get.
I have the Honor to be Very Respectfully
Your Ob t Serv t
A. A. Hargis

✓ 6110 Margaret - Laws N.C. Act. 4 July '36 Let. to Hon D.S. Reid April 4 1844

✓ 10.959 Margaret Laws N.C.
Susp d
Letter to Hon. D. S. Reid 26. June 1844 " to G. A. Veruggs Dec. 5. '44 " to Same March 18th 1845
Oct 7 th  1845 '38

9362
N. Carolina
Martha Margaret Lano.
widow of David Lano who was a pensioner under the Act of '32 and who died on the 2 nd Decr. 1841 at Wilkes in the State of N.C. who was a priv in the Co commanded by Captain commanded by Col Martin of the the N.C. line for 8 mos
Inscribed on the Roll of N.C. at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th day of May 45 and sent to a. a. Groggs. Wilkesboro N.C.
Total amount. $100.00
H Reso [Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by J. L. Mann Clerk, Book D Vol. 1 Page 295
(N. C. Reso. 296)

10.959
May and Laws N.C.
Act 7 th July 58
M 7.80 41
h. a. Dec 2 nd 41

State of North Carolina Wilkes County
On this 27th day of April 1844, personally appeared before me One of the acting justices in and for said County. Martha Laws, a resident of Wilkes County aged 84 years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows." That she is the widow of David Laws, who was a Private in the Revolutionary War, his service will be shown by reference to his de- claration on file at Washington City and who was placed on the pension roll April 30, 1833 at the rate of twenty dollars per annum.
She further declares that she was married to the said David Laws in the month of February 1718 (seventeen hundred seventy eight) by publication which was the customary of marriage in that day and that her husband, the aforesaid David Laws, died on the second day of December 1841. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service (That is, she means the service proven by her husband, the service alluded to before in a former declaration was after his Continental service) but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety four.

She further declares that her old age and bodily infirmity is such that she cannot leave her residence to go to the Court House to make her declaration - And that she has remained a widow ever since the death of her husband as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Sworn to, and subscribed, on the day & year
above written - before W. W. Peden. J.P.
Martha her Laws mark
State of North Carolina } Wilkes County }
I do hereby Certify that Martha Laws
who hath this day sworn to & subscribed the foregoing declaration before me, is a credible person & to be believed on oath - I also Certify that she is by reason of old age & bodily infirmity she is unable to attend Court to make her declaration - And I further Certify that she is the widow of the deceased David Laws who was a united States Prisoner as declared by said declarant - that she has remained a widow ever since the death of her husband.
Given under my hand & seal this 27th day of April 1844
W. W. Peden. J.P. (D)

State of South Carolina } Wilkes County }
on this 28th day of April 1844, personally appeared before me one of the acting justices in and for said County, Martha Davis who has made the foregoing declaration, and made oath in due form of law that there never was any family record kept of their marriage, or of the births of their children.
Sworn to and subscribed this day & year above written
W. H. Peden J.P.
Martha Davis her mark

Mrs. Land
1861
_____

State of North Carolina
Wilkes County
On the 28 day of August 1844 Personally appeared before me one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for said County Thedrach Laws a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged 85 Years who maketh Oath in due form of Law That he was present when David Laws a Soldier of the Revolution was married to Miss Martha Mitchell at her fathers house on Moravian Creek in the month of February Seventeen hundred and twenty eight and he further declares that the marriage solemnization was performed by one John Greer Egerton who was duly authorized to perform the rites of Matrimony and that they were married by publication which being customary was allowed to be legal.
He further declared that Martha Laws who has made the annexed declaration for the purpose of drawing a pension is the widow of the identical David Laws Dec d who was in the Revolution and that she has not married since the death of her husband and that they the aforesaid David & Martha lived together as man and wife up to the time of David Laws death and that the legality of their marriage has never been for a moment doubted, and the aforesaid Thedrach Laws further declares that her bodily infirmity and extreme old age is such that she is not able to attend the Court House to make this declaration.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and Year above written.
In Law Pres d
Thedrach Laws

State of North Carolina
Indill County
I John Purle an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County do hereby certify that Shadrach Laws whose name subscribes to the foregoing deposition is a man of truth and that any statements he may make on Oath is entitled to all due faith and Credit as he is a Creditable person.
Given under my hand and seal this 28 day of August 1844
John Purle
State of North Carolina On the 28 day of August County of Wilkes 3 1844 Personally appeared before me one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for said County Elizabeth Mitchell a resident of Wilkes County State aforesaid aged 79 years who made Oath in due form of law that she was present at the wedding when David Laws a Revolutionary soldier was married to Miss Martha Mitchell at her father's house on Moravian Creek in the month of February Seventeen hundred and Seventy Eight and that they were married by publication which manner of marriage besides being customary at that day was always regarded fully legal.
She further swore that she had lived a close neighbour to the said David Laws and his wife Martha up to the time

of the period of Years during which Time they lived together as Man and Wife and that it was good doubted but what they were legally married -
And the aforesaid Elizabeth Mitchell further declared that the aforesaid David Laws died on the 2 nd December 1841 and that Martha Laws is her widow in which state she has remained ever since his death, and that her bodily infirmity is such that it is impracticable for her to go the Court House to make her declaration.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and Year above written -
Elizabeth L Mitchell sworn
John Purdie J.P.
State of North Carolina } County of Wilkes } I John Purdie an acting Magistrate in and for the County aforesaid Certify that Elizabeth Mitchell whose name appears above is a Creditable Person and to be believed on Oath. I have also the most satisfactory evidence therein personal knowledge that she has always retained a character above suspicion and therefore full faith & credit may be given to her Statements Given under my hand and seal This 28 th day of August 1844 John Purdie J.P.

4 State of North Carolina } County of Wilkes } I William Martin Clerk of the County Court of Wilkes do certify that John Martin whose name appears to the within and accom- panying affidavits viz Elizabeth Mitchell Frederick Laws and Martha Laws is and was at the time of testation an acting Justice of the peace and as such full faith and credit may be given thereto.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Office this 24 th September 1844.
In Witness whereof By J. G. Martin D.C.

State of North Carolina 3
County of Wilkes On this 28 day of August 1844 Personally appeared before me one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for said County Martha Laws a resident of the County and State aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to law deposes and saith, that she has no documentary Evidence to prove her marriage and she never kept any family record, and can produce no such evidence in support of the fact. She further says that the depositions of Elizabeth Mitchell and Shadrack Laws is the only evidence she has or can procure to prove the fact.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and Year above written.
John Parlee J.P.
Martha Laws mark
State of N.C. 3 Wilkes County
I John Parlee an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the aforesaid County do certify that Martha Laws is a creditable person and full faith may be given to all her declarations as such sworn under my hand and seal this 28 th day of August 1844
John Parlee J.P.

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefits of the Resolution of Congress of the 28 th January 1840.
Whereas the act of 3 rd April 1844 prohibited, me from drawing a pension for the same period during which my husband was a pensioner. I now make the following Statement, under Oath, to obtain the benefit of the Resolution above mentioned.
I am the widow of David Luce who was a private in the war of the Revolution and a United States Pensioner at the rate of Twenty Dollars per annum. I have never drawn a pension but now ask for the amount due me as the widow of the aforesaid David Luce from the 1 st day of March 1836 to the 11 th day of March 1841.
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 3 rd day of April in the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty Five
Martha Luce
Jno D Parkhurst Justice of the Peace.
I certify that the above declarant is personally known to me and that she is the same individual who represented herself to be in the foregoing affidavit.
Jno Parkhurst Justice of the Peace.

I Wm Maston Clerk of the County Court of Wilkes County Do hereby Certify that John Purvis who has signed the foregoing is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Wilkes in the State of North Carolina and that the within purporting to be his signature is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of Office this 5 th day of April in the Year 1845 at Wilkesboro in the County of Wilkes & State of North Carolina.
Wm Maston Clerk By J. E. Maston D.L.