Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32391, for Benjamin Mathews, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Wa
Mathews Benjamin
S 32391
CONTENTS
78
This Envelope Includes
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

Letter to 3 d Auditor 19. April 1839.
Paid at the Treasury under the act of the 1 st April 1838 from 4 th March 1837 to 4 March 1838. Agt notified 26 April 1838
Paid as above from 4 March to 4 Sept. 1838. Agt notified 5 July 1839.
Paid as above from 4 March to 2 Sept 1840. Agt notified 19. Oct 1844
W th to C. L. Roach Oct 28. 1844.
Death not on A.D.
Alabama 25.769
Benjamin Matthews of Jackson Co. in the State of Alabama who was a L t Col n in the Company commanded by Captain Anthony of the Reg t commanded by Col n Mathews in the Virginia - Dep t Atlanta -
1 st 2 nd Mo th 1 st $46.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Alabama at the rate of 40 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 nd day of Jan y and 1 st to 1834, Hon. C. C. Clay, H o of Rep
Arrears to the 4 th of Sept 1833 16.65 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Mar '34 23.33
$ 139.98
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by J. P. Sprague Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 8 Page 48

State of Alabama Jackson County } ss
On this 4 day of October 1832 Personally appeared in open Court the Judge of the the County Court of said County of Jackson now sitting Benjamin Mathews a resident of said County of Jackson sixty eight years of age, 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 the 7 th 1832,
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated That in the year of 1778 or 1779, when applicant was about 15 years of age then a resident of Caroline County in the State of Virginia having removed thence from Pennsylvania County in said State where he was born to the County of Caroline though a boy partaking somewhat of the spirit of the times, volunteered under the command of Anthony New captain, joined a regiment at Richmond from thence marched down to Mackays mill where was stationed for a considerable time to prevent the British troops ascending the river for Marlinton being the commanding officer shortly after the expedition applicant was selected as one of the light infantry under the command of Col. Mathews accompanied him in several expeditions down the river and at last to Petersburg where he was discharged, he cannot exactly remember the time he was in service during this expedition but believes it to have been at least three months. After this applicant moved into Hanover County Virginia and having arrived to the age at which the law made him liable to be drafted, he was drafted at sixteen years of age was marched to Williams burg and Jamestown and other places in the vicinity to prevent the enemy from coming up the river was changed about from place to place so often in this ex- pedition that cannot remember the names of the officers Supposes he was at service at this time sixty days

but can speak of the time with but little certainty he remembers the draft was so regulated as to give the soldiers time to take care of their crops. Some time after this affair the term of service came round again & he went something of the same route to Williams- burgh, for the same purpose and was in service about the same time as last stated. After this affair moved into Caroline County about that time the British made their first appearance on the borders of Virginia and the demand for soldiers began to be very great, effect was again mustered into service a drafted militia man the regiments met at Shoco Hill, he believes his Capt was Anthony New but cannot distinctly remember Mathews was the commanding Col. of the regiment this officer belonged to Gen. Lafayette's commander in chief The whole army moved from Thicket to the four mile creek where it remained until the British entered Manchester and set fire to the town, a retreat was commenced im- mediately by order of the commander in chief, and the im- my under the command of Lord Cornwallis pushed on the retreating army with all possible speed the day american troops were endeavoring to join Gen. Greene who was coming to their relief and finally did meet at Raccoon Ford during this retreat which was through the upper counties of Virginia the army to which the officer belonged was hard pressed by the enemy the rear of which was at one time reached by Falton and some damage done to the rear guard. After the junction of the two armies the enemy commenced their retreat, officer's term of service having expired some time before that would have returned home but was detained by the commander in chief as his force was yet very weak. The enemy stopped their re- treat at the Bird arning on the three notched road The Americans were ordered to immediate pursuit but when they reached there the British had abandoned the ground having kept up their rear by a few horse troops who fled at the approach of the army

to which applicant belonged, he was then discharged after having been in this campaign in active service at least three months but the precise time not recollected. Shortly after his return home he was dropped again as a militiaman and was placed with the troops that were to prevent Lord Cornwallis from escaping the united attack of the French on the south and Gen Washington who was approaching from the north Gen Lafayette commanded on one side of the river Revd York & Gen Morden the other applicant remained under Morden until the end of the siege of Little York on his return home soon after volunteered to place on board the French ships fleet the artillery and magazines taken from the enemy in this expedition he was in very hard and active service sixty or ninety days Thus applicant has given a statement of his services which he is aware is imperfect as to time &c but he has no recollection in stating that in the various expeditions above described he was actively engaged in the service of the government of the United States in all at least fifteen months. Having thus given an account from the neck of a memory any one very hard, but now much improved by age he submits what lingers there to the indulgent examination of his country's officers states that he was born in Spotsylvania County in the state of Virginia in the year 1764 - that the record of his age was taken by the parish clerk when he was born but he has no evidence or transcript of it
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatsoever 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, he states that he is known by Charles I. Roach and many others in his neighbourhood his character for veracity and that a doubt was never entertained but he rendered the above services as a soldier of the Revolution. Benjamin Matthews sworn to in open court Oct 1832 J. H. Clarke Clerk He has a son, William Eldridge man residing in the county of Jackson and

State of Alabama and residing Francis Renshaw residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Matthews who has subscribed to the foregoing and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be sixty eight years of age that he is respected and beloved in the neighbourhood where he resided to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
sworn to & subscribed before me Oct 4 th 1832
Wm. Compton J.P.
Francis Renshaw
Ben. Matthews 2045
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the in- terrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and lived as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to it, that Charles L. Roach who has signed the foregoing certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County of Jackson and State aforesaid, and that Francis Renshaw who has also signed the same is a resident in said County of Jackson and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit
Wm. Compton J.P.
I Reck Kletaglow Clerk of the county Court of the county of Jackson in the State of Alabama, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Matthews for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my private seal then being no seal of office at office in Mississippi This 4 th day of Oct 1832 Resk R. Kletaglow Atty
C. C. Clay

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
March 8 th 1844.
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 third 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 Benjamin Matthews, Ad a Pensioner on the Roll of the Huntsville, Al. Agency, at the rate of Forty six — Dollars and 66 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March — to the 2 nd Sept. 1840.  Respectfully, yours,
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Present.

State of Alabama Be it known that before me J. M. Hector Judge of the Court of Claims the Court being open said Court upon said in open Court personally appeared Mary Matthews made oath in due form of law that she is the widow of of Benjamin Matthews late of said Court deceased and married in the following manner & certificate (to wit) War Department Revolutionary Claims I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States of the 7th of June 1832 Benja- min Matthews of the State of Alabama who was a private during the Revolutionary War is entitled to receive forty six dollars and 87 1/2 cents per annum during his natural life commencing on the 4th of March 1831 and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September in every year
Given at the War office of the United States of this 14th day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty four Lewis Cass Secretary of War
Examined & correct
signed
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Sworn and subscribed
to before me this 16 December 1841
J. M. Hector Judge of the Court of Claims
her Mary Matthews Mark

State of Alabama this day personally appeared Isaacson Gann, B. before me Thompson McRee Judge of the Gann's Court in & for said Gann in open Court Joshua Warr who being duly sworn deposed that Mary Mathews who name is subscribed to the within & foregoing affidavit is the widow and relict of the With in name Ben- jamin Mathews mentioned in said Certificate that he this deponent on the 29 th day of August 1838 in the County of Pickens in the State of Alabama celebrated the rights of matrimony between the said said Benjamin Mathews and Mary Mathews the that the said Benjamin Mathews is the same that is named in said Certificate as now living and who was lawfully married to the said Mary Mathews & this deponent who then acted as a Minister of the Gospel under the proper authorities (Joshua Warr Subscribed and sworn to this 15 th August 1841)  I, Clerk of said Court do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original Isaacson Gann, B. Thompson McRee Judge of the Gann's Court, Pickens Co. said who being duly sworn deposed and said that he was well acquainted with Benjamin Mathews whose name is mentioned in the within copy of the original Certificate which said Benjamin Mathews this deponent says departed this life on or about the 2 nd day of September 1840  I am and subscribed to before me this 15 th December 1841  J. M. Wood Clerk Judge of the Gann's Court
Richd Lay
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER Received from GAO

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
June 28 th , 1839,
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," Benjamin Matthews, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Huntsville, Ala te Agency, at the rate of Forty Six Dollars and Sixty Six Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March 1838, to the 4 th Sept. 1838.
Respectfully, yours,
William H. Parris Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

32 391 Peey INVALID.
File No. 32,391  nd
Benjamin Mathews Rev Rev War
Act: Jane In 32
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 256
[Arrangement of 1870.]

FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO
951789
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

h. 1147 WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Benjamin Mathews of the State of Alabama who was a Private during the Revolutionary War
is entitled to receive Forty Six dollars and Sixty Six cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 4 th day of January one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four
J. P. Kirtland
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Oct 26 1841
Bellefont Oct 12 44 C. L. Russell
Rev 27
I'm sorry to say
that I have not yet written to you as I should have done. I am truly yours affectionately Oct 26 44
Mary Matthews Pla. Ill, Mid Benjamin who was a pen
Rev. Hagner Esq. 3rd Children of Peninsular Washington City
25769
W. Randall

Bellefonte Jackson County Ala Oct 12 th 1844 Peter Hagner Esq
Dear Sir by
Request of Mrs Mary Mathews widow of Benjamin Mathews I address you a few lines inquiring if the  the Mathews is entitled under any law of Congress to the pay or half pay of her deceased husband and if so whether any more proof is needed as on a former occasion she has found her- self the widow of Benjamin Mathews deed late a pensioner.
"Please state if she is entitled as soon as convenient yours Respt
C. D. Roach for Mary Mathews -

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
April 24 th , 1839.
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," Benjamin Matthews, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Huntsville, Ala., Agency, at the rate of Forty Six Dollars and Sixty six Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June, 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March, 1837, to the 1 st March, 1838.
Respectfully, yours,
William H. Harrison Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions.
Present.

No. 18,468.
By
Benjamin Mathews per Huntsville roll ctb 7 June, 1832 [Wishart]
$23.20
6 March, 1844. 8 " "
Reg d 2361 dated 8 March 1804. Sent to Treasury 12 March 1844
18048
1844
19 m 16
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

By the U States,
To the Widow of Benjamin Mathews, pensioner Huntsville, Ill. died 7 Jan, 1832,
For his pension from 4 March, to 4 th Sept, 1840. at $45.66 per annum, per widow's place herewith _____ V of 23.20
Henry Dyer Pension Office 6 March, 1844 Signed by Dealy
2nd Comptroller's Office
March 8. 1844
Ex by J. Selsford
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

Gen. R. Chapman pension claim of Benj. Matthews Recd 5 March 44 Ans?
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER Received from GAO
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER Received from GAO
Peter Morgan Esq. 3rd Dec 44
G. Randall

Washington City March 4 th 1844.
Sir;
The enclosed original pension certificate (issued to Benj. Mathews of St. Louis under the act of 7 June 1832) dated 4 th Jan'y. 1834 - together with the certificate of the Judge of Jackson Co. Ct. (St. Louis) of the fact that Mary Mathews is the widow of the dec d pensioner & to I presume was sent to me by Chas. L. Roach of S o Co. to enable her to draw arrears of pay due to dec d pensioner - for that pension I now forward them to you.
With great respect Yours & S r R. Chapman
Peter Hagner Esq r 3 rd Audt r
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

Adm 1. yr § 2 Months
Hon C C Clay Ho of Reps

Alabama
In the Circuit Court of Jackson county held at the Courthouse in Bellefonte on the first day of October 1832, the hon. A. William J. Oldair presiding—
Benjamin Matthews, of the said County, where Declaration for a Pension was made before the County Court of said County on the 24th day of October 1832, (since which date the times of holding the County & the Circuit Court of this County have been changed by the General Assembly,) which declaration hath been returned from the War Department for correction & is now shown in Court: and thereupon the said Benjamin Matthews, being again duly sworn, doth on his oath declare that he is the same person who signed & verified the said Declaration: that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods following & no other periods namely—
1. For three months as a volunteer private in Capt Anthony New's company under Genl. M'Khenberg as stated in the original declaration; & he thinks Col. Matthews was his Colonel—
2. Then for 60 days , or two months as secondly stated in said declaration as a drafted militia man —Officers not remembered.
3. Then a like time of 60 days , or two months , as thirdly therein mentioned as a drafted man —Officers stated not remembered.
4. A time of certainly 60 days , or two months & he thinks longer, but claims only for two months , which time was by accident as he supposes omitted & not set forth in his declaration. It occurred after the expiration of the third time above named. The whole of the men enrolled for militia duty in Hanover County Virginia were required to take the field: they rendezvoused at Col. Dantrifge's old field & proceeded to Holl's Forge , where those of the men, who had been in Continental

service were designated to form a Corps of regulars. Applicant's brother was one of them, but being sick (his name Berry Matthews) applicant took his place & was sent under regular field officers - his Lieutenant was Robt. Sandridge - his Captain forgotten - but Majors Campbell & Col Thomas Grinstead commanded: they were marched to the shore of Hampton Roads in which was a fleet of the enemy. 5. Next three months as stated in said declaration as a drafted man - his Captain the same Anthony New in Col Matthews' regiment of the Marquis La Fayette Division.
6. Then five months ; or 150 days - & at its expiration obtained a like period of five months more as stated in his declaration - under a Captain, whose name has escaped his memory - his Col he thinks was John Taylor & he was in Genl. Woodson's brigade & in La Fayette Division during his double tour, which included the capture of the Earl Cornwallis' army at Yorktown.
7. Finally the three months or 90 days tour lastly mentioned in said declaration as a volunteer. This not being a regular field service, but in reality exceedingly severe military labor, applicant thinks that those employed in this service were under the direction of an officer who ranked as a Major, but whose name he cannot now recall.
In all these seven tours he served as above, as he is confident, Nineteen months . He thinks he never got a regular discharge; or if he did it is lost or destroyed.
Applicant further states that there is no one living & known to him by whom he can prove the above services or any part thereof: and that he still resides in the County of Jackson aforesaid. When he was about 23 years old he removed from Virginia to N. Carolina - from thence at about his 30th year he removed to Kentucky, where in Tennessee he resided until 1818 when he came to the State, where he has since resided.
Benjamin Matthews
And the said Benjamin Matthews having in open Court subscribed the above amendment to his declaration & sworn to the same - & having again examined him according to the regulations of the War Department, and the Court being satisfied that the applicant was a

revolutionary soldier & served as he has stated in his declaration & amended declaration; and recognizing that the said declaration hath been authenticated as it purports by the judge of the County Court of this County, & the Clerk thereof, doth now order that said declaration with the affidavit & certificates thereon be attached to this amendment, & certified under the Seal or adopted Seal of this Court.
W. S. Adair
I George W. Higgins, clerk of the Circuit Court of Jackson County aforesaid do hereby certify that the proceeding contained on this sheet embrace the proceedings of the said Circuit Court in regard to the amendment of the declaration of Benjamin Matthews for a pension; & I do hereto annex the original declaration of said Matthews according to the order of said Circuit Court.
In testimony whereof I annexed hereto the impression of the seal which I have now adopted as the seal of my Court & of myself as Clerk thereof, there being no seal provided & furnished hereto. For - I subscribe my name at Bellefonte on the 10 day of October 1833.
G. W. Higgins
The above signature & attestation of George W. Higgins, who was at its date his Clerk as he certifies; and affirming he had not then a public seal of office, but adopted the above as he certifies as his seal - & I suppose he has not yet a public seal. Oct 15th 1833.
C. C. Clay