Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 4725, for John Matthews, North Carolina

N. b. Matthews John
W. 4725-
B. L. Wt. 17883-160-15
or
Matthews
Mary
The above claim was charged to Dr. A. D. Wilkinson, Asst. Chief of Army & Navy Div. on Apr. 15, 1914 for the purpose of answering a letter in regard to the allowance of the Bounties Paid. The warrant was returned not located by a firm of lawyers in D. C. thro' Hon. Hannibal Goddard, M.C. on Apr. 15, 1914
Dr Wilkinson returned the claim to the Rev. War Section Apr. 25, 1914
Consult him if any letters of inquiry come up relative to this claim.

State of North Carolina } Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions Cumberland County } March Term 1846
The declaration of Mary Matthews, resident of Cumberland County North Carolina, to obtain a pension under the Act of Congress passed 7 th July 1838 was exhibited in Court and approved by the Court, and it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that the marriage between John Matthews and the said Mary Matthews and the death of the said John Matthews took place as stated in the said declaration, and that the said Mary Matthews is the widow of the said John Matthews who served in the Continental Army of the Revolution in the Fifth Regiment, it is ordered that the Clerk of this Court certify the same to the War Department.
From the Minutes,
McLaurin, Clerk
North Carolina } Cumberland County }
I John McLaurin Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of said County do hereby certify that the above order in relation to the declaration of Mary Matthews is truly copied from the Minutes of said Court, and I do further certify that John Wilborn Egan whose name in his proper handwriting appears to the annexed declaration

and affidavits was at that date an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Cumberland duly commissioned and sworn and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office in Fayetteville this 21 st day of March 1846
J. M c Lauren.

EDMUND F. BROWN , Attorney and Agent for Claimants, Notary Public and Commissioner for Virginia, Illinois, and Alabama, &c., continues to attend to the settlement of business before Congress and the several Departments of the General Government, and particularly claims for Pensions, Patents, Lands, Contracts, &c.
Office on Seventh street, two doors above the City Post Office.
Letters (postage paid) may be addressed, E. F. Brown, Box 103, P. O. Washington City.
U. S. Agency, Notarial, and Commissioner's Office,
Washington City, 10 th February, 1847.
Established in 1843.
J. L. Edwards, Esq. Comm r of Pensions.
Sir:
In obedience to the requisitions of your letter of 7. Nov r last, relative to the claim of John Matthews, dec d of Cumberland County, N. C., I have the honor to enclose herewith, the affidavits of Aaron Norden, who "hoped", [ helped ] to dig his grave, and whose Mother in law was buried in the same yard one month previously; - Simon and Nancy Matthews, who had a child born soon after; and William Johnson, who also had a child born soon after.
You will perceive that in each case, the Magistrate, instead of certifying the Witnesses are credible, certifies he believes their statements , which is the same thing in another form, and he also certifies that Simon and Nancy Matthews are no connection of said John Matthews.
As there is other proof on file in this case, and as the papers of Mary Matthews , the Widow, show that he died 15. Oct. 1833, may we not hope that this small claim, evidently just, will be allowed without further requirements, so that the Widow can collect it on 5 th March ensuing, when she sends to collect her semi-annual payment? especially

as the Widow resides, in a thinly settled part of Cumberland Co. where there are no regular Undertakers, and where the affidavit of the clergyman (if any they had) cannot now be had. —
As the Widow has been allowed a Pension, there can be no reason to suppose that she and the two whose affidavits are now on file, and these four , can all be mistaken as to the date of his death , when connected with three other family affairs of such importance as to be remembered. Some allowance will also probably be made for the ignorance of " book learnin " of many of the inhabitants of that part of the country, who may at the same time have good memories.
Very Respectfully,
Yr. Ob t Serv t
Edw. F. Brown
#

H. O. W. 732 Sir. Maco
(17885.160.1833)
X
Department of the Interior. PENSION OFFICE.
Confidential.
Washington, D.C. Oct. 21 1848
Sir:
Will you be kind enough to make inquiry, and report to this Office the result thereof, - whether Mrs. Mary Matthews, widow of John Matthews, (who became a Soldier of the Revolution), who was living in your County in May 1838, is yet living? If she is dead, will you please furnish the names of any or all of her heirs, and the post-office address of each?
Your early reply will be thankfully received, and confidentially regarded.
Please return this letter with the same.
Very respectfully
J. A. Smith Commissioner
Istn
Fayetteville
Cumberland Co. No. 10000

Letters addressed to this Office must be post-paid.
United States Agency and Notarial Office, EDMUND F. BROWN, ATTORNEY AND AGENT FOR CLAIMANTS, Notary Public, Illinois Commissioner, &c., Continues to settle all kinds of business with the several branches of Government, with his usual promptness, efficiency and fidelity; especially CLAIMS FOR PENSIONS, PATENTS, LANDS, Post Office and other Contracts, &c., 7 th STREET, NEAR 11 th STREET P.O. WASHINGTON CITY. Established in 1843. Seventeen doors east of the Treasury Department.
UNITED STATES AGENCY AND NOTARIAL OFFICE, WASHINGTON CITY,
Oct r 24. 1846.
J. L. Edwards, Esq. Comm r of Pensions.
Sir,
On the 8 th inst. you allowed Mrs Mary Matthews of Cumberland Co. N.C. a pension, under Acts of 1838, 1843, and 1844. —
Her husband, John Matthews , died Oct. 15. 1833, and was entitled under Act of 1832 to a pension for 2 years, 7 mo. & 11 days.
I herewith enclose her Declaration and proof of the day of his death.
Very Respectfully, Yr. Ob t S r .
Edm. F. Brown #

Feb 26 47
Jno. Matthews N.B.
Col. J. L. Edwards,
Present.
Brown Varet

Dr. Sir,
You will confer a special favor by calling up the case of John Matthews dec d . to day, for this reason
The person from whom I received it will be in Fayetteville about the 5 th or 6 th of March to collect Mrs. Matthews' semi-annual pension, and it would save another trip by letting her have this at the same time.
I filed the last papers on the 10 th and 19 th inst. and know you will admit the case as soon as you examine them.
If I can receive the Certificate tomorrow night, it will answer a good purpose.
Your compliance will much oblige
Very Resp y . Yr. Ob t S er .
Edm. P. Brown
26. Feb. 1847.
Col. J. L. Edwards.

Stuyvesantville 13 th Nov. 1848
Sir
I herewith transmit the ordination of Mrs Mary Mattingly who seeks to be put on the Roll for act 2 & 3 of 1848. If the ordination is in form be pleased to send her Original Certificate to me at this place
I am Sir
Respectfully
Yr ob
Clark Follen
J. S. Edmndy Esq Censor of Presby

United States Agency and Notarial Office,  EDMUND F. BROWN, ATTORNEY AND AGENT FOR CLAIMANTS, Notary Public, Illinois Commissioner, &c., Continues to settle all kinds of business with the several branches of Government, with his usual promptness, efficiency and fidelity; especially  CLAIMS FOR PENSIONS, PATENTS, LANDS, Post Office and other Contracts, &c., F STREET, NEAR 14th STREET, WASHINGTON CITY. Seventeen doors east of the Treasury Department.  E. F. BROWN'S  Established in 1843.
UNITED STATES AGENCY AND NOTARIAL OFFICE, WASHINGTON CITY,
June 5. 1846.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commr. of Pensions.
Sir:
Please file the enclosed papers with those which I left at your Office on 27 th March last in the case of Mary Matthews .
I trust they will be found sufficient to allow her the Pension she claims on her own account, and also a Pension for her husband from 4 March 1831 to 15 Oct. 1833, the time of his death, under Act of 7. June 1832.
Very Respectfully Yr. Ob t S er !
Edm. F. Brown #

EDMUND F. BROWN , Attorney and Agent for Claimants, Notary Public and Commissioner for Virginia, Illinois, and Alabama, &c., continues to attend to the settlement of business before Congress and the several Departments of the General Government, and particularly claims for Pensions, Patents, Lands, Contracts, &c.
Office on Seventh street, two doors above the City Post Office.
Letters (postage paid) may be addressed, E. F. Brown, Box 103, P. O. Washington City.
U. S. Agency, Notarial, and Commissioner's Office,
Washington City, 19 th Feb y . , 1847.
Established in 1843.
J. L. Edwards, Esq. Comm r . of Pensions.
Sir:
On 10 th inst. I filed in your office 4 additional affidavits to establish the date of the death of John Matthews, dec d . , and as the usual form of credibility of Witnesses was departed from, I requested my correspondent to obtain some other evidence to prove their respectability.
Herewith I enclose the Affidavit of a Magistrate, duly authenticated, which will, I presume, be conclusive, and place the claim beyond all question.
Please favor me with the Pension Certificate as early as practicable, as the Widow wishes to collect it when she collects her own semi-annual stipend, 5 th of next month.
Very Resp y . Y r . Ob t S r .
Edm. F. Brown

Claim of Mary Matthews —
Act 7. July 1838.
March 28, 1846
J. S. Edwards Esq. Commr of Pensions, Present.

United States Agency and Notarial Office, EDMUND F. BROWN, ATTORNEY AND AGENT FOR CLAIMANTS, Notary Public, Illinois Commissioner, &c., Continues to settle all kinds of business with the several branches of Government, with his usual promptness, efficiency and fidelity; especially CLAIMS FOR PENSIONS, PATENTS, LANDS, Post Office and other Contracts, &c., F STREET, NEAR 14th STREET, WASHINGTON CITY. Seventeen doors east of the Treasury Department. E. F. BROWN'S Established in 1843.
UNITED STATES AGENCY AND NOTARIAL OFFICE, WASHINGTON CITY,
27. March 1846.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions.
Sir:
Herewith I hand you the Pension Claim of Mrs Mary Matthews , of North Carolina, under Act of 7. July 1838.
Before it comes up for examination I will have the Office searched at Raleigh for proof of Service.
Very Respectfully, Yr. Ob t Sr.
Edm. F. Brown ④

Letters addressed to this Office must be post-paid.
United States Agency and Notarial Office,
EDMUND F. BROWN, ATTORNEY AND AGENT FOR CLAIMANTS, Notary Public, Illinois Commissioner, &c., Continues to settle all kinds of business with the several branches of Government, with his usual promptness, efficiency and fidelity; especially CLAIMS FOR PENSIONS, PATENTS, LANDS, Post Office and other Contracts, &c., 7 th & 1/2 STREET, NEAR 10 th STREET Post Office, WASHINGTON CITY.
E. F. BROWN'S
Established in 1843.
Seventeen doors east of the Treasury Department
UNITED STATES AGENCY AND NOTARIAL OFFICE, WASHINGTON CITY,
23 rd Sept. 1846.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions.
Sir:
In reply to your letter of 13 th June last in relation to the claim of Mary Matthews of North Carolina, I enclose herewith the Depositions of Shadrach Harris and William M. Wilder, and doubt not they are "persons whose "position will justify the Department in acknowledging "the claim"; especially when it is considered that the claimant resides, and has for most of her life resided in a part of the County which is but thinly inhabited and but little visited; which I am credibly informed is the fact.
Please forward me her Pension Certificate as early as practicable.
Very Respectfully, Yr. Ob t S er .
Edm. F. Brown

SIXTY-THIRD CONGRESS.
HANNIBAL L. GODWIN, N. C., CHAIRMAN. CHARLES D. CARTER, OKLA. LATHROP BROWN, N. Y. MARTIN DIES, TEX. GEORGE C. SCOTT, IOWA. C. O. LOBECK, NEBR. MARTIN B. MADDEN, ILL. LEWIS L. MORGAN, LA. JAMES MANAHAN, MINN. STEPHEN A. HOXWORTH, ILL. SILAS R. BARTON, NEBR. DENVER S. CHURCH, CAL. JAMES W. BRYAN, WASH. WALTON K. BETHUNE, CLERK.
Committee on Reform in the Civil Service, House of Representatives N. S., Washington, D. C.
April 14, 1914.
Receipt of papers acknowledged Mail Division.
Hon. G. M. Saltzgaber, Com. of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
I beg to enclose you two land grants and a letter from Messrs. Broadfoot & Broadfoot, Attorneys at Law, Fayetteville, N. C. who are my constituents. Please read over the letter and let me hear from you with regard to the two land grants.
Yours very truly,
A handwritten signature in cursive, reading 'H. L. Godwin', with a long horizontal line underneath.
HLG/JB

C. W. BROADFOOT
C. W. BROADFOOT, JR.
BROADFOOT & BROADFOOT ATTORNEYS AT LAW FAYETTEVILLE, N. C.
April, 23rd, 1914.
Hon. G. M. Saltzgaber
Com. of Pensions
Dear Sir:
Yours of 20th inst. to Hon. Hamilton L. Godwin has been forwarded to us. Your proposition to retain the Warrants and send us a receipt therefor is entirely satisfactory.
The Warrants were very recently placed in our hands by the Administrator of the late Benj. R. Huske, who lost his life in the war between the States in the year 1862.
We may have to trouble you further in this matter.
Yours truly,
Broadfoot & Broadfoot

April 25, 1914.
Messrs. Broadfoot and Broadfoot, Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Sir:-
Receipt is hereby acknowledged of Land Warrant # 14,989, under act of March 3, 1855, for 160 acres issued January 29, 1856, to Sarah Hodges, widow of Joseph Hodges, private Revolutionary War; and Land Warrant # 17,885, under act of March 3, 1855, for 160 acres issued March 6, 1856 to Mary Matthews, widow of John Matthews, corporal, Revolutionary War, both of which were forwarded to Hon. H. L. Godwin and by him transmitted to this Bureau under date of April 14, 1914.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

Land Warrant 17885, for 160 acres, was issued March 6, 1856, to Mary Matthews, widow of John Matthews, for his services in the Revolutionary War, and sent to her attorney, Benj. R. Huske, Fayetteville, North Carolina.
At the date of making her application for bounty land, May 14, 1855, the widow was 86 years of age and residing in Cumberland County, North Carolina. In her claim for pension made in 1845, the widow states that under her maiden name of Mary Williams she was married to soldier in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and that he died in said county, and mention is made of the following children: Daniel, Alsey, Nancy, Betsey, Sally, John, William, Lyddy, and Beckey Matthews.
Above information sent to Broadfoot & Broadfoot, Fayetteville, N.C. through Hon. H. C. Godwin.
Above numbered land warrant is in the safe in A.M. Division
A.D. Wilson
A.C.
Apr. 25, 1914.
Said Warrant delivered to me to be filed in claim by Mr. Temple, Chief Inspector Div. when he cleared out - sent on Jan. 5, 1925 - and

Raleigh N. Carolina Feb 15 th 1847
I - Isaac Rowland do hereby declare upon oath That I reside in the County of Wake near the line of Cumberland County that I am acquainted with the character & standing of Aaron Norden Simon Mathews & Nancy his wife & William Johnson who reside in said County of Cumberland within within nine or ten miles of my residence, and who have as I am informed within two or three weeks past given their affidavits Relative to the death of John Mathews deceased who was the husband of Mrs Mary Mathews a Revolutionary pensioner That I have no hesitation in saying that the above named witnesses are persons of good standing and regarded as credible persons whose oath or word may be relied upon and I further declare that from my knowledge of the history of the aforesaid neighborhood I have no doubt that the said John Mathews died on the 15 day of Oct 1833 fifteenth day of October numbered 1833 I further certify that there are no regular undertakers in the neighborhood I further certify that the preacher I learn was one Nathan Gully who preached the funeral of the said Mathews & has been dead several years & from credible authority no doubt was the preacher
Sworn to & subscribed Isaac Rowland (seal) before me this 15 day of Feb - 1847
Wm. H. Farris J.P.

State of North Carolina Wake County
J. Willis Whitaker
a Justice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Isaac Rowland who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit is a highly respectable citizen of this County a Justice of the peace & a man whose statements are entitled to credit
J. Willis Whitaker
Feb. 15 th 1847.
State of North Carolina
Wake County
I James J. Mannix Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of Wake do hereby certify that Willis Whitaker who signed the foregoing Certificate is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County and that the signature purporting to be his are genuine. and that Isaac Rowland who made the foregoing affidavit is also an acting Justice of the peace in & for said County.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said Court & subscribed my name at office this 15 th Febry 1847
James J. Mannix Clerk

Claim of John Matthews dec d . N.C. - Act 1832.
Affidavit of Esquire Rowland establishing date of death of John Matthews, credibility of other witnesses, death of Clergyman, and no Undertaker.
E. F. Brown, Agent.
19. Feb. '47
John Matthews Esq. 113. 50 Marlinton St. London E.C.
W
PAID
Charge 33 3/4 3d
True copy

State of North Carolina } Wake County
This day personally came before me, the undersigned an acting Justice of the peace, of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County. Parker Rand (also) an acting Justice of the peace for said County of Wake, at this time, and has been for many years past, and being duly sworn upon the Holy evangelist of Almighty God, deposeth and saith that he was well acquainted with John Matthi d and his wife who was a Miss Mary Williams, who is now making Application for a pension for her said husband's services in the Revolutionary war, and that she the said Mary Matthi d is the Identical Widow of the aforesaid John Matthi d and that he the said John Matthi d died about the year 1833. That he the said witness further states he has been acquainted with them for more than forty years up to the death of said John Matthi d , that they lived together as Man and Wife all the time that he knew them and that he never heard their marriage doubted, and had several children, he bore the character of an honest and upright man up to his death. This witness further states he - witness is now in his fifty third year and was born in the year 1793. Seventeen hundred and ninety three,

and that three of the  the children of the afore- John Matthi die? viz, Daniel, Alsey, and Nancy Matthi were playmates when small of his, and were all of them older and larger than himself and must have been born previous to the date of seventeen hundred and ninety four.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this
19th day of May 1846.
J. G. Jefferys JP
Parker Rand

State of North Carolina,
I, James I. Marriott clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of Wake in the State of North Carolina, do hereby Certify that Jonathan Womble & James G. Jeffreys whose names in their proper hands writing appear to the annexed Affidavits of James Williams & Parker Rand may at the date, and now are acting Justices of the peace in & for Said County, duly Commissioned and sworn and that full faith and credit are due & should be given to all their official acts as such.
I further Certify that Parker Rand who makes one of the affidavits is and has been for many years an acting Justice of the peace in & for Said County duly Commissioned & sworn,
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of Said Court and Subscribed my name at office in Raleigh this 19 th day of May 1846 James I. Marriott Clk

State of North Carolina Cumberland County
Be it known that on this 28 day of Sept 1848 before me Darl Cutts J.P. the Undersigned Subscribed an acting Justice of the peace in & for said County personally appeared Mrs Mary Matthews aged 77 years who having been duly sworn accor- ding to law doth on her oath make the following declarations in order to attain the benefit of the act of Congress, 2 Feb-1848 That she is the Identical Widow of John Matthews Dec who died the 15 day of Oct 1833, who was a Continental Soldier three years two years of which time was a Corporal She declares further state that she is the Identical Widow who drew her pension up to the 4 of March 1848 under the act of Congress 17 June 1844 and that she drew Eighty Eight dollars per annum for and that she has remained a widow up to the present date 28 Sept 1848. Subscribed & sworn to before me Darl Cutts J.P. Mary for Matthews mark
This day 28 of Sept 1848 personally appeared before me Darrel Cutts the undersigned an acting Justice of the peace in & for said County. Mrs Mary Matthews the above named I do hereby certify that she is the Identical Widow who drew a pension up to the 4 of March 1848 under Certificate of 1844 as witness my hand & seal this 28 day of Sept 1848
Darl Cutts J.P.

State of North Carolina } Cumberland County }
I John McLaurin Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Cumberland County certify that Daniel Cutts Esq is a Magistrate in and for said County & that full faith & credit are due to his Official Acts: I also further certify that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix my Seal of Office this 13 th day of November 1848
J McLaurin Clerk

State of North Carolina } Wake County No. 3 }
This day July 1 st the 1846 —
Personally appeared before the Undersigned two acting Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said City to wit, Shadrack Harris who being first duly sworn according to law deposeth as follows that he is Ninety years old that he was born in Halifax County North Carolina and lived there some time after the war of the Revolution then moved to the County of Wake in said State where he has lived up to the present time that during the Revolutionary war this witness says he was drafted twice and was drawn clear each time and that he became very intimately acquainted with John Mathews who was in the Continental Service in said war and saw him in 1777 or 1778 at Guansbury Bridge near the town of Salem in said State and County under Captain Alanson of the 5 th Regiment and saw him no more after he marched South until witness came to Wake County which is the adjoining County to Cumberland N.C. the latter County was where he lived and died, near said Wake line, and that Mrs. Mary Mathews who now claims a pension for her said husband's service, as above, is the lawful widow of John Mathews and they lived together as man and wife up to his death and had several children further this witness saith not subscribed and sworn to before D. M. King J.P.
J. H. G. Drake J.P.
Shadrack Harris his mark
I, H. G. Drake, one of the Justices of the peace for the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, for said County who attested the above affidavit, of Shadrack Harris do hereby certify, that I have known him for about twenty years, and during which time, he has borne the reputation, of an honest and upright man, this 1 st day of July 1846.
H. G. Drake J.P.
and I D. M. King do hereby further certify that I have known —

The within witness Shadrach Harris for the last seven years and during which time he has borne the character of an honest and upright man as witness my hand & seal This the 1 st day of July 1846 Drowery King (Seal)
State of North Carolina
Wake County I Jas T. Manion Clerk of the court of Pleas & Quarters Sessions for the county & state of North Carolina do certify that Drowery King & A. L. Drake whose names appear to the foregoing certificates & affidavit are acting Justices of the Peace in & for said county that the signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine In Testimony whereof I hereunto affix the seal of said court & subscribe my name at office in Raleigh the 8 th day of July A.D. 1846
Jas T. Manion Clerk By M. H. Wright Clerk
Shadrach Harris

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Bounty Department
Land (of the Interior)
OFFICE - COMMISSIONER - PENSIONS
It is hereby Certified, that under the Act of March 3rd 1855, entitled, "An Act in addition to certain Acts granting Bounty Land to certain Officers and Soldiers who have been engaged in the Military Service of the United States,"
Mary Matthews, widow of John Matthews Corporal
Revolutionary War
is entitled to locate ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY ACRES , at any Land Office of the United States, in one body, and in conformity to the legal subdivisions of the public lands, upon any of the public lands subject to sale at either the minimum or progressive graduated prices.
Given under my hand and seal of the Department, this 6th day of March 1880
No. 17885
O. F. Dicks
L. M. Hunt
Commissioner
Note: You can locate this Certificate at any of the United States land offices, it will be located for you by the General Land Office on the return of it, with your request to that effect endorsed thereon, specifying the State and Land District in which you wish the location made. If you locate it, fill up and sign the following application to the Register of the Land Office at _____ in Township _____ of Range _____ of Section _____ and that _____

State of North Carolina Johnston County
I Thomas Bagley clerk of the court of Pleas and Quarles Sessions in for the County and State Aforesaid do hereby certify that I have made diligent search for the Marriage License Bonds of John Matthews to Mary Williams and cannot find the same and suppose the same to have been lost or mislaid
Given under my hand and seal of office at Smithfield the 4 th day of November AD 1848 Thos. Bagley

State of North Carolina Wake county.
Be it known that on this the 5 th day of Oct 1846 before the undersigned subscriber an acting justice of the court of pleas and quarter sessions for said county personally appeared Mr James Gilbert a credible witness who having been first duly sworn on the holy evangelist of almighty God according to law, depose as follows that he is eighty six years old and was born the year 1760 as he was informed by his father and mother and was so wrote by his said father in his Bible and that Wake county has been his residence all his life and that when about the age of sixteen or seventeen, he states that he had a great desire to be a soldier with his father in the revolutionary war, but owing to his being an uncommon small boy the court martial would not receive him as unable to bear arms but of sufficient age the witness states that he stayed with his mother at the absence of his father and that himself and mother were very often called on by the Captains and soldiers for something to eat which would be provided for them by his said mother and himself and by which means this witness states he got acquainted with a great many officers and privates in the revolutionary war and that he is now requested to give what information he has relative to the services in said war of John Matthews deceased and his captain, this witness states that the said John Matthews he knew well before the war and also his present widow who has lately made application for a pension whose maiden name was Mary Williams and by her the said deceased husband Matthews has eight children and he further states that there was no

no man in the war of that day that he knew better than he did the said John Mathews and his captain whose name was Alderson and that this witness is informed that the pension department in Washington City is not satisfied that the said widows husband was in the fifth regiment, and under the said officer. This may certify that the said witness James Gilbert does state on his his said oath that he knew well the said John Mathews was an officer himself under the said captain Alderson of the fifth regiment in the continental service in the revolutionary war and that he saw him a great many times in their passing and repassing his mother's. For two or three years in the early part of the war and that the said Mathews was a corporal the greater part of the time he further states since the war he has often conversed with him the said Mathews and he would speak of his hardships in said war and also of his serving three years (and that he died in the year 1833) subscribed and sworn to before me {
James Gilbert
A. G. Duke D. P.
I hereby certify that Mr. James Gilbert whose name appears to the above affidavit is a very aged man residing in my neighbourhood and has the reputation of a man of veracity, and believe his statement entitled to entire faith & credit.
Given under my hand 1 st Sept r 1841
W. M. F. R. B. Jr.

James Gilbert Deposition in 3
in Mary Matthews Pension Claim 3
Claim allowed
N o 12,021 - Act 1838 " 7,970 " 43 & 44
E. P. Brown Agent

State of North Carolina Wake County
I, James B. Marriott, clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Wake aforesaid, do hereby certify that Arch. d G. Drake & Willis Whitaker who signed the foregoing proceedings are acting justices of the peace in & for said County, and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said Court and Subscribed my name at office in Raleigh this 6 th October 1846.
James B. Marriott, Clerk

Cumberland County April 8. The 1846
We the undersigned citizens of Cumberland County North Carolina do hereby certify that we were well acquainted with John Matthews of Cumberland County NC the husband of our Mary Matthews for many years before his death, and that we understand that his widow's application for a pension was approved by the pension office about the 26 of March 1846. That the said Matthews was called a Soldier of the Revolutionary war and so believed to be in the neighbourhood where he lived and we believe that he is the identical person named in a certificate from the Sec. of the State of North Carolina at Raleigh in the name of John Matthews, which certificate is filed with his papers in the pension office as we are informed. That he was generally supposed to have been a Revolutionary Soldier and we believe he is the identical person who performed the service and has always been the character of a Respectable man.
Charles Stewart John Matthews Junr H. P. Matthews
I heard him say he served
I hereby certify that the above signers are citizens of Cumberland County and men of standing and respectability given under my hand & seal 17. The April 1846
J. M. Elbourn Preston Pearson John Baker
I further certify that the above signers are citizens of Cumberland County of Respectability
April the 28. 1846
J. M. Elbourn

State of Carolina } This day came W m Blalock Cumberland County } before me John Wilborn one of the acting Justices of the Peace for sd county and deponeth and says that he was personally acquainted with John Matthews and that he recently believes the sd John Matthews Died in the year of 1833 from some circumstances and He further says That the sd Mary Matthews is the widow of the sd Identical John Matthews who now is claimant in a pension bill sworn to and subscribed before me this 3 rd April 1846
Test J. Wilborn
W. Blalock

State of North Carolina
I John M c Laurin Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Cumberland County in the State of North Carolina do hereby certify that the John Wilborn Ezine whose name in his proper hand writing appears to the annexed Certificate of Charles Stewart John Matthews Jrw. Thomas Matthews and affidavit of H. Malveek was at that date, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County at Office in Fayetteville this 12 th Day of May 1846
J. M c Laurin

State of North Carolina } Cumberland County }
Be it known that before me the Undersigned an acting justice of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the said County and State of North Carolina. Mr William M c Wilson who being first duly sworn according to law upon as follows that he was born Sept 27 th the 1776 as he always understood from his father and Mother and that M c Wilson moved to his present residence when but a small boy and has lived up to the present time in five or 6 miles of old Mrs Mary Mathews except of one or two years and that this witness is requested to give what information he has relative to the Revolutionary Character & services of her husband the late John Mathews and without any hesitation he states as follows that the pension department in Washington City is not satisfied that Mrs Mary Mathews the above widows husband was the same John Mathews who was in Captain Alanson's company of the fifth Regiment in Reply and without hesitation on his part that he heard from the lips of the said John Mathews the husband of the said Mary Mathews who has made applica- tion for a pension for her said husband services. heard him say ever and often times that he served under one Captain Alanson of the fifth Regiment in the Continental Service in the Revolutionary War which witness does not at this time recollect whether it was two or three years that he heard him say that he served but it was either one of the two but all of which time was under said Captain and he further states that he has often heard the said John Mathews and one Hardy Mathews speak of their hardships in the Revolutionary War, and witness has no kind of doubt in the world but the said Mathews served as he stated to him as he was a man of truth and undoubted veracity and as so believed and generally understood by all of his neighbours as a very worthy and honest man and believed generally by all who knew him from his statements that he served in the Revolutionary War, and that Mrs Mary Mathews who has made application for a pension is his Law- ful Widow and who has now living eight children by him the said John Mathews further this witness — So sayeth

not sworn & subscribed to before me this The second day of Sept one thousand eight hundred and forty six Wm W. Dyer
Test J. M. Kelborn J.P.
I hereby certify that I have known the above Witness William Wilder about fifteen or twenty years and he bears the character of being an honest and upright man and further I believe him to be, and his statement to be correct as witness my hand and seal this 2 nd of Sept r 1846
J. M. Kelborn J.P.
J. Isaac Rawland one of Justices of Peace in and for the County of Wake do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above Witness Mr Wilder and have been for a bout Twentyfive years and he has allways bore the character of an honest and up- right man and the above statement may be relyed on as true
this 3 rd September 1846
Given etc
J. Rawland J.P.
J. Little John Wiley do hereby certify that I have the above notes
J. Little John Wiley a minister of the gospel Doe hereby Certify that I have known the above Witness Mr William Wilder who has given evidence in relation to the Revolutionary character & services of John Matthews that the said Wilder I have

have been personally acquainted with him twenty or thirty years, and during all of which time he has borne the character of an honest & upright man and I believe his forefathers were honest & upright men. As to the 2nd of Sept 1846, and he has been for many years a member of the Church. Ed. Littlejohn Littletown, Utley, Md.
I Henry B. Hays a minister of the Gospel do hereby certify that William Wilder whose name appears to the annexed affidavit relative to the character and Revolutionary services of John Matthews is from the acquaintance I have of him (who I believe is a member of the Church) entitled to full faith and credit in the statement he has made, aforesaid.
H. B. Hays
State of North Carolina Cumberland County
I John M'Gavin Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions of said County do hereby certify that John Millborn Esquire whose name in his proper hand writing appears to his certificate and to the affidavit of W m Wilder was at that date an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office this 19 th day of September A.D. 1846
J. M'Gavin, Clerk

State of North Carolina Wake County } I, James I. Marmot Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, for the County of Wake aforesaid do hereby certify that Isaac Rowland who certifies to the credibility of the witness William Wilder is an acting justice of the peace in & for said County and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine. I further certify that H. B. Hays & Little John Kelley are ministers of the Gospel in the Christian Church. (Sometimes designated as Kellyites)
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said court and Subscribed my name at Office in Raleigh this 28 th Sept. A.D. 1846.
James I. Marmot Clerk
William H. Hays Exhibit in H. B. Hays } 2 Marmot } base

State of North Carolina, Cumberland County. } ss:
On this 17 day of OCT 1846, before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared Mary Matthews, a resident of said County, aged 75- 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 June 7 th 1832. That she is the Widow of John Matthews, who served about three years as a Soldier of the Revolution, in the Company of Captain Alderson of the fifth Regiment of Infantry, about two years of which she believes he served as a Corporal, that her said husband died on the fifteenth day of October Eighteen hundred and thirty three; that for the services of her said Husband she, this Declarant was admitted to the Pension Roll on the 8 th day of October 1846, at the rate of eighty eight dollars per annum under the Acts of 1838, 1843, and 1844; and that she now prays that her late Husband the aforesaid John Matthews may be admitted to the Pension Roll under said Act of June 7 th 1832, she having filed in the Pension Office the proof of her said husband's service and of her marriage to him before the 1 st of January 1794. her
In presence of A. M. Leod J.P.
Mary Matthews Mark
Sworn to before me the day and year first above written.
A. M. Leod J.P. Peace.
I Alexander M c Leod a justice of the Peace above do hereby certify that Martha Mary Matthews the above declarant is the identical person who has this day executed before me the oaths and powers of attorney for drawing her pension to which she refers to the above declaration and I further certify that the said declarant

rant is unable to attend cont as witness my hand and seal the day and date first as above written or fore-said written A. M c Leod J.P.
State of North Carolina } Cumberland County }
I John McLaurin Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Cumberland County North Carolina. do hereby certify that A. M c Leod Esquire whose name in his proper hand writing appears to the foregoing affidavits of Mary Matthews, Mary Matthews and John Nordin and also to his own certificates was at that date an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Cumberland duly commissioned and sworn and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office in Fayetteville this 19 th day of October 1845
J McLaurin Clerk

State of North Carolina
Oct 31 st the 1842-
Cumberland County 3 This day appeared before me the Undersigned DW Alsey Mathews and made oath in due form of Law that he was born on the 12 Day of June 1790 which is so wrote in his so wrote in his fathers Family Bible John Mathews in his own hand writing. together with the rest of his Brothers & Sisters who ich is attached to this affidavit taking from said Bible or cut out of the Bible. and all of the names of the child ren. their names was wrote by his said Father except the last one. Becky Mathews which the affiant as he wrote himself. The affiant further Ses that then were an old Record of the family ages. which was an old Church Bible. therein Contained the ages of the family belonging to the affiants grand Father the affiant declares on his oath that that Bible Containing the ages belonging to his said father Father was destroyed together with with his house by Fire. many years ago. and that the leaf cut from the Bible in my presence has ben kep as the family Record of the affiants father & mother John & Mary Mathews. ever. Since the old one has ben destroyed spoken of above. the affiant states further that the paper attached does Contain his age and Brothers & Sisters so by that age he has voted paid fullue Taxes and worked the roads and mustard the attached leaf was kep as a Record of ages before the fire further the affiant states not sworn and subscribed before me the Day & date above written Alsey Mathews J. M. Wilson J.P.
I hereby certify that the above deposit of Abner Matthews is personally known to me to be a man of truth and unwavering integrity and a Resident of Cumberland County, N.C. Given under my hand and seal this the 31 day of Oct. 1845- J. R. Wilson J.P.

No 12.849.
Act 7. July 1838.
Mary Matthews, Cumberland Co. N.C.
Widow of John Matthews 2 years a Corporal.
adm'd E. F. Brown P88
Also Act 1842 P88
E E 9070 1237
Wash. D.C. } E. F. Brown, 27. March 1846. } Agent.

State of North Carolina } Cumberland County }
Oct 31. the 1845
This day personally appeared before me the undersigned M c Alsey Matthews who being first duly known according to law affirmeth as follows that he was born as he has been in found by his father & mother John & Mary Matthews on the 12 th day of June 1790 and by which age he has paid public taxes worked the road and voted. and that the place of paper attached to this his affidavit was wrote in one of the family Bibles by the the deponent's Brother in Law about twelve years or fourteen years ago which was done since the age was wrote by his said father in his own hand writing in his own family Bible which the deponent which the deponent affirms to that part of the same day & date of these presents. M c Reece Morgan was & is the Brother in Law spoken of above. who wrote the ages attached to this affidavit further The deponent deyleth not upon & and submits unto life time the age & date above.
J. M c Willborn J.P.
Alsey Matthews
I Hereby certify the above deponent M c Alsey Matthews is personally known to me he is a man of truth and undoubted veracity and a Resident of Cumberland County N.C. given under my hand & Seal this the 31 st day of Oct 1845.
J. M c Willborn J.P.
3

No 37,474 John Matthews, dec d .
Cumberland Co. N.C
Act of 1832.
Adm o . Izaac Corpenoe $88 00 pr Ann from 4 March 1831 to 15 Oct 1833 the day of his death payable to his Widow Mary Matthews.
E. F. Brown Agent.

State of North Carolina } Cumberland Court }
Be it known that before me
The undersigned an acting Justice of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County personally appeared Mr. H. H. Matthews a credible & intelligent respectable of said County who being first duly sworn according to law deposes as follows that he is in his fifty seventh year of his age and a son of H. H. and Eliza Matthews the former who made application or made her declaration for a pension about twelve months ago for her said husband's services in the Revolutionary War and that the said witness gave his affidavit relative to the family record of the family in said case and that now he is required to give what information he has relative to death and date of his said Father John Matthews and with any relation on his part he deposes as follows, that he recollect distinctly that he died on the fifteenth day of Oct Eighteen hundred & thirty three and was buried the day after and that he the said witness did assist one Mr. Rease Morgan in making the coffin witness says the date of his death he will never forget his funeral sermon & oration both and known to & described before
Alrey Matthews
Me - A. M. Leod J.P. }
A. Alexander McLeod do hereby certify that I have known the above witness Mr. H. H. Matthews for forty 40 years and that he has borne the character of an honest & upright man and I believe his statement is true as matter of fact & see this the
17 Day of Oct 1846
A. M. Leod J.P.

State of North Carolina Cumberland County
Be it known that before me the undersigned an acting Justice of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for said County personally appeared Mr John Norland a credible and intelligent Witness who being first duly according to law deposed as follows that he is 42 forty two years old and that old Mr John Mathews the husband of old Mrs Mary Mathews, the person who making state that he has often heard him say that he served in the Rebel army and that he recollects distinctly the day of the month fifteenth of Oct 1883 was the date he died He the said witness further states that the said John Mathews was his father in Law and he did assist in digging his grave - and saw him buried
Sworn to & subscribed before
me
His John Norland mark
Am' Leod J.P.
Mr Norland Statement I Believe True A. N. S.

State of North Carolina Cumberland County
I Aron Norden the undersigned of the county and State aforesaid do here- by for certify on oath that I am well acquainted with Mary Matthews of the County of Cumberland & State of North Carolina who is a pensioner of the United States and widow of John Matthews decd. I also certify that I was also acquainted with the husband of the said Mary Matthews to wit the said John Matthews & that I lived in about one mile of him at the time of his death, which I am very confident took place in the month of October in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty three on the fifteen th day of that month; the reason why I know that he died the fifteenth day of October Eighteen hundred & thirty three is I hope to dig his grave and bury him and while thus engaged I very well rec- ollect that we were in conversation about the death of my Mother-in-law who was buried at the same burying ground who died the fifteenth of Septem- ber Eighteen hundred & thirty three that she had been dead just one month when he the said John Matthews died Given under my hand and seal This 1 st day of February 1847
Test A. M c Leod J.P.
his Aron Norden mark
I Alex r McLeod one of the acting Justices for the county and State aforesaid do certify that Aron Norden was duly sworn by me to the above certificate and believe the above statement to be true & correct
February 1 st the 1847
A. M c Leod J.P.

State of North Carolina
Cumberland County
3 We Simon Matthews & wife Nancy the undersigned of the county & State aforesaid do hereby certify on oath that we were well acquainted with Mary Matthews of the county of Cumberland & State of North Carolina who is a pensioner of the United States and widow of John Matthews Decd. We also certify that we were also acquainted with the husband of the said Mary Matthews to wit the said John Matthews & that we lived in about two miles of him at the time of his death which was I am very confident took place in the year Eighteen hundred & thirty three we think about the middle of October we were present when he died but cannot state the exact day but the reason why we know that he died in the year Eighteen hundred & thirty three and about the middle of October of that year is by the Register of one of our children which was born soon after given under our hands and seals This 1 st day of February 1847
test A. M c Leod J.P.
Simon Matthews
his Nancy Matthews mark
Simon Matthews & wife Nancy do hereby certify to the above certificate by Mr. A. M c Leod one of the acting Justices of the peace for the county & State aforesaid and I do hereby certify that I have allway understood that the said Simon Matthews & wife Nancy was no connection of the said John Matthews Decd. Given this 1 st day of February 1847
February 1 st 1847
A. M c Leod J.P.

State of North Carolina Cumberland County
I William Johnson of the County State aforesaid hereby certify on oath that I am well acquainted with Mary Matthews of the county of Cumberland and State of North Carolina who is a pensioner of the United States & widow of John Matthews decd. I also certify that I was acquainted with the husband of the said Mary Matthews to wit the said John Matthews and that I lived in less than a half mile of him at his death which I am confident was in the year Eighteen hundred & Thirtythree in the month of October I think the fifteenth day of said month. The reason why is the Register of one of my children which was born soon after the death of the said John Matthews given under my hand and seal this 1 st day of February 1847
Test A. McLeod J.P. W. Johnson (Seal) William Johnson was duly sworn to the above certificate by me Alex r McLeod one of the acting Justices of the Peace for the County and State above mentioned to which statement I believe to be true & correct Feb y 1 st - 1847 A. McLeod J.P.

State of North Carolina, I Wm McLaurin Clerk of the Cumberland County Court of Pleas, and Quarter Sessions of Said County do hereby certify that A McLeod Eugene whose in his proper hand writing appear to the foregoing affidavits of Aaron Nadin, Simon Matthews and Nancy Matthews and Wm Johnson, and to his own certificates, was at the date of said affidavits and certificates an acting Justice of the Peace in and for Said County duly commissioned and sworn, and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office this 4 th day of February 1847. Wm McLaurin
John Matthews, decd.
Cumberland Co.
N. C.
Act T. June 1832 -
the papers filed in October 1846 -
also papers of Mary Matthews, his Widow, who was mentioned in October last.
E. F. Brown
10 th Feb. '47. Speak

April 20, 1914.
Hon. Hannibal L. Godwin, House of Representatives.
My dear Mr. Godwin:
Referring to your letter of the 14th instant, transmitting two land warrants sent to you by Messrs. Broadfoot and Broadfoot, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, who desire such information as the files of this Bureau may afford to aid them in locating the heirs of the warrantees, I have the honor to advise you that the land warrants in question were originally sent to Benj. R. Huske, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, attorney for the warrantees.
On August 16, 1878, one John M. Rose, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, wrote to this Bureau that these warrants, unassigned, had come into his possession with other papers of a lawyer who had died some twenty years before, and that he desired information to enable him to find the heirs of the owners. On October 21, 1878, Mr. Rose was advised that if he would send the warrants to this office, it would endeavor to get them into the possession of the rightful owners. The request of the Bureau

was not complied with and nothing further heard regarding said warrants until the present correspondence came to hand with the warrants in question.
As it was deemed advisable years ago to have these warrants held in this Bureau, and as it is believed to be for the best interests of the Government and those who may make claim to them to retain them, now that they are here, such course will be pursued, if it meets with your approval, and receipts therefor will be furnished to Messrs. Broadfoot and Broadfoot.
There is appended hereto a statement of facts as shown by the files of the respective cases regarding the soldiers and their widows, that may be of aid in locating some of the heirs at law of the persons to whom the warrants were originally issued.
Very truly yours,
Commissioner.
ADW:JRC
This letter written by Dr. A. D. Wilkinson then Assistant Chief of Army's Navy Dept