Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7027, for Littleberry Matthews, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Wa.
Mathews, Littleberry Mathews, Littlebury or
R. 7027
CONTENTS

North Carolina } This day came Nancy Surry County } Matthews before me Robt H. Ponder, one of the acting justices of the peace for said County. Maketh oath in due form of Law & States that Littlebury Matthews of the County and State aforesaid did enlist in the regular army in the United States Service in the State of Virginia Caroline County for the term of one year in the fall of the year 1775 and that he served his time and was discharged and that she has seen and read his discharge. She further States that he enlisted under Capt William Toller and that he again enlisted in the year 1777 in February for three years served part of his time & then hired a substitute to serve the balance of his time he enlisted under Captain Mumyweathers in the County and State above said viz Virginia Sworn to and Subscribed this 27th Febry 1822 before
me Robt H. Ponder J.P.
her Nancy Matthews mark

State of North Carolina Surry County
Joseph Williams Clerk of the Court of pleas and quarter-sessions for the county aforesaid do hereby certify that Robert A Poindexter who has subscribed his name to the within affidavit, is & was at the time of signing the same a sworn and acting Justice of the peace in & for the county aforesaid; And that all due faith & credit ought to be given to his official acts. In testimony of which I do hereunto set my hand & have affixed the seal of my office to the same this 18 th day of March AD 1822.
J. Williams C. Clerk By J. Williams Jun. D. & C.

Littlebury Matthews paid.
of Virginia
1777-
Matthews not found on roll.
How long did this Applicant serve, in person , under his enlistment in 1777? His serving by substitute , will not avail him any thing.
His enlistment in 1778, was too early, for him to have served 9 mos on the continental establishment .
22 June 1822

State of Carolina Giles County
On this 14 th day of August 1821 personally appeared in open court, being a court of Record so known & declared to be by the Laws of the State of North Carolina and opened and held as such this day for the County of Surry, Littlebury Matthews age about seventy years; who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the pension made by the acts of Congress of the 18 th March 1818 and the 1 st May 1820 that he the said Matthews enlisted for the term of twelve months on the — day of September in the year as well as he recollects of 1775 in the State of Virginia in the company commanded by Captain William Rippon in the regiment commanded by Colonel Bloodford in the line of the State of Virginia & Reg t on the Continental establishment; that he continued to serve in the said corps until the expiration of his term when he was discharged from the said service in Williamsburg in the State of Virginia; that afterwards in February 1777 as well as he recollects he enlisted for the term of three years under Captain Thomas Murrayweather in Caroline County in the State of Virginia in the 7 th Regiment on the Continental establishment; that he being taken sick he hired a substitute who served til the expiration of the term that he obtained an honorable discharge from his captain which he has since lost
That he was in the battles of Monmouth Court House; and at the Great Bridge near Norfolk in Virginia and he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services except his own oath, and the affidavit of Nancy Matthews hereto annexed. And in pursuance of the act of the 1 st May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner any manner disposed of any property or any part thereof with intent thereby to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war passed on the 18 th day

of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person entered for me any property or securities & contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed to wit 53 3/4 acres of Land worth one hundred dollars two cattle worth twelve dollars: 5 head of hogs worth about eight dollars, one axe worth one dollar two hoes worth one dollar; that he owes to sundry persons in his neighbourhood between thirty five & forty dollars;
That he is by occupation a farmer and little able to carry it on especially in the winter when he is afflicted with Rheumatism; that his family consists of himself his wife and one daughter named Betsy
Subscribed to & subscribed in open court Dist J. Williams clerk
his Littlebury Marshall mark

Abner Fuller, County Clerk.
Joseph Williams Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule hereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court that the total amount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid
schedule is $22 dollars in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court this 20th day of August A.D. 1821.
J. Williams Clerk By J. Williams Jun. D.C.

Letter by Mathews Declaration Document at hand
8421.

State of No va 388
Surry County 3 On this 1 day of August
Personly appeared before me Isaiah Cowles one of the Magistrates and then in of the County Court of Surry County North Carolina. Little by Matthews a resident of said County aged 77 years. Who first being duly sworn, according to Sew. doth. on his Oath. make the following declaration, in Order to obtain the benifit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7 1832 that he Enlisted into the United States Service for One Year under Capt William Taliferoo (or Tolliver) we were attached to the 2 d Virginia Regiment under Col Wm Woodford. We went to Norfolk was at the engagement of the Great Bridge on the 8 th Dec r 1775 in the Battle of Great Bridge
(Brittain) was killed we were discharged at Williamsburg My discharge was signed by Col Woodford & is lost. he enlisted in Feb 1777 under Capt Thos Merriweather 4 th Virginia Reg t Col Brant. We was stationed at Williamsburg. Then we were moved to Alexandria where we had the Small Pox administered to us. after we were moved on to Manassas near mouth C. H. he was on Guard when that Battle took place. he recalled that Gen Morgan was there. also Gen Lee & thinks that

He did some thing that displeased Washington. This matter took place in the month of June, '78 a very hot day. He served his 3 years out and was discharged in Feb 1780 at Fredericksburg by Col. Morris. When this discharge is also lost. He also served in the militia afterwards but if the above is established it is suffi- cient to entitle him to receive his pension.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & he declares his name is not on any Pension Roll of any agency of any State or Territory.
Sworn to and subscribed this day and year above
Howland P. & M. of C.C. Littlebury his Mark Matthews
I certify I do certify that Littlebury Matthews is a very old feeble man nearly blind & unable to go about and as it is 17 miles to the C.H. & a very bad road across the yard here. When 30 or 40 yards wide I should not think it prudent for him to undertake it for he can't he is very feeble & in low circumstances. but respectable
Howland P.
And the Magistrate does further declare that in his opinion the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served in States given under my hand this 1 day of Sept 1882 Howland P. & M. of C.C.

I John Wright Clerk of County Court of Surrey do hereby certify that the Josiah Cowles who signed the foregoing Certificate is and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the Peace & Member of the County Court of Surrey County State of North Carolina and all due faith & credit is and ought to be given to his Official acts as such in testimony whereof I have set my hand and affixed the Seal of my Office this 14 th day of Augt 1882 John Wright Clerk

Know all men by these presents that I Bradley Matthews of the of the county of Surry and state of North Carolina do hereby constitute and appoint George G. James Esq. My true and lawfull agent and attorney to prosecute the claim of Littlebury Matthews for any amount of Revolutionary pension or increase of pension that may be due and I hereby authorizing said agent to examine all the papers, and documents in relation to said claim now on file in the department at Washington city or else where to file additional evidence and arguments - and to receive the certificate that may be issued for said claim which certificate I wish made payable to myself to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present hereby Ratifying all that my said agent and attorney shall lawfully do in the premises witness my hand and seal this 27 th day of August A D 1851
signed seal and delivered in the presents of W m R Lovill
Bradley Matthews Mark
State of North Carolina } on this twenty 27 th day of Surry county } August A D 1851 before me the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid personally appeared Brad- ley Matthews and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be an act and deed for the purposes

There is mentioned
in the testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand The day and year above said W m H Lovill
State of North Carolina County of Surry
Be it known That on this twenty 27 th day of August, Eighteen hun- dred and fifty nine before the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for the county and state above said personally appeared Bradley Matthews a res- ident of this state in said county and made oath according to law that he is the son of Littleberry Matthews who made application under act of June 18 th 1842 for a Revolutionary pension and that he has been informed that the said pension ought to be allowed; that he is directly interested in said claim as a claimant in said pension and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence as may appear may be in proof concerning said claim sworn to and subscribed to before me
The day and year above said W m H Lovill
Bradley Matthews

State of North Carolina Surry County
I Francis K Armstrong, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County of Surry do hereby certify that Wm R Lovill, before whom the foregoing papers were executed, was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, and the name therein subscribed is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and here affixed the seal of my Office at office the 28th August AD 1857
F. K. Armstrong, Clerk
State of North Carolina Surry County
I Francis K Armstrong, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County, of Surry do hereby certify that Wm R Lovill, Littleberry Brandy Matthis, was a Revolutionary Soldier of the United States, died about the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty three and his widow, Sally Matthis, died on the 7th of October one thousand eight hundred and forty six, leaving the only sur- viving children, known to be living to wit: Hovey Joyner, about seventy years of age, Brandy Matthis fifty five years of age, Susan Rose, about fifty five a town sister to Brandy
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and here affixed the seal of my Office at office the 28th day of August AD 1857
F. K. Armstrong, Clerk

Littlebury Mathews Mo
7027 84.21
Insp o
31 Mar
Donald Williams 323
11.12.13.14
4 April
John Wright
x
Rockfords -
Mo

BRIEF in the case of Letterly Matthews  County of Linn  in the State of North Carolina  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Judge  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 77 years  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, As a Gen.     In 1775 1 Private Col. Sullivan Col. Woodfin   Feb 1777 — discharged in 1780 3 — " Col. Mcintosh Col. Brant  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Guilford  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? not stated  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By his own declaration  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Richard Catts Examining Clerk.

Littlebury Mathews - North Carolina
_____ Suspended - Letter 21 March 1834
Hon Lewis Williams
H. R. let to Dr. up's Land since 1834 taken up for H. M. S. Rail Jan. 6. 1844

Littlebury Matthews,
Rev. N. Carolina.
Rejected, not having served on the continental establishment. See let- ter to Hon. Lewis Williams, H. R. 9 th Jan. 1824
7026

REJECTED
7026
P. O.
Littlebury Matthews
Service:
Consolidated October 9, 1862 with reg't 7.027
Enlisted: _____
Inverness
18
Discharged: _____
18
Application filed: _____
18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____
Contr
_____ Cert. of Dis. _____
Searched for _____
18

Acts of July 14, 1902, and March 3, 1903.
REJECTED
7027
P. O. _____
Littleburg Mathews
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Washington Jan 8th 1824
Sir. I send you the papers in the case of Gittibury Matthews who claims a revo- lutionary pension —
I have seen this man frequently and he appears to be very poor, and in great need of some assistance — I hope if it is consistent that a certificate may now be forwarded —
I am Sir with great Respect your obed Servt H. S. Lunt.
Lewis Williams
James T. Edwards Esq.

Washington Sept 6. 1857 James E Heath Esq Sir
Enclosed you will please find Power of Attorney in the Cases of Letitbury Matthews, and Lamentation O'Neal, both applicants for Pension under the act of 7 June 1832, from North Carolina I wish to be permitted to examine the papers in these Cases,
Very Respectfully Your obed Servt Geo. C. Ames

Hon. Reps. Washington, Dec. 21, 1843.
Sir,
Will you have kindness to examine whether any Papers are on file in your office in the Case of Littlebury Matthews , and if any were filed to enclose me the originals or copies thereof. The time the papers were filed as well as the object sought by calling for them will be explained by the enclosed letter of Mr. Bowles. Please enclose me the letter back again.
I am very respectfully, Your obt. servant, David S. Reid.
J. L. Edwards, Com. of Pensions.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Letterly Matthews 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? 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? no
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? no
Not on the Roll
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? no
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? yes
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?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
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, deposeh 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 character 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.

Schedule of the property of Littleberry Matthews of the County of Surry and State of North Carolina (To wit,)
  53 3/4 acres of land, worth $ 100   2 cattle worth 12   5 heads of hogs 8   1 ox 1   2 hoes 1   $ 122 " 
Debts due from Littleberry Matthews to sundry persons in his neighbourhood, (To wit), between thirty five & forty dollars.
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court
Dea. J. M. Hays
his Littleberry Matthews mark.
State of North Carolina
Surry County } Superior Court of Law Spring term 1872 This being a Court of record.
Littleberry Matthews this 7 th March 1872 comes into Court and amends his schedule by stating his oath that his wife's name is Sally aged between fifty & sixty years and is unable to do any work to support himself That his Daughter Betsy is about twenty eight years of age and that that by her work and labour she cannot more than support herself in provision and clothing
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court March 7 th 1872
his Littleberry Matthews mark
Dea. J. M. Hays, Jur. C. S. C.

I know all men by these presents that I Bradley Matthews son of Littlebury Matthews Do hereby con- stitute and appoint George (Ames Esqr) My true and lawfull agent and attorney to prosecute the claim of Littlebury Matthews for any amount of Revolution ary pension or increase of pension that may be due and I hereby authorize my said agent to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said to said claim on file in the Department at Washington city or else where to file additional evidence or arguments and to receive the certificate which may be issued for said claim which certificate you wish made payable to myself to appoint one or more substitute under him for the purposes herein expressed and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present hereby Ratifying all and confirm- ing all that my said attorney and agent shall lawfully do in the premises Witness my hand and seal this 4 th day of October A D 1851
Signed seal and Delivered
Bradley his Matthews seal
in the presence of W m R Lovitt J D
State of North Carolina } ss Surry county }
on this 4 th day of October 1851 before me the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid personally appeared Bradley Matthews and acknowledged the foregoing power of attorney to be actua- lly for the purposes therein mentioned in testimony whereof I have set my hand the day and year aforesaid W m R Lovitt J D

State of North Carolina } ss. Be it known that on Surry county } 10 th day of October 1848 Eighteen hundred and fifty one before me the undersigned a justice of the peace in and for the county and state aforesaid personally appeared Bradley Matthews a resident of the state in said county and made oath according to law that he is the son of Littlebury Matthews who made application under act of _____ as a Revolutionary soldier of the United States, and that he has been informed that the pension ought to be allowed that he is indirectly interested in as a claimant in said pension and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence as or as may as my agent may use in prosecu- ting said claim
Bradley Matthews Bradley Matthews mark
Sworn to and subscribed The day and year aforesaid before me Wm R Lanill J Peace
I William R Lanill a justice of the peace in for the said county do hereby certify that Bradley Matthews who executed the foregoing paper is a Respectable Resident of this county and is I believe directly interested in said claim as therein set forth Wm R Lanill

I F R Armstrong clerk of county court of the county and state above said Do hereby certify that Mr R Ladd before whom the fore going papers were executed was at the time of the same a justice of the peace in and for said county duly authorized by law to administer oaths and the manner thereof subscribed in his signature in witness whereof I have here unto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal this 11 th day of November 1940 A D 1941
J. R. Armstrong Clerk

State of North Carolina } Court of Pleas and Surry county } Quarter sessions
November term 1851,
at a court of Pleas and Quarter sessions begun and held in the county of Surry and State of North Carolina on the 10 th day of November 1851 it was then and there shown in evidence that Littlebury Matthews who was reputed to be a revo- lutionary soldier of the United States died on the 10 th day of March 1833 leaving a widow who died on the 7 th day of October 1846 leaving sur- viving her the following named children to wit Bradley Matthews now fifty five years of age and Susan Reeder twin sister to Bradley fifty five years of age who are all the only sur- viving children of the above said Littlebury Matthews and his widow Sally Matthews known to be having In the Testamentary estate of of all which I
J. K. Allen Strang clerk of the court aforesaid have hereunto strong subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said court at office on the 11 th day of November A D 1851
J. K. Matthews Clerk

Act of June 7. 1832.
Littlesbury Matthews. (A.C.)
Power of Atty.
Chas. L. Tucker.
Atty Present.

Power of Attorney.
Know all men by these presents, that I Bradly Matthews
do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint CHAS. C. TUCKER, of Washington City, D. C. my true and lawful Agent and Attorney to prosecute the Claim of Luther Matthews for any amount of Revolutionary Pension or increase of Pension that may be due under the provisions of the Act of _____ or any other Act or Resolution of Congress, and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers and documents in relation to said Claim on file in the Departments at Washington City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said Claim, and to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed: and to do all things that he might or could do, were he personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney may lawfully do in the premises.
Witness my hand and seal this 5 th day of January 185 3 .
In presence of
Alfred Matthews } Bradly Matthews Madison } Mark
STATE OF North Carolina COUNTY—ss.
On this 5 th day of January 185 3 , before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State above mentioned personally appeared Bradly Matthews and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to be his act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned.
Thomas Grayson JP
STATE OF North Carolina } ss. - Madison COUNTY.
On this 5 th day of January 185 3 , before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Bradly Matthews a resident of said County, and made oath according to law that he is the identical Bradly Matthews who executed the foregoing power of Attorney, and that he is directly interested in said Claim, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my said Attorney may use in prosecuting said Claim.
Thomas Grayson JP
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written.
STATE OF } COUNTY OF }
I
Clerk of
do
hereby certify that _____ Esq., before whom the foregoing affidavit and acknowledgment were made and who has thereunto signed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that all his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal this day of _____ 185 _____