Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2813, for Thomas Mc Speddin, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va
McSpeddin, Thomas
S 2813
banded
CONTENTS
This Envelope Includes
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO
NJ

BRIEF in the case of Thomas M. Speedden of Wilson Co. in the State of Tenn. (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 84  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.     '77 Summer in 77 2 private Capt. Edmondson — Col. Campbell   '78 Summer 1 " Col. Smith   '80 Summer — (believe) (perhaps in 79) 1 " Capt. Edmondson — Col. Campbell   '80 Fall 1 or more " as a guard to the Holston Settlement — do   '81 Spring — * about 1 " Capt. Montgomery do  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Kernish L.  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? on the Laurel fork of Holston River  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Tradition  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Right 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
W. C. Easton Examining Clerk.
18 Feb. 1833
* In a skirmish which took place during this term, he says "we lost almost nearly all our horses," but he does not say elsewhere that he was a horseman

14, 308
Thomas M. Spedden
from 1777 prints 6 months $20.
Josiah McClain Lebanon Term

See papers within
7552
West Tennessee Thomas M c Spedden of Wilson in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Edmund of the reg t commanded by Col Humphreys the Harrison line for Six months
Virginia Line. Records corrected for year Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of March 1834 and Melvin Le Baron Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 $60.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 1 Sept 10 00 $70.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Sam Bay Clerk, Book Vol. Page 93

OFFICE BANK UNITED STATES,
NASHVILLE, 9 July 1854
Received of Thos. H. H. H. H.
Agent for paying Pensions,
Twenty three
dollars Twenty two
cents,
being for Twenty Six months and Seven - days Pension due to me as the widow
of the late Mr. Spedden deceased, a Revolutinary Pension under the act of the 18th June 1832 from the 4 day of March 1850 to the 11 th day of May 1853 the day of his death for which I have signed duplicate receipts.
$43.22/100 -
Mary McSpedden widow of the late Thomas McSpedden, by Mrs. Tapp, attorney in fact.

No 314
Mary M c Speddon, Widow of Thomas M c Speddon Esq r , Private
$ 43. 72
4 March 1831
to
11 May 1839
The day of his death
Row June 1839
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

No 314
Mary M c Spedden, widow of Thomas M c Spedden, dec d . Private
$ 43.72
4 March 1831
to
11 May 1839
The day of her death
New June 1839
Dead
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

State of Tennessee Wilson County
June Term. N.P. 1834.
Be it known that at a Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions held for the County aforesaid, at the Court house in the Town of Lebanon, on the 24 th day of June 1834, personally appeared in Open Court Mary McSpaddin Thomas & McSpaddin, & George Dornell — all of said County and on their several Oaths Satisfactorily proven to the Court that she the said Mary McSpaddin was the lawful wife of the late Thomas McSpaddin of said County, deceased, who died on the 11 th day of May 1833. and who was at the time of his death placed on the Pension list Roll of the United States under the act of the 7 th June 1832, as they verily believe from information by them received from the Clerk of the County Court and from John S. Topp who prepared the application or declaration of said Thomas McSpaddin for a pension; from the Clerk & said Topp they learn that a Pension Certificate was forwarded to the said Thomas (in the name of Thomas Mc. Shepherd through mistake) and that it lay in the Clerks office & in the possession of said John S. Topp, until the Clerk informed the Commissioner of Pension Claims that no such person as Thomas Mc. Shepherd was, (to be found) in the County of Wilson — and that upon the Clerks being informed afterwards by the Commissioner of pensions, that the Certificate was forwarded intended for the said Thomas McSpaddin, and thereupon the Certificate issued & forwarded through mistake was returned to the office from whence it was issued & the Pension Certificate now in the possession of said Mary McSpaddin was forwarded to the said County Court Clerk & which is shown to the Court here — and of which the following is a true Copy — (vis :) " War Department — Revolutionary Claims.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7 th June, 1832, Thomas McSpaddin of the State of Tennessee, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Twenty dollars, and — cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4 th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4 th of March, and 4 th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this twenty fifth day of March One thousand eight hundred & thirty four
Examined & Countersigned
J. L. Edrard
Commissioner of Pensions.
Lou. Cal.
Secretary of War. —
And the said Mary McSpaddin further testifies that her late husband the said Thomas McSpaddin deceased was entitled to a pension at the rate of twenty Dollars per annum from the 4 th day of March 1831, to the 11 th day of May 1833 — being the day of his death, on account of services rendered the United States during the Revolutionary War, — that he resided at the time of his death in the said County of Wilson and had resided there for the

space of twenty two years past, previous thereto he resided in the County of Davidson State of Tennessee upwards of twenty five years & previous thereto resided in Washington County, Virginia.
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day & date first above written. —
J. P. McLain Clerk of the County Court of Wilson County
Mary McSpeddin Mark Thos. C. McSpeddin George Darnell
I know all men by these presents that I Mary McSpeddin of the County of Wilson and State of Tennessee widow of the late Thomas McSpeddin do hereby constitute and appoint Ino. S. Fopp my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to receive from the Agent of the United States for paying Pensions in Nashville in said state, the pension due to my late husband the said Thomas McSpeddin deceased from the 4 th of March 1831, to the 11 th day of May 1833 when he died — Witness my hand & seal this 24 th day of June A.D. 1834.
Mary McSpeddin her mark
Which said Power of attorney was duly acknowledged in open Court here by the said Mary McSpeddin to be her act and Deed.
In Testimony of the foregoing I Josiah S. McLain Clerk of said Court have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal thereof, at Office this 24 th day of June 1834. — N.B. On the 8 th line from the top the word she was interlined and in the 19 th line the words "to be found" were erased & the word "known" interlined, & in the 21 st line the word "forwards" was erased, before the foregoing was signed or certified.
J. P. McLain Clerk
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

Revolutionary Claims
Oct. 17
Gen.
Thomas M. Hudson
14308
14302
to 14311
Hon. Lewis Cag. Secretary of War Washington City.
FREE

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed 7 th June, 1832.
State of Tennessee } Wilson County } S.
On this 29 th day of September 1832, personally appeared in open Court before the worshipful David C. Hibbett, Benj. H. Billings & James Foster Esquires justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for said County of Wilson, now sitting. Thomas Walpeddin of the County of Wilson & State of Tennessee, aged Eighty four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his Oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832.
1 st That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. Col. William Campbell of Virginia commanded the Regiment of the Virginia Militia to which he belonged, does not recollect the Major; William Edmundson Captain of the Company & thinks that John Lowry was Lieutenant of the Company to which he belonged. His best recollection is that Col. Campbell commanded a detachment of the Militia which was ordered out against the Shawnee Indians on Clinch River. At which time, to wit in the summer of the year 1777 he served a tour of two Months in the Militia under the officers above named. They did not have a fight with the Indians that Campaign, Capt. Edmundson & his Company pursued them as far as Sandy River, and judging from their trail & the freshness of the signs we had nearly overtaken the Indians & was prevented further pursuit after them in consequence of the sickness of George Teter whom we could not leave, & had not sufficient force to divide, for previous to his sickness the detachment had been divided & sent in different directions after the enemy: they then returned home having served a tour of two months that summer. The Indians had been for sometime annoying the frontiers of Virginia; the same

in the summer of the year 1777 he served a tour of two Months in the Militia under the officers above named - they did not have a fight with the Indians that Campaign, Capt. Edmundson & his Company pursued them as far as Sandy River, and judging from their trail & the freshness of the signs we had nearly overtaken the Indians & was prevented further pursuit after them in consequence of the sickness of George Teter whom we could not leave, & had not sufficient force to divide, for previous to his sickness the detachment had been divided & sent in different directions after the enemy: they then returned home having served a tour of two months that summer. The Indians had been for sometime annoying the frontiers of Virginia; the same summer 1777 the Indians crossed over the Clinch River & killed a family called Beck, he had but just returned home from Richland Station as one of the guard & was at home only two or three days, when the depredation & murder of the Beck family occurred & he then was called upon immediately to turn out & pursue them as above stated. —
2 nd In the summer of the year 1778 he was required to serve a tour in the Militia, which he accordingly did by serving One Month where Col. Smith of Clinch River was stationed - ten men was allowed to each station.
He cannot recollect that he was in service in the 1779 - He believes it was in the 3 rd summer 1780, he served a tour of One Month on an expedition to the three forks of New River against the Tories - it may have been in the year 1779 but his best recollection & belief is that it was in the year 1780. He knows well that he served a tour of One Month on that expedition - Col. Wm. Campbell commanding officer of the Holston troops - Wm. Edmundson Capt. does not recollect the Lieutenant. The Tories did not stand to give us battle, we took one prisoner and he was hanged.
4 th In the fall season of the year 1780 Col. Campbell required all his effective men to furnish themselves with horses to go upon an expedition against the Tories & British who were embodying in North & South Carolina intending as he understood to bring the North Carolinians under subjection - he started with the troops who fought & conquered at Kings Mountain, but did not go far before it occurred to Col. Campbell, & the other officers that the Holston settlements had been left in a most helpless & defenceless situation, it was therefore considered advisable that some of them should return to guard the families thus left against the attacks of the Tories or Indians, but most danger was apprehended from the Tories; and Col. Campbell ordered James Berry he thinks to take back twelve men for the guard - he was one of the men sent back. and they continued on duty in this service for one month or more, until after the Battle at Kings Mountain & the return of Col. Campbell.

Militia to the Holston settlements.-
5 th His next & last tour of service was performed in the spring of the year 1781, when Lord Cornwallis with his army was traversing that part of North Carolina near Guilford. He went out again under Col. Campbell in the Company commanded by Capt. James Montgomery, for Capt. Edmundson his former Capt. was killed at the battle of Kings Mountain - he was in a skirmish with the British at Whitesels mills on the Waters of Haw River - we had not sufficient strength to give the enemy a battle, but as we retreated we fired upon our pursuers. Some men were killed, William Berry of his Company was killed - we retreated until we joined the main Army, under Genl. Green, if he recollects rightly. We lost nearly all our horses - he served about one month and was discharged & returned home, Col. Campbell went on with the main army & never returned.
He was born in Augusta County in the State of Virginia about the 12 th March 1748. He had a Record of his age from his father's family Record but it has been lost and he has depended upon his memory for many years past for his age - He was living on the Laurel fork of Holston River, in Edmundson's Settlement when he first entered the service of the United States - lived there till the fall 1785, then moved to Davidson County Tennessee, where he resided until about the year 1809 or 1810 when he removed to Wilson County Tennessee, where he has resided ever since.
He never rec d . but one discharge in writing that he can recollect, & that was a discharge from Capt. Montgomery - he has lost that - and he has no documentary evidence & knows of no person within his reach who has a personal knowledge of his services -
He is well acquainted with the Rev d Thomas Calhoun, (Rev d George Donnell) Alexander Astor, John S. Davis, David McMurry, John Provine, Alexander Provine & many other of the old &

He was born in Augusta County in the state of Virginia about the year 1748. He had a Record of his age from his father's family Record but it has been lost and he has depended upon his memory for many years past for his age. He was living on the Laurel fork of Hotston River, in Edmundson's Settlement when he first entered the service of the United States - lived there till the fall 1785, then moved to Davidson County Tennessee, where he resided until about the year 1809 or 1810 when he removed to Wilson County Tennessee, where he has resided ever since.
He never rec d . but one discharge in writing that he can recollect, & that was a discharge from Capt. Montgomery - he has lost that - and he has no documentary evidence & knows of no person within his reach who has a personal knowledge of his services -
He is well acquainted with the Rev d Thomas Calhoun, (Rev d George Dornell, Alexander Aston, John S. Davis, David McMurry, John Provine, Alexander Provine & many other of the old & respectable Citizens of the County who he believes would willingly testify as to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Test Elisha S. McClain Clerk of Wilson County Court
Thomas his  his W Speddin mark
We George Dornell a Clergyman, residing in the County of Wilson and Alexander Aston residing in the same County, hereby Certify, that we are well acquainted with Thomas W Speddin who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: That we believe him to be Eighty four years of age: that he is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution; and that we concur in that Opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Test Elisha S. McClain Clerk of Wilson County Court
George Dornell Alex r Aston
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further Certifies that it appears to them that George Dornell who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman resident in the County of Wilson and that, Alexander Aston who has also signed the same is a resident of the same County & is a credible person, and that their Statement is entitled to Credit. —
D. C. Bibb Beyratt. Dilling James Austin

I Josiah S. McClain Clerk of Milton County court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court of the matter of the application of Thomas M. Spaddins for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at office in the Town of Lebanon. This 2 nd day of October A D 1882
Josiah S. McClain

Rev War
2813 INVALID.
File No. 2813.
Thomas M c Spedden Dist. Rev War
Act: June 7. 1852
Index:—Vol. 4 , Page 244
[Arrangement of 1870.]

per letter 3 Dec '33 to J. S. McClaine. Lebanon, Ten. Old certificate can- celled & New certificate issued 25 th March 1834 & sent to J. S. McClaine Lebanon
755-2  West Tennessee
Thomas M c Spaddin of Wilson Co. in the State of W. Tenn who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Edmund of the R y V t commanded by Col Campbell in the North Carolina line for six months
Virginia Line. Records corrected Jan'y 27 in
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 20 Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of April 1833 and sent to J. S.  McClaine Lebanon
Arrears to the 14th of March 1833 $ 40 00 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 M ch 10 00  $50.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Daniel Bayd Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 96

Payments to be made at Nashville by the Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of West, Tennessee
Died 10 May 1822
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E Vol. 7 Page 98 by Saml G. Boyd Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Thomas McSpedden of the State of Vermont who was a private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive — Twenty — dollars and _____ 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 Twenty fifth day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty- four }
L. W. Coep.
Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO

14, 308
Thos. M. Spedden

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Thomas M Effreddin which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? [Signature] 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 ? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it ? —
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 ? Yes
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? —
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? —
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service ? —
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 ? Yes
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, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

3901 Payments to be made at Nashville by the Pres t of A S B Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of West Tennessee
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book 6 Vol. 7 Page 96 by Daniel Bay S Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Thomas M. Shepherd of the State of West Tennessee who was a private in the Army of the Revolution
is entitled to receive — Twenty — dollars and — 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 Twenty sixth day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
L. D. Chap
Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
J. K. Edward
Commissioner of Pensions.

Payments to be made at Nashville by the Pres't of U.S. Bank Agent for paying Pension- ers, in the Agency of Miss Percy
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO
Recorded in the Pension Of- fice, in Book E Vol. 7 Page 14 by Dan Boyd Clerk.

Cent. Inland. 21 Dec. 1833
FREE
Wm. S. Edwards Comr. of Pensions Washington City

Libanow Dec 16 th 1883
Sir
I have just received your letter of the of the 30 th of Nov. and pursuant to the instruction therein contained I herewith inclosed the certificate that was issued from the pension office for John M c Shepherd a Revolutionary pensioner
Very respectfully Your M c Servt
J. B. McCloud
Hon ble M c Edwards Comm r of pensions Washington City