Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 63, for John Tankersley, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Va. Va. Sea Service
Tankersley, John Frances
1/1 63
CONTENTS

5-18 Oct. 42 N.B. wis. 2 d Auditor M. B. Lewis Feb. 3 rd 1843.
26746
West Tennessee
John Fanchersley of the in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Infantry Dragon Regiment by Captain Taylor of the Regiment commanded by Colonel in the Service line for 21 months Marine
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 7 Dollars 50 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of May 1834 and David Calland Fayetteville
Arrears to the 4th of March 210.00 Semi-ann. allowance ending Sept 35.00 $245.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Sam Boyd Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 1 Page 98

1890 Nov 6 J.C. Fowler (Grandfather of history) Prior for identification of Christian name
Kept Dec 18, 1905
6709
63
Nashville, Tennessee
Frances Tankersley
widow of John Tankersley Ship's Carpenter, Dragon & John who was a Private. Capt Taylor in the Revolution
Navy
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 70 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of March 1845 and sent to Hon T. Claiborne
(63) Nashville Tennessee
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A
17 June, 1844.
2 Page 198.

State of Tennessee
Marshall County ss
This day personally appeared before me Sile A Ewing an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Marshall and State of Tennessee John Tankersley aged about fifty years who being first duly sworn according to Law deponeth and saith that he is the son of John Tankersley and Frances Tankersley which said John Tankersley was late a Pensioner of the United States but is now dead; that said John Tankersley and the said Frances Tankersley were married as he always understood very shortly after the close of the Revolutionary war. That they always lived as man and wife, that they had seven children of which this affiant is one of those children that they continued to live as man and wife as long as the said John Tankersley lived that he died some time in the month of March in the year Eighteen hundred and forty as well as this affiant now recollects. that the fact of their marriage was never doubted so far as this affiant believes or ever heard, that his parents were married in the County of Caroline and State of Virginia and removed many years ago to the State of Tennessee but what year this affiant does not now recollect, that the marriage of his Father and Mother was celebrated several years before the first day of January One thousand seven hundred and ninety four. Sworn under my hand Seal this 29 th day of March April 1843 John J. his Sile A Ewing mark
Sworn to & subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid. and I further certify that I am acquainted with John Tankersley whose name is subscribed to the above affidavit, and that he is a man entitled to credit upon his oath. Sworn under my hand Seal this 29 th day of April 1843
Sile A Ewing (Seal) Justice of the Peace

State of Tennessee Marshall County ss
I Martin W. Oakley Clerk of the County Court of the County of Marshall and State of Tennessee do hereby certify that T. A. Ewing Esquire whose name is appended to the within certificate is now and was at the time of his signing the same an Acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County. and that said certificate is in due form of law and that full faith and credit is due to his attestations as such. Given under my hand and the seal of my Office at Office this 29 th day of April 1843.
Martin W. Oakley Clerk of Marshall County Court

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Tankersley
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1778 1 Marine Ship's Master Capt R. Taylor Navy Dept 77 V.C. no proof, on Roll for 1 yr service   1779 3 Pn.   — 3 "   1781 3 "  
The traditional evidence should be taken before a court of Record.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) 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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of A. B. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

State of Tennessee } Lincoln County } On this 17 th day of September 1833. personally appeared, in open court before the Judge of the Circuit Court of said County, now sitting personally appeared John Sankersley, a resident of Lincoln County, State of Tennessee, aged about seventy six or seven 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. —
I was born in Carolina  Caroline County, Virginia, sometime about the year 1757 or 1758. from the best of my recollection, but I have no record of my age, and no certain information, and therefore cannot speak positively as to the year. — I continued to live in Carolina  Caroline County until I entered the service — Some time in the month of October 1778. according to the best of my present recollection. I enlisted in the service, in the service of the United States as a marine, on board of the "Man of War" ship, called the "Sartar" under the command of Commodore Richard Saylor. — the ship was lying at Port- Royal on the Rappahannock river, at the time I entered her. About a week after I entered the service, "The Sartar" left Port- Royal, & sailed to Port Hampton on the Eastern shore of Maryland. We then continued to cruise about the capes Henry, & Charles, for some considerable time during which time we had the company of a Brig named Northampton, commanded by Captain Saunders. and also of a Man of War called "Dragon" under the command of Capt. John Surtie. — The Sartar carried eighteen guns, & the Dragon (I think) sixteen. — during the time that we were lying near Cape Charles, Commodore Saylor espied a small British Boat, about the mouth of the Bay, when he took a tender a small boat belonging to the Dragon, and made an attack on the British Boat, but failed in taking her. — During the engagement, Commodore Saylor received a wound in the thigh which caused him to leave the service about eight months after I had entered the service on his ship.

After the Commodore left the Tartar, Lieutenant Williams Raind took the command and about a month afterwards she took her up to Chickahominy Boat Yard for the purpose of having her cut down to make a brig of her, as the masts were so high as to render her almost unmanageable. I was then transferred to a ship called the "Tempest" under the command of Commodore Travis. We continued to cruise about Hampton Roads and in the neighborhood of Norfolk, until the time for which I had enlisted, which was twelve months had expired.
I then was discharged by Commodore Travis & received a written discharge from him, which is now lost. — In the month of May 1780, if my recollection is correct, I became a substitute in the service of the U. States, in the place of William Parr, who had been drafted in the Virginia Militia. I still lived in the same county, & was in the company commanded by Capt. John Tyler, 1 st Lieut. Felix Tyler, in the Regiment commanded by Col. Matthews, but I cannot now recollect whether it was the 1 st , 2 d , 3 d , or 4 th Regiment. — We marched from Caroline County to Williamsburg V a and went there, station'd until the end of the time for which I became a substitute, which was three months ; I then continued in the service in Williamsburg, having been drafted for a three months tour commenced at the end of three months above mentioned. I was in the same Regiment under the same colonel, but in the company commanded by Captain William Jones. — During this term of service, Col. Matthews received news that the British and Lord Cornwallis had landed at James Town, and we left Williamsburg the same evening — after we had gone about fifteen miles near, overtook us that Cornwallis had taken possession of a place near Williamsburg called the Grove, with only a small file of men. — Major John Armistead immediately took our hundred men of which I was one, and marched back to Williamsburg for the purpose of taking them by surprise in the night. — but when we got there we found that we had been deceived — that there was a considerable force there, and after exchanging one or two shots about the break of day we had like to have been surrounded but we succeeded in securing our retreat. — We then marched to Richmond V a and and passed to Petersburg V a and remained there until my three months tour was out. I was then discharged went home.

In May 1781 I again became a substitute in the place of my brother George Sankersley for a three months tour. I was in the company commanded by Captain John Samson & Lieut. David Coleman in the Regiment commanded by Col. Philip Johnson - we marched from Caroline County to Spotsylvania, Hanover, & Henrico counties, being compelled compelled to flee from a superior British force. We at last took a station at Richmond, & remained there until the three months tour was out. I was then discharged & went home. I received a written discharge from my Colonel for each tour, but they are all now lost. I have no documentary evidence nor do I know of any person by whom I can prove my service - I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any state - I continued to live in Caroline County Virginia until about twenty years since - I then moved to Bedford County Tennessee, where I lived till last November when I moved to this County where I now live. -
Sworn to, and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. in Open Court James Bright clerk John his Sankersley mark
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that above-named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states
I James Bright Clerk of the Circuit Court of Lincoln  said County Tennessee, hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of John Sankersley for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private seal, having no seal of office this 17 th day of September 1833 James Bright Clerk

I William M. Ingr. Member elect to the Congress of the United States from the tenth Congressional District of the State of Tennessee, hereby Certify that James Bright who has signed the preceding certificate is Clerk of the Circuit Court of Lincoln County, Tennessee - That the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine - & that all his official acts are entitled to full credit - Given under my hand this 10 th October 1833 -
Wm M. Ingr.
John Van Klief
Admiral David G. Farragut New Orleans

N 8810
Frances Tankersley
Jew:
out 7. July 38

State of Tennessee District of Middle Tennessee Davidson County ss
On this 7 th day of March in the year Eighteen hundred and fortythree personally appeared before me Morgan W. Brown Judge of the District aforesaid Frances Tankersley aged between Eighty four and Eighty six years who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled an Act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows. That she is the widow of John Tankersley who was a Revolutionary pensioner, that said John Tankersley died on the 14 th day of March 1840. in the County of Marshall State of Tennessee within the said District, that said pensioner received his pension at the town of Nashville up to the time of his death; as will fully appear by reference to the Rolls of said Office she further declares that she was married to the said John Tankersley about Fifty three or Fifty four years ago but neither the precise day or year in how he collected by her, in the County of Caroline in the State of Virginia that her husband the aforesaid John Tankersley died on the said 14 th day of March 1840. that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen Hundred and Ninety four. Vist. at or about the time above stated, that she has no family record of the dates of these events. that she is informed and believes that the old Records of the said County of Caroline in the State of Virginia has been destroyed by fire nor does she know of any living person now who was present when she was married Sworn to and subscribed before me the day & year above said
her Frances Tankersley Mark
Morgan W. Brown District Judge

March 18, 1936.
Miss Amelia E. Cutliff Cutliff Place, 319 Society Street Albany, Georgia.
BA-J/ILL JOHN TANKERSLEY W. 63
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Captain John Tankersley of Virginia.
There is no claim for pension on file based upon service of a John Tankersley who was an officer in the Revolutionary War. You are furnished herein the record of the only John Tankersley found on the pension records of the office, as it may aid you in your research. The data given were obtained from pension claim, W. 63.
John Tankersley was born in 1757 or 1758, in Caroline County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not shown. He resided in that county during the period of the Revolutionary War.
Sometime in October 1778, John Tankersley entered as a marine on board the "Tartar", a ship of 18 guns, Commodore Richard Taylor, which ship was then at Port Royal on the Rappahannock River, was transferred later to the ship "Tempest", Commodore Travis, and continued until the expiration of one year for which he had enlisted. He enlisted in May 1780, again in Caroline County, Virginia, served three months as private in Captain John Tyler's company, Colonel Mathew's Virginia regiment, after wards, three months in Captain William Jones Company, in the same regiment and was in a skirmish near Williamsburg; he enlisted in May 1781, and served three months as private in Captain John Jamison's company, Colonel Philip Johnson's regiment, which service was rendered as substitute for his brother, George Tankersley.
John Tankersley resided in Caroline County, Virginia, until about 1813, moved then to Bedford County, Tennessee and resided until

November 1832, when he moved to Lincoln County, Tennessee.
John Tankersley was allowed pension on his application executed September 17, 1833, at which time he resided in Lincoln County, Tennessee. He died March 14, 1840 in Marshall County, Tennessee.
The soldier married soon after the Revolutionary War, in Caroline County, Virginia, Frances, whose maiden name was not given; the exact date of their marriage was not stated.
Frances Tankersley, the soldier's widow, was allowed pension on her application executed March 7, 1843, at which time she was aged about eighty-five years. The date and place of her birth and names of her parents are not shown. She resided then in Davidson County, Tennessee.
The soldier, John Tankersley, and his wife, Frances, had several children. In 1843, their son, John, was aged about fifty years; he made affidavit then in Marshall County, Tennessee, in behalf of his mother's claim for pension. In 1844, Elizabeth Lock, their daughter, was aged about fifty-seven years; she made affidavit in behalf of her mother in Lincoln County, Tennessee. No other names of children are given.
In November 1842, John Lock was a resident of Lincoln County, Tennessee; one James Lock was then a resident of Limestone County, Alabama. No relationship between these persons and the soldier's family was stated.
Very truly yours,
G. H. SWEET, Acting Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

Frances Tankersley Widow of John Tanker- sley, private, Marine Va. State Navy
~ 6996. - 446
acts. 38, 43 & 44
commence 4 March '36
married prior to in 1790
husband died March 14. 1846
West Tenn. Roll
Reso. Jan. 23. 1845 } 10 act Feb. 20 1845 }
$70 per annum
Hon. T. Clairborne Clairborne
Nashville Present Tenn

1922. Feb. 11. Dist. to E. M. Massey 1933. March 8. Dist. to Mrs. R. S. Garrett Ans L.L. 1933. April 21. See further correspondence with Mrs. R. S. Garrett in mlg. files under John Tankersley - L.L. 1936. Mar. 15. Dist. to Miss Amelia E. Nuttall - L.L.
Rev. War. Wid File 63 John Tankersley

9083.
Tennessee, Nashville
Frances Tankersley widow of John Tankersley
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832 and who died on the 14 th March 1840 of Lincoln Co. in the State of Tennessee who was a Prv. Marine, in the commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Va. State Navy line for 21 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Nashville at the rate of 70 Dollars _____ Dollars per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of March, 1845, and sent to Hon. J. Claiborne, Nashville, Tenn.
Total amount, $350.00
Resolution Jan. 23. 1845 [Act July 7, 1838.] act Feb. 20. 1845
Recorded by _____ Clerk, Book ② — Vol. 1 — Page 357-

State of Tennessee Lincoln County pt.
This day personally appeared before me David J. Rowell an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid John Locke a Citizen of said County being of lawful age and made Oath that he was well acquainted with John Tankley late a Revolutionary Pensioner now dead and also with his wife Frances Tankley - that he has been acquainted with them for about thirty eight years, that they were always held and reputed to be man and wife, and he has no doubt of the fact, although he did not see them married - he has always understood they were married in the County of Caroline and State of Virginia at or about the close of the Revolutionary War
Sworn to & Subscribed before me this 24 th day of November 1842
John Locke
(David J. Rowell)
Justice of the Peace for Lincoln County

State of Tennessee Tennessee Lincoln County ss I George W Jones clerk of the County Court of said County certify that David J. Rowell whose name is subscribed to the within foregoing affidavit & attestation is & was at the time of signing the same an Acting Justice of the Peace in & for the County aforesaid duly elected Commissioned & qualified & that the signature purporting to be his, is genuine Given under my hand & the seal of said Court at office at Fayetteville this 19 th day of March 1843
Geo W Jones clerk Clerk of said Court
State of Tennessee Lincoln County ss I David J Rowell a Justice of the Peace in for the county of Lincoln and State aforesaid do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Lock a citizen of said County who has subscribed and sworn to the within affidavit, and that he is a man who is entitled to full faith and credit as a Witness Given under my hand & Seal this 16 th day of March 1843
David J. Rowell Esq. Justice of the peace for Lincoln County & state of Tennessee

Nashville Tenn Sept 24 th 1890
Hon. Gane P. Cullen Washington D.C.
Dear Sir
Will you do me the kindness to give me the full names of Tankersley and wife who were Revolutionary Pensioners. Tankersley was a soldier in the war I believe in Virginia his widow was a pensioner at Nashville Tenn during the years of 1843 to 846. Your attention to this matter for me will be highly appreciated
Very respectfully J. C. Fuchlin 509 First Avenue Nashville Tenn

J. C. Fowler Penn Sept 24 1890
Frankly Va full name of widow pensioner wife
4602 Calhoun

State of Tennessee Lincoln County ss.
This day personally appeared before me David J. Rowell an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Elizabeth Lock aged about fifty years of age being duly sworn according to Law, deponeth and saith that she was well acquainted with John Tankersley who was in his lifetime a revolutionary Pensioner, and also with his wife Francis Tankersley who is now the widow of said John Tankersley. That she resided for the most part with a son of hers who lives in Davidson County Tennessee. That said Tankersley died sometime in the year 1840 as this Affiant is informed & believes. That said John Tankersley and his said wife Francis were married very shortly after the close of the Revolutionary War, in the County of Caroline in the State of Virginia. That they always lived together as man & wife and were universally so reputed to be by all who knew them nor did this Affiant ever hear that fact questioned by any one. This Affiant is well satisfied that the said John Tankersley & Francis his wife were married before the year nineteen hundred and ninety four, as they have children older than that who are now living. said John Tankersley and his said wife were both of them very plain people uneducated, but industrious & honest so far as this Affiant ever heard.
Sworn under my hand this 13th day of November in the year 1844. Elizabeth Lock
The above affidavit was sworn to, and subscribed before the day and date above written and I further certify that I am acquainted with Elizabeth Lock whose name is signed to the above affidavit, and that she is a person of Credit and as such entitled to be believed on oath. Given under my hand & seal this 13 th day of November 1844.
David J. Rowell J.P. Justice of the Peace

State of Tennessee
County of
I, Henry Nelson Clerk of the County Court of the County of Lincoln in the State of Tennessee do hereby certify that David P. Rowles Esqum whose name is appended to the within Certificate is now and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County of Lincoln and that said Certificate is in due form of law, and that full faith and credit is due to his allegations as such Record under my hand and the seal of my Office at Office this 11th day of November 1844
Henry Nelson clerk of
I, Th. Claiborne of the town of Port Royal and State of Tennessee do hereby certify that I am informed and believe that Elizabeth Lock whose name is appended to the within Affidavit is the daughter of John Lock and her Wife Frances Tankersley that said Elizabeth Lock formerly Tankersley was born in lawful wedlock and that she is said to be upwards of sixty years of age which last fact is corroborated by her appearance soon under my hand at Washington City this 8 March 1845
Th. Claiborne

State of Alabama Alabama County ss Limystone
The day personally appeared before me Thomas W Hinean acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid James Lock a Citizen of said County being of Lawful age and made Oath that he was well acquainted with John Pankley lately a Revolutionary Pensioner now dead and also with his Wife Frances Pankley, that he has been acquainted with them for about thirty eight years, that they were always held and reputed to be man and Wife, and he has no doubt of the facts although he did not see them married - he has always understood they were married in the County of Caroline and State of Virginia at or about the close of the Revolutionary War.
Sworn to & Subscribed before me this 24 th day of November 1842
James Lock (Seal)
Thomas W Hine Justice of the Peace (Seal)

State of Alabama Linestone County ss
I Thomas W. Hine a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Linestone and State aforesaid do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with James Lock a citizen in said County who has been described and sworn to the within affidavit, and that he is a man who is entitled to full faith and credit as a Witness. Given under my hand & Seal this 14 th day of March 1843
Thos W Hine J.P. Seal
State of Alabama Linestone County ss I Robert Austin Jr clerk of the County Court of said County that Thomas W Hine whose name is signed to the within and forgoing affidavits and Attestations is and was at the time of signing the same an Acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly elected Commissioned & qualified that the signature purporting to be his is genuine. Given under my hand the Seal of said Court at Office at Athens this 14 th day of March 1843.
Teste Robert Austin Jr Clerk of said Court

State of Tennessee
Lincoln County } On this 38 th day of April 1834. Personally appeared before the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said County (now sitting) John Santersly a resident of said County an applicant for a pension & aged about seventy two years, who being first duly sworn according to law, on his oath, declared that he would prefer to the Rev. Isaac McLean and John Vick- ers to whom he is known in his present neighborhood and who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid in Open Court
Test J. L. McCannan Clerk By his Deputy A. H. Blanton
John his Santersly mark
We, Isaac McLean a clergyman residing in the County of Lincoln and State of Tennessee, and John Vickery residing in the same County hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Santersly who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration - that we believe him to be about seventy two years

of a ge. - that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid J. F. Kineannon Clerk By his Deputy A. J. Blakenore
Isaac McCann
And the said Court 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 Isaac McCann who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in said County of Lincoln, and that John Vickery who has also signed the same, is a resident in the same County and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
John Perrin G. W. James Elliot K. Wither
J. Francis L. Kineannon Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarters for the County of Lincoln, State of Tennessee, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of John Fankersly for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 28 th day of April 1834 J. F. Kineannon Clerk By his Deputy A. J. Blakenore

Madam,
Bowling Green Caroline Co. Va. 15 th June 1842.
Yours of the 2 nd is before me and in reply, have to inform you that I have examined my Office and can find nothing in relation to your marriage with John Tankersley. The Records of my Office in relation to marriages, extend no further back than the year 1785.
Very respectfully
John L. Pendleton Esq.

State of Tennessee Davidson County ss This day personally appeared before me John Corbitt an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County of Davidson and State of Tennessee William Corbitt, Dempsey Corbitt, and James Corbitt, all citizens of said County and of lawful age and made Oath that that they are well acquainted with Frances Tankersly who is at this time a resident of said County & State aforesaid and that she is the Widow of the said John Tankersly with whom they were also well acquainted, that said John Tankersly was a Revolution- ary Soldier as they always understood and believe, and that he was duly placed on the Roll of Revolutionary Pension and continued to receive his Pension while he lived at the Pension Office in the town of Nashville and State aforesaid, that the said William, Dempsey and James Corbitt were each of them well acquainted with the said John Tankersly and Frances Tankersly his Wife for a great many years and that they lived together as Man and Wife, the said Frances always being reputed to be the wife of said John Tankersly nor did they or either of them ever hear any thing to the contrary that she was his Wife, that said John Tankersly is now dead  The above Deposition sworn to and subscribed before me this 8 th day of October 1842  John Corbitt Justice of the Peace
his William T Corbitt mark his Dempsey Corbitt mark his James Corbitt mark

State of Tennessee Davidson County
I Robert B. Castleman clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that John Corbett whose name is signed to the within affidavit & attestation was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace in & for said County duly elected commissioned & qualified that the signature purporting to be his is genuine given under my hand & the seal of said Court at office in Nashville this 8th day of October 1842.
R. B. Castleman Clerk of said Court
State of Tennessee Davidson County ss.
I am personally acquainted with William Corbett Dempsey Corbett & James Corbett, and have been so for many years. They are all of them men whose statements upon oath should be believed without hesitation or doubt. I am also well acquainted with John Corbett Esq. an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, as also with Robert B. Castleman the Clerk of the Court and know the above to be their respective hand writings given under my hand at Nashville this 8th day of October 1842.
J. H. Blairborne

State of Tennessee State of Tennessee ss
John Corbett a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Davidson and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with William Corbett Dempsey Corbett and James Corbett the witnesses whose names are signed to the within Affidavit and that they are men who are justly credible and that their statements are and of right to be received as justly entitled to full faith & credit given under my hand & Seal this 7th day of March 1843.
John Corbett Justice of the Peace.

Director of the Bureau of Pensions, Rev. War Dept., Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
From your records please give me the Revolutionary Service, & any data, of my ancestor 1772 & 1773 Capt. John Tankersley of Spotsylvania Co. Va., Richmond & Columbia Counties Ga. "Rev. Pensioner, from Order Book 1829-1832 Spotsylvania Court - "John Pierce, aged 75 yrs Sept. 3-1832, well recollected Capt. John Tankersley etc."
As proof of his service:
"John Tankersley, a lieut. in Capt Jones Co. of Militia, resigned" - Ref.: Va. Hist. Mag., Vol 21-p 280;
"Capt. John Tankersley took oath at court held July 19-1781 in room of Thos. Bartlett, Spotsylvania Va. Rev. Records Order Book 1774-82, p 523.
Capt. John Tankersley, July 19-1781, Spotsylvania Co. Va. War 4-
"Capt. John Tankersley at surrender of Cornwallis - Richard Stears & Francis Turnly under Capt. John Tankersley at Surrender of Cornwallis," - Va. Militia in the Rev. War McAllister's Data 1913
Application for Rev. Soldier's Bounty warrant states he was from Spotsylvania Co. Va. - he received 1,000 acres in Washington Co. Ga.

1784 - Sect. of State's Office Atlanta Ga. John Tankersley of Richmond Co. Ga. po. of allo. to Edward Herndon, Spatsylvania Co. Va. Feb. 6-1787- Recd Book L. 1785-1788-
John Tankersley was Justice of the Peace in Richmond Co. Ga., + the first J. P. of Columbia Co. Ga. 1790 when that Co. was taken from Richmond - Oldest Book of Inferior Court of Ga. Also W. A. R. Records. John Tankersley died in Columbia Co. Ga., 1822?
Thanking you in advance for your courteous attention,
I am,
Respectfully,
Amelia E. Cutliff,
Cutliff Place, 319 Society St.,
Albany, Georgia.
(miss)
Feb. 25-1936.

J. M. GARRETT, M. Am. Soc. C. E.
J. M. GARRETT & SON CIVIL ENGINEERS
ROY S. GARRETT Assoc. M. Am. Soc. C. E.
120 Catoma Street, MONTGOMERY, ALA..
SUBJECT:
Mr. A. D. Hiller, Veterans Administration Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I am trying to work up some D. A. R. papers on the Tankersley line. I find the following in my records:
"John Tankersley was born, and married his wife, Frances Muse, in Port Royal, Carolina County, Virginia. He served in both the Army and Navy of the United States during the Revolutionary War, first on board the ship, Tartar & Tempest, off Capes Henry and Charles, from October 1778 to October 1779, afterwards in the Army three terms of three months each in 1780-1, the last term in place of his brother, George. He was pensioned by the government until his death and after that his wife drew his pension until her death in 1846."
Will you please give me a verification of this.
Thanking you, I am,
Yours very truly,
A handwritten signature in cursive, reading "Mrs. Roy S. Garrett".
Mrs. R. S. Garrett

1710.5
DALLAS TRUST & SAVINGS BANK
CAPITAL ONE MILLION DOLLARS
DALLAS January 16th, 1922
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:-
Will you please furnish me with any information you may have concerning John Tankersley who served in the Revolutionary War as a Seaman.
Thanking you in advance for this information, I am
Yours very truly,
miss E. M. Massey above address

March 8, 1933.
Mrs. R. S. Garrett 120 Catoma Street Montgomery Alabama.
BA-J/ILL John Tankersley W. 63
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to John Tankersley, who served in both the Army and Navy during the Revolutionary War, received a pension until his death, and whose widow received a pension until her death.
The record of the John Tankersley described by you is given below. The data furnished are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 63, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
John Tankersley was born in 1757 or 1758 in Caroline County, Virginia, and lived in that county at the time of the Revolutionary War.
Sometime in October, 1778, he entered as a marine on board the "Tartar", a ship of 18 guns, Commodore Richard Taylor, this ship then at Port Royal on the Rappahannock River, was later transferred to the ship, "Tempest", Commodore Travis, and continued until the expiration of one year, for which he had enlisted. He enlisted in May, 1780, again in Caroline County, Virginia, served three months as private in Captain John Tyler's Company, Colonel Mathews' Virginia Regiment, after that, three months in Captain William Jones Company, in the same regiment and was in a skirmish near Williamsburgh; he enlisted in May, 1781 and served three months as private in Captain John Jamison's Company, Colonel Philip Johnson's Regiment, this service rendered as substitute for his brother, George Tankersley.
The soldier resided in Caroline County, Virginia, until about 1813, moved then to Bedford County, Tennessee, where he remained until November, 1832, when he moved to Lincoln County, Tennessee.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 17,

1833, at which time he resided in Lincoln County, Tennessee.
John Tankersley died March 14, 1840 in Marshall County, Tennessee.
The soldier married soon after the Revolutionary War, the date not stated, Frances, whose maiden name is not given.
Frances Tankersley, the soldier's widow, was allowed pension on her application executed March 7, 1843, at which time she was eighty-five or eighty-six years of age, the date and place of her birth not given. She resided then in Davidson County, Tennessee.
Children. The soldier and his wife Frances had several In 1844, Elizabeth Lock, aged about fifty-seven years, the daughter of the soldier and his wife, Frances, made affidavit in behalf of her mother in Lincoln County, Tennessee. In 1843, John Tankersley, the son of the soldier and his wife, Frances, then about fifty years of age, made affidavit in behalf of his mother's claim for pension in Marshall County, Tennessee. No other names of children are given -
In November, 1842, John Lock was a resident of Lincoln County, Tennessee, and James Lock was a resident of Limestone County, Alabama. No relationship of these persons with surname Lock to the family of the soldier is stated.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Tankersley a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his and (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Oct 1778 12 mos Marine Commodore Richard Taylor on ship Tartar   Francis on ship Tempest   May 1780 6 mos Pvt John Tyler Matthews Va   John Jones   May 1781 3 mos Pvt John Jamison Philip Johnson  
Battles engaged in, at New Guilford
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Caroline Co. Va.
Date of application for pension, Sept 17 1832 His cl was ab
Residence at date of application, Lincoln Co. Tenn
Age at date of application, Caroline Co. Va. in 1757 or 1758.
Remarks: He was born after Rev. date not stated in
Caroline Co. Va. Francis (maiden name not on record)
He died Mar. 14 1846 in Marshall Co. Tenn. She was
at home on her 80th Mar 7 1843 while living in David-
son Co. Tenn aged 85 or 86 yrs. They had several children only
name stated being John
Respectfully, _____ Commissioner:
The daughter Elizabeth Lock, not on this old sheet.