Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 8,991, for John Maxey, Virginia

SERVICE
Va.
Maxey, John
NUMBER
S.8991
CONTENTS
carded.

Virginia 32.2/4
John Macey of Buckingham in the State of Virginia who was a private in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ commanded by _____ in the Virginia line for Militia 6 months -
Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond at the rate of 20 - Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 30 th day of Septem- ber, 1844 and sent to J. H. Rounton New Store, Buckingham Co. Va. -
Arrears to the 4th of March '45 - $290.00 Semi-annual allowances ending Sept. - 10.00
$300.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by W. Stewart Clerk, Book 82 Vol. 6 - Page 25
Recd 27 Oct
Let to H. M. E. W. H. H. and Sang 30th 1845
Date of death not on A. B. - 322.
✓

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832. State of Virginia. Buckingham County, ss.
On this 30 th day of July 1841, personally appeared before me, Justices of the peace in and for said county, John Masey, a resident of said county, & State, aged 84 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, upon his oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832:
That he entered the service of the United States on the first day of March, in the year of _____, and served until discharged on the first day of June then next, making a tour of three months; that his officers were General _____ Col. Harvey, Maj. _____ and Captains Wm Anderson and Harding Perkins that this three months tour was served at Albemarle Barracks, in guarding the British prisoners at that place; that he then lived in Buckingham County, State of Virginia; that he was drafted into service; that the country through which he passed was that lying between Buckingham Court House, and the Albemarle Barracks, in Albemarle County - these counties being separated by James River, and that the names of the Continental Regiments and Companies he served with, were _____
That he has no documentary evidence, (having lost his original discharge) nor does he know of any person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his services in this tour; that he again entered the service of the United States (living at the same place) on the first of September, 1781 - was marched to Yorktown in the State of Virginia - witnessed the surrender of the British forces at that place - was marched thence, according to the best of his recollection, to Winchester, State of Virginia - and being honorably discharged, he returned home on the first day of December, making a second tour of three months; that his officers during this second tour were General _____ Col. _____ Maj. John Moseley as and Capt.; that having lost his original discharge from this tour also, he has no documentary evidence, nor does he know of any person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to the length of this latter tour; that 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 in the Union. Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me.
John Masey John Ayers J.P. John McHaney J.P.
Ms. B. 1. 6 v. 10 p. 12

This may certify that we are now at the house, and in the presence of John Masey, the within-named claimant, that he is now labouring under disease, is extremely weak and infirm; and that we are of the opinion that he cannot travel to our Court House without risk of aggravating his affliction. Given under our hands this 30 th day of July, 1841.
John Ayres a Justice of the peace in the City of Buckingham John M c Harris a Justice of the peace in the City of Buckingham
State of Virginia. Buckingham County, ss. On this 11 th day of September 1841 personally appeared before me a justice of the Peace in and for said county, John Masey, the claimant named within, and being duly sworn, according to law, doth, upon his oath, assign the following reasons for not making earlier application for his pension: - That in the year 1834, William N. Patterson undertook to procure his pension, obtained the necessary evidence, took my Declaration in open Court, and promised me he would attend to it, until it was acted on at Washington; that two or three years afterwards, he applied to Mr. Patterson to know something about it when Mr. Patterson informed him that he had lost or mislaid it; that having already been put to much trouble about it, and feeling still able and willing to work for his living, he took no other steps towards it until he was struck down with the palsy, and rendered unable any longer to support by his labour; that he then proceeded to make the within Declaration.
He further testifies, in addition to what is stated in his Declaration, that he was, after the surrender at Yorktown, marched to Winchester in guarding the prisoners to that place served in that capacity until relieved by a company of militia from Frederick County, Virginia; that he then and there procured his discharge, gave it to his Captain to draw his pay upon, and ultimately lost both his discharge & his pay for two months - the pay for one month he received in form of a certificate which he afterwards used in payment of his taxes at home; that he was in active service from the day of his enlistment till he was discharged.
Sworn to & subscribed this
11 th Sept. 1841 before me
John Masey
John Ayres J.P.
I Rolfe Eldridge clerk of the county court of Buckingham in the State of Virginia certify that John Ayres and John M c Harris before whom the foregoing declaration was made, & affidavits taken in support of the same are acting justices of the peace in & for the said county duly commissioned & qualified, & that the foregoing signatures purporting to be the signatures of the said Ayres & Harris are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this eighth day of September in the year Eighteen hundred and forty one.
Rolfe Eldridge CBE

We, John Ayres, a clergyman, now residing, and having resided for the last forty-five years, in Buckingham County, and within six miles of the above named claimant, John Masey, and Isaac Baber residing in the same county, and within 3— miles of him, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with the said John Masey, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be a man of strict veracity, and fully eighty  eighty four years of age, that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to be a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
John Ayres Isaac Baber
Sworn to and subscribed this day and year first written, before me.
John M c Harris J.P.
I hereby certify that the above named John Ayres, who has signed the preceding certificate is now, and has been for the last twenty years, a clergyman of the Methodist Church; and that Isaac Baber who has also signed the same is a resident of the county of Buckingham, a near neighbour to the said John Masey, is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. Given under my hand the day & year aforesaid
John M c Harris J.P.
This is to certify that we have known John Masey, the claimant who has subscribed and subscribed the annexed declaration, throughout a period of Forty years; that we have always regarded him, and heard him spoken of, without denial, as an old soldier of the Revolution; that we believe him to be a man of truth and respectability; and that we believe everything he states, in his Declaration.
George Chambers Edward Masey
Sworn to & subscribed before us this 30 th day of July 1841
John M c Harris J.P.
John Ayres J.P.

2095-2-50
Questions put to John Masey, the within named claimant, and his answers thereto:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Answer In Buckingham county, state of Virginia, in the year 1756.
2. Have you any record of your age; if so, where is it?
Ans. Yes, In Abram Masey's profession.
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war; and where do you now live?
Ans. In the county of Buckingham; have lived there since the Revolutionary War; and now live there.
4. How were you called into service; were you draughted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute, & if a substitute, for whom?
Ans. I was draughted into service.
5. State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops where you served, such continental and Militia Regiments, as you can recollect; and the general circumstances of your service.
Ans. Gen. Washington, Marquis De La Fayette.
6. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; & if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Ans. Yes; Capt. Cunnington or Cunningham
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Ans. George Chambers, Ed. Masey, Isaac Baker, Geo. Baker, Ino. Ayres, Wm Masey, Rev. Ino. Ayres, Clopton Chambers.
The above interrogatories were put by us to John Masey the within named claimant, as directed by the Rules of the War Department; and we hereby certify that his answers thereto are as above reported. Given under our hands this 30 th day of July, 1861.
John Ayres J.P. John McHarris P.

The affidavit of Abraham Maney Money, who states that soon after the act of Congress passed in 1832 John Money (his uncle) applied to Wm. H. Patterson Esq. (who was a practicing lawyer, and about that time represented the County of Buckingham in the Virginia Legislature) to prosecute and recover his pension claim under the act aforesaid. Mr. Patterson was engaged in other matters and he (John Money) not only negligent but relied entirely on Mr. Patterson to do every thing that was necessary, Mr. Patterson was latterly sick and died without giving the case the necessary attention, the old man considered the case as lost until Mr. Alfred Thomas, who was engaged in the prosecution of pension claims, visited his neighborhood in 1840 or 41 when determined to make application and Mr. Thomas engaged in it, these are the circumstances why an earlier application was not made to the Department by said Money for a pension.
Abraham Money
State of Virginia Buckingham County, to wit.
The foregoing affidavit of Abraham Money was sworn to and subscribed before me a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid in due form of law; - I further certify that he is a creditable person and that his statement is entitled to full force and credit, Given under my hand this the 5 th day of April 1844
John Ayres J.P.

Virginia
I Rolfe Eldridge clerk of the County Court of Buckingham in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that John Ayers before whom the within affidavit of Abraham Massey was subscribed & sworn to is an acting justice of the peace in and for the said County duly commissioned & qualified according to law, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine —
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 29 th day of May 1844
Rolfe Eldridge CBE
affidavit for
Mr. John Massey

November 30, 1932.
Mrs. James G. Johnson 1418 -21st Street, N.W. Washington, D. C.
BA-J/ILL aw John Maxey S. 8991
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to John Maxey and James Dew, Revolutionary War soldiers of Virginia.
The data furnished herein are obtained from the the papers on file in pension claim, S. 8991, based upon the service of John Maxey in that war.
John Maxey was born in 1756 in Buckingham County, Virginia, the names of his parents not given. He resided in that county all of his life.
He enlisted March 1, year not given, and served in Captains William Anderson's and Hardin Perkins' Companies under Colonel Harvey in the Virginia troops, stationed at Albemarle Barracks guarding British prisoners. He enlisted September 1, 1781 and served three months as private in Captain John Moseley's Virginia Company and was in the battle of Yorktown.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 30, 1841. It is not stated that the soldier was married.
The soldier's nephew, Abram Maxey, was living in 1844 and appeared in Buckingham County, Virginia, in behalf of the soldier. In 1841, Edward Maxey, aged sixty-three years, and William Maxey were residents of Buckingham County, no relationship to the family stated.
The Revolutionary War records fail to show a claim for pension or bounty land on file based upon service of a James Dew of Virginia.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.

Act to A. L. Thomas 11 Oct. 1841 " " A. L. Thomas Nov. 5. 1841. to J. M. Routon 28 March 1842 " " " " 24 April 1843 " " " " 26 July "
  13 \frac{1}{2}     20     260     10  10    3   
Act of June 1832

Red Sea Albany, Oregon April 27, 1917.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir;
I shall greatly appreciate any information you can give me regarding John Masey who was a soldier in the American Revolution. He was born in Buckingham County, Virginia in the year 1754 or 56 there being some doubt as to the exact date. His wife's maiden name was Masey.
Thanking you, I am Very truly,
Edna R. Lewelling Mrs. L. G. Lewelling Albany Oregon.

rec rev Atlanta Mo.
2nd Rank Recd
Jan 27, 1917.
Stamp & envelope will
Wanting to get proof so I may join the Daughters of the American Revolution. I ask can you send me proof that John Maxey of Buckingham County Virginia (who was Born in the year 1736, Died about 1850) Drew a pension, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. his Wifes Name was Mary Maxey before she Married. I have the family history and know he was a soldier in the Rev. war but need proof.
I thank you in advance for anything you may do.
Mrs M. S. McElroy Box 115- Atlanta see enr Mo.

See papers of Mrs. Charles V. L. for Talents " — for Mary " — — Judith Spencer " July 7.

1917 Feb. 7. Hist. to Mrs. M. S. Meisner 1917 May 7. " " Mrs. L. G. Lewelling 1932-Nov. 30. Hist. to Mrs. James G. Johnson - L.L.
Pleasant
8991
INVALID.
File No. 8991
John Macey Prim. Res. War
Act: June 4th 1932
Index:—Vol. 12 , Page 237
[Arrangement of 1870.]

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Macey, Senior a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pen- sion on file in this Bureau.
88991
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Mch. 1. — 3 mos. William Anderson Harvey Pa.   Hardy Perkins   Sept. 1. 1781 3 mos. John Macey /  
Battles engaged in, _____ Residence of soldier at enlistment, Buckingham Co. Va. Date of application for pension, July 30, 1841. His estate was allowed. Residence at date of application, Buckingham Co. Virginia. Age at date of application, born in 1756 in Buckingham Co. Va.
Remarks: _____ _____ _____ _____  From Macey - nephew no other family data.
Respectfully,
Commissioner's Decree to the Virginia Pensions Board. Pmt. Mch. 1 1879
Commissioner.

Pensions Department Washington D. C.
Will you please give me a copy of the Rev. War record of John Mayey who app. July 30 1841 while living in Buckingham Co. Va.
He was born in 1756 and was living in Buckingham Co Va at time of enlistment.
also any record of family you may have. Respectfully
Mrs James G. Johnson 1418-21st. street N.W. Washington D. C.

Veterans Administration Rev. War. Section Washington D. C.
Have you a record of the Revolutionary War service of James not as  Dew of Fairfax Co. Va.? if you have will you please send me a copy. Respectfully
Mrs. James H. Johnson. 1418-21st, Street N.W. Washington D. C.

Dear Col. Hubbard Jan'y 30. '45-

Sir
Sen of H Jany 30 45
In reply to your enquiry I have the honor to inform you that the claim of John Massey of Buck- ingham Co. Va. was adjusted on 30 Sept. last and his pension certificate for 20 $ p. an m from 4 March 43 forward on that day to "J. H. Rounten Esq. New Town Buckingham Co. Va." There was of course $270 due him at the date of the issue of the certificate
Hon E. W. Hubbard
A. R.

Washington Jan 26 th 1845-
Sir
I am requested to ascertain whether you have recently, say within the last 12 months, allowed a pension to John Maxey an old revolutionary soldier of Buckingham Va and to his agent John Rounton of Va
Please let me know, if so the amount, & date of allowance &c
Yr - ob't - serv't E. Hubbard
Col. Edwards.

The affidavit of Mr Charles Horrell of Buckingham County Virginia (aged 82 years) to establish the pension claim of John Massey of said County and State, who states that he recollects that said Massey was drafted and marched to the Albemarle Barracks under a draft of three months; he was also drafted and marched to the eastern part of Virginia on a three months tour both of which times he marched from the county of Buckingham and in the last mentioned tour he was at the Battle of Little York in 1781 and this affiant was there with him
Chas. Horrell
State of Virginia, Buckingham County, to wit. The foregoing affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me as Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid in matter of law. I further certify that Mr Charles Horrell is a creditable person and that his statement is entitled to full credit and confidence given under my hand this twenty of May 25 th 1843.
Chas. Horrell J. P. Garland Brown

Affidavit of Mr. Charles Howell for Mr. John Mancey
I Ralph Eldridge clerk of the county court of Buckingham in the state of Virginia, do hereby certify that Garland Brown before whom the within affidavit was subscribed & sworn to, is an acting justice of the peace in and for the said county duly commissioned & qualified according to law that the foregoing signed purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 31 day of May in the year Eighteen hundred & forty three R Eldridge clerk of Buckingham county court

Apr 18 43 Newstone Dr 14 th April
27
M c Marcy Via Care
The Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Dr Sir
NewStore 13 th April 1843
I am requested by Mr John Masey a Revolutionary Soldier of Buckingham County Va to enquire at your Department in relation to his pension Claim, which was presented some year or two ago, through Mr Albert Thomas. — Please write me what is the difficulty, if any, why it is not allowed
I am very respectfully Yr. ob t Serv t
J. H. Rounton

Grove Hill 10 th Dec. 1841.
18 3/4
13. Nov. 1841
Sylv.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commr. of Pensions
Washington. D.C.

Log Hall, Burkem 8 a Nov. 9, 1821
Dear Sir - about 2 weeks ago I sent you the substance of the affidavits of some gentlemen, acquaintance of Mr. Jas. Moxey for whom I am trying to obtain a Pension, requesting, at the same time, that, if you deemed them sufficient to substantiate his claim, you would return them to me that I might have them put in proper form, and duly authenticated, as Mr. Moxey's health was very precarious, and threatened to be still worse - having already, nearly, if not entirely lost his speech.
Permit me, if you please, to repeat that request, as the cause still exists.
In addition to the names I then gave, I can procure many others testifying to the same facts - I.E. his entire veracity, and the universal beliefs of his Revolutionary - Soldier-ship.
Yrs. L. Edwards Esq.
Respectfully, A. S. Thomas

June 3. 1844 Rev. Mr. ... May 31/21 On Address John Macey
Free
To The Commissioners of Pensions Washington City. D.C.

Sir
Newstore.
May 1814
Enclosed you will receive the affidavit of Abraham Maney which I conceive fully explains the cause of delay of John Maney for a pension who is an applicant before your Department, the other testimony therein clearly establishes the services for six months in the Revolutionary war and from your correspondence with me in relation to the establishment of his claim to the satisfaction of the Department it only remains to shew why he did not apply sooner, - my investigation of his claim has fully satisfied me of its justice and hope that the proof exhibited in its support will be satisfactory
I am very Respectfully Yr. obt Servt.
John H. Routledge

Newton June 22 nd 1843
Am
June 5 1843 Va.
John C. Hoar Esq.
The Commission of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Prof:
NewStore 1 st June 1843
Enclosed you will receive the affidavit of Mr Charles Howell in support of the pension claim of - Mr John Massey under the act of 7 th June 1832 which is respectfully submitted to your consideration - This is a case of Mr Alfred Thomas, and I am not apprized of what he claimed in his declaration or what further proof is required, please inform me of the result of your examination as soon as convenient, at this place
I am very respectfully Yr ob t Servt John N. Rowton

ss Lut. head si.
Oct 25. 1887 Daniel Hill Jr. Oct 22.
/
100.
James L. Edwards, Esq. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington City, D.C.
ss Lut. head si.

Log Hall, Bunkum Co Octr. 21. 1841 —
Dear Sir.
Yours of the 11 th Inst. I have received, and I was sorry to see that you were not satisfied with the evidence I have procured to substantiate Mr. Masey's claim to a pension. You require positive proof of the service claimed for. I fear 'tis impossible to obtain it. "To require positive proof of service from a temporary survivor, would, after the lapse of so many years, be to deprive many of the applicants of the benefit of the Law. And as no presumption is raised against the Militia by the existence of rolls in the Department, there is no good reason why this requisition should be extended to them."
Since my last note to you Mr. Masey has been deprived of the use of his tongue. He cannot now articulate a syllable. If he ever knew any thing of the "James Falwell who is now claiming a pension for the term of three months under Cap. William Anderson," it did not occur to him at the time he made his Declaration. Mr. Masey declared that he was part of his time under Cap. Anderson, and part under Cap. H. Berkins. Now he might  may have been with Anderson too short a time to learn the name of, much less to become acquainted with all of Cap. Anderson's men. Indeed, he might have served his entire tour in the same with Tho. Christian and James Falwell, and yet not know their names, or get acquainted with them, or learn what counties they were from. Some men would find out all such particulars, whilst others would not be able to tell the names of more than a dozen out of the 100 that might have been in the same company. An instance in point: Cap. John Thorne, of this county, a pensioner, as a Captain in the Revolution. Knows nothing, positive of Cap. Hardin Berkins service at the Albemarle Barracks, yet Capt. Berkins must have been there. Neither does he know any thing positive of Tho. Christian's service, of the same county, yet you tell me that Christian is now enjoying a three-months pension. So it is not "very remarkable that comrades in service in the Revolutionary War should be residing for "such a length of time in the same County without a knowledge of each other." This county is 70 miles long, and 40 wide in some places, and every man, excepting James Stator, of proper age, was called either to Alb. Barracks, or some other place. This James Stator so manages as to get clear of going; and this fact renders his name much more notable than if he, too, had gone into service.
In your last note you say "it is advisable to obtain all the evidence within reach, either direct or traditional." That is certainly right; but having no "direct," we procured what we considered "traditional evidence," and this "traditional evidence" we endeavoured to furnish in the affidavits of the Rev. John Ayre, aged 73, — Ed. Masey, 68 — George Chambers, 66, Isaac Baker, 74. These men did not see Masey perform the service, but they state only the general & current opinion (never doubted or contradicted) of their neighborhood, respecting his having been a Revolutionary Soldier, their belief of the same, and his character for veracity. These opinions were formed 30, 40 & 50 years ago — long before there was any motive to manufacture or remodel them.
Overt

In addition, I now send you the affidavit of Cap. John Thomas, Abram Jones, and Charles Horner - all Rev. Soldiers, and trust they may remove all your doubts concerning Mr. Massey's case.
There are five old widows in this county, whose husbands are known to have served in the Revolution, as well as that fact can be known without eye-proof. Their service, can be proved by evidence that would establish any other fact. And it seems to me that many - very many, widows & Soldiers, have been, and will be deprived of pensions from their inability to furnish that kind of proof.
In the absence, then, of this eye-proof, all that a widow can do, is to swear that (having heard him say so) her husband served thus & so. She can know nothing of the particulars of his service: but that he was "in the Wars", and served such a time, are facts they will never forget. Provided it be proved to your satisfaction that John Ayers, Matthias Ayers, Stephen Garrett & John Hardy, or Hardie, or Hardee, (I see his name spelled all these ways, among his old papers) of this county, and Edmund Fengeood, (enlisting while an apprentice) of Culpeper, served in the Revolution, how shall their widows, all now living in this county, satisfy you of the length of time their husbands served, excepting by their oath? The fact that they served can be easily ascertained, but the time of their service cannot be, unless the current opinion of their neighborhood is admitted.
John Hardy's widow tells me that her husband was in the Continental Service, if so, and your old Records prove it, how shall she proceed to obtain a pension. She can prove that she is the widow of John Hardy who was a soldier in the Rev. & that she has not married since his death. What else is required of her, provided your Records show the time , and the nature of his service?
When positive proof cannot be obtained - and it is impossible to get it in scores of instances, would it be to relax too much your regulations, to admit the claimant's oath, as to the time & nature of the service? provided it is also proved by the general opinion of the neighborhood that the soldier was a Revolutioner, and that the claimant sustains a character which forbids him or her from falsely swearing? in other words, provided the moral character of the claimant is sustained by his neighbors, the county clerk, and court - or proved by other means, to your satisfaction?
It seems to me that this course would sufficiently guard against fraud and enable many old widows & soldiers to obtain that relief which they cannot obtain under the present regulations - requiring "positive proof". No man, or woman whose character could be sustained by the evidence of witnesses, (also proved to be of good character) would attempt fraud, by perjury.
most obly.
A. S. Thomas.

Oct 6. 1824 Snodgrass Sept 29 Va. John Macy Oct 1832
Ways & Means -
1824
James L. Edwards. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington City, D.C.

He is to certify that I have been well acquainted with John Masey, now claiming a Pension, under the Law of 7th June 1832, throughout the period of fifty-seven years, having been neighbors to him all the while; that we have always heard him spoken of as having served a tour at Abt. Barracks, among his neighbors, never doubting it ourselves, or hearing it doubted by others; that we would believe any thing he would say; that we regard him as a man noted for his piety as a christian, and during the whole period of our acquaintance with him, we never, heard his word doubted by any one; and that we believe any thing he would say concerning his Revolutionary services or any other transaction.
This is to certify that I have known John Masey, now claiming a Pension and whose declaration is now with the commissioner of Pensions, for the period of fifty one years; that I saw him while he was on duty at Yorktown, but never knew the length of his tour; that I have always understood he went from that place to Winchester on duty; that he has always been regarded as a soldier of the Revolution, and is now so regarded by his neighbors, some of whom have known him and lived by him for the term of fifty years; that I have read his declaration, and believe every word he there states concerning his Revolutionary services; that he now is, and has been for the last forty-odd years, an exemplary member of the Baptist Church-sustaining, in all the relations of a man and christian, an unimpeachable character
* Charles Howell Rev't. Pensioner
We hereby certify that we have been well acquainted with John Masey who is now claiming a Pension under the Law of 7th June 1832, throughout the period of fifty-seven years, having been neighbors to him all the while; that we have always heard him spoken of as having served a tour at Abt. Barracks, among his neighbors, never doubting it ourselves, or hearing it doubted by others; that we would believe any thing he would say; that we regard him as a man noted for his piety as a christian, and during the whole period of our acquaintance with him, we never, heard his word doubted by any one; and that we believe any thing he would say concerning his Revolutionary services or any other transaction.
John Thome Abram Jones

Buckingham, Virginia -
We, the subscribers, have known and been acquainted with John Masey of this county ever since we had any recollection of ourselves, and during the whole term of our acquaintance we never heard his words doubted by any one, in any case. We have also, throughout that period, heard him spoken of as an old soldier of the Revolution, without ever hearing it once disputed or denied. Knowing him as we do, we would not hesitate to believe any thing he would state concerning his services as a soldier, or any thing else.
George Chambers - aged 66 Isaac Baker " 74 John Ayres 73 Ed. Masey 63 John Agee - - 72 George Baker 48 James Tapsell 68 William Tapsell 66
I send this additional evidence to fortify the moral character of Mr. Masey, and to corroborate the traditional evidence already furnished you. If it will satisfy you when properly authenticated by the magistrate & clerk, please return it immediately, and it shall be done. But if this will not be sufficient, we will give over.
The respectability of the above subscribers will also be certified to by the Justice and the clerk if required.
But it is very doubtful whether Mr. Masey will survive until we can hear from you again.
A. S. Thomas.

No 35.260
John Hasey Va.
act 7 June '32
adm. Cemopie 20.
J. H. Routon Esq. New Store Buckingham A. L. Thomas Va Snoddy

Loe Hall, Brinsmeadham. 8 th Sept. 29 th 1841.
Dear Sir:
I now enclose you the Declaration of John Masey containing, in addition, his reasons for not having made an earlier application for his a pension. as to positive proof of his service, he can furnish none. Three other soldiers from this county went into the last house with him, but they, too, have gone the way of all flesh. So that there is none, now alive, that he knows of , that can testify to his service.
But as to traditional evidence , he can furnish any amount of it that you can require.
That he is a man whose word is every where received with confidence, much more his oath; and that he has always been regarded as and be lieved, by those who have known him intimately for forty and fifty years, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, he can abundantly prove. I venture the assertion, that no man whatever, can give more satisfactory evidence to support his veracity than John Masey, the within named claimant. And if you desire further proof, upon that head, let me know, and it shall be furnished you.
If it will avail anything, Charles Howell, now a pensioner of this county, will testify that, he saw and conversed with John Masey at B. town.
Yr. obedt Servt.
A. Thomas
J. L. Edwards, Esq.,
Commr. of Pensions
Washington City.
D. C.