Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6268, for John Thompson, Pennsylvania

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Thompson, John Christiana
W 6268
CONTENTS

Dead - left to T. H. Yarborough March 26. 1849. - H. M. H. Cobb Feb 6. 1850.
1552 Georgia Christiana Thompson widow of John Thompson Pension who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars —
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of August 48 and sent to
T. H. Yarborough Joffers & Co Ga
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 315 Vol. 3

State of Georgia § Before me King W. Perry Cowell County § an acting justice of the Peace in and for said County, Personally appeared Salome Ballard, who being duly sworn according to law, deposeth and saith that John Thompson and Christina Redwine, her sister, were lawfully married in Granville County, North Carolina on the 4 th day of October 1831 by Micajah Bullock. That the said John and Christina removed to Georgia about forty years since, and that according to report said Christina now resides in Clark County Georgia and still remains a widow. That at the time of the marriage as aforesaid, it was commonly reported and believed that the said John was a whig and had been a soldier in the revolutionary war Test Stephen Hearn signed Salome Ballard mock
Sworn to and subscribed this 31 st day July 1847 before me King W. Perry Justice of the peace,
I Herby certify that Salome Ballard is a credible person and as such testimony is entitled to full faith and credit - Given under my hand and seal this 31 st day July 1847
King W. Perry Justice of the peace

State of Georgia Contra County } I B. H. Mitchell Clerk of the Superior Court of said County. Do hereby certify that King W. Parris, before whom the foregoing affidavit was made is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and qualified that his Commission is dated on the twenty fourth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred forty five and will expire on the first Saturday in January in the year eighteen hundred and forty nine or when a successor is elected and qualified, that his signature thereto is genuine and as such is entitled to full Faith and Credit
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and attached my private seal there being no seal of office this sixth day of August One thousand Eight hundred & forty five
Seal
Batty H. Mitchell Clerk V. G. G. G.
State of Georgia Clay County. }
I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Batty H. Mitchell whose name appears to the foregoing Certificate as Clerk of the Superior Court of Contra County, and that he is the Clerk of said Court.
24 th August 1847.
W. H. H. (over)

me
Col. William M. Varnum Tallahassee Florida
value. Postmark

Jackson Co Geo. Feb. 3 1847
Dear William
According to your request I went on mon- day last to see John Thompson concerning his fath- ers pension, and received from himself and mother the following statement,
His father John Thompson, enlisted as a Regular in Pennsylvania under Capt. Weaver, of the 10 th Regiment, during the year 1776 or 1777 and served until the close of the war, nearly five years. During that time he was at different periods under Generals Washington, Lee and Wayne. Was at the battle of Monmouth, which lasted seven hours and a half. He was not wounded, maimed during his time of service, but at the battle above mentioned he received a bullet through his hat, about an inch above the crown of his head, another cut off a part of his right whisker, and seven penetrated his coat. The men during a part of the time were compelled to stand together very closely, in consequence of which, one of them while discharging his gun held it so closely to his (Thompson's) ear that the powder while exploding burned it considerably, the scars of which continued to the date of his death, during a portion of the time while in service, provisions were extremely scarce so much so, that, he, frequently, as well as many others came very near starving. For nine successive days he

was compelled to subsist on a gill of corn on by, each day, He was also at Philadelphia in service when that city was taken by the British forces. Said Thompson died in March 1817 in the 68 th year of his age. He left a widow who is yet alive and who will be 85 years of age on the 13 th day of March next. He was married to his present widow Christiana Redwine on the 4 th day of October 1781 by Micajah Bullock in Granville County North Carolina. No agent has hitherto undertaken to collect a pension for the applicants in this case. These are a portion of the statements made by the widow and her son, which they received from the old man while in conversation previous to his death, consequently there is no living witness by whom the facts can be proved. They mentioned many other circumstances concerning the war &c, but these minutiae I did not suppose were important to the case consequently I did not make a memorandum of them. If, however, you and Mr Blood think them important, give me the information, and I will write them more fully. If from this sketch of the case you think a pension can be obtained, give me the necessary instructions, relative to the matter and I will attend to it as early as possible.
Yours Affectionately J. H. Barborough

I have to inform you that I went on Tuesday and paid Thompson $79. He would not receive the Capers Bear Bill. I have paid Bell all his claims, and have paid Samuel Watson $21.79 cents all his due and Mrs Wimberley $10. all those persons are easy until Court when W m Thompson will want his Balance. We are all well at present. Adieu At Farmville
rev.
denis
men

Copy of Marriage Bond of John Thompson

(Copy)
We the Subscribers do acknowledge to one unto Alexander Martin, Esq. Governor of the state of North Carolina and to his Successors in office, the sum of five hundred pounds, to be levied of our goods and chattels lands and tenements respectively: But not to take effect, or be in force unless some lawfull cause shall hereafter appear to obstruct a marriage intended between John Thomson and Christian Redwine of the County of Granville; for the performance of which marriage the said John Thomson hath obtained a license bearing even date with these presence - Sealed with our seals, and dated the 23 d day of October, A.D. One thousand Seven hundred and eighty two.
Signed, Sealed and delivered in presence of Asa Scarcey
John Thomson Seal Michael Redwine Seal
North Carolina, Granville County. } ss
I James M Wiggins, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County and State aforesaid, hereby certify, that the foregoing is a true and perfect Transcript of the Marriage Bond of John Thomson except the year which is in plain and legible figures 1782, agreeably to the original on file in my office. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the seal of my office at Oxford, the 24 th day of July, A.D. 1847.
James M Wiggins, CLK

No 13342 act 43 9437
Christiana Thompson
widow of John
Ga
act 7 July 1838
m 82 -
husband decd 1817
Adm.
By execs for $80 00
adm act March 1843
and 17 June 1844
$80 00
on 4 March 1843
Rev T. H. Galt Esq
Jefferson
Ga

28 th
1847

1334 m.
A. Schumannella 1/2 Worms Linné 1/2 Linné 1/2 99 1/2
Christiana & Thompson Mark
St. Thomas after 9 P.M. Thursdays 10 P.M. James W. Barnett U.S.C.

John Calvin Johnson Clerk of the Superior Court of Clayton County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Christiana Thompson for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at office this 28 th day of April 1844
John Calvin Johnson Clerk Superior Court, Clayton County Georgia.
Know all men by these presents that I Christiana Thomp- son of the State and County aforesaid do hereby constitute and appoint Thomas H. Scarborough of Fulton County by and State aforesaid, my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to apply to the United States for a pension for me, and to do all other acts appertaining to the same, and the said Mr. Scarborough is hereby empowered to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed. Witness my hand and seal this 28 th day of April 1844.
Sub. James W. Barnett J. C. Sherman Linnerton J. H.
Her Christiana Thompson Seal mark

Rev. WIDOW, &c.
File No. _____
6268
Christiana Thompson
Widow
John Thompson
Rev. Rev. War
Act: _____
July 28/18
Index:—Vol. _____
16
Page _____
269
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Georgia 8339
Reported
Christian Thompson widow of John Thompson who was a Private in the Revolution He died in 1817.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of April 1848 and sent to J. W. Harbrough Jefferson, Ga.
[Acts of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book W Vol. 2 Page 176

10417
Report
Georgia
Christiana Thompson
Widow of John Thompson who was a pensioner under the Act of _____ and who died on the in 1817 of Clark County the State of Georgia who was a Sp. in the Comp y commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg t commanded by _____ in the Revolution time for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Savannah at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 100 day of April, 1848 and
Judge J. H. C. J. H. C.
Total amount, $ 400.00 9c
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by J. R. Rumphin Clerk, Book D. Vol. 1. Page 325

V No 13342 Christiana Thompson Da
S Let to H. Ventonough May 22/47 Let to Same Aug 2 47/47 Let to Ditto Sept 24/47 to Ditto Oct 20/47 Same to Hon. H. Cobb, Dec. 22/47 Let Hon. H. Cobb Jan 17/48 act 9 July 1838
Let to Hon. H. Cobb Feb 16/48

1814
Edwards Esq. msr. of Pensions
Washington
D. C.

Athens Geo Aug 3 1847
Sir
I herewith forward the certificate of the Comptroller or Auditor General of Pennsylvania, concerning the services of John Thompson private of the tenth Pennsylvania Regiment, also a copy of the Marriage Bond of said Thompson, from the Clerk of Granville Co N.C. I would have sent them sooner, but could not procure a copy of the bond untill recently.
Very Respectfully Your Ob t Servant T. H. Garborough
How I L Edwards Commissioner &c. Washington D.C.

State of Georgia Clarke County
On this 29 th day of June one thousand eight hundred thirty and forty eight, personally appeared before me, James W Cook a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Christiana Thompson of said County, aged eighty six years, who is personally known to me, and who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision, made by the act of Congress, passed on the 2 nd February 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of John Thompson, who was a private in the 10 th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Con- tinental Line during the Revolutionary War. That she received a pension of eighty dollars per annum, for ten years, viz, five years com- mencing on the fourth day of March 1836 and terminating on the fourth day of March 1841, and other five years commencing on the fourth day of March 1843 and terminating on the fourth day of March 1848.
She further declares that

she is still a widow. by  Christiana X Thompson Test. marks. Asa Varnum.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 29 th day of June 1848. James W Cook Justice of the Peace.
State of Georgia } I. John Calvin Johnson Clarke County } Clerk of the Superior Court of the County and State aforesaid hereby certify that James W Cook is a Magistrate as above, duly Commissioned and qualified, that his Commission as Justice of the Peace, bears date the 24 th day of January 1848 and will expire on the first Saturday in January 1849 or as soon thereafter as his successor is elected and qualified, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
Given under my hand and seal of office at office this 28 th day of July 1848.
John Calvin Johnson Clerk

Copy of services of John Thompson

No. 15993 Certificate for £81.10.0. Specie.
We do Certify that the State of Pennsylvanias is indebted to John Thompson private of the tenth Pennsylvanias Regiment in the sum of Eighty-one pounds ten Shillings Specie, with lawful interest from the tenth day of April 1781 being the amount of the Residue of the Depreciation of his pay. Pursuant to two acts of Assembly passed at Philadelphia the 18 th of December 1780, and the 10 th of April 1781.
Phila d 16 Sept. 1785 one year Int £2 10 0 paid Int £2 10 0 one year Int £2 10 0 paid Int £2 10 0 one year Int £2 10 0 paid Int £2 10 0
Jno Nicholson
Auditor Generals office, Harrisburg, Feby. 25. 1847.
I do certify that the above is a true copy of the original remaining on file in this Department. Witness my hand and seal of office the day and year aforesaid
Wm A. Purvis
Aud. Genl.

Athens Geo Sept. 21 st 1847.
Sir,
Having maturely considered your objection, to the proof of the services of John Thompson, I have thought proper, to forward to you, a letter which I directed to Col. William M. Varnum, containing the particulars of said service,
You will, upon an examination of the same, perceive that the particulars therein mentioned are the same, at least in substance, as those mentioned in Mrs Thompson's declaration; also that the date of the letter referred to, is prior to that of the certificate of the Auditor Genl. of Pennsylvania,
This will certainly furnish satisfactory proof that the particulars of said Thompson's services were not collected from the certificate as intimated by you.
Very Respectfully
Your Humble Servant
J. L. Edwards Esq.
J. H. Warborough
Commissioner &c.
Washington
D.C.

Audita General's Office Harrisburg 3 d Decr. 1847.
Dear Sir:
In reply to your communication respecting the services of John Thompson as having been performed under Captain Weaver, and as to Captain Weaver being attached to the 10 th Regiment, I am sorry to state that no such evidence can be found in this department, inasmuch as officers and men are placed promiscuously together without specifying station, time of service, number of Company, Reg t or Batt n .
Very Respectfully, Yours obed t Serv t !
Wm. L. Purvance
Recd Genl
J. H. Garberough Esq. Athens Ga.

Washington City
25 th Jan y 1848
Sir, I have since the enclosed certificate from the Asst of the Midwifery of Mr John Thompson applying for a Pension, which he desires to be placed on file with the papers
Very Respectfully
Yours Abt 21
Howard Cobb
H. Edwards Esq
Comm of Pensions
W.C.

Jefferson Geo Dec. 8 th
Up Sec

Sir, Jefferson Geo Dec. 8 th 1848,
Enclosed is the "declaration" of John Thompson for his portion of the balance of a pension due his mother, Christiana Thompson,
Very Respectfully Your Ob t Servant T. St. Yarbrough.

H. Edwards Esq. Commissioner to

Jefferson Geo Aug 1 st 1847 Enclosed I send you the declaration of Mrs Christiana Thompson, for a life time pension according to a late act of Congress,
Respectfully Your Ob t Servant
T. H. Yar borough.

Jefferson Geo. Mch 13/48.
J. H. Garborough.
Appeals on pension claim of Mrs. C. Thompson.
Yrs. Sincerely 17/48.
Pension Office
20 March 1848.
Reb. Mrs. C. Thompson
New Orleans
From Secy of War
Jefferson Geo Mar 13
Yrs.
Secretary of War Washington D.C.

Jefferson Geo March 13 1848
Sir,
During the month of May of last year, I filed with the Commissioner of Pensions, a declaration, in behalf of Mrs Christina Thompson, for a pension by virtue of the services of her husband, John Thompson, during the Revolution. We set forth in that declaration, that said Thompson, during the year 1776 or 1777, enlisted in the 10 th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Continental Line, under Capt. Weaver, and served as a private until the close of the War. Furthermore, that said Thompson, married said declarant in Granville County N.C. on the 4 th day of Oct. 1780 and that said declarant now resides in Clarke Co Geo sc.
To substantiate these allegations, we procured from the Auditor of Penn a certificate, showing that said Thompson received the sum of 81£ 10s 3d in consideration of the depreciation of the Continental currency, for his services in the 10 th Pennsylvania Regiment, &c. Said certificate if I recollect aright was filed in the Auditor's Office in 1780. Also a certified copy of the marriage bond of said Thompson, from the

Clerk of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Granville County N.C. Also the Affidavit of Salome Ballard that she was present, when said Thompson and declarant were married, and that said marriage occurred on the 11 th day of October 1781 in Granville Co N.C. &c.
To these allegations the Commissioner of Pensions has thought proper to interpose certain objections, viz.
1. That the certificate from the Auditor of Rev. was obtained previously to the filing of the declaration.
By way of rebutting this objection we have filed a letter, written to a friend prior to the date of the above mentioned certificate, which sets forth the particulars of said service, corresponding to those set forth in the declaration.
2. That there were several persons in the Pennsylvania Line bearing the name of John Thompson, consequently, the one for whom we claim a pension, cannot be identified.
To this objection we have replied that there was but one Thompson in the 10 th Regiment, and that is the one for whose widow we seek a pension, consequently there can be no difficulty as regards identity.
With proof of this nature, which is now on file in the Pension Office, it does seem to me a discrim-

inating mind would be satisfied, but the Commissioner appears to think very differently. In fact it appears that he is not disposed to adhere to the laws of Congress, prescribing the nature and manner of adjudicating such claims, but has assumed unjust and arbitrary requisitions, with which it is utterly impossible to comply, consequently the application for a pension at the present day is looked upon as time and labour spent for naught, no matter how plain the evidence may be. Hence many of those who served their Country faithfully in the Revolution are deprived of that which was intended as a reward for their fidelity. Under these circumstances, I have concluded not to discuss the claim any further with the Commissioner, but to appeal to you in behalf of the widow, whose claim I am fully satisfied is founded in justice, and which is amply established by the proof now in the Pension Office, I hope you will examine the case fully and thoroughly and return an answer as early as convenient,
(Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant T. H. Garborough,

Sept 11 10 47
Miss W.
Christina Hunsicker
Ga
J. A. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Washington D.C.

Athens Geo Sept 4 th 1887
Sir,
I received your communication to-day containing objections to the proof furnished you in the case of Mrs Christina Thompson, and in reply have to inform you, that such discrepancies, no doubt, frequently exist, where names may be spelled differently. It does really seem to me that however that the circumstances, as set forth in the declaration, and the bond, coincide so strongly that there can be any no reasonable objection urged as to the difference in the spelling of the name, particularly, too, when the name of Thompson is as frequently, when spelled by other persons, spelled without the h as with it. However as regards the objection, I send you the affidavit of Mrs Ballard the sister of Mrs Thompson, which will answer the objection alluded to. I have no disposition to practice fraud upon the Government, did I not feel satisfied that the husband of Mrs Thompson served as she states and that the parties were that lawfully married. I should not have undertaken the claim, I however believe that she is entitled to it, and hope that the Department will not urge

objections which are groundless. As regards the latter objection, I would like to be informed, how the fact of the certificate of the Auditor General of Pennsylvania having been in the possession of Mrs Thompson or any other person, could affect her claim. The certificate specifies no time of service, nor does it contain one single circumstance that is set forth in the declaration. How then could it have been used to make the services of Thompson availing. The certificate simply specifies that Thompson received so much money by way of depreciation, without any of the concomitant circumstances. How then could it have been used for the purposes named. But, again, Admit that the certificate was in the possession of Mrs Thompson or myself as intimated; does an Attorney or any other person commence an action at law or a claim of any kind, without being satisfied that he can make some proof in his favor. Would he commence one if he did not feel confident that he could sustain it. The idea is perfectly absurd and ridiculous. I will venture the assertion that not one claim in a thousand for a pension is made without first ascertaining that the name of the soldier is on record where he served. I will however state for the satisfaction of the Department that the certificate alluded

to was not received at the time of filing the declaration nor was Mrs Thompson apprised of its contents until after the filing of the declaration, I must confess that I cannot see how the procuring of a certificate of services, previous to the filing of the declaration can affect a claim. If it does there is a little more logic in it than "old authors" know any thing about. It must be found in a system, of modern origin, which is suited to this refined and enlightened age.
Very Respectfully Your Ob't Servant, F. H. Garborough.

Washington City House of Reps 17 th Dec 1847
Sir
Will you inform me of the objections to the allowance to the claim of Mrs Christina Thompson for a pension. From the information I have received it seems to me that she has fully complied with the requisitions of the law. but I desire to learn the objections of the Department before taking further steps in the matter
I am respectfully your Obats but Yours truly Wm Lloyd
Stearns Esq Com of Pen W.C.

Athens Geo Dec r 10 th 47
Sir,
Enclosed you will find a communication addressed to me by the Auditor General of Pennsylvania, which states that no evidence concerning the services of Captain Weaver, can be found upon the Records of that Office, since the names of the Officers and privates are placed promiscuously, on the Records. I beg leave, however, to state that I can find no act of Congress, nor regulation of the Pension Department, which requires the applicants for a pension to prove the services of the Officers under whom they served. Such a requisition cannot be found on the pages of the late acts, and I am forced to the conclusion that the Department has no legal authority to make such a requisition. Again you state that it is required that the names of the company and field Officers be specifically set forth, together with the period of each tour of service. The first we have, certainly done, but as regards the latter, I must again beg leave to differ with you, such a requisition may be proper, if the soldier be living but not otherwise, from the fact that nothing of the kind can be culled from the Muster Rolls of the different States, and you would therefore require me to prove that which is impossible, and therefore deprive the soldier, of the

bonus awarded to him by a grateful people,
It does candidly seem to me that I have fully complied with the law concerning pensions, I have satisfactorily proved to an unprejudiced mind the services and marriage of John Thompson, yet justice is withheld,
But you say that the Department has no evidence before it of the identity of said Thompson. If there were several soldiers by that name who served in the 10 th Regiment then I would admit the assertion, but as there was only one there can be no such difficulty,
I am fully satisfied therefore that the Department is prejudiced against the claim, as well as others of like character, and therefore requires such proof as is impossible. It is therefore useless to do any thing further in the premises as I shall appeal to a higher tribunal,
Respectfully Your W th Servant
J. H. Garborough

13342. May 8, 1897
to Christiana Thompson,
Aug 7, 1838, "
Yrs

Athens Geo. May 3 rd 1817
Sir
Enclosed I send you the declaration in the case of Mrs Christiana Thompson, I think there can be no difficulty in identifying John Thompson the husband of the above named widow, for it is plainly declared that he served in the 10 th Regiments of the line under Captain Weaver, and surely two by that name did not belong to one company. An early attention to this declaration will be very thankfully received, for the widow is in extremely indigent circumstances, and really deserves the assistance of this country,
Very Respectfully
Your Ob t Servant
Hon J. L. Edwards.
J. W. Garborough.
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.