Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7909, for Matthew Lewis, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
No Sea Service
Lewis, Matthew James, Ann (Former widow)
N 7909
CONTENTS

Letter to J. B. Clegg 12 Oct 1838.
2357
Richmond Virginia Ann James formerly widow of Matthew Lewis dec'd. who died on the of Elizabeth City in the State of Va. who was a Carpenter in the by Captain of the by in the U.S. Navy for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond Va. at the rate of 111 Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26th day of Sept. 1835 and Sept 1835. Off. Norfolk Va.
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1836 $627.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 18th Sept. 1836 the day of her death $4.50 $631.50
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the }
Recorded by R. H. Addison, Clerk Book A. Vol. 2? P...

State of Virginia Elizabeth City County } to wit
On this 17 th day of March 1838 Thos Peck personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid Thomas Peck Guardian to the Infant Heirs of Ann Lewis who being a Resident of the County and State aforesaid, 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 on the 4 th of July 1836 and the Act explanatory of said Act passed the 3 rd of March 1837 that the aforesaid Ann Lewis the Widow and Relict of Matthew Lewis dec d who was a Carpenter's mate in the Virginia State Navy in the War of the Revolution after the death of the aforesaid Matthew Lewis she was married to a Robert James who died, many years since leaving the aforesaid Ann his Widow that she was a Widow on the 4 th of July 1835 and remained a Widow until her death, she died in the Month of Sept r or Oct r 1835 as will appear from the evidence herewith filed, and further declares that on or about the Month of August 1835 the Heirs of the aforesaid Ann James formerly Ann Lewis Widow and relict of the aforesaid Matthew Lewis dec d received from the State of Virginia Military Land Warrant N o 8247 dated on the 28 th day of August 1835 for 2666 2 / 3 acres of land for three years services of the aforesaid Matthew Lewis as Carpenter's mate in the Virginia State Navy in the War of the Revolution
Subscribed and sworn to on the day and date above written
Thos. Peck Sam l Dewbe. A.S.

Know all Men by these Presents that I Thomas Peck of Elizabeth City County and state of Virginia do hereby Nominate constitute and Appoint John B. Dugay of Norfolk County my true and lawful Attorney for me and in my Name to ask demand, and receive from the proper department authorised, to pay the same all pensions or allowances of pensions that may be due to the heirs of Ann James formerly Ann Lewis and My said Attorney is hereby fully authorised and empowered to grant receipts or other discharges that may be required by the department paying the same hereby ratifying and confirming all the Acts of said attorney in the premises as fully as if I were there acting personally for myself In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 17 day of March 1838
Thos Peck
State of Virginia Elizabeth City County } to wit
This day personally appeared, before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, Thomas Peck and subscribed, and acknowledged, the foregoing declaration and power of Att y and made Oath to the facts contained, in the said, declaration to the best of his knowledge and belief and I do further Certify that he is a credible Witness and full faith should be given to his statement Given under my hand and seal this 19 th day of March 1838
Sam l Dewbe

Elizabeth City County Court 28 th January 1837
James Lewis orphan of John Lewis with the approbation of the Court made choice of Thomas Peck for her guardian and the said Thomas Peck is by the court appointed guardian to Susan Lewis orphan of the said John Lewis and thereupon he with James Hicks, William Anson and Dorothy Baker his securities extend into court and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of eight hundred dollars conditioned according to law.
I Westward T Assisted clerk of the County Court of Elizabeth City in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that the above is a true copy from the records of said Court and I do further certify that I cannot discover before whom the foregoing declaration of Thomas Peck appears to have been made and R.B. Banks and wife at any time before whom the within affidavits appear to have been made, sworn to and the time of taking and subscribing the same and still are Indictors of the peace in and for the County aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified according to law.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 17 th day of March 1838
W. Assisted clerk

4 3379
M m James do e . formerly wife of Matthew Davis. Virginia
Suspended sue let to John B.
1837 June 22 d
1835. do d June
26. 1838 do d
Sept 8 1838
act July 4. 1836

Resolutions.
Virginia State Proj. WIDOW, &c.
File No. 7909
Ann James for, Wid.
Matthew Lewis Carpenter Nat. Am. Party.
Act: July 11/36
Index:—Vol. A Page 371
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Elizabeth City County Court 23 rd day of August 1838
On the motion of Thomas Peck who made oath and with Elijah Phillips his surety entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of one thousand dollars conditioned according to law certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of ad- ministration on the estate of Ann James deceased in an form — I. Warfield I Assisted Clerk of said County Elizabeth City do hereby certify that the above is a true copy from the records of the said Court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 23 rd day of August 1838
Warfield Clerk

J. L. Edwards Esq r
Richmond 10 th Oct r 1838
Sir I herewith I hand you the document presented to the Pension agent here for paying pensions in Richmond Va r This document is objected to on account of want of Form as marked in pencil by the Agent in the power of Atty.
Will you examine the inclosed papers and return them to me in this place by the return mail with your advice on the subject I shall wait your answer. I have adopted this course at the desire of the Agent.
I am Sir very respectfully your most obedt Servt
John B. Egg

Ann Lewis du ya
Matthew Lewis V c State Navy Capers, Mate. D f . $114 per ann to 18 Sept 1836. Cek. to Thomas Peck Administrator on the Estate of Ann James de e .
Blegg Norfolk

Norfolk March 21 st 1838
Col. Stewart, Esq. Comm r of Pensions
Sir
Herewith I hand you the papers in the claim of Ann Lewis's heirs which I trust you will find satisfactory.
The reason I do not furnish any record evidence respecting her marriage with Matthew Lewis who served as a Carpenter Mate in the N o state navy in the War of the Revolution, is that the Parish Registers were all destroyed, in the War, and the records of the County Court Clerk's Office was removed from place to place, during the War of the Revolution and many of the papers, probably, a large portion of which were lost or destroyed, as there are but few of the old papers remaining in the Office, and the evidence herewith filed, is taken to supply the room of record testimony. The heirs having recovered the Bounty land for three years services I presume that this evidence will be sufficient. The witnesses both being very aged persons, and very respectable, and speak very positive as to facts.
I am very respectfully Sir your obt. serv t John B. Ogg

I Benjamin Storer of Eliz th City County and State of Virginia do hereby certify that I was personally & were acquainted with Mathew Lewis of said County who is reported to have served as a seafaring man on one of the Virginia State Vessels in the war of the revolution. I do further certify that he was married to his wife Ann sometime before the year 1781 and before the expiration of his last term of service that the said Ann Lewis the widow of Mathew Lewis aforesaid married a Mr. Lance who died many years since as I have been informed.
I do further certify that the said Ann Lance formerly Ann Lewis the widow of the aforesaid Mathew Lewis did die in the latter part of the year 1836 or about twelve or fifteen months past leaving two sons and their grand children her sole and legal heirs at law. Benjamin Storer Senex
Eliz th City County & State of Virginia.
To Wit
Personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for the County & State aforesaid Benjamin Storer (aged 74 years) and made Oath to the facts contained in the above certificate & I certify that the witness is a creditable person and that his statement is entitled to full faith and credit.
Given under
My hand, this 17 th day of March 1838
J. Hays A.P. (Seal)

State of Virginia Elizabeth City County to wit
This day personally appeared before, Richard G. Banks. a daughter of the late Mary Ann House a Lady of Respectability age 70 years and made Oath that she was personally well acquainted with Matthew Lewis who intermarried with her Sister Ann on the 19 th of May 1780, that the said Matthew Lewis served as Corporals Mate in the Virginia State Navy in War of the Revolution for more than three years and was in service until the Ships were dismantled and laid up that he was wounded in the leg and died on or about the 25 th of July 1795 of a mortification in the leg that he left a Widow the aforesaid Ann Lewis and three Infant Children named John, Thomas, and Margaret Lewis all under the age of sixteen years that the aforesaid Children have all since married and now deceased leaving Children some of which are under 15 years of age, that the aforesaid Ann Lewis afterwards intermarried with Robert Jones who died on or about the 23 rd Nov. 1819. She the aforesaid Ann Jones formerly Ann Lewis Widow and Relict of Matthew Lewis, remained a widow until her death, which took place on or about the 10 th or 15 th of Sept. 1836 and that she was living and a Widow on the 4 th of July 1836 Given under my hand and Seal This 23 rd day of Novm 1837
Mary Ann House Mother
Sworn to before me
R. G. Banks

I do hereby certify that I was intimately and well acquainted with the Ann James and that she the aforesaid Ann James died on the 18 th day of September 1838 or within two days thereafter.
I do further certify that she had no child or children living on the 4 th day of July 1836 but that she left several grand children who are now living and further this deponent saith not.
Ben Sturges Jr
State of Virginia Elizabeth city County to wit:
This day personally came before me a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid Benjamin Sturges Jr and made oath to the foregoing certificate. I do further certify that the witness is respectable and that his statement is entitled to full faith and credit.
Given under my hand and seal this 14 th day of September 1838 John Jones Clerk
Elizabeth City County Clerk
I William T. Armistead Clerk of the County Court of Elizabeth City in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that John Jones before whom the above affidavit appears to have been made, was at the time of taking and subscribing the same and still is a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified according to law. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 14 th day of September 1838.
W. T. Armistead Clerk