Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 18,522, for Basil Middleton, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va
Middleton, Basil
Vt. 18,522
Mary
B.L. Vt. 358-450
CONTENTS

85 89 Virginia!
Mary Middleton dec d who died widow of 15. Septem. 1821. Basil Middleton,
Va
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died in the year 1889 of Southampton in the State of Pa. who was a Surgeon in the Pa. commanded by Captain of the commanded by in the Pa. line for 2 years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond, at the rate of 600 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 th day of Aug. 1841, and sent to John G. Mosby, Esq. Richmond Pa.
Arrears to the 14th of Semi-annual allowance ending
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by J. L. Bunn, Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 1 Page 295

Mary Middleton dec'd
Virg a
at 7 July 35
adm'd 2 yrs surgen
$600.
To. Natl. T. Williams adm. de bonis non of Mary Middleton dec'd
Jno. G. Kirby Esq. A Richmond

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 4th of July 1836 granting half pay and pension to certain Widows.
State of Virginia } County of Southampton } Be it known that before me Ben E. Pope one of the Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quorum sessions for the County aforesaid personally appeared before me Nathaniel Thomas Williams, who being first duly sworn according to Law testifies to the following facts. That Doctor Basil Middleton late of this County was a Surgeon in the War of the Revolution in the service of the State of Virginia and died in the County of Prince George County in the year 1809. He was married to Mary Belscher in the month of September 1780. who died about two years since. Doctor Middleton and his wife Mary had three sons Benjamin, Aubin and George Middleton. Benjamin & George died leaving neither wife or children; Aubin Middleton married and left two sons Arthur and George B. Middleton who are the only Heirs and legal representatives of their grand mother Mrs Mary Middleton wife & widow of Doctor Basil Middleton. The foregoing facts will more fully appear by reference to the Testimony herunto annexed. He further declares that letters of Guardianship were granted to him as the Guardian of Arthur and George B. Middleton by the Court of Southampton; and that he is at this time the

the acting guardian, as will appear by the annexed certificate of the Clerk - and as Guardian as aforesaid he has every right to believe that his Wards as the only Heirs of Their Grandmother Mrs Mary Middleton are entitled to the money due to her under the act of Congress of the 19th July 1838 as the Widow of Doctor Basil Middleton - which as Their guardian he asks may be paid to him for Their benefit -
A Williams Jd to Arthur & Geo B. Middleton
Subscribed and sworn to before } this 29th day of November 1843 }
Rev E P P (seal)
State of Virginia - Southampton County To wit
I Littleton R Edwards Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Southampton in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Benjamin E Pope Esq. who hath given the proof certificate is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Southampton in the State aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified to the said Office according to the Constitution and Laws of the said State -
In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and annexed the seal of my Office this 29 th day of Novr in the year 1843 -
L R Edwards Ck

Virginia:
At a Court held for the County of Southampton on the 17 th day of April 1843.
The Court doth assign Nathaniel Williams guardian to Arthur and George B Middleton orphans of Austin Middleton deceased; and thereupon the said Nathaniel Williams with Clements Brubaker and John M Burley his sureties, entered into and acknowledged a bond, in the penalty of eight thousand dollars, with condition according to Law. And the said Nathaniel Williams is free till the return of guardian.
In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and annex the seal of the said Court this 29 th day of November 1843.
J. R. Edwards Clerk
Clerk the state proceed in town according hand at noon the

State of Virginia } County of Sussex }
This day personally appeared before me Mrs Margaret Cargill wife of Genl John Cargill, and being first duly sworn according to law, I testify and say - I have been called on to state my knowledge of the marriage of Doctor Basil Middleton with his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Belchers. I have no record which will enable me to state the day when it did take place, But from family re- cords now in my possession I can state the year & month with as much certainty as any fact whatever. Doctor Middleton & his wife Mary Belchers were married in the month of Septbr: 1788. I know it took place at that time, 1st Because I have a distinct recollection of the event, being at the time in the habit of seeing her constantly, and on terms of the strictest intimacy with her, she being my cousin; but what enables me to speak with the greatest confidence and pre- cision in relation to the time is this - My sister Mrs Shore was married in November 1788. and Doctor Middleton and his wife that he had married immediately before were in- vited to the wedding and did not attend which was the subject of remark and regret with my father & mother, as Their ab- sence was accounted for in consequence of the objection made to the marriage of Doctor Middleton with his wife by all her rela- tions. The period of this event is firmly fixed in my mind and aided by the family record now in my possession, excludes all doubt about it.

For many years Mrs Middleton ceased to have intercourse with her relations. In the latter part of the life of Doctor Middleton his affairs had become involved in fact he had spent most of the property he got by his wife and she was then allowed to renew her friendly intercourse with her relations. Dr. Middleton died in 1809 and Mrs Middleton after repeated changes of residence came to reside with us about three years before her death which took place here in the month of September 1848. The first child Mrs Middleton had lived about four months, her next was Benjamin who lived and died in Petersburg leaving no family. Rubin her next married and died leaving two sons Arthur & George Middleton. George her only other child lived to be a man and died without heirs. So that the two sons of Rubin Middleton are the only heirs of Mrs Mary Middleton their grandmother. Who was the identical her son to my knowledge married to Doctor Basil Middleton in the year 1788 seventeen hundred & eighty eight.
Margaret Cargill
State of Virginia } County of Sussex } This day personally appeared before me Mrs Margaret Cargill one of the oldest and most respectable ladies in this community and subscribed & swore to the foregoing affi- davit in due form of law
Given under my hand and seal this 1st day of December 1843-
William Briggs J.P. Regd

11 Virginia. Sussex County to wit:
I, Littleton Lanier Clerk of the County Court of Sussex in the State of Virginia aforesaid, do hereby certify that William Bruggs who hath given the preceding Certificate is an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid duly Commissioned and qualified, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
Given under my hand and Seal of Office this 1 st day of December A.D. 1813.
L. Lanier

State of Virginia }
County of Sussex }
This day personally appeared before me Mr John Carrigill of the aforesaid County who being first duly sworn according to Law Testifies and says - That being called on to state his knowledge of Doctor Basil Middleton and the period of his marriage - He has to say that he has every reason short of a positive information to say that at an early period after the close of the Revolution Doctor Basil Middleton came to this section of country; and shortly after intermarried with Miss Mary Belchers. The period when this event took place I am unable to state with the precision that my wife has this event. At that time I had not married in the family. My wife from her relationship and intimacy with Mr Middleton aided by the records of the family has the best right to know and to speak with certainty of the period of the marriage as she has done in her affidavit of even date with this - My first personal acquaintance (as tho I knew that he was in this section of country for several years before) will date back as far as 45 or 46 years since, at that time he was certainly not only a married man; but I feel confidence in saying had 2 or 3 children then alive. Dr Middleton at that time had been married to Mary Belchers long enough to have spent nearly all the property he got by her. A short time before the death of Dr Middleton who had then spent his property his wife Mrs Mary Middleton renewed her intimacy with her relations; and after the death of Dr Middleton in 1809 she after several changes of residence came permanently to reside in my family and continued to do so up to her death in Sept. 1848. My intimacy and friendship with Mrs Middleton commenced after the moral difficulties of Dr Middleton and after his death in 1809. From that period up to her death I had as much of her confidence

if not more than any other person - From the many conversations I have had from time to time with Mrs Middleton of the eventful period of her early life and the circumstances connected with it - Together with facts within my own knowledge inables me to say with as much certainty as I can any event to which I was not a personal witness, that the time stated by Mrs Cargill of the marriage of Dr: Middleton is certainly correct. In the absence of the positive recollection of Mrs Cargill of the fact aided as her recollection is by the family records there is a fact known to me which is conclusive as to the correctness of her statement. Doctor Middleton and his wife had a son their first child died 4 months old. his second Benjamin was a member of the celebrated Volunteer Company that marched from Petersburg in 1861-62. at that time Benjamin Middleton was a grown man & I am sure was 20 years of age at that time if not more. which would make him if now alive more than 50 years of age - and he was the second child of Mrs Middleton. In conclusion I have to say that Dr Middleton and his wife Mary - who was Mary Beechers had three sons who lived to be grown - his eldest Benjamin - second Rubin third George - Benjamin & George died leaving neither wife or children - Rubin died leaving two sons - Arthur and George B. Middleton the only surviving Heirs & legal representatives of Mrs Mary Middleton who was the identical person married to Dr Basil Middleton to my knowledge.
John Cargill

State of Virginia } County of Sussex } This day personally appeared before me Mr John Earle one the oldest and most respectable citizens of this county and subscribed and swore to the foregoing affidavit in due form of law.
Given under my hand and seal this 1st day of December 1843.
William Briggs J.P. (Seal)
Virginia: Sussex County to wit.
I, Littleton Lanier Clerk of the County Court of Sussex in the State of Virginia aforesaid do hereby certify that William Briggs, who had given the preceding certificate is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
Given under my hand and Seal of Office this 1st day of December A.D. 1843.
L. Lanier

State of Virginia Sussex County } This day personally appeared before me Mrs Elizabeth Wyche who being first duly sworn according to law testifies and says - That at an early period after the close of the Revolution being on a visit to Petersburg I there first saw Dr: Middleton who shortly after became the husband of Miss Mary Belchers. I have had read to me the evidence of Mr Cursill and his lady in which they state their recollections of the time of the marriage of Dr: Middleton with his wife. my recollections of that event aided by my family records fully confirm the state- ments they have made. I knew the sons of Mrs Middleton well and I feel well assured that her second son Benjamin & now alive would certainly be more than 60 years of age. In conclusion I have to say that the statements of Mr & Mrs Cursill in relation to Mrs Middleton and her family are strictly in accordance with my own.
Elizabeth Wyche
Being called on to state my knowledge and recollection of Benjamin Middleton who was a member of the Petersburg Volunteer company. I have to say that he was well known to me from a boy up to the period of his death. I am myself now 64 years of age and I feel the greatest confidence in saying he was older than I am.
Francis E. Rivers

State of Virginia County of Sussex } This day personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid The Hble Francis S. Rives and Mrs Elizabeth Weyler and subscribed and swore to the foregoing statements in due form of law. Given under my hand and seal this 24 day of December 1848.
Thos: O'Brien J.P.

Virginia Sussex County to wit:
I. Littleton Lanier, Clerk of the County Court of Sussex in the State of Virginia aforesaid do hereby certify that Thomas D. Brown who hath given the preceding Certificate is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid duly Commissioned and qualified, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine
Given under my hand and Seal of Office this 2 nd day of December A.D. 1843.
L. Lanier

No 358. Bail Middleton
Bail Middleton Surgeon Virginiana
W. Richard 22 Sept. 1817 I Del. to Capt. L. D. Wardlaw
125
[Faint mirrored handwriting from the reverse side of the page]

Know all Men by these presents that I Basil Middleton of the City of Richmond and State of Virginia have this day appointed Thomas D. Harris of the City of Richmond and State of Virginia my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to ask, and receive from The State United States, four hundred and fifty acres of Land due me in consideration of my services as Surgeon in the army of the United States to the end of the late War with Great Britain, under the command of Col o William Rufus agreeable to an Act of Congress. And I moreover request, and direct Henry Dearborne Esquire Secretary of War for the time being or his successors to deliver to the said Thomas D. Harris, my true and lawful attorney, or to his order, a Warrant or Warrants for the foresaid land, Hereby ratifying and confirming all and whatsoever my said attorney shall or may do by virtue of these Presents. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my Seal and Subscribed my name thereto with my own hand this third day of July 1807
Witness
R c Gamble
Tho Barr
Richardson Hunley
B: Middleton (Seal)
City of Richmond, to wit:
This day Basil Middleton appeared before me Mayor, within and for the City aforesaid and acknowledged the foregoing Power of attorney to be his hand and seal, Act and Deed. Given under my hand this 3 rd July 1807 — W m Richardson Mayor

City of Richmond to wit:
This day Robt. Gamble one of the within Witnesses to the within Power of Attorney appeared before me, Mayor, for the City aforesaid and made Oath that he saw Basil Middleton sign the within Power of Attorney, and that the said Basil Mid- dleton is the same Person who performed the Service stated within the said Robert Gamble having been a Captain in the Con- tinental army - Given under my hand this 3 rd July 1807
M c Richardson Mayor
No. 358.
Basil Middleton Esq uor Virginia
Witness my hand Robt. Gamble
1807
1807

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
AWF/MLB
June 2, 1930
Mrs. A. B. Fothergill 1011 West Grace Street Richmond, Virginia
Dear Madam:
I advise you from the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 18522, it appears that Basil Middleton was appointed in December, 1777, surgeon and served until the close of the war in Colonel William Russell's Virginia Regiment.
He died in 1809 in Prince George County, Virginia.
The soldier married in September, 1788, Miss Mary Belchers or Belcher.
She died September 15, 1841 at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Cargill in Sussex County, Virginia.
Their children were:-
First child, name not given, died when he was four months old; Benjamin, of Petersburg, Virginia, who died leaving neither wife nor children;
George, who died without heirs;
Aubin, who married and left two sons, Arthur and George B.
Arthur and George B. Middleton were allowed pension due their grandmother, Mary, widow of Basil Middleton.
There are no further data as to family.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, of the Seventh of July 1838, _____ Mary Middleton, deceased, who died on the 15 th of September 1841- widow of Basil Middleton, deceased, who was a Surgeon in the Revolutionary war at was entitled to receive a pension at the rate of Six hundred Dollars per annum, Commencing on the 4 th of March 1836 and terminating on the 4 th of March 1841, which will be paid upon the production of the proper Vouchers to Nathaniel G d Williams, Administrator de bonis non of Mary Middleton, deceased. _____
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 6 day of Aug t one thousand eight hundred and forty-4
Secretary of War.
Examined and } Countersigned. }
Commissioner of Pensions.

a Notarial Guardian
for Certificate,
Pension
C

In the United States Court for the Eastern District of Virginia February 29 th 1844
The petition of Nathaniel T. Williams, Guardian of Arthur Middleton and George B. Middleton, the only heirs at law of Mrs. Mary Middleton, dec d who was the widow of Dr. Basil Middleton a Surgeon, in the Revolutionary war for a pension, under the "Act of Congress of the 4 th of July 1838 granting half pay & pensions to certain widows," together with the accompanying documents and affidavits of Margaret Cargill, John Cargill, and Eliz. Wyche having been presented to the Court, and fully examined, it is ordered that it be certified that the Court approves and sanctions the same; and from personal and intimate knowledge the Court, Certifies that the three witnesses, aforesaid, are persons of the highest character and respectability, and the most implicit reliance may be placed on their statements
Copy - Teste
Mays Clerk

Dr The United States In Acct
Basil Middleton
6 th
  918 To pay as Surgeon 1st Jan y 77 By pay & subsistence   485 to 31st Dec r 1841 1080 u u rec d at sundry times 1076 u u 157 10 9   To Retained Balances 154 10 u By Cash at Charleston u u u 18 u u   By Sundries of M c   22 d April 1783 Simmons at Ch t own 109 15 8   Sworn to before By Sundries of Capt Mose 11 4 6   A. Randolph By 1 st shoes - 12 u   Certificates 943 7 1 
The above is truly copied from a Book of Settlements of the Officers of the Revolutionary Army Given under my hand at the Auditor's Office Richmond this 9 th day of Dec r 1843.
J. R. Heath Aud t

V. 10991 Mary Middleton Va
Let. to Hon. J. M. Mason. July 1:44
Act. July. 7. 1838.

I do certify that Doctor Basil Middleton was appointed surgeon to the 9 th Virg a Reg t (to which I was Lieut o Col o ;) some time in December 1777, and that he has serv'd as surgeon in the Virg a Line till the last arrangement (as well as I recollect) which was some time last January, when the whole line was reduc'd to only one Regt.
Given under my Hand this 16 th of Oct r '83.
B. Ball Lt. Col. Comd. In the V. Line.
Executive Dept t
January 10. 1844.
I certify that the foregoing is a copy of a paper on file in this department.
Wm H Richardson Viz Com r

I Littleton Lanier Clerk of the County Court of Superi- or hereby certify that at a Court held for the said County the 1 st day of August 1844 Nathaniel T Williams qualified in due form of law as administrator de bonis non of Mary Middleton dec d . Given under my hand this 1 st day of August 1844.
L. Lanier

Senate Chamber Wash n . Mar 23. 1844
Sir:
Herewith I send you the declaration & papers of Nathaniel T. Williams guardian of Arthur Middleton & George B. Middleton heirs at law of the late Mary Middleton widow of Dr. Basil Middleton a surgeon of the Revolutionary Army, for a pension under the act of 7 th July 1838 -
In forwarding these papers I comply with the request of John G. Mosby Esq of Richmond Va who is sole atty. for the petitioners - Mr. Mosby desires me to refer you to the Hon. John Y. Mason Sec. of the Navy before whom as Dist. Judge in Virg a the character of the witnesses was authenticated & who has a personal knowledge of the

Parthes - I am convinced by the statements made to me that this is a case of great merits, and if any doubts arise in reference to it you will do me a favour to advise me of them before making a final decision
very reply
Yr ob serv
Alf. J. White
J. L. Edwards Esq Comm. of Pensions

In Superior County Court August Term 1844.
It appears to the Court by satisfactory evidence that Mary Middleton died on the 15 th day of September 1841 and that she died leaving no children of her own alive, and that her grand children Arthur and George B Middleton are her only heirs at Law.
I Lutton Larned Clerk of the County Court of Superior do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true Copy of a minute made by the said Court at August Term 1844
Given under my hand and seal of Office this 1 st day of August 1844.
L. Larned

Rev WIDOW, &c.
1930 - June 2 - Hish to mrs. A.B. Fothergill awg.
File No. 18522 Mary Middleton Widow of Basil Middleton Surgeon Rev. Pa
Act: July 7 th 1838
Index: Vol. 22 Page 62
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:-
I find a record of a pension to my Dr. Basil Middleton of Virginia forces in the Revolution and would like to have any information contained in the application for the same as am particularly anxious to know the place of his birth, parents etc.
Most sincerely,
A. B. Fothergill.
(Mrs) A. B. Fothergill,
1011 West Grace Street,
Richmond, Virginia.

Surgeon
Basel Middelton
(not Baptist in Medical Men) Va died 1809 in Prince George Co Va 1809 - was late of Southampton Co Va
mar d Mary B Infantry Belfcher Sept 1788 - wife died Sept 1841
They had 3 sons lived 4 mths Benjamin, Aubin & George - Benjamin & George died leaving no widow or child
Aubin mar d & left 2 sons Arthur & George B who were alive in 1843
Benf d died in Petersburg
Was to in Service as early as Janys 1779 & to Dec 31 1781