Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7,527, for Benjamin Murrell, North Carolina

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Murrell Benjamin Mary
R 7527
CONTENTS
2 x 10

1299 Tennessee West,
Benjamin Murrell of Wakefield in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain R. H. Houston of the ————— commanded by Col. Kelly in the Virginia line for Milford for nine months, from 1780.
Inscribed on the Roll of Tennessee at the rate of $10 Dollars — Cents per annum commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Jan'y 1833 and Act No. 10 Tennessee H. R.
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832 45 00 Semi-ann. allowance ending 4 March 1833 15 00
$60 00
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Henry H. Hylton Clerk, Book D Vol. 9 Page 154

State of Tennessee } Meigs County } Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions - October Term 1832
On this ninth day of October personally appeared in open Court, before the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, now sitting in the courthouse in the town of Elkins in said County of Meigs Benjamin Murrell a resident of the State of Tennessee and County of Meigs aged sixty two years next November the 13 th day according to the register of his parents, 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 the 9 th 1832 —
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated. In the year 1780, when he was about the age of twenty years, then a resident of Henry County, in the State of Virginia he entered the service as a volunteer on horse back, under Capt Owen Pugh, under the apprehension that the British and Tories were about to plunder and destroy the property of our citizens. This Declarant states that the entire company in which he went against the British and Tories were volunteers, who had furnished themselves with arms and ammunition, and horses, to protect the defenceless women & children from the insults of the enemies of the country — From Henry County in Virginia, we marched into Rawan County in North Carolina, where we met about three hundred Regular soldiers, who had preceded us in dispersing the British and Tories, and then continued stationed in Rawan County about two months, and received a discharge for a tour of three months — which discharge I have, from the great length of time, and not expecting it ever to be of any utility to me, lost or mislaid — This discharge was given by his Captain Owen Pugh, and was dated, as well as I can now recollect, about the close of the summer of 1780, for his services three months as a volunteer — About the first of March 1781, I again volunteered as well as I can now recollect I again volunteered the second time, on horse back, having furnished myself with a horse and arms, under Capt. Samuel Hester

A report of the British and Tories being about to plunder the country having reached our neighbourhood, Capt. Samuel Heston raised a volunteer company of cavalry, to skirmish with and disperse the British and Tories, I became one of the company - All volunteers were exonerated from being enlisted until it came to their turn to serve by division, under this regulation I preferred volunteering, and accordingly done so - From Henry County in Virginia, we proceeded, in search of the enemy, to the edge of Guilford County in North Carolina, where we learned that but few British and Tories were plundering in that part of the country, & that those few, before we reached Guilford, had been dispersed - We then returned home, to Henry County in Virginia, with orders to keep ourselves in readiness at a moments warning, to supply any call for men that a sudden emergency might require -
I then received a second discharge, for a term of three months service as a volunteer, from Capt. Samuel Heston, which was dated, I think, according to the best exertion of my frail recollection, about the first of June in the year 1781. This discharge I am also unable to produce, from the circumstance of my considering it a paper of little value, and consequently not taking that care in the preservation of it, which would have been necessary to have kept it for so great a length of time - In the fall of 1781 I came out to the County of Washington, now a part of the State of Tennessee, then a frontier County in North Carolina, and situated on the Watanga River, a branch of the Holston. - The next March after my arrival in Washington County, which was in the Springs of 1782, there was a rendezvous, at the mouth of Big Creek on Holston, in the Western part of Sullivan County, now Hawkins County East-Tennessee, where I volunteered, together with many others, to go on a campaign against the settlement of Cherokee Indians, called the Chickamauga Towns. These Indians, it was supposed, were in league with the British, and whenever an opportunity offered, would steal horses and other property from the whites, and massacre our men, women and children - At this rendezvous, on Big Creek on Holston River, there was about the number of three hundred men, and the officers present to

whom the command was to be entrusted, refused to enter the campaign with a less number than five hundred men - The officers consisted of Col. Isaac Shelby from the State of Virginia, who was afterwards Governor of the State of Kentucky - and Major Lewis (his given name not now recollected) also from Virginia - The names of the subordinate officers, this declarant does not now remember. -
The men present at this meeting dispersed without organizing themselves into companies, on account of Col. Shelby & Major Lewis being unwilling to enter a campaign of such importance with so few men - The object of the meeting thus failing, Captain Robert King was appointed by Colonel Shelby to raise a volunteer company of horse to range along the Western frontiers for the purpose of protecting the white settlements - This company was to serve for the space of three months - I gained this company and we ranged from one station to another on the frontier, from forty to fifty miles apart, down the Rivers Holston and French Broad for three months - At the end of this term of service our Captain Robert King gave us discharges - My discharge, I think, from the best of my recollection, was dated about the last of May or the first of June 1789 - This discharge, owing to the lapse of time, I have also lost - This Declarant states that he has no documentary evidence whatever, of his service; that not expecting ever to have any call for his several discharges, he was careless in keeping them, and have consequently lost them all - He knows of no person in this part of the country by whom he can prove his services, but thinks it probable that there may yet be a number of persons in the State of Virginia, and East-Tennessee, who could testify to the same -
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 in any State the agency of any State -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid -
Wm H Johnson Clerk
Robert King

Me Thomas Ross a Clergyman Residing in the County of Mecklenburg & State of Tennessee and William Taylor Residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Benjamin Murrell who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy two years old; that he is reported to be and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion. - Sworn to & subscribed in open court the Day & year aforesaid W m H Johnson Clerk Thomas Ross William Taylor
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 Thomas Ross who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman Resident in the County of Mecklenburg & State of Tennessee and that William Taylor who has also signed the same is a Resident of the County & State aforesaid, and is a credible person, and that their statements is entitled to credit. -
Perry Vincent Chairman of Mecklenburg County Court J. W. Gilbert J.P. J. H. Pughouse J.P.
I William H Johnson Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Benjamin Murrell for a pension. -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and my seal of office this 13 th day of October AD 1839
W m H Johnson Clerk of Mecklenburg County Court

1 st Question by the Court - When and in what year were you born? Answer - I was born in Lunenburg County in the State of Virginia, in the year 1760, as I have been informed by my parents -
2 nd Question. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it. Answer - I have no record of my age, but I recollect to have seen it in our family record, in my father's Bible about twenty years ago.
3 rd Question - Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live -
Answer - I lived in Henry County in the State of Virginia when I first entered the service, from there I moved to the County of Washington in the Western part of the State of North Carolina, now a part of the State of Tennessee - and then I moved to Hawkins County in the State of North Carolina, now Tennessee sometime in the year 1784 - In the year 88 or thereabouts, I left Hawkins and went to Jefferson County in what is now called East-Tennessee, where I lived seventeen years; from thence I moved to Limestone County in the State of Alabama where I lived, as well as I can now recollect about twenty years - from thence I moved to Hardin County in the Western District of the State of Tennessee where I lived about four years - from thence I moved to the County of Weakly & State of Tennessee in December 1830 - and settled in the northern part of the County near the Kentucky line, where I now live -
4 th Question. When were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute; and if a substitute, for whom -
Answer - I served three three month terms, on nearly so, and volunteered every time -
5 th Question. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served; also Continental & militia Regiments - as you can recollect; and the general circumstances of your service.

Answer - The foot troops were commanded by Col George Waller of the State of Virginia. The name of my first Captain in our expedition against the British & Tories was Owen Ruby, and my Second Capt was Samuel Harston. Col Isaac Shelby afterwards Governor of Kentucky, and Major Lewis of Virginia were to command the campaign intended against the Cherokee Indians, as I have before stated in my Declaration. We were not attached to either a Continental or Militia Regiment during my service, and the circumstances of my services I have particularly detailed in my Declaration - The Capt. under which I served my last term of three months service was Capt Robert King. -
6 Question - Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and, if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it. -
Answer - I received three discharges; the first from Capt Owen Ruby, dated about the close of the summer 1780 as well as I can remember. The second was signed by Capt. Saml. Harston & dated I think about the first of June 1781 - The third and last was given by my Capt Robert King & dated I think about the last of May or the first of June 1782 - Each of my discharges was for three months service as a mounted volunteer, all of which I have lost not deeming it of any importance that I should keep them.
7th Question - State the names of persons to whom you are known in your neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their beliefs of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. -
Answer - Parson Thomas Ross - William, Edmund and Chapman Taylor & James Hornbeck have all been acquainted with me for a considerable length of time, and will all testify to my veracity & respectability, and also that I am reputed to have been a soldier in the American Revolution. -

Copy Family Record of Benjn Murrill-
Case of Mary Murrill the wid of Benjn Pence
Act of 1838-

Family Record.
Marriages.
Benjamin Murrell and Mary his wife was married in the year of our Lord 1783, September the 30 day.
Betsey Murrell was married to Joseph Routh, in the year of our Lord 1804, November the day.
Richard Murrell son to Benj m & Mary was married to Rachael Hodges, in the year of our Lord 1809, June the 22 day.
John L. Murrell, son to Benj m & Mary, was married to Sarah Black, in the year of our Lord 1818, April the 16 day.
Leffel Murrell and Ellis his wife was married in the year of our Lord 1828, November the 15 th day.
Marriages.
William Murrell and Nancy his wife was married in the year of our Lord 1829 October the 22 nd day.

Family Record.
Births.
Births.
Benjamin Murrell was born in the year of our Lord 1760 - the 13 th day.
Mary Murrell, his wife, was born in the year of our Lord 1764, November the 30 th day.
Patsy Murrell was born in the year of our Lord 1784, October the 30 th day.
Jefferson Murrell was born in the year of our Lord 1786, November the 23 rd day.
Richard Murrell was born in the year of our Lord 1788, Nov. or Dec. the 15 th day.
Isaac Murrell was born in the year of our Lord 1789, April the 29 th day.
Nancy Murrell was born in the year of our Lord 1792, April the 26 th day.
Sarah Murrell was born in the year of our Lord 1793, December the 28 th day.
Mary Murrell was born in the year of our Lord 1795, December the 22 nd day.
John Sims Murrell was born in the year of our Lord 1798, Feby the 13 th day.
Matilda Murrell was born in the year of our Lord 1799, Novr the 17 th day.
Charlotte Murrell was born in the year of our Lord 1801, October the 26 th day.
Lucy Murrell was born in the year of our Lord 1804, June the 1 st day.
Benjamin Murrell was born in the year of our Lord 1805, March the 10 th day.
Samuel Murrell was born in the year of our Lord 1807, January the 31 st day.
William Murrell was born in the year of our Lord 1809, April the 2 nd day.
[Obliterated] Something occurred in 1797, December - day.
Richard Decatur Murrell was born in the year of our Lord 1818, Decr 30 day.
Thos. Jefferson Murrell was born in the year of our Lord 1820, Novr 18 th day.
Artemicy Francis Murrell was born in the year of our Lord 1822, Feby 10 th .

Family Record.
Deaths.
Benjamin Murrell departed this life in the year of our Lord 1835, May the 25 th day. Mary Murrell, wife of Benjamin Murrell, departed this life in the year of our Lord 1843, July the 26 th day.
Deaths.
Rachael Murrell, wife of Richard Murrell, departed this life in the year of our Lord 1816, October the 21 st day. Sarah Murrell, wife of John S. Murrell, departed this life in the year of our Lord 1823, June the 14 th day.
The foregoing has been carefully compared with the original register on the leaves of the Family Bible, and find is a correct copy of the entire record - (excepting another record in another place) the family record of Richard Murrell. Bible printed by Matthew Carey Philada Nov 7, 1803. - The record appears to be genuine.
April 11 th 1854.
J. G. Dodson Exg Clerk
Returned
Addressed to "Williams Murrell Esq 1'
Polivar Hardeman Co.
Tennessee."
Apel 18. 1854.

State of Tennessee Weakley County } S.S.
On this the 22 nd day of June A.D. 1841 personally appeared before the Subscriber One of the Acting Justices of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid Mary Murrell, a resident of the County of Weakley in the State of Tennessee Aged 77 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 provisions 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 Benjamin Murrell, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution and served as specified in a Declaration made & forwarded by him to the War Office of the United States in order to obtain a pension under the provisions of the Act of Congress of the 7 th of June 1832, which application having been successful said declaration is presumed to be on file in the proper bureau of the Department. The original certificate issued to her deceased husband having been lost or mislaid, no reference can be made to that Instrument.
She further declares that she was married to the said Benjamin Murrell on the 30 th day of September in the year 1783. That her husband the aforesaid Benjamin Murrell died on the 25 th day of May in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty five. 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, viz at the time above stated.
Sworn to & Subscribed on the day & year above written before George W. Coat  Grady Mary Murrell
An Acting Justice of the Peace in & for Weakley County Tenn.

Tennessee Weakley Co. Writ
I, George W. Cavell - An acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County and as such a Member of the County Court of said County, which is a Court of Record, do hereby certify that the foregoing Declaration was made before me by Mary Munnell & that at the time she made the same, she was unable by reason of her age and bodily infirmity to attend the Court.
Given under my hand the 22 nd day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred & forty One and of the Independence of the United States the Sixty fifth.
In the presence of me George W. Cavell
Daniel Smith J.P. for Weakley County Tennessee
Tennessee Weakley Co. Writ I, John Dodds Clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that George W. Cavell whose genuine certificate is above, is and was at the time of making the same An acting Justice of the Peace in & for said County, duly Commissioned and sworn according to Law and that as such he is & was a member of the County Court which is a Court of Record. His official acts are therefore entitled to due faith and credit. Given under my hand & the seal of my Office this the 11 th day of August in the Year of our Lord 1841 and of American Independence the Sixty Sixth.
John Dodds Clerk

State of Tennessee, County of Hardeman } ss.
On this nineteenth day of November A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-three personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and State of aforesaid, William Murrell, a resident of Hardeman county, in the State of Tennessee, aged 44 years, who being first duly sworn according to law declares upon his oath that he is the son of Benjamin Murrell, who was a revolutionary soldier, and drew a pension at the rate of thirty dollars per annum at the agency in Nashville, in the State of Tennessee. He further declares that his father, the aforesaid Benjamin Murrell, died in Weakley county in the State of Tennessee, in the year A. D. 1835, on the 25 th day of May, leaving his mother Mary Murrell, a widow. He further declares that his mother remained a widow until her death, which transpired on the 20 th of July A. D. 1843. He further declares that appears of record in the handwriting of his father Benjamin Murrell, in the Bible of said Benjamin Murrell, deceased, that he was married to Mary, his wife on the 30 th day of September 1783. He further declares that his father Benjamin Murrell, died possessed of a will, which is of record in the office of the county clerk in the county of Weakley, in the State of Tennessee, and that he is one of the Executors of said will, and that the heirs of his father is recognized therein.
He makes this declaration for the purpose of receiving the unclaimed pension money due his mother Mary Murrell, under the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836, for himself and Jeffrey, Richard, John, Lemuel, Mary Gogg, Nancy Slaughter, Lucy Cunningham, Lemimah Hoyle, and Charlotte Murrell, all of whom are living.

and Isaac, Elizabeth Routh and Sarah Smith & Martidale Slaughter, have departed this life. W m Murrell
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written, And I hereby certify that William Murrell is a good and creditable witness and that I have no interest herein. W. O. Ferguson J. Peace
State of Tennessee } ss Hardeman county }
I W O Ferguson a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and State aforesaid do hereby certify that I have examined the family record in the Bible, formerly the property of Benjamin Murrell now in the possession of his son William Murrell, a resident of Hardeman county, in the State of Tennessee, and I find the marriage of Benjamin Murrell and Mary his wife therein recorded in the following words: "Benjamin Murrell and Mary his wife was Married in the year of our Lord 1783, September the 30 day." I further certify that from the appearance of the Bible and the record, that it was made by Benjamin Murrell during his life. This 19 th day of November A.D. 1853 W. O. Ferguson J. Peace

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
7527
P. O. _____
Henry Mearill
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Mary Merrill deceased - widow of Benjamin Jennings.
Set No. Manly June 25/53
G. W. Tallant 9 th Dec. 1853.
G. W. Tallant 16 th Jan. 1854
Same Feb 20. 1854
Same June 9. 1854
Mr. Manly " "
Act July 7. 1838
G. W. Tallant July 25 - 54

7.992
Mary Murrell Wid. of Benjamin Tennessee - Sup. July 7. 1838
See let. 7 Sep 1841 to Gardner & Leigh
20
75 27

Mary Murrell Wid of Benj m Ten
George W Talbott Esq Spring Creek Tenn

State of Tennessee, Wardian County ss I R. P. Keely Clerk of the County Court of said of Wardian Do hereby Certify that W. H. Hargrove Esq whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing Certificate is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County duly Elected, Commissioned and Qualified and that due faith and credit is due all of his official acts as such and that the aforesaid County Court is a Court of Record having General Jurisdiction
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office at Bolivar this 20 th Novr A D 1853 R. P. Keely CLK

State of Tennessee County of Hardeman } ss
On this the 4 day of February A. D one Thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and State aforesaid, William Munnell aged 45, a resident of Hardeman county in the State of Tennessee, who being duly sworn according to law declares upon his oath, That the family record of his father Benjamin Munnell, deceased, as registered in his Bible, has been in his possession since September 1843, and previous thereto it was in the possession of his mother Mary Munnell, who died in the county of Weakley, in the State of Tennessee, in the year 1843, on the 20th day of July. He further declares That the record of his father's and mother's marriage is in the hand-writing of his father Benjamin Munnell deceased. He further declares That the only brothers he has living at this time are Jeffry Munnell, who resides in Fayette county, Tennessee, Richard Munnell, resides in Weakley county, Tennessee, John L. Munnell, resides in Weakley county, Tennessee, Lemuel Munnell, resides in Missouri, and that his sisters living are Nancy Slaughter, lives in Tipton county, in the State of Tennessee, Mary Gragg, resides in Washington county, in the State of Arkansas, Charlotte Munnell, resides in Weakley county, in the State of Tennessee, Lucy Cunningham resides in the State of Missouri, Lemimah Hyde, resides in Lime Stone county Alabama. He further declares That from the scattered condition of his brothers and Sisters, it is a matter of impossibility to have

them identified before a court of record. He further declares that he has one brother and three sisters who dead, to wit: Isaac Murrell, Betty Ruth, Sarah Smith, and Matilda Slaughter. He further declares that his father's will is recorded in the county of Weakley in the State of Tennessee, in which he is appointed Executor.
Wm Murrell
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written. And I hereby certify that William Murrell is a good and creditable witness, and that the above affidavit is entitled to credit.
Welcome Welsey J.P. For H.C.
State of Tennessee, } County of Hardeman } ss
I, Rufus P. Neely, Clerk of the County Court, in and for the County and State above mentioned, do hereby certify that Welcome Welsey, whose genuine signature appears above, is, and was at the time of signing the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn that his official acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit Given under my hand and seal of office at office, this 17th day of February, A.D. 1854. R.P. Neely Clerk

State of Tennessee vs. Bert Hurn Weakly - County that before the county court of the said county personally appeared in open court Granville Murrell who being only known according to law oath on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed July 7, 1838. March 3 d 1843 June 1 st , 1844 February 20 th 1848 and 1 st July 1848 - that he is administrator on the estate of Mary Murrell widow of Benjamin Murrell and that he makes the Declaration for the sole use and benefit of the children of the said widow as herein after named - that Benjamin Murrell was a pensioner of the

Handwritten notes at the top of the page, possibly bleed-through from the reverse side.
United States in the Tennessee Hall at the rate of thirty Dollars per annum and that he died in the County of Weakly on the twenty fifth day of May in the year eighteen hundred and thirty three and that the said Mary Murrell widow of said Benjamin Murrell died in the same County on the twenty sixth day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty three (1843) — that she the said widow left the following names children and none other to wit
John S. Murrell Richard Murrell Isaac Murrell Daniel Murrell Wilson Murrell Jesse Cunningham Airy William Murrell Polly Bragg John  and Sally + Mary  slayghter  for the  Charlotte Murrell
That the said Benjamin Murrell and Mary Murrell were married in the County of Hawkins in the State of Tennessee on the twentieth day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty three

(Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page)
Subscribed and sworn to the 7 day of March 1853 in open court - J P Bondurant Clerk by his deputy R H Scott
State of Tennessee Wealthy County ss. J P Bondurant
Clerk of the County Court & jury for said County do hereby that at the March term of said Court held in open said County on the 7 day of March 1853 Satisfactory evidence was exhibited to said Court that Benjamin Murrell was a Pensioner of the United States at $30 a year and that he died on the twenty fifth day of May in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty three and that he left a widow whose name was Mary Sims and that she the said widow died on the 26th day of July one thousand

Eight hundred and sixty three And that she left the following named children and heirs and no other that is to say John S Murrell Richard Murrell and William Murrell - and that said widow continues the widow only said Benjamin Murrell at the time of her death - and I further certify that the said Granville Murrell has been only appointed administrator of the estate of the said Mary Murrell as that the foregoing are the true proceedings of said court in the matter of the application of the said administrator for the pension aforesaid In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name as affixed the official seal of said court the 7 day of March 1853 - C. P. Bondurant Clerk by his deputy R. H. Scott

Geo W. Fabbott Spring Creek Mar 30, 1857
Caveat

Spring Creek, Tenn. March 30, 1854.
Sir:
Mr. Geo. Heant requests me to inform you that the 2nd Auditor's report of his service on emancipation he remarked that he cared not for the forty acres of land, but did not wish an impression made that he had sworn falsely for forty acres of land. He is a man of standing and enjoys the confidence of his neighbors. He stated that the amount of service pay drawn by his Captain (B. T. Archer) was eleven dollars.
I have recently received a communication from William Murrell, from which I make the following extract:
"I fear the clerk of Weakly county is rather reckless, anyway, as I see he certifies that myself and two other Brothers are the only surviving children. Now, Sir, if there is not ten of us living these deaths have taken place very recently and I have never received the news, and I have seen none of the others since the date of his certificate. I wish you in your next letter to the Commissioners to request him to return that old Bible without fail, for I would rather lose the means of pension than that old Book, as badly worn out as it is and of as little importance as it may appear to be to others, I look on it as a relic that could not be bought with money."
If you are satisfied with the record made in the "Family Bible" of Benjamin Murrell, I should be pleased that you return the work at once, his address is Bolivar, Hardeman county, Tenn. Mr. Murrell is an honest man, and did not apply for the amount of pension money due his mother.

as a matter of pecuniary benefit to himself, but that he would write to his Brothers and Sisters and request them to appropriate the amount in erecting a monument to their memory, as no stone marked their resting place. He resides near Bolivar, and if you desire to know anything of his character you can apply to Fred. P. Stanton, M.P. from his District. He wishes this done as an act of justice to himself, as the sworn statement made by him in regard to the surviving children does not correspond with the proof adduced before the Weatley County Court. On an investigation of this matter, I am confident that you will find every statement made by William Murrell to be correct, and the "satisfactory proof" exhibited to the Weatley County Court to be false, at least so far as the surviving children are concerned. Mr. Murrell has taken steps to ascertain the nature of F. P. Stanton's application, and when this is done you will learn more fully the nature and motives of the Weatley County parties.
Yours, ob'dnt servt, George W. Talbot
Wm L. P. Waldo, Washington City, D.C.
Geo W. Talbot Spring Creek Mar 30. 1857
Correct

Bolivar Dec 27 th 1853
Mr Talbot
Dear Sir I have just recd. yours of 26 th instant with a letter from the Pension agent it seems from that some G.P. Murrell filed a declaration in March last on the same Business now Sir I think there must be something wrong in this matter I have no Brother by that name neither have I any other relation named G.P. Murrell that I have any knowledge of my Mother never was married only to my Father his Maiden Name was Sims when you come to Bolivar come over to my House yours with respect
Wm Murrell
George W Talbot {

Spring Creek, Tenn., May 26 th 42.
Sir: But the intention of the Government to take legal process against the "free witnesses," who satisfied the Weakly County (Tenn.) Court, that there were only three children of Benjamin and Mary Small, surviving? The rascals should be brought to justice. They cannot say they knew of none others, when one was left out who resided in the same county, in the house of one of the heirs who they know was living at that time. William Small promised me that he would make an investigation of the matter. I would be glad if you would demand of the clerk the names of the individuals, and their residence, who "satisfied the court" of the number of surviving heirs. If you get their names and send them to me, I will ferret them out.
Yours at out servt George M. Salton
L. P. Waldo, Esqr. Washington, D. C.

Bolivar, Tenn, Feb 4 th 1859.
Dear L. P. Waldo, Sir:
I have mailed to you the Bible of Benjamin Murrell deceased and on next Monday I will forward to you an affidavit from Mr. Murrell, who has kept the Bible of his father Benjamin Murrell since the death of his mother Mary Murrell.
In addressing me, you must address your communications to Spring Creek Tenn.
Mr. Margaret Craine has gone down in the neighborhood of Dan Brien some sixteen miles distant from this place and she says she can not attend court. That she has sworn once that she was the lawful widow of Joel Craine, and she does not wish to go before court. She says she can prove before a court of record that she is the widow of Joel Craine, who drew a pension for his services in the Revolutionary services.
Yours obedt Servt G. W. Talbot

Bolivar, Tenn Feb 4th 1859
Sir:
On the fourth inst, I mailed at this place, the family Bible of Benjamin Murrell, deceased, and I herewith enclose you the affidavit of William Murrell, who has kept the book since the death of his mother Mary Murrell.
William Murrell, is of the opinion that a fraud has been attempted by someone, in the application of G. P. Murrell, as he has no brother of that name. His mother's maiden name was Sims, and he suspects that the clerk of the county court of Weakley county has had something to do with the matter as he has addressed him for a certificate of the heirs as recorded in his office, and has received no answer, and I have done the same with like results.
The brothers and sisters of Mr. Murrell are scattered over the country, and it would be a matter of the greatest difficulty to have them all identified. He is the Executor and is a man of respectability.
Will you send me a copy of the papers filed in your office by G. P. Murrell, or his

Attorney, Mr. Wm Murrell desires to investigate the matter and ferret out the parties that have attempted the fraud,
Address me at Spring Creek Penn.
Your obedient Servt, Geo. W. Salton

Spring Creek, Tenn., Dec. 26th 1853
Dear L. P. Waldo,
Sir,
Yours of Dec. 9th is to hand, and I am confident that an error has been made in confounding the parties. There must be two Benjamin Murrell, who resided in Weakly county, Tenn., and I have addressed William Murrell, of Hardeman county, and enclosed yours of the 9th inst., and asked an explanation. Shall I send the family Bible containing the record or a certified copy of said record, or the certificate of the County Clerk, or a magistrate, I procured the certificate of a Magistrate which accompanies Mrs. Murrell's declaration in regard to the record, but if it is necessary for the record to be sent to your office, it shall be done.
Same from Mr. Lewis The heir of William Bridges, a soldier of 1812, who died of a disease contracted in service, made application for the pension money due their mother, Catherine, William Ester, son in law of the widow made application, which application was forwarded from this office, the affidavit of M c Coy Bonar and H c Bonar proving that he died of a disease contracted in service was mailed at Lexington, Tenn. If the papers have been received I wish to know if the heir are not to receive the amount due their mother, notwithstanding she failed to apply?
Mr. Milton Francis is not, at present, the Guardian for Marion Mother, minor of Septha Weather, having surrendered
answered Oct. Feb. 3/53 section 18.

him up to Court? He is now under twenty and some 18 years of age. Will that do, or does he have to be younger?
Some time since I sent you proof of marriage of Priscilla Lewallen and also enclosed the discharge of her husband John Lewallen. Has the discharge been found?
Yours affec. servt., W. M. Talbot,
Edward H. [unclear]

Prief
G. P. Murrell says children are —
John B. Murrell
Richard do
Wm do
Isaac do dead
Samuel do
Jefferson do
Suey Cunningham
Polly Gragg
Jenny Hyde
Sally Smith dead
Charlotte Murrell
Matilda Slaughter
Interlined
and that he is Adm r of her estate
Clerk of Wake Co Certifies to the first 3 as only surviving children & to administration.

Wm Murrell declares children are
John Richard Wm
Samuel Jeffrey Lucy Cunningham Mary Gregg Jemimah Hyde
Charlotte Murrell Nancy Slaughter
That he is one Exr of his father's will.

Mary Munnell deed widow of Benj - (pensioned) Act July 7, 1838. Weakley co Tenn
The family record of Benj Munnell deed of Weakley Co Tenn, shows that he had no son named Granville P. Munnell. The clerk of the county has certified that John S. Munnell, Richard Munnell and W m Munnell. that G. P. Munnell is admr of the widow (Mary Sims)
W m Munnell represents himself as her Exr and says he has no relative named Granville P. Munnell. that his mother's name before marriage was Mary Sims. That her surviving children were - Jeffry (probably Jefferson) Richard, John S, Samuel Munnell and Nancy Slaughter. Mary Gragg - Charlotte Munnell, Lucy Cunningham and Jerimiah Hyde - and that Isaac Munnell, Betsey Ruth, Sarah Smith and Matilda Slaughter are dead
These names include all the children according to the family record. He says he has asked the Clerk of Weakley Co for a certificate of the surviving heirs of Mary as shown of record, but has received no answer

Marshall Illinois March 19. 1853
Sir,
I was some time since spoken to to attend to the claim of Mrs. Brumell's Heirs. I sent the adw. a form of a Declaration, but he has used the form as an original Declaration - But I hope it may be satisfactory -
I enclose the application of the adw.
Respectfully
W. M. G.

City of Washington
District of Columbia
I William Fitzgerald do hereby certify that Wm H Johnson whose signature appears to the Declaration of Benjamin Murrell made at the October Term of the County Court of Shelby County Tennessee in order to obtain a pension under the act of 1832 was the acting & Legal Clerk of said Court and that the said Declaration passed under his examination & was certified by him as it appears & purports to have been done.
W Fitzgerald
Jan. 7. 1833

State of Tennessee § ss. Hawkins County § I, James H. Vance Clerk of the County Court of said County do certify that I have faithfully searched the files of my Office for the Marriage License of Benjamin Murrell and can find no such license on file. I further certify that previous to the year 1838 no Record of Marriage Licenses was kept or required by law to be kept in said Office and that I believe many of the Licenses issued from this office were never returned and that some which have been returned are lost.
Given under my hand and official seal at Office in Rogersville the 26 th day of April 1853
J. H. Vance Clerk

Marshall Illa Aug 9. 1853
Sir. I had the honor some time since to transmit the claim of Mrs. Murrell (through Murrell her admr) widow of Benjamin Murrell of Tennessee under act 7. July 1838
I now send a negative certificate as to marriage Respectfully WMacy

Benjamin Murrell D o 25 May 1835 } Mary Murrell " 25 July 1843 } Married 1788
Jeffrey Murrell 1 - Richard Murrell 2 - John S. Murrell 3 Samuel Murrell 4 - Nancy Slaughter 5 - Mary Gragg 6 Charlotte Murrell 7 - Lucy Cunningham 8 - Lenni- ma Hyde 9 - Wm Murrell 10

6. Sep 1841
Mr Allison
7992
Pension Office
Murrell

Dresden Tenn. August 22 d 1841
Sir
We enclose you Mary Murrells Declaration made for the purpose of procuring a pension. Will you have the goodness to examine it & if found regular inclose us her authority to receive her portion of the fund set apart for this purpose. If irregular, you will please point out the defect.
We have the honor to be
Your Obedient Servants
Gardner & Leigh
Attorneys at Law
Dresden Tenn
Hon John Bell Secretary at War Washington City

Spring Creek, Tenn July 14 th 1854
Sir:
William Murrell Esq has received information from the Clerk of the County Court of Hickley county, that the amount of G. P. Murrell's Bond, as administrator is only three hundred dollars, and as your rules require the bond to be double the amount of the money drawn, he does not wish the money paid to G. P. Murrell because he has acted improperly - administered upon an estate where there were no effects. Mr. Murrell says if it is necessary he will administer - that he will make a bond for $2000. G. P. Murrell administered without the consent of his uncles or aunts, - he did not consult them, and since William Murrell has heard of his conduct he has received letters from some of his brothers to whom he addressed in regard to the conduct of G. P. Murrell, and they are opposed to his receiving the money, and if their wishes are consulted he will not get it.
William Murrell wishes to hear from you in regard to this matter, at your earliest convenience, and if an administration is necessary, it shall be done.
Very Respectfully
Your obedient servt,
L. P. Waldo, Esq, Washington City D.C.
Wm. H. Talbot
50 53.66 522.34 Mr. Murrell
57 66 222.34 Mr. Murrell

Spring Creek, Madison county Tenn
Sir:
Enclosed I send you a letter from William Murnell, son of Benjamin and Mary Murnell, deceased. It is evident that the application of Benjamin Murnell filed in March last, is not the father of William Murnell, but another Benjamin Murnell. Will the Bible of Benjamin Murnell, containing the marriage leave to be forwarded to your office, or a certified copy of the "Record"?
Yours obedient Servt George W. Talbot,
Dear L. P. Waldo,
Sometime since I forward you, with proof of marriage, the discharge of John Lewallen, and since which time you have informed me that the application of his widow had been suspended for proof of service.
The discharge was much worn, and I pasted it to a piece of green paper.
Yours &c G. W. Talbot

Benjamin Merrill was born in the year of our Lord 1760. — the 13 day
Mary Merrill his wife was born in the year of our Lord 1764 November the 30 th day
Dead Betsey Merrill was Born in the year of our Lord 1784 - October the 30 th day
✓ Jefferson Merrill was born in the year of our Lord 1786 November 23 rd Day
✓ Richard Merrill was born in the year of our Lord 1788 November the 15 th day
Dead Isaac Merrill was born in the year of our Lord 1789 April the 29 th day
✓ Nancy Merrill was born in the year of our Lord 1792 April the 26 th day
Dead [Sarah Merrill ] Merrill was born in the year of our Lord 1793 December the 28 th day
✓ Mary Merrill was born in the year of our Lord 1795 December the 22 nd day
✓ John Sims Merrill was born in the year of our Lord 1798 Feby the 13 day
Dead Matilda Merrill was born in the year of our Lord 1799 Novr the 17 th day
✓ Charlotte Merrill was Born in the year of our Lord 1801 October the 26 th Day

✓ Lucy Merrill was Born in the year of our Lord 1804 June the 1st day ✓ [ Leviina Hyde Lemina] Merrill was Born in the year of our Lord 1805 Mar the 10th day ✓ Samuel Merrill was born in the year of our Lord 1807 Janney the 31st day ✓ William Merrill was Born in the year of our Lord 1809 April the 22nd day Rev [Obliterated] something occurred 1797
December — day
Richard Deatur Merrill was born in the year of our Lord 1818 Dec 30th day  Thos Jefferson Merrill was born in the year of our Lord 1820 Nov 15th day  Artemey Francis Merrill was born in the year of our Lord 1822 Feby 10th
Benjn Merrill died 1835 May 25
Mary wife of Benj n 1843 July 26th
Richd married to Rachel 1809 June 22nd  1784 to