Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21439, for William Reading, Virginia

SERVICE
Rev.
Reading William Reader
NUMBER
S 21439
CONTENTS
See William Reader p. 8632 same soldier. (Act 1832)

An Transfer to Mrs E. J. Shields 2 nd Oct 1837.
Dis to Pen Agent 2 nd Oct 1837.
Transfer for Gen. L. D. 1. Nov 1838.
to Pulaski Tennessee from 4 th Sept 1837 14 May 1839. No domiciled to Ft Buchanan Bloomsville Lawrence Co. Tenn
Insurable Certificate June 8. March 1834 & sent to Hon. J. S. Harrison (Humphreys station)
Letter to the Jacob Thompson 5 July 1847.
Pulaski 27 637 Tennessee
in the State of in the by Captain of the by of the line for in the
Entered on the Roll of at the rate of Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the day of and
Arrears to the 14th of Pensional allowance ending
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by Clerk, Book 2 Vol. 8 Page 116

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832.
The testimony of Mahalia Sanderson county So. On that day of December 1833. personally ap- -peared before the county court of Sand County William Reading a resident citizen of said county aged about seventy five years of age being first sworn. according to law doth on his oaths make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed the 7th of June 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the month of February in the year being the year which came under Surryland. That he enlisted in the State of Virginia Charlotte County and at Charlotte Courthouse as above stated under captain Thomas Street for the term of eighteen months in the Regiment commanded as well as he recited by Col Mathew Calk but of the Regi- -ment or its number he is not certain that was mustered into service at Charlotte Courthouse in February as aforesaid - was marched to Blandford near Peter's burg, remained there about four months, as a result he now recites. From there they were marched to Gold Hill or Hampton - never remained there. Saw him 3 or 4 months

from them they were ordered to march to Little Fork and arrived there two days after the Surrender of Cornwallis - and soon after the Surrender of Cornwallis he was discharged and returned home. He received a written discharge. But the same
has long since been lost. while saying as Col. Fry or Sitton in his narrative he was placed under the com- mand of Captain Joseph Gage. His former captain's threat having been absent from him cause to this petition unknown.
He has no documentary evidence by which he can prove his services. Nor does he know of any living witnesses by whom he can prove the same.
He states that he served nine months & was expecting to have served out his time of enlistment but was discharged by order (as he understood) of the commander in chief. He was acquainted with Col. Edmond, and Col. Scott who was in the Army

the Great Falls of June. his advanced age and causes unit, loss of memory puts it out of his power to give the particulars of the massacres of Troops or name of officers or the members of Regiment.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pen- sion except or an annuity whatever except the present, and he declares his name is not on the Pension Roll of any army of any State. Sworn to and Subscribed in open court this 1 st day of December 1833. W m Readon J. C. Pisey Judge
And the court pronounced the interrogatories as presented by the war department to which he answers as follows to The first he answers. he was born in Charlotte County State of Virginia in the year of 1757 - To the second he answers he has no record. But does exist in the family Bible owned by his father at the time of his death which is same where in the State of Virginia To third. answers he was living in Charlotte County Virginia at the time in 1808. removed to South Carolina remained there 18 years & then

To the 3rd State of Alabama Lauderdale County where he now resides. But has resided two years in Simms Hardeman County To the 4th refer to his narrative
To the 5th he refers to his narrative
To the 6th he refers to his narrative
To the 7th he refers to John Chisholm Esq. John J. Wilson Esq. the Reverend Henry Garand. Matthew Wilson and Col. Joseph Huff -
J. C. Posey Judge W. M. Read
me whose names are hereunto annexed do certify that we have been acquainted with William Read ing who has signed the foregoing declaration -
We believe him to be about Seventy Six years of age, that he is beloved and respected in the neighborhood
where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & we concur in that opinion that he has subscribed to the affidavit of John Chisholm
J. C. Posey Judge Matthew Wilson

I Henry Garrard a citizen of the county of Lawrence in said county do certify that I have been acquainted with William Reading who has signed the foregoing declaration. He is respected & beloved in the neighborhood where he resides I have been a soldier of the revolution and I concur in that opinion
Sworn to & subscribed before me Henry Garrard in open court this 5 th day of December 1833.
S. C. Posey Judge
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolution-
ary soldier & served as he states. and the said court furtherly that to high description within the act of 1831 Garrard & whose affidavits are annexed are respectable & respectable
to be believed. S. C. Posey Judge of the court.
The State of Alabama Lauderdale County S.S. I William W. Garvard clerk of the county court of said county do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William Reading
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said county at my office in Florence this 5 th day of December 1833 W. W. Garvard, Clerk

The State of Alabama Fayette County S.S. I Hervey C. Posey Judge of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that William W. Lanier whose name appears to the foregoing certificate is now and was then Clerk of said County Court duly commissioned and qualified in such Office under my hand at my Chamber in Florence this 5 th day of December 1838
J. C. Posey Judge

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
County of Lawrence ss.
On this Seventeenth day of December 183 8 , before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Lawrence personally appeared William Reading who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Futaway in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Waddleton in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Virginia  Alabama from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the State (District, or Territory,) of Tennessee where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from Alabama to Tennessee , 1 st and principally to live with his son, who resides in Tennessee
Sworn and subscribed to before me, } the day and year aforesaid. }
Wm Reading Wm Dickson Justice of the Peace for Lawrence County Tennessee
The oath to be taken before a duly qualified Magistrate, whose official character and signature must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The County Clerk, Secretary of State, or some other officer, must certify, under his seal of office, that the officer who administered the oath is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, Mayor, Alderman, or Notary Public, as the case may be, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
The oath must be supported by the testimony of some respectable person, as to the pensioner's identity. He must swear that the person who has taken the above oath is the person described in the affidavit. The Magistrate must certify that the witness is a person of veracity; and the affidavit must also be authenticated in the manner above directed.

State of Tennessee Lawrence County
Personally appeared before me H. W. McVay , Sam. Dickson
for said county H. W. McVay
a person of veracity and respectability, with whom I am acquainted, who being duly sworn, deposes that he is acquainted with William Redding, a Revolutionary Pensioner, who is the identical person named in the within affidavit, who is now making application to be transferred to Pulaski
before me the 17th day of December 1838
H. W. McVay
Sam. Dickson; Justice of the peace for Lawrence County
State of Tennessee & I, Charles Hicks Clerk of the Lawrence County & County Court of said County, do hereby certify that Sam. Dickson whose signature appears to the within foregoing affidavit is an acting Justice of the peace for the County of Lawrence & State of Tennessee duly commissioned, and that his signature thereto are genuine, given under my hand and private seal when being no seal of office, at Office this 17 th day of December 1838
Charles Hicks Clerk
By Sam. Dickson J.P.

30.95 a William Readus Alabama.
9 f 1700 p 92. f 30.
W. W. Garrison Florence Alabama

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Mr. Reading
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     1780 9 Col Wheat Col Bell on Roll State line. Traditions not certified to be credible by the cont.  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of } On this            day of            personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of            in the county of            and State, Territory or District of            aged (c)            years, who 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, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)            , with            and served in the            (e) regiment of the            line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I            of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of            for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of            &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the            and C. D. residing in (the same)            , who has hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with            , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the            and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the            and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,            Clerk of the Court of            do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this            day of            &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
 6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served, otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, Rev. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____ and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which such applicant served, and the particular unit he held as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the terms, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served, the duration of each term of engagement, the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served within an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not engaged in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the case of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Your letter of the 2nd instant is Mr. William Reading, pensioner under the act of 7 June '32 at $30. per ann. was paid up to the 4th Sept. last. His voucher receipt will appear in our return for quarter en- -ding 30 th Ult. which will be sent in a few days - is now ready but detained a few days to obtain clerks certificates to two or three vouchers - Respectfully H. Brown Jr. agt P.P. May Jr.

Resolution
21439
INVALID.
File No. 21439
William Lloyd 1878
Act: June 11 1878
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 335
[Arrangement of 1870]

May 14
General R. S. April 29
She
Must return
J. L. Edwards Comr. of Pensions Washington D.C.

Blountville Lawrence Co. Tn
April 24 th 1839
Sir
Mr H William Reading a Revolutionary Pensioner of this County, formerly of Lauderdale Co Ala, has applied some months since for a transfer of his pension from Decatur to Pulaski, and the instructions in that case regularly complied with, and some time since forwarded to the department - He has had no information on the subject since - is a very old, infirm man, and not able to write himself and requests that his transfer may be made as soon as may be recd convenient - if not yet done and him notified of the facts by letter to this office
With Respect
H. Buchanan
J. Edwards Com. div

Sir
I enclose you the papers of Mrs Cockron. I hope you will order the same to be paid. You will find among the papers Mrs Cockron's receipt, which also has sent as directed by her friends
Yours
J. Manser

William Reading Ala - 7 th June 1832 $30
To what time last paid
Pension Office p 24 Sep 1837 11. April 1839 = 214

J. L. Edwaras Esq. Pulaski Jan'y 21 st 1839
Sir
I send enclosed my Resignation for a transfer to this office
Yrs
Mary Martin Agone

Ms. B. 1. 6 v. 2, p. 2
J. L. Canard Esq. Commission of Pensions. Washington City D. C.

30.952

Have a dup Certified
J. L. Edwards, Esq., Comm r of Pensions, Washington D.C.
Hon. G. S. Houston W.R.

Application for a New Certificate.
The State of Alabama } Lauderdale County } ss.
This 23 rd day of February, 1844, before me, the Subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared William Reading, who upon his oath declared that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the com- pany commanded by Capt. Thomas Threat, in the regiment commanded by Colonel M c Cl e llan ton, in the service of the United States, in the Rev- olutionary War; that his name was placed upon the pension roll of the State of Virginia; that he received a certificate of that fact, under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War; that the said certificate was, on, or about, the first day of September, 1842, lost out of his pos- session; that the same has never since been recovered and found; that he has not since the loss of said certificate drawn his pension; and that, in consequence of the loss of the same, he is still unable to do so.
Sworn to & subscribed } before me, } this 23 rd day of Feb. 1844 } B. F. Haysan J P
Wm Reading

The State of Alabama Lauderdale County 3 S.S.
This 23rd day of February, 1844, before me, the undersigned, a justice of the peace in & for the county aforesaid, personally appeared Joseph Big- ger who, on his oath, declared that he knows Wil- iam Reading, the affiant, mentioned in the affidavit hereto annexed, that the said affi- ant is a very old & infirm man; that he has known him for many years to have had a certificate as a Resolutionary Soldier, and to have drawn a pension as such. The affiant further saith that, although he cannot identify the said William Reading, (of his own personal knowledge) with all the circum- stances & facts set out in the affidavit of him (the said William Reading) yet he believes him to be the person therein described.
Sworn to and subscribed
J. Bigger
Before me B. F. Keenan J.P.
This 23rd day of Feb. 1844
J. Benjamin D. Robertson, a justice of the peace, before whom the foregoing affidavit was made, do hereby certify that the affiant - Joseph Bigger is a gentleman of unquestionable veracity.
Given under my hand & seal this 23rd day of February, 1844.
B. F. Keenan J.P.

The State of Alabama Lauderdale County 3 rd S.S.
I, Wiley J. Hawkins, Clerk of the County Court of the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that Benjamin F. Hoxie, before whom the affidavits herewith employed were taken, whose official signature is thereunto affixed, is a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, and that he was lawfully sworn in his official capacity as such when the said affidavits were before him made. Given under my hand, and seal of office, this 23 rd day of February, 1844.
W. J. Hawkins Clk
The State of Alabama 3 rd S.S. Luther J. Hester, sole Judge of the Lauderdale County County Court for the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Wiley J. Hawkins whose name is signed the foregoing certificate is and was at the time of signing the same Clerk of the said County Court, duly elected and qualified, and that his certificate is in due form of law and by the proper officer. Given under my hand this 23 rd day of February 1844 L. J. Hester Judge of Lauderdale County Court Ala

Hon. McGuam
E. S. Shields Washington D.C.
for E. J. Shields H.R.
27.637

Lawrenceburg Mo 13 th Sept. 1837
Dr Sir
William Reading, an old revolutionary Pensioner under the act of 1832, and formerly a citizen of Lauderdale County Ala, but now a resident of this county, wishes his place for receiving his payments, changed from Decatur Ala. to Pulaski Mo; Please make this known in the proper manner to the Commissioner of Pensions; He puts great confidence in your ability & will to serve him. On yesterday morning we received the President's message - I am very Reply
Yr. f. H. Buchanan
Hon E. J. Shilts

31 Laurensburg Va  Free 17 Octr
W. C. Edwards Esqr Commr. Pensions Washington D.C.
No Evan

Lawrence County Tennessee 15 th Oct. 1838 The Commissioners of Pensions Sir
I have heretofore been receiving my Pension at Roanoke Ala. but in consequence of the distance I reside from there, and the uncertainties of receiving it in specie, when I might get there, I am anxious to have my name transferred to the agency at Pulaski Hills Co. Va. which will be much more convenient to me than at Roanoke.
I have made an effort heretofore for that purpose, but have not been successful. Will I know of
Very Reply
To E. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
Yours V. his William X. Readings Mark
attest H. Buchanan