Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5438, for George Oakley, Virginia

SERVICE
NUMBER
via Bus Service
Oakley, George Susannah
N 5438
CONTENTS
[Faint, illegible handwriting on lined paper]
[Faint, illegible handwriting on lined paper]

2
2567 West Tennessee
Susannah Oakley widow of George Oakley deceased who died on the 9th September 1824 of Smith Co in the State of Tenn. who was a Private in the Compa. commanded by Captain Payne of the Regt. commanded by Col. Gibson in the V.A. line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tenn. at the rate of 80 Dollars  Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 th day of Mar. 1839 and Sept. 4. Fergusson Carthage Ten.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar. 39, $40.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept. " 40.00 $680.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 rd }
Recorded by W. Addison Clerk, Book 7 Vol. 2 d Page 181

4,825
Roll of Tennessee
George Oakley
Private
Virginia Line
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of Tennessee
at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 28 th of April 1812
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th of December 1810 and sent to Alfred M. Harris Esq. Judge Lebanon, Tennessee
Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1810. 4 m s & 30 d. 33:86 semi-ann. all ce ending 4 th March 1819 48: —
$ 81:86
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
31 years
Not continental
Wilson Co Tenn
m P

Carthage Tennessee 30th October 1838
Sir
Inclosed you will find the amended declaration of Susanah Oakley and the affidavit of her oldest Son. I rely very much on this testimony as I have attended at her Sons house at which place she now resides. Her Son is a man of character and firmness and would not state an untruth for twenty Such Pensions. When she made her first Declaration she seemed positive as to dates and relied on her memory alone she was then living to herself with a small grandchild on a small dower of land that lies in Smith County. She had not power to affect her and it will not be thought very unreasoning I trust that a woman of her age should be mistaken twelve or fifteen months in the date of her marriage. She now lives with her Son and since the time of her first declaration being made have considered it and her Son being a man of strong memory has convinced the old Lady that she was married in March 1780. This testimony will I think corroborate with all previous testimony and I hope will be conclusive. The old Lady requests me to say to you that she considers the claim established and to ask of you to allow it as soon as practicable.
Very Respectfully
A. H. Ferguson
Darius L. Edwards Esqr Commissioner of Pensions

State of Tennessee
Wilson County
On this 13 th Day of October 1838 personally appeared before me William Lawrence one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for said County. Susanah Oakley widow of George Oakley and made oath in due form of law that in addition to what she has heretofore stated in her former declaration for further explanation says That she has no record or documentary evidence in support of her claim; and for answer as to what circumstances induced her to state precisely the day of the month and year in which she was married in her former declaration she answers and says That she recollected it was the middle of the month the day they were married They had travelled some distance to meet Parson Dade Dade and he married them near a place called New Gate she thinks in Loudon County they both lived at that time in Loudon but they might have met Parson Dade near the line of an adjoining County and as to the date of 1778 she expects she was mistaken about the age of her oldest son who has since conversed with her and at whose house she now lives she thought he was a year older than he is she recollected too that the weather was not cold and believed and thought it must have been September. The circumstances under which she is guided are the services of her husband and the ages of her children all of which she has endeavoured to retain by memory as correctly as she could. She recollects at the time of Cornwallis being at Little York that her husband wrote home that they had him (Cornwallis) as safe as a hen in a coop. She recollects in the last hour he served as a militia man which was three months.

William Oakley his oldest Son was a Small Sucking child when he came home he had served two tours or was called out twice and served after the Marriage. She thinks that he was drafted as he had served a great many years before the Marriage and after the Marriage he served as often as he was called upon. The husband was a man who could write very well but never set down the ages of any of his children through neglect she supposed and that is the reason she is has to rely entirely upon her memory. He served no time of service after Cornwallis was taken and now having given the most of the particulars as she has recollected them she is advised it is not material further to say
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year first above written
William Oakley
State of North Carolina I hereby certify that William Oakley was born January 26 th in the year of our Lord 1781
Catharine Waters was born November 20 th in the year of our Lord 1790
William Oakley & Catharine Waters were married before December 25 th in the year of our Lord 1806
Said and made oath in due form of law that about thirty years ago he set down his own age and the age of his wife on the part of the leaf hereto annexed That he set down his own age in strict accordance with the statements and under the direction of his father and he has no doubt whatever but the same is correct which shows that in January one

William Oakley her oldest Son was a Small Sucking child when he came home he had served two tours a was called out seven and served after the Marriage, thruway She thinks he was drafted as he had served a great many years before the Marriage and after the Marriage he served as often as he was called upon. Her husband was a man who could write very well but never set down the ages of any of his children through neglect she sup- poses and that is the reason she is has to rely entirely upon her memory. He served no time of service after Cornwallis was taken and now having given the most of the particulars as she has recollected them she is advised it is not neces- -sary further to say
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year first above written
William Lawrence justice of the peace
Susannah Oakley Mark
State of Tennessee Wilson County } On this day personally appeared William Oakley before me William Lawrence one of the Justices of the peace in and for the county of Said and made oath in due form of law that about thirty years ago he set down his own age and the age of his wife on the part of the leaf hereto annexed That he set down his own age in strict accordance with the State ments and under the direction of his father and he has no doubt whatever but the same is correct which shows that in January and

he will be 58 years of age this is from what he always heard from his father and Mother ever since he recollects any thing This affiant is the oldest child of George and Susanah Oakley he recollects distinctly that his father in his life time frequently told him and his mother also that they had been married ten months previous to the time he was born which fixed the Period of the Marriage of George and Susanah Oakley his father and Mother to be in March Seventeen hundred and eighty. This affiant believes this to be the true Statement of the Period for proof of which he refers to the marriage record of his own age and the age of his wife which he set down about thirty years ago and while his father was living This affiant has heard his father in his lifetime frequently speak of his tours of service and particularly he recollects his saying that he served one or two tours after the marriage; he has heard him and one Daniel Edmonds talk over the last tour of service while he lived in Virginia upwards of thirty years ago he has no hesitation in saying from the above circumstances that they were married in March 1780 and that his father served one or two tours of service after the marriage
Sworn to and subscribed before me This 13 th Day of October 1868
William Lawrence W. Lawrence William Oakley W. Oakley Justice of the peace

State of Tennessee Wilson County 3
I William Lawrence one of the acting Justices of the Peace for the county and State aforesaid do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with William Oakley who has made the foregoing affidavit before me That he is a Man of truth and veracity and that full faith and credit are due his statements and further that he is a man of good reputation and stands high in the estimation of his acquaintances
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal this 13 th day of October 1858
William Lawrence Justice of the Peace
State of Tennessee Wilson County 3 I Joseph L McClain clerk of the County Court of said Wilson County hereby certify that William Lawrence whose name is subscribed to the foregoing affidavits and certificate is and was an acting Justice of the Peace for said County and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of office at office this 29 th day of October 1858
J. L. McClain

V3299
Susanna Oakley Tennessee
admitted R 2 72 780
March 21
A Ferguson Cartwright

State of Tennessee
Wilson County
On this day personally appeared Lydia Reader a President of Wilson County before me James Young one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid and made oath in due form of law that she was then well acquainted with George Oakley and Susanah his wife they lived in Shenandoah County Virginia from the best of her recollection she has been acquainted with them fifty years. When she first recollects of seeing them they had two or three children the oldest was at least seven or eight years of age. She thinks they must have been married about 1777 or 8 but cannot be certain. She is satisfied they were married some time before the time when Cornwallis was taken. She has the most satisfactory evidence of the legality of their marriage and is well satisfied that the said George Oakley served one or two tours of three months after they were married. This affiant has known them ever since that period and has never married since the death of the said George Oakley and still remains a widow.
Sworn to and subscribed before me This 9th day of December 1837
James Young Justice of the peace
her Lydia Reader mark

State of Pennsylvania Smith County
I John I Burnett clerk of the County Court of said Smith County hereby certify that Jonathan I Starr before whom the within Declaration of Intention was made, was at the time the same was so made, a true and lawful Notary Public in and for said County of Smith, duly Commissioned and qualified according to law.
In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of office at office, this 14 th day of Dec 1837 / 62 nd Year of American Independence
John I Burnett clerk of Smith County Court

State of Tennessee
Nelson County
I James Young one of the acting Justices of the Peace for the County and State aforesaid hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Lydia Steele who has this day made the foregoing affidavit before me that she is a woman of respectability and truth and that full faith and credit is and of right ought to be given to her statements
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 9th day of December 1837
J. B. Young (Seal) Justice of the Peace
State of Tennessee
Nelson County
I Joseph H. McClain Clerk of the County Court of said Nelson County, hereby certify that James Young and William Lawrence Jr. are acting Justices of the Peace in said County as stated in the foregoing affidavits and certificates and that their signatures thereto are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of office this 11th day of January 1838
J. H. McClain

State of Tennessee Smith County
On this 14 th day of December in the year 1837 personally appeared before me Jonathan S. Hare one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid Susanah Oakley a resident of the County of Smith and State of Tennessee aged Seventy Nine years Who Who being first duly Sworn according to law Hath on her oath Make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision in made by the act of Congress passed July the 4 th 1836 That She is the Widow of George Oakley Who was a Pensioner of the United States and drew his Pension in Nashville State of Tennessee for Services rendered during the War of the Revolution
She further Declares that She was married to the said George Oakley on the fifteenth day of September Seventeen hundred and Seven ty Eight by David That her husband the aforesaid George Oakley died on the 9 th day of September 1824 and that She has rem- ained a Widow ever since that Period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed She further States that her husband served two terms of three months each as after the Period of their Marriage one of which was at the taking of Cornwallis at Battle Creek They lived at that time in Loudoun or Shen- andoah County Virginia Sworn to and Sub- scribed before me the day and year last above mentioned J. S. Hare (J. S. Hare) Susanah Oakley Justice of the peace

State of Tennessee Smith County
I Jonathan L Hare one of the acting Justices of the Peace for the county of Smith and State of Tennessee hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Susanah Oakley widow of George Oakley That She is a woman of respect ability and truth and that full faith and credit are due and of right ought to be given to her Statements
I further certify that from old age and bodily infirmity She is unable to attend the court house in order to make this declaration in open court
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
Set My hand and affixed my Seal
this 17 th Day of December 1837
J. L. Hare J.P.
Justice of the peace
State of Tennessee Wilson County
On this day personally appear- ed William Lawrence a resident of the county aforesaid aged Seventy five years before me William Lawrence one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for the county of Wilson and State aforesaid and made oath in due form of law that he was well acquainted with George Oakley and and Susanah Oakley for the last fifty years Their acquaintance commenced in Shenandoah County Virginia They had been married about Seven or eight years before he knew them the oldest son William Oakley was then about Six years of age They had a daughter whose name was Nancy. This affiant knows and believes that the

Said George Oakley was a Soldier of the Revolution from the most satisfactory information He is well satisfied that they were legally married They were married in Loudoun County about Six miles from where this affiant lived This affi- ant and the said Oakley from their intimacy has talked over their Service in the War of the Revolution divers times until each was familiar with the Services of the other There can be therefore no doubt but they were legally married before the War of the Revolution terminated and before he served his last hour of Service Wm Oakley the oldest Son lives at this time a neighbor to this affiant. He thinks he was also in the first of his Service an enlisted Soldier and thinks it was for three years
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 8th Day of December 1837
William Lawrence Jr Justice of the peace for Wilson County
William Lawrence
State of Tennessee Wilson County
On this day personally appeared Moses Allen a Pensioner of the United States and a resident of Wilson Smith County before me William Lawrence Jr one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for the county and State aforesaid and made oath in due form of law that he was well acquainted with George Oakley and Susanah Oakley his wife his first acquaint- ance with them was in Shenandoah County in Virginia They had lived in Loudoun County adjoin- ing This affiant has known them personally for the last fifty years he thinks when he first saw them they had several children and the oldest was about seven or eight

years of age This affiant has been intimately acquainted with both of them This affiant was well acquainted with Parson Dade the preacher who married them he was Chaplain to the army and belonged to the 3rd Virginia Regiment This affiant has no hesitation in saying that they were legally married before the last period of the last services of the said George Oakley he served from the best information one or two hours of service after they had been married The marriage was never called in question nor should it at this period as this affiant has the most satisfactory evidence of its legality
Sworn to and subscribed before me This 8th Day of December 1857
William Lawrence Jr. Moses Allen Clerk Justice of the peace for Wilson County
I William Lawrence one of the acting Justices of the Peace for the county of Wilson  Smith , and State of Tennessee do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with William Lawrence and Moses Allen who have this day made oath to the foregoing affidavits That they are men of respectability and truth and that full faith and credit is and of right should be given to their statements Given under my hand and Seal this 8th Day of December 1857
William Lawrence Jr. Justice of the peace

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 5438
Susannah Oakley Wid.
George Oakley Rev. Am. line
Act: July 4 th 36, sec. 3 d
Index:—Vol. 16 , Page 94
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Susanna Oakley Tennessee
Suspended
See let. 25 th May 1838 A. Ferguson

Carthage Tennessee 1 st March 1838
Sir
Inclosed are the letters from the clerks of Hancock Prince William and Stafford counties in relation to the marriage record of George and Susanah Oakley the papers in behalf of the said Susanah were sent to you some time ago I had written to all of the above counties and the enclosed letters are the answers received. I have not heard from London County although I do not expect it is there that County having been formed from the adjoining ones at a later Period. I would therefore request the favour of you to write to London as it is so near you in the State of Virginia and ascertain whether Oakleys Marri- age is in the clerks office of that county. If it is not there I presume it cannot be obtained and the Period of Marriage must rest on such proof as you may be willing to admit Should there be any additional proof wanted, by reference to the Declaration of Susanah Oakley and the testa- mony of Mollie Allen in her favour you will see that Parson Dade is the clergyman spoken of as having married them he was Chaplain to the 3 rd Virginia Regiment. I am in great hopes that no further testimony will be necessary
With great Respect
I am Dear Sir yours &c A. H. Ferguson
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Bombilla Va 27th Dec 1
25
A. Ferguson Esq. Carthage Tennessee
single pr. mail

Brentsville Rapp. Co. Virginia } December 26. 1837 }
Dear Sir
Yours of the 12 th inst. came to hand this morning; in compliance with which I have examined the records of my office; and I hereby certify that I have not been able to find "the original marriage record of George Oakley and Susanah his wife" — It may be proper also to state that our "Marriage Register" commences in 1785. — command my services at all times — Very respectfully
very respectfully Your Obedt. Servt.
J. Williams
A. Magnusson Esq.
P.S. Perhaps the desired evidence in relation to Oakley's marriage may be found in Stafford County. J.W.

Warrington C. & A. Jan'y 13
A. Ferguson Esq. Earlham Norfolk
per Mr. ... at ...

Leicester Court Street January 2 nd 1828
Sir I have examined the records of this office, but cannot find any thing of the marriage of Peter Oakley - Our record of marriages does not go back further than 1780
I have had frequent communication from different persons for Certificate of old marriages, & have made many enquiries for the records previous to that date, I am under the impression that they were kept in the churches & since the change of time, place and manner of keeping them, the Books of said churches have been destroyed
Very Respectfully Yours A. B. M ch Ld.

Stafford (Home) 3 Feb 14 th 1838 3
95
A. Ferguson Esq Carthage Kennebec

Stafford House - Feb 14 th 1838
Sir /
I have examined with care & can find no evidence of marriage on the records of my office of George Samuel Ochler
It would afford me great pleasure to aid the old Lady in obtaining her pension to which she is no doubt entitled, but the evidence is not here nor do I know that Dade was even a Minister of this Parish - perhaps (from the name,) it may have been in Prince William -
Yours respectfully & etc Rev. P. H. Conway

Lebanon Tenn April 29 th
Free
Supplied for Pension rolls
The Hon ble The Secretary of War of the United States of America
Washington City
Advised
on roll Sergt Infy.

To the Honorable, the Secretary of War, for the United States of America.
Your petitioner George Oakley of the County of Nelson, in the State of Tennessee, humbly states that he is of the age of sixty five years, indigent infirm, and not able from his age & other infirmities, to gain to himself a support. That he served a soldier in the Revolutionary war, between the governments of Great Britain & the thirteen United States, in the following manner, & for the term herein after specified. In the first place, your petitioner enlisted under Capt. Simon Triplett of Loudoun County Virg. in the marine service and marched from thence to Alexandria, in which service he remained, nearly twelve months, - On being released, from said service, he enlisted under Capt. William Payne of Fairfax County, Virginia, in the marine service, and was placed on board the United States Sloop of War, the Scorpion, under Capt. Wright Mansergh, in which last service he remained nearly twelve months longer, until he was discharged therefrom, at Norfolk in Virginia. Being discharged from said last enlistment, your petitioner, again enlisted in the service of the United States, under the aforesaid Capt. Payne for the term of three years, and was placed in the First Virginia State Regiment, under Colonel George Nelson, when your petitioner, marched in said Regiment to the North & joined Genl. William Lynch's Brigade at Valley Forge: Your petitioner having served his term of three years, was discharged by his Colonel at Philadelphia: which said discharge your petitioner has long since lost. Subsequent to your petitioner's last discharge, he served two short terms

in the militia service. During the service of your petitioner, as aforesaid, he accidentally had his arms broke. For all his aforesaid services, your petitioner, received from his government, the sum of  some Continental money, which was never of any service to your petitioner.
Your petitioner, fought at the battles of Mon- mouth, & Stony Point.
The above statements of facts, your petitioner not prove, by any individual in the State of Tennessee that he knows of: or by any of his aforesaid com- manding officers, of whose existence or death he knows not: or of any of whose place of residence he knows not.
From the above statements, your petitioner , trusts he may be placed on the Pension List, according to the late act of Congress, & that he may receive such support & allowance, as by said law, he may be entitled to.
Your petitioner relinquishes all other pensions or right of pensions he may have against the United States
George Oakley

State of Tennessee
Wilson County
This day George Oakley personally appeared before me, Alfred Harris, one of the Judges of the Circuit Courts of Law & Equity for the State of Tennessee, and made oath, that the matters & things, contained, and in the above petition, are true & correct to the best of his memory and belief. Which I, Alfred Harris, as aforesaid, believe to be true, therefore I do hereby certify the same. Given under my hand and seal This 28th April 1818.
George Oakley
Alfred H. Harris Judge of the 6th Judicial Circuit of the State of Tennessee
State of Tennessee Fourth Circuit
Wilson County, Circuit Court. April Term 1818
I, Harry L. Douglass clerk of the circuit court of the county aforesaid, do certify that Alfred H. Harris esquire before whom the foregoing statement of George Oakley was proved in at this time in the sixth judicial circuit of the courts of law & equity in the State of Tennessee now pending in the fourth circuit of said State.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed my private seal (having no seal of office) the 28th day of April 1818
H. L. Douglass