Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 960, William Brabston, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Brabston, William
W. 960
May, Mary
B.L. Wt. 180-100
(Former Widow)
CONTENTS

3102
Set for W. McAnally 10 June 1852
Deposited
Jan'y 16/49
Tennessee Knoxville
Mary May widow of M c Brabston
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private Virginia line.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 811 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the day of Jan'y 1849 and sent to
Hon J. A. Cagler H of R
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 296 Vol. 3

Pay!
Declaration
State of Tennessee } ss Granger County } ss
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 23 rd of August 1842 granting half pay and pension to certain widows.
On this 22 nd day of March 1847 personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace Mrs Mary M c formal ly Mary Bratton a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged seventy eight years on the 4 th day of May next who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed August 23 rd 1842 amending of the act of July 7 th 1838 and provides that the second marriage shall be no bar to the claimant under that act she being a widow at the time she makes application for a pension That she was formal ly the widow of William Bratton who was a soldier in the Continental line of Virginia in the war of the Revolution She further declares that she was married to the said W m Bratton in the County of Wythe and of Virginia on the 10 th day of August 1788 That her husband the aforesaid W m Bratton died on the 9 th day February 1801 That he entered the service of the United States as she understood from him about the commencement of the war of the Revolution and served to the close of the same she further declares that the place turn to page 3 d

2 State of Tennessee Granger County, ss
I Edward Tate Clerk of the County Court of Granger County do hereby certify that the foregoing proceedings are the original proceedings had and approved of by the County Court of Granger County at its April term 1847 relative to the application of Mary Mary formerly Mary Bratton to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress relative to Revolutionary pensions And I further certify that the aforesaid Parrott Godwin is and was a justice of the peace for said County duly commissioned and qualified according to law and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Office in "Pulaski" this 10 th Day of April 1847
Edward Tate Clerk

3 of his enlistment she is not positive but thinks from what she had him say it was in the County of Frederick and State of Virginia and as to the Officers he served under with the exception of Gen Wood they have escaped her memory and from the fact of her hus- band the aforesaid W m Brabston warning one of his Daughters after the death of Gen Wood and he informed that it was in respect to his old command and this made a lasting impression on her mind she further declares that in the year of 1799 in company with her husband the aforesaid W m Brabston she visited the the City of Richmond Virginia for the purpose of ob- taining a military Pension and she well recollects that her husband was examined as to his eligibility by Dr Foucha and she is strongly under the impression that he was placed on the Pension rolls and made an order before his death she refers the Department to the certificate of Brig Gen Wood also to his will attested by Andrew Bayle Esq Wythe County Virginia she further declares that when she had her husband the aforesaid W m Brabston say that he lay at the Albemarle barracks was in the battle of Brandywine and at the siege of Yorktown Virginia she further declares that she inter- married with Peter May March 3 rd 1804 and that her last husband Peter May died on the 14 th day of March 1845 she further declares that she was not married to her first husband the aforesaid W m Brabston prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January Seventeen

4 hundred and thirty four viz at the time above stated she also refers the Deponent to her Family and
Mary her Mark
I swear to you I subscribed in the day and year above written before me a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid and I further certify that the said Mrs Mary Mark is from bodily infirmity unable to attend Court and I further certify that the family record concerning this declaration was taken from Mrs Mary Marks Family Bible and I believe it to be the true record of the birth of her Children In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
Herbert Goddard
Justice of the peace
State of Pennsylvania ) Grange County ) I hereby certify that Richard H. Smith Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and Second District for said County and State of Pennsylvania is an acting Justice of the peace and qualified according to the laws of the State of Pennsylvania and that his signature appears on his own acknowledgment.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at office in Pottsville the 6 th Day of April 1847
Edward T. Clark

Isabel Scott Branson the daughter of William and Mary Branson was born May the 9 th 1889 William Buckhannon Branson was born January the 20 th 1894
Vinston was born April 11
1809
John April 6
1811

John May was
Born January the 5 th 1836
James May was Born 1840 March the 31 th

to test John B. Beth Daniel M c Kinny

Wythe County Select, February 13 th 1801. This day: Halbert Wilson and John Black came before me Andrew Boyd a Justice of the peace for said County and made Oath on the Holy Evangelists that they were waiting of William Pratts Sale of this County dec d which was on the 9 th Instant, and that he called them to his Bedside and said that the Land Warrant which he expected that Col o Abram Trigg would bring up for his Soldiering he allowed that to be sold and pay of his Debts and the Land he then lived on he allowed to his Wife during her Life to live thereon, Sworn to before me the day & Year above written before me.
Halbert Wilson
John Black
Andrew Boyd

N 13331
Mary May Jew.
Set to Rev. J. H. Cuzen May 11 '47 " " Same Sept 8 " to Same July 15 '48
act 7 July 1838

8396. Knr. Tennessee
Reprinted
Mary May Jay widow of Wm. Friston who was a Private in the Revolution Harlan Co. Ky Feb. 1801
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars —
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 19 day of August, 1848, and sent to Hon. J. H. Crozier Member of Congress
[Acts of March 3, 1843, and June 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book 6 Vol. 2 Page 194.

10491
Reported
Tennessee
Mary May, formerly Widow of Tom Brabston who was a pensioner under the Act of — and who died on the 9th Feb 1801. of Sanger in the State of Tenn who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain — of the Regt. commanded by — in the Revolution for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Knoxville at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 day of August, 1848 and sent to Hon. J. H. Gregory Member of Congress Total amount, $
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by Thos Rutherford Clerk, Book L Vol. 1 Page 357.

Knoxville April 8 th 1847
Dr Sir
Will you be good enough to send this declaration of Mrs. May's to Washington and ask an official examination of the same
Hon John H. Crozier.
oblig- Jacob Brannan

10
Jacob Newman Esq. Knoxville Tennessee.

Montgomery Co. Penna. U.S.
June 23 rd 1847.
Dear Sir.
I received your letter of the 17 th instant, on the subject of the marriage of Mrs. Mary May, (formerly Mary Bratton, and have made diligent search for records evidence of her marriage). and hasten to inform you that I can find no evidence or records in this office of any description, to establish such marriage.
I am Sir
Your most ob st . serv t .
R. D. Montague

Knoxville May 1 st 48
Sir
I enclose additional testimony in the claim of your and Neighbor Mrs Mary May also a former witness in the claim the present testimony overcomes the former difficulty The will I found in possession of Mrs May last year, I sent to N o to ascertain whether it ever had been admitted to record but it had not Mrs Mays Affidavit explains the reason
John J Bethel's affidavit encompasses the before he is personally known to you he stands as high as any man in Tennessee for truth I rely in this claim on his and the family and attached to his declaration I wish you to pay the papers of this as Mrs May is in great need
Hon Wm M Cook
Yours With Respect Jacob Nelson

W m Jacob Newman Dr Sir,
Wytheville June 17th 47
A letter from you to Mr Jos Fruslow of this place of date the 5 th inst has been shown me -
Capt Mathews Clerk of this County also showed me a letter he had received from you some 15 days since he also answered it & gave you all the information that was to be had in his office - I had made the search there & finding nothing had determined on making a search in Montgomery that being the County from which Wythe was taken - The manuscript will I have and I am very certain it is of no value never having been recorded - As to the evidence of marriage that may be found in the Montgomery office but of that I have great doubt, the offices were loosely & badly kept in this country 50 & 60 years ago by.
If I can learn anything I will promptly communicate it - As you wish the will returned as in your letter to Mr Fruslow - I herewith enclose it or rather have handed it Mr. Fruslow who will append a further note -
Yours O bl Servt Harold Smythe

Myrtleville Pa. June 17 1847 Rev. Freeman Dear Sir
I rec d your letter would have answered it sooner but for the absence of Col. H. Smythe from town I enclose you the Will handed me by him as to the dollar he says it was wasted long since in the search at this office I also en d a letter of the Clerk of this county - and he says no such will is on record in this office
I'm Waste Yours Respectfully J. B. Brubaker

Bank of Virginia,
June 28. 1847.
Sir
In reply to your letter of the 20. inst. I state that the Invalid Pensioners of the United in Virginia were not paid at the Bank of Virginia till September 1836, at which time I do not find that the name of William Brobston, the soldier mentioned by you, was on the list of those pensioners. Before that period they were paid at the Branch Bank of the United States in this place. If William Brobston was ever pensioned as an Invalid Pensioner, the fact can be known upon application at the Pension Office in Washington.
I am, respectfully,
Your obed t Servant,
Ant y Robinson
W m Jacob Newman, Knoxville, Tennessee.

Hen J H Coogan
Pisanti

Knoxville Aug 11 th 1847
Sir
I sent to you the papers containing additional testimony in the case of Mrs Mary May formerly Mrs Brabston and omitted to send the Clerk's certificate of Wight County V o - also two letters one from the Pension agent at Richardson V o at which place I tried to ascertain whether W m Brabston ever had been placed in the pension book as an invalid pensioner Mrs May informs me that in the year 1801 in company with her first husband she visited Richardson V o for the purpose of him obtaining a pension she will include of his receiving a sum of money but whether he obtained the money as a pension or from the Masonic fraternity she is unable to say he W m Brabston be a member of the Lodge - and was at the time in a distitute situation
I also enclose to you a letter from the Clerk of the County Court of Montgomery I thought it probable that the marriage might of taken place in that County as Mrs May lived at the time of her marriage a long way from the Court house
Hen J H Crozier
Yours respectfully Jacob Hurnen

FREE
The Hon.
John M. Cazier.
Washington City

Know all men by these presents that we William Brabston & Adair Rennie are held and firmly bound unto his Excellency the Governor for the time being and his successors in the full sum of £50 current money to the which payment well & truly to be made we bind ourselves our heirs & jointly & severally and firmly by these presents as witness our hands & seals this fifth day of August one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight. The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the above bound William Brabston hath this day obtained license for his marriage with Mary Rennie of full age of this county. Now if there should be no legal cause to obstruct the said marriage then the above obligation to be void or else to remain in full force & virtue.
Sealed & delivered in the presence of us William Brabston Adair Rennie Copy Seals.
Virginia Montgomery County Set
This day Rev. D. Montague personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace and made oath that he holds the office of Clerk of the county court of said county and that the foregoing is a true copy of the original bond on file in his office with the exception of the date which is expressed in said bond in fair legible figures as follows 5 th day of August 1788 and in copying said bond the date is copied as writing.
Subscribed before me by the above named Rev. D. Montague this 1st day of August 1848.
David G. Douthat J.P.
Virginia Montgomery County Set. I Rev. D. Montague clerk of the county court of said county hereby certify that David G. Douthat whose signature is attached to the foregoing certificate is now and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly commissioned & qualified.

and that full faith and credit are due, and ought to be given to all of his official acts. I do further certify that I have examined my office, and have not been able to find any other evidences in relation to the marriage of William Brabston and Mary Reunion. In Witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name & affixed my seal this 1st day of August 1828.
W. D. Montague. Co.

Worthing. Christchurch August 1st 1848.
Dear Sir,
The annexed paper has been enclosed to you, by the direction of Rev. Jacob Newman of Arundel, to be used as evidence in establishing the claim of Mrs. Brabston for a pension.
Respectfully,
W. D. Montague

State of Louisiana Knox County ss
On this 25 th day of July 1847 personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace for said County Mr William Evans aged Seventy Seven years who being first duly sworn according to law doth in his oath make the following Affidavit That he is well acquainted with Mary May formerly Mary Brabston who at this time resides in Granger County in this State as affiant understands he is positive she resided in said County three years ago affiant further declares that the aforesaid Mary May is the identical widow of W m Brabston who was her first husband Affiant further declares that in the year 1792 Seventeen hundred and ninety two he affiant located with his family in Wythe County Virginia at which time William Brabston and Mary May then Mary Brabston were living in the relation of man and wife affiant is positive of the above dates from his own memory and at that time it was reported in the neighborhood that the aforesaid W m Brabston was a soldier of the war of the Revolution
William Evans
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me a justice of the peace for said County and I further certify that I am well acquainted with

William Evans and I have no hesitation in saying that his oath would be taken in any Court in the United States where he is known In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
N. F. G. Fleming Esq. Justice of the peace
State of Tennessee Knox County } ss
I, Sec. H. G. Gooch, Clerk of the County Court of Knox County do hereby certify that N. F. G. Fleming is and was a Justice of the peace for said County duly admitted and qualified according to Law and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Office in Knoxville the 9 th day of August 1847.
Sec. H. G. Gooch, clerk

State of Tennessee ss Granger County } 3
On this 24 th day of April 1848 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for said County Mrs Mary May in the Seventy ninth year of her age who being first duly sworn according to her oath on her oath make the following Affidavit That she is now the widow of Peter May formerly the widow of W m Brabston a dued soldier of the war of the Revolution That her husband the aforesaid W m Brabston died on the 9 th day of February 1801 On the same day of his death he sent for two of his neighbors viz Halbert Elison and John Black and be informed them that he was about to depart this life a dispossess and he wished to dispose of his property which was disposed of agreeable to the will set forth marked A and bearing the signature of John J. Bethune and Daniel M c Kinney Esqr She further declares that she well recollects that her first husband W m Brabston employing Col Abram Trigg to get his Land Warrant from the Government for services rendered by him in the war of the Revolution She further declares that the aforesaid will of W m Brabston was in her possession from a short time after its execution up to the year 1847 and the reason it was not admitted to record in the County of Wythe V a that the property was amicably divided between Affiant and the heirs of her husband she further declares that if ever the Land Warrant was obtained by Col Trigg or any other

person the same has never come to affiants knowledge she is still the widow of Peter May
her Mary J May mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me a justice of the peace for said County and I further certify that full faith and credit is due the statements of Mrs Mary May In witness whereof I have hereof set my hand
Pleasant Western
State of Louisiana Grange County, S.S.
Justice of the peace for Grange County Louisiana
I Edward Tate Clerk of the County
Court of Grange County do hereby certify that Pleasant Western is and was a justice of the peace for said County duly commissioned and qualified according to law and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Offin in Grange  Rutledge this 27 th Day of April 1848
Edward Tate Clerk

State of Virginia Wythe County } to wit:
I, John T. Matthews, Clerk of the County Court of the said County of Wythe, do hereby certify, that I have made diligent search among the records and files in my office, and that I cannot find any record, or marriage bond, of the marriage of William Prather and Mary Pinnion, among said records & files.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of my said office, the 17 th day of July, in the year 1847.
J. T. Matthews, Clerk of the County Court of Wythe County By J. Andrew Thompson D.C.
For Search & certificate $ 50. J. Thompson D.C.

State of Tennessee Granger County } ss 3
On this 22 th of April 1848 personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace for said County Mr John J. Bethel a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged thirty two who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following Affidavit That affiant being shown a paper purporting to be the will of William Brabston died formerly of Wythe County Virginia and from a long acquaintance with the hand writing of Andrew Bozard Esq he affiant believes it to be genuine viz the will marked A and bearing his Affiant's signature from the following facts that Affiant acted as a Constable for many years in the County of Wythe and State of Virginia and in the vicinity neighborhood of the aforesaid Andrew Bozard and made many returns of Warrants before him and had great opportunity of knowing his hand writing Affiant further declares that he Affiant was at the burial of Mr Brabston on the 10 th day of February 1801 and at that time had a conversation with Habbert Elison and John Black and they informed Affiant of the will and the will embraces the substance of the conversation had at that time with Habbert Elison and John Black the two subscribing witnesses to the will Affiant further declares that he emigrated to western Virginia in the year 1789 and some three or four years after his emigration

to western Virginia he affiant became acquainted with W m Bratton and his wife Mary Bratton now Mary May and from the size of their children at that time the marriage must of taken place long before the 1 st of January 1794 Affiant further declares that he participated in the war of the Revolution and is now drawing a Pension for services rendered in SD war of $45 per annum and Affiant has had frequent conversations with the aforesaid W m Bratton before his death of the events of the war of the Revolution and the aforesaid W m Bratton informed affiant that he had served through a greater part of the Revolution and that he W m Bratton entered the service as a reg- ular soldier for during the war and served to the close of the same Affiant further declares that he himself was married himself in the year 1798 and at that time W m Bratton and his wife Mary now Mary May their youngest child must of been some five or six years old Affiant also refers the Department to the Hon W m Beck of the house of Representatives for his standing in the neighborhood in which he affiant lives
John J Bhatt
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me a Justice of the peace for Said County and I further testify that I am well acquainted with John J Bhatt and I have no hesitation in saying that full faith and credit is due his statements I further testify that the interlining of the seventh line of par a was done previous to signing I witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand (Daniel M. Kinney Justice of the peace)

State of Tennessee Granger County
I Edward Tate Clerk of the County Court of Granger County do hereby certify that David McKinney is and was a justice of the peace for said County duly commissioned and qualified according to law and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at office in Rutledge this the 27. April 1848
Edward Tate Clerk
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

I am personally acquainted with Mr Bethel one of the within named affiants, he is a man of undoubted veracity and is remarkably stout for his years. —
Ho Rabs May 8 th 48.
H. M. Coe RB
John J. Bethel Affidavit Nig McMag

I do hereby certify that William Brabston former a private in the twelfth Virginia Regiment On Continental Establishment, enlisted in October 1776, and served as a good and faithful Soldier until the end of the War in 1783.
Given under my hand at Richmond this 22 d day of June 1799.
James Wood formerly a B. Gen l . Continental Army.

Act 43-949. 13331
Mary May formerly widow of Mr. Webster Tenn.
act 7 May 1838
M c Amie 1788
husb and wife 9 Feb 1807
Margaret M c Amie born abt 1805 Widow of M c Amie 1805 to William Brubaker V o of An o June 1838 widow to Mr. Brubaker
Adm o 2 o year per $80 00 per
per 4 March 1836
Adm o act 3 March 1843
per June 44
$80 00 per An o
per 4 March 1845
Rev. J. H. Cugin
House of Rep s

State of Tennessee County Court April Term 1847 Grainger County
Mary May formerly Mary Brabson Application for a Pension
From the Evidence exhibited before the Court on the Original Declaration And the proceedings had before Parrott Godwin Esqr. one of the members of this Court We fully approve the proceeding had before the said Parrott Godwin Esqr. And fully concur in the opinion that the said Mary May formerly Mary Brabson is the Widow of William Brabson Late who was a Revolutionary Soldier of the United States and that she is entitled to a pension according to the acts of Congress
State of Tennessee I Edward Tate Clerk of the County Grainger County Court for said County Do Certify That the foregoing is a true & perfect Copy of the order made by the County Court of the County of Grainger approving of the proceedings of Parrott Godwin Esqr. one of the members of said County Court out of Court on the application of Mrs Mary May formerly Mary Brabson for a Pension under the several acts of Congress.
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal of Office at Office in Rutledge the 6 th Day of April 1847
Edward Tate Clerk

State of Tennessee Granger County 3...
On this 22 nd the day of March 1847 personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace for said County Mr John L. Bethel a resident of the County and State of said aged thirty one years on the 15 th day of December last who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Affidavit. That he was well acquainted with William Bratton in the County of Lee the said State of Virginia for many years Affiant said many years ago with the aforesaid W m Bratton in relation to his being a soldier in the war of the Revolution and has to him say that he served in the Continental Line in the State of Virginia to the close of the war of the Revolution under Gen Wood which is the only officer Affiant now recollects having been the aforesaid W m Bratton speaker of Affiant's family published in the war and is now drawing a Pension at the rate of $40 per annum for services rendered under the laws of the State of Virginia and in all of the accounts with the aforesaid W m Bratton he Affiant declared that he served as above stated Affiant further declares that he himself was married in the year 1798 and was many years before that time well acquainted with the aforesaid W m Bratton

and Mary May formerly Mary Beckston be further deposes that the aforesaid Wm Beckston died on the 9 th day of February 1801 and his wife the aforesaid Mary Beckston intermarried with Peter May some two or three years after the death of her first husband the aforesaid Wm Beckston be further deposes that the aforesaid Peter May died on the 14 th day of March 1846 and that the aforesaid Mary May is a widow at this time
John J Bethell
(See) Sworn to and subscribed in the day and year above in the before me a justice of the peace for Franklin County and I further certify that I am well acquainted with Wm Beckston and his will will be taken in any court in the United States where he is known by his being colored I have hereto set my hand this
Daniel M. Kinney Justice of the Peace
State of Tennessee Franklin County 355
On this 22 nd the day of March 1847 Personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace of said County Mrs Mary Jane Bethell aged about 45 years on the 20 th day of April next who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following Affidavit That she is well

acquainted with Mrs Mary May formerly Mrs Mary Bratton who at the time resided in Franklin County Tennessee she further declared that she first became acquainted with Mr Bratton in the County of Frederick in the State of Virginia and well recollects of seeing the uniform of the aforesaid Mr Bratton after his return from the war of the Reunion at the affiant at that time was a young affiant well recollects of hearing Mr Bratton say on divers occasions that he served in the war of the Reunion and until the close of the war of the Reunion and that there were Brattons in Loudoun County from the United States and State of Virginia she further declares that at the age of 18 years the affiant emigrated from the County of Frederick in the State of Virginia to the South Western part of Virginia and with the aforesaid Mr Bratton in Frederick County in which there about 1840 emigrated to Western Virginia the aforesaid Mr Bratton and located himself in Newbern City the County affiant was in her twelfth year of her age when Mr Bratton was married to Mary Morgan in the year 1848 at which time they were living together as man and wife affiant further declares that the aforesaid Mr Bratton died on the 9th day of February 1861 his widow intermarried with Peter May in the State the aforesaid Peter May died on the 14th day of March 1861, affiant now lived to the present.

of the aforesaid W m Brabston and Mary Nunyon disputed
Margaret by B. mark
On this 22 nd day March 1847 sworn to and and subscribed on the day and year above written before me a justice of the peace for said County and I further certify that I am well acquainted with Mrs. Margaret B. the and full faith and credit is given to her statements In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
Daniel M c Kinney
State of Louisiana Grant County 355
Justice of the peace
I Edward Yate Clerk of the County Court of Grant County do hereby certify that Daniel M c Kinney is and was a justice of the peace for said County duly commissioned and qualified according to law and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at 3 PM in New Iberia this
6 th Day of April 1847
Edward Yate Clerk

180 180
William Brobston a private Virginia line
Lodged by the Hon. Mr. Pugg.
Col. Abram Pugg Member of Congress
Philadelphia
(Good.)
Recd. to Ab m Pugg.
4. March 1805.

Know all men by those Presents that I W m Bratton of Wythe County & State of Virginia, for divers good causes me thereunto moving, doth make, ordain, constitute & appoint, and by those Presents. hath, made, ordained, constituted, and appointed, my trusty friend Col o Moram, Saigg, of Montgomery county & State aforesaid, my Lawful attorney, for me to act, and Receive, what may be allowed to me by the Honourable Congress of the United States of Am- erica, & I do hereby Ratify & confirm all and every act of my s d Attorney, as if I were myself hereby ratify & confirm in Receiving or obtaining any sum or sums of money that may become due to me, or be allow d me, by the Hon d Congress aforesaid, by Virtue of those Presents as Witness my hand and Seal. This Fifteenth day of March Eighteen Hundred,
Signed and Acknowledged W m  his X Bratton Seal in Presence of Mark
Meredith Reams Thos. Curry

Den
WIDOW, &c.
Den
File No. _____
Mary May Widow Wm. Brabston Priv. Riv. War.
Act: Feb 2, 1848.
Index:—Vol. M. , Page 1
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of Louisiana Granger County, ss. Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of the 2 nd February 1848 entitled An act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution State of Louisiana Granger County, ss.
On this 4 th day September One Thousand eight hundred forty eight personally appeared before the und- ersigned a justice of the peace for Granger County and State of Louisiana Mrs Mary May formerly widow of William Brabston a resident of the County Granger and State aforesaid aged seventy nine years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made made by the act of Congress passed on the 2 nd of February 1848 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War That she is the widow of Peter May formerly widow of William Brabston who was a private in the regular service in the war of the Revolution she further declares that she received a certificate of Pension under the acts of Congress of July 7 th 1838 3 rd of March 1843 and 17 th of June 1844 Eighty dollars per annum she further declares that she is still a widow.
Mary by X May mark
formerly widow of William Brabston
sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me a justice of the peace for Granger County Louisiana and I further certify that she is the identical Mary May

who has in his possession two certificates bearing date August 17 th 1848 under the acts of Congress July 7 th 1838 March 3 rd 1843 and June 17 th 1844 In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 4 th day of September 1848
witness
Jacob N. Brown
James M. [?]
Justice of the peace for Granger County Iowa
State of Iowa Granger County ss
I, Edward Talcott Clerk of the County Court of Granger County do hereby certify that Jonathan H. [?] is and was a justice of the peace for said County duly commissioned and qualified according to law and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal & of office at Ottumwa at Pella this 4 th Day of Sept 1848
Edward Talcott Clerk

396 ... New York
For James J. Edwards Esq. of Providence Rhode Island U.S.A. B.G.

Knoxville September 7 th 1848
Sir
I enclose you the declaration of Mrs Mary May under the Act of Congress 2d of February 1848 plus one the certificate and forward the same to you
Col J L Edwards Com of Pensions
Yours With Respect Jacob Helman

I do hereby Certify that W m Bratton former a private Soldier in the twelfth Virginia Regiment at Continental Establishment enlisted in Oct r 1776. and served as a good and faithful Soldier until the end of the war in 1783
Given under my hand at Richmond this 22. day of June 1799,
James Wood formerly a B. Genl. Continental Army

Eno H 6202112

State of Tennessee Greene County } ss
On this 16 th day of July 1847 personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace Mrs Rhoda Bridgeman a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged Seventy Six years in March next who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following Affidavit That she is well acquainted with Mrs Mary May formerly Mary Bratston who lives in this Greene County and in this immediate Neighborhood that she was also well acquainted with her first husband William Bratston up to the time of his death Affiant herself was married in the Month of October Seventeen hundred and ninety five she well recollects the marriage of William Bratston and Mary Nunnion now Mary May to have taken place some seven years before her own marriage Affiant was married in the County of Wythe and State of Virginia and at that time 1796 Mrs Mary May then Mary Bratston had two Children at the above date and Affiant is positive that the marriage took place some years before the first of January 1794 Affiant living in the Neighborhood at the time - and well recollects the event of said marriage and that the aforesaid Mary May is the identical widow of said Bratston who was reported at the time and up to the time of his death in the neighborhood as being a soldier of the war of the Revolution
Rhoda Bridgeman
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me a Justice of the peace for said County and I further certify I am well acquainted with Mrs Rhoda Bridgeman

and her testimony will be taken in any Court of the United States where she is known In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 16 th day of July 1847
Parrott Godwin Justice of the peace

State of Tennessee Greene County 3 ss
On this 15 th day of July 1847 personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace John J. Bethell a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged thirty two years on the 15 th day of December next who being first duly sworn according to Law doth in his oath make the following affidavit that he is well acquainted with Mary May formerly Mary Bratton that she resides in this Greene County Tennessee and that she is the identical widow of William Bratton who was a soldier as aforesaid always understood in the Virginia Line in the war of the Revolution Affiant himself was married on the 10 th day of August 1798 seventeen hundred and ninety eight at which time the aforesaid W m Bratton and Mary May formerly Mary Bratton were living together as man and wife and had been living together as such some years previous to that event from affiant's own knowledge and the fact of their second child a son was going to school at the time affiant was married in the year 1798 and from all the facts he affiant is persuaded that he used the aforesaid W m and Mary Bratton in the relation as man and wife some seven or eight years before his affiant's own marriage with look place as above stated Affiant further declares that at the time of his marriage in the County Virginia it was common in that section of Virginia to solemnize the rites of matrimony by publication of the laws Affiant himself was married by publication and without license and it was a common practice of the County at that time and long before his own marriage
John J. Bethell

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid and I further certify that I am well acquainted with John J. Battle and feel no hesitation in saying that his oath will be taken in our Court in the United States where he is known In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand This 15 th day of July 1847 I further certify that the attestation in the first page and fourth line was made previous to the signing thereof
Daniel M c Kinney Justice of the peace
State of Tennessee S.S.
Grain County 3 I Edward Tate Clerk of the County Court of Grainer County do hereby certify that Daniel M c Kinney and Parrott Godwin Ebenezer and was whose names appears to the foregoing affidavit & certificate is (and was at the time of signing the same both acting Justices of the peace in and for the County of Grainer & State of Tennessee duly elected Commissioners and qualified according to the Constitution and Laws of the State of Tennessee and that their signatures appear to be genuine and that full faith & credit is due their official acts as such In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office at Office in Rutledge the 17 th Day of July A.D. 1847
Edward Tate Clerk