Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 10425., Abraham Blankenship, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Blankenship, Abraham or Abram. Susan.
W.P. 10425.
CONTENTS

12.155.
Virginia
Abram Blankenship -
of Bedford - in the State of Va
who was a Pvt in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col. Goode - in the Va. line for 2 years -
Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 80 - Dollars _____ Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 3 rd day of April 1833 and Just R. B. Mitchell Clerk Bedford Co. Va. -
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 160 - Semi-ant. allowance ending 4th Mar: 1833 40 -
$ 200 -
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Nathan Rice - Clerk, Book E Vol. 6 Page 2

Date of death not on A.B. 1845
130. Virginia.
Susan Blankenship, widow of Abram Blankenship Va who was a private, in the Virginia line.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1844. 8th. March, 1845.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of Dec: 1845 and sent to Pleasant Preston, (Davis) Davis Mills Virginia.
[Act of JUNE 17, 1844.]
Recorded in Book L.
Vol. 1 - Page 263.

State of Virginia Bedford County to wit on this 23 d day of January 1833 personally appeared before me Samuel Hancock a Justice of the peace for said County Abram Blankenship a Resident of said County of Bedford aged seventy three 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 the 7 th of June 1832 that he was drafted in the Militia in the County of Chesterfield in the State of Virginia where he was born & then Resided to serve three months in the army of the United States in the year one hundred and Seventy Seven he thinks he marched of about the first of June & was discharged some time in September he marched under Capt Chetum and Col o Goode & Major Boals Commanded the Ridgemen we met at Chesterfield Courthouse, and march to Williamsburg from there to Little York from there to Hampton & back to Little York and from there to Williamsburg and was discharged making full tour of three months I think there was but the one Regiment with us in all this tour the next tour I was drafted it was a law that every sixteen men was to furnish a Soldier and it fell to my lot to go for eighteen months and march from Chesterfield County under Capt Scott Major Boice and Col o Dicks we went first to Fredericksburg and from there to Portsmouth where we staid fourteen or fifteen months we then were marched to the 25 th of August 1779 Mackeys mills and discharged making a full tour of eighteen months the next tour I was as substitute for John Wilson in the same Col o Fortner and Col o Bannerfield Commanded some regiments that was with us County in the year 1780 I think about the first September I marched the same County Capt Patterson was my Captain Col o Robertson was our Colonel Goode was our Major we marched to

to Petersburg and there we joined Col. Meads Regiment from Amelia County we then marched to Smithfield & from there to Williams- burg where we staid several weeks and was marched back to Smith- field and we lay till our time expired making out not  not  then  then three months the next Tour I served was in 1781 I was called out by my number to meet the British army then at Petersburg we marched on and did meet the the British army at Petersburg and had a smart Skirmish in which we killed several of the British perhaps five or six we took up the bridge to prevent them from crossing but the British by some means did cross and followed us to Chesterfield Court house & thirty seven of us prisoners then we retreated up to Shirley Hundred the British pursued us there and began to land and a sharp firing ensued & we took two boat loads of the British prisoners and killed 5 or 6 the number of prisoners I never knew as they were sent off Immedi- ly to Norfolk we then marched to Mobbin Hills and from there to Culpepper County and was discharged in the month of June 1781 in this tour I served not less than three months Capt. Moody was my Captain Col. Robertson and Major Harris were the field officers General Lawson commanded the brigade General Stuband was with us some times I belonged to the light Infantry & had no chance of being acquainted with many of the officers as we were always detached from the main army I have no Register of my age nor I can't read nor write but my father always told me I was Born in the year of 1759 I was Born in Chesterfield County Virginia & lived there till 1784 I then moved to Bedford County State of Virginia where I have lived Ever since & I am living there now I think I got a discharge for Every Tour I served I think my Captain always give them but not having any learning I could not read them & never expecting them to be of any account they are lost or mislaid so I don't know any

thing of them now I have no documentary Evidence to prove my services but can prove by Talley nichols by whom I can prove  in the my young army and I can prove by William Leftwich and Elijah Cunduff who lives close neighbours who knows I was always considered a Revolutionary Soldier and that he is also Infirm & unable to attend or go to Court house of said County to give in his declaration & he hereby Relinquishes Every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity Except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension Role of any agency in any state
his Abram T Blankenship mark
sworn to and subscribe the day and year aforesaid Sam t Hancock J.P.
we Wm Leftwich a Clergyman Resideing in said County and Elijah Cunduff Resideing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abram Blankenship who has subscribe and sworn to the above decla- ration that we believe him to be seventy three years old and that he is an Deputed and believe in the neighbourhood where he Resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Wm Leftwich Elijah Cunduff
and the said Justice do hereby declare his opinion of the Investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories proposed by the war department that he the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and serve d as he states and further certify that it appears to me that William Leftwich who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman - Resident in said County and that Elijah Cunduff who has also signed the same is a Resident in the same and credible persons and that their statements is intitled to credit and do certify that the said Abram Blankenship is unable to attend Court by reason of a very sore leg that prevents him from riding & almost from walking at all given under my hand this 24 th day of January 1833
Sam t Hancock J.P.
State of Virginia to wit The affidavit of Mary nichols aged Eighty 7 upwards

being duly sworn according to law sayeth she was well acquainted with Abram Blankenship in the time of the old Rebellious war this affiant then lived in Chesterfield County in Virginia she also remembers  remembers it was said that he was gone in the army and she well remembers that he was gone and staid some time and served out tower  his she thinks but how long it was she does not know given under my hand this 24 th day of January  August 1833 Sam l Hancock J.P.
State of Virginia Bedford County I Samuel Hancock Justice of the peace  for said County do certify that Mary Nichols who has signed the above affidavit is a credible person I have known her near forty years and never heard anything to her discredit given my hand this 24 th day of January 1833 Sam l Hancock
abram blankenship's declaration amended
State of Virginia Bedford County Set. I Robert C. Mitchell Clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that Samuel Hancock before whom the foregoing declaration of Abram Blankenship was made, and whose signature is annexed to the foregoing certificate, is an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, duly commissioned & qualified according to law, and that said signature are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 24 th day of February, 1833 in the 57 th year of American Independence. Rob t Mitchell

Virginia Bedford county set
Abraham Blankenship who made his declarati- on before me on the 23 rd day of January 1833. in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7 th of June 1832 this day again appeared before me a jus- tice of the peace for the county aforesaid - and made oath that during the revolutionary war he served more than two years against the enemy in the manner stated in his declaration, That he is so poor and so infirm as not to be able to travel to distant parts of the United States to procure testimony to prove all his different hours of service - that his incapacity to travel about from age and a very sore leg is known to many of his neighbours - as is also his poverty - and further this deponent has so long resided in Bedford at a distance from the place where he resided during the revolutionary war. - That he cannot say expressly whether any of his companions in arms deceased said was are now  produced or that he can produce any other testimony than what is here produced yet living - Given under my hand, this 24 th of March 1833. Sam l Hancock J P
Bedford County set
I Samuel Hancock presiding justice of Bedford county Va do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Abraham Blankenship That I believe him a man of truth - that I have a recollection that during the revolutionary war - there there was a draft of one man out of every 16 as stated by Abraham Blankenship in his declaration made before me the 23 rd of Jan y 1833 He stated for the term of about Eighteen months - I also certify that said Abra- ham Blankenship is a poor very poor man and from age and a sore leg not in a situation to go

Even to the court house that that he said Abraham Blankenship lives near him  the and I cannot be mistaken as to his good character for truth — and his infirmity is known to all his neighbours — Given under my hand this 24 th March 1833.
Sam e Hancock
Bedford County ss I Nath l H. Claiborne of Franklin County Virginia member of the last Congress of the United States — do hereby certify that I have been at some pains to make myself acquainted with the character and situation of Abraham Blankenship — since my return from the seat of Government that I find he is esteemed a man of truth and that his bodily infirmities are great very great and that he is very poor — and I also certify that I considered his witness Mrs Nichols the witness from what I learn of her on enquiry is a woman of truth — I know Colo. Sam e Hancock to be a justice of the peace for the county of Bedford & that he took the affidavit above of the Abraham Blankenship in my presence and that the signature aforesaid is genuine given under my hand this 24 th of March 1833.
Nath l H. Claiborne member of the last Congress.

21.200
Mr. Brewster New Haven Conn. Mrs. M. A. H. Colborne
Yrs
Jan. 21. 1830
Replied Jan 27. 1830
Washington City D.C.

District of Virginia } Bedford County } On this 7 th day of January 1830. personally appeared in Open Court being a court of record for the said County: Abraham Blankenship aged about 72 years resident in said County who being first duly sworn according to law both on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows to wit That he served in the Militia for three months under command of Cap t  John Hazal & at Yorktown enlisted for three months more under Cap t Levis & marched to Williamsburg & then enlisted for three months under command of Cap t Jas t Scott & marched to old James town & was there drafted as a regular soldier in the infantry on continental establishment under command of Col d Dick, Major Bayce & Cap t Scott. & marched to Norfolk Hampton & other places & was frequently called on as a minute man & in every instance discharged my duty faithfully in defence of my country and obtained an honorable discharge from each of my officers but having no learning have lost them and do not know what became of them. That he is by trade a cooper and is now blind & unable to work at his trade and is in such reduced circumstances in life as to need the assistance of his country for support. That he has no property except a few cooperstools which is not worth more than Two dollars
and that he was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18 th day of March 1818 and that he has not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of his property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring himself within the provisions of the an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war passed on the 18 th of March 1818" or of the act of Congress passed on the first of May 1820 and that he has not nor has any person in trust for him any property or securities, contracts or debts due to him, nor has he any income other than what is contained in the above property except that the overseers of the poor of Bedford County have lived for my & my wife's relief twenty dollars as parishioners of said County That he has a wife living within about 74 years of age & very infirm and a single daughter about 35 years of age & her two children aged about 14 & 11 that he has made no application for a pension before this because he did not know until a few months past that any such provision was made for revolutionary soldiers as he has since understood & was able to support himself until he became blind and that he does not know of any one living by whom he can

from his services in said revolutionary war: have resided in the County of Bedford for 46 — years past First learn- ed of it he does not know who of his old comrades in his countrymen service are yet survivors or where any among them resides unless Moses Ferguson & George Woden of Charlotte County Va. who served with him in the Continental service during the revolutionary war was in Battle at Peters burg Va and at Shirley hundred in Va and the Con. Taking of Wallace at Yorktown Va and that he entered into the service of the United States as a soldier in the year 1779 and was Honourably discharged at Old Williams burg in, Va and the said Abraham Blankenship says from infirmity that he is not able to attend Court Abraham his Blankenship mark
Bedford County to wit
This day Abraham Blankenship personally appeared before me Lewis Wingfield a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid and made oath that the above declaration was true given under my hand this 7 th day January 1830 Lewis Wingfield J.P.

State of Virginia Bedford County to wit
On the 22 nd day of August 1845. Susan Blankenship, late a resident in the County aforesaid, but now temporarily living with a relation in the adjoining County of Franklin in the State aforesaid, aged eighty seven Years who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by act of Congress passed June 7 th 1844, entitled An act to continue the pensions of Certain Widows. That she is the Widow of Abram Blankenship who was a private in the Army of the Revolution and who received a pension of Eighty Dollars per Annum, under the Act of Congress passed the 7 th June 1832 and was enrolled on the pension list the 3 rd day of April 1833. That from Old age, and the consequent loss of Memory, and the great lapse of time, she cannot herself now make any Minute, or Connected statement of the Services rendered in the Revolutionary War, by her husband, The late Abram Blankenship, but refers to his declaration and upon which he was allowed a pension of Eighty Dollars per Annum as above stated. That she was married to the late Abram Blankenship in the County of Chesterfield, where she then resided after publishing the banns by Parson. See in the Year Seventeen hundred and Eighty One, when she continued to reside for about five Years after her marriage, They then moved to the County of Bedford where she continued to reside ever since until the death of her husband which took place on the 8 th day March last 1845. That she was not married to him prior to his leaving to his leaving the Service, but the marriage took place previous to the 1 st January Seven hundred & ninety four, that is at the time stated above, That she can obtain no record evidence of the legality of her marriage, as is shown by the Certificate of the Clerk of the County Court of Chesterfield. Neither does she know of any person now living who can personally testify to the fact, as having witnessed it, but she refers to the depositions of Thomas Phelps, Pleasant Paden, & Polly Blankenship, and to the Certificates of the Justices of the Peace, Wm Wheeler & Elisha H Paden, some of whom have been Neighbors to her ever since she moved into the County and the others having been acquainted with her for a long time and

are well acquainted in the Neighbourhood and with her relations residing in the County
Susan her X Blankenship mark
Bedford County to Wit
I Elisha H. Preston a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid do hereby Certify that Susan Blank- enship, the Widow of Abram Blankenship & the present Applicant for a Pension, and who has subscribed & duly sworn to the foregoing declaration before me, is from old age and infirmity, utterly una- ble to attend at the Court House to make her declaration, it being a distance of about Twenty Miles, That she and her late husband lived within 8 or 10 Miles of him, that he was at the funeral of the late Abram Blankenship on the 28 th June last, of as some evi- dence of the high estimation his County men had for his Revolutionary services - there was on that occasion one of the largest gatherings I have ever witnessed on any funeral occasion. That I know personally that Abram Blankenship was a pensioned and hence the fullest confidence in all the statements made by his Widow in the petition. declaration Given under my hand this 22 nd day August 1825. Elisha H. Preston J.P.
Bedford County to Wit
This day personally appeared before me a jus- tice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid. Polly Blankenship aged Forty five Years and made oath that she resided in the house with her Father for many Years previous to his death, that he died in the County aforesaid on the 8 th day March last 1825, that her Mother Susan Blankenship the present Applicant for a pension is his Widow and that she has never since his death been married. Given under my hand this 22 nd August 1825.
Elisha H. Preston J.P.

I. Pleasant. Iiston of the County of Bedford State of Virginia Aged. 42 Years, do hereby Certify that I have been well acquainted with the late Abram Blankenship for the last 16 or 18 Years, and that I have also known his Widow Susan Blankenship the present Applicant for a pension for a Number of Years, and that I am well acquainted with many of their relations particularly with their Chil- dren, and unhesitatingly say, that I have never heard the slightest shade of a suspicion, or surmise, from any person or from any I stated, that they were not legally and regularly married, neither do to believe there is any doubt on the mind of any person on that subject, I can also further state, I know Abram Blank- enship to have been a pensioner as stated by Mrs. Blankenship in her declaration, as I have drawn said pension for him for many Years, I also know that he did die about the time stated by his daughter Polly Blankenship that is on the 8 th day March last.
Pleasant Preston
Bedford County to Wit
This day personally appeared Pleasant Preston before me a justice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid and subscribed & made oath to the above deposition that full reliance may be given to his statements given under my hand this 25 th day of August 1845
Christian McPreston Jr.

February 26, 1938
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. Charles Wayland 511 North Castle Street Knoxville, Tennessee
ABRAHAM BLANKENSHIP W. 10425 BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the record of Abram Blankenship, of Bedford County, Virginia, who was pensioned for service in the Revolutionary War.
The record of Abraham Blankenship follows as found in pension claim, W. 10425, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Abraham Blankenship was born in 1759 in Chesterfield County, Virginia; the names of his parents were not given.
Abraham Blankenship enlisted in Chesterfield County, Virginia, and served as private in the Virginia troops as follows: from about June 1, 1777, until sometime in September of the same year, in Captain Cheetum's company, Colonel Goode's regiment; he served eighteen months ending August 25, 1779, in Captain James Scott's company, Colonel Dick's regiment; from about September 1, 1780, three months in Captain Patterson's company, Colonel Robertson's regiment; he enlisted in 1781, served as private and minuteman in Captain Moody's company, Colonel Robertson's regiment, was in the battle of Petersburg and "Shirley Hundred" and was discharged in June, 1781. He served, also, three months under Captain Joseph Royal, and three months under Captain Lewis, dates of enlistment not shown, was in the siege of Yorktown and at the surrender of Cornwallis.
The soldier resided in Chesterfield County, Virginia, until 1784 when he moved to Bedford County, in that state.
Abraham Blankenship was allowed pension on his application executed January 23, 1833, while living in Bedford County, Virginia. He died March 8, 1845, in that county. His name was shown in the claim as Abraham and Abram Blankenship.

Abraham or Abram Blankenship married in 1781 in Chesterfield County, Virginia, Susan Wiatt, of that county. The date and place of her birth and names of parents are not shown.
Susan Blankenship, soldier's widow, was allowed pension on her application executed August 22, 1845, at which time she was aged eighty-seven years and temporarily residing in Franklin County, Virginia, adjoining county to Bedford.
In 1830, the soldier referred to a daughter, thirty-five years of age, and to her children aged fourteen and eleven years, but did not designate any names.
Soldier's daughter, Polly Blankenship, in 1845 was aged forty-five years. In the same year, reference was made to soldier's sister, Milly Blankenship, who married Peter Kinnett, October 31, 1789.
In 1829, one Thomas "Wyatt" who was born in Chesterfield County, Virginia, made affidavit in Lynchburg, Virginia, in support of soldier's claim for pension and referred to him as Abraham Blankenship, Senior. His relationship to soldier's wife, whose maiden name was Wiatt, was not stated.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

150
Susan Blankenship wife of Abram son
act 17 June 1844
Marrried in 1781
Husband died 8 March 1845

Thomas. his X. Phelps mark.

State of Virginia Bedford County set. At a Court held for said County at the Court house the 26 th day of August 1845.
The declaration of Susan Blankenship was read in Court claiming pension under the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, entitled "An act to continue the pensions of certain Widows" together with the affidavits of Thomas Ekers, Assistant Justice and Polly Blankenship and the certificates of William M. Reed and Elisha H. Preston Esquires, and the Court being satisfied with the same, doth certify to the War Department that the said Susan Blankenship is the widow of Edward Blankenship deceased of said County and State aforesaid, who was a private in the War of the Revolution, and who received a pension of eighty dollars per annum under the act of Congress passed the 7 th June 1832 and was enrolled on the pension list the 3 rd day of April 1832, and died on or about the 8 th of March 1845 in this County leaving the above named widow Susan Blankenship, who has resided since his death in the County of Bedford until recently, when she removed to reside temporarily in the County of Franklin adjoining the said County of Bedford, and that she has remained a widow from the death of her husband to the present time. And that William M. Reed and Elisha H. Preston are acting Justices of the peace in and for the said County of Bedford duly Commissioned & qualified as such according to law, and that the Signatures purporting to be theirs affixed

to their several certificates, and this card and genuine .
In testimony whereof I John R. Stepto Clerk of the said Court have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court this 21 st day of August 1845. John R. Stepto Clerk

Christ. Co. Ho: 26 th June
12 1 / 2
Pleasant Preston sqn
Davis Mill, Bedford Co: Virginia

Chesterfield County court Clerk's Office June 26 th 1845
I have carefully examined the records and files of my said office, and can find no certificate of the marriage of Abraham Blankenship to Sarah Elliott, nor can I find any marriage license bond, or other evidence that a license ever issued for the marriage of the above named persons.
Yrs
C. Ponderlin, Clerk

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 10425 Susan Blankenship widow of Abraham Blankenship Pr. War 1861
Act: June 1864 Index: Vol. 2 , Page 67
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1916 Aug. 25 - history to Mrs. M. B. H. Wilmarth Gamble. Letter in S.F. 31533 Lewis Barnett 1933 Apr. 15, Hist. to Mrs. B.H. Hern - M.B.H. 1935 Sept. 27 - Hist. to Mrs. Lynde Harrison - M.B.H. 1938 Feb. 26 - Hist. to Mrs. Chas. Maifield J.D.R.B.
Ex'r. INVALID.
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873
Abraham Blankenship P. O. _____
Service: _____

V No 150
Susan Blankenship
Va Letter to Pleasant Preston 7 Oct 1845
act 17 June 1844
21. 200
Abraham Blankingship act March 18. 1818
Virginia
Rejected. See letter to Hon. W. Claiborne 27 Jan. 1830.
930

10 150
Susan Blankenship Maw of Abraham on
act 17 June 1844
7 acres 2 years per $80 00 per ann
from 8 March 1845
Pleasant Preston (David Muley) Profid co ms

No. 15, 1845
Adalber. and Susan Henr. and Comt. Service
Washington City
L. Edwards
RECEIVED JUN 1 1845
no 0

Davis Mill - Bedford Co. Va Nov. 7 th 1845
J. S. Edwards, Esq.
Dear Sir
Your favor of the 7 th inst n in reply to the application of Susan Blankenship, the widow of Abram Blankenship for a pension came safe to hand, & the Certificates noticed, Mrs. Blankenship has no difficulty in procuring one of the kinds of testimony, as to the legality of her marriage, that you say will be admissible, in the establishing her Claim, which is that of Respectable Men, who knew her & her Husband as living together as Man & Wife prior to the year 1794 - she refers you to the Certificates of John Lyons Sr. Mathew Hall & Elijah Cundiff Jr. all highly respectable Citizens, and have been well acquainted with the parties for the last sixty years - she moved from the County of Chesterfield to this County some 60 years ago - has had but little intelligence or correspondence with any person in that County since she left it, and therefore would find it difficult to trace up the family of Mr. Lee, the Minister who married her, I am myself aiding her. Without fee or reward and could not therefore, undertake a trip to Chesterfield County a distance of 120 Miles for her - & the Agents who attend to such business would probably charge her for the first draw for attending to it for her - I hope therefore you will

feel. Satisfied from the testimonials she has heretofore sent & now sends to you of the justice of her claim, and if so I know you will take pleasure in placing her on the pension roll — Hoping soon to hear from you on the subject
I remain Sir, very Respectfully Pleasant Dyer
I have not incurred the expense of a County Seal to the Certificate made before Justice Reese, as you will find it among the papers heretofore forwarded — but it is attached to Justice Murgant
P.S.

March 29 1833
Passion Office
St. Louis
Washington
Wash
The Cent. of the County Court Bedford C.H. Va.
$80 per mile
Am. Express Co. Carpenter Bldg.
Secretary of War
RECEIVED MAR 29 1833

Sir)
I return the declaration you sent me of Abraham Blankenship - with an additional affidavit made before Col. Samuel Hancock the presiding then presiding justice of the court of Bedford County also the certificate of Col. Hancock - and my own as to the character of Blankenship and his miserable condition from a sore leg - I have been interested in his favour from a firm belief of his having served as he has stated - and from nothing else - and I here unhesitatingly declares that from his condition it is impossible for him to travel - and hunt up testimony even if some of his former companions in arms are yet living - Please when you shall have examined his case make your communication to the Clk of Bedford County & oblige Sir yrs mo. ob. servt
Nathl H. Claiborne
Betty, Bedford 24 th March 1833.

Bedford County State of Virginia So Wit.
The deposition of John Ayres Senr. a resident of the County & State aforesaid, aged — Ninety One Years, deponeth & saith that he was born in the County aforesaid and has resided at his present residence & the neighbourhood ever since, he has been well acquainted with the late Abram Blankenship & Susan Blankenship ever since they came in the neighbourhood, which he thinks has been near sixty Years That he well remembers they were present, at the time he married Peter Kinnett & Milly Blankenship the Sister of Abram Blankenship, that he has a record he has kept of all the parties he has ever married & that on reference to said record he finds he married the said Peter Kinnett & Milly Blankenship on the 31 st October 1789. That he has been acquainted with the said Abram & Susan Blankenship ever since the time above referred to, they having lived most of the time within a few miles of him, that they lived together as man & wife and has himself always believed them to be such, legally & properly married & has never heard from any person or persons a shade of doubt on the subject & further this deponent saith not. — John Ayres
Bedford County So Wit
This day personally appeared before me John Ayres Senr. and signed and made oath to the above deposition I do further certify that the said Mr. Ayres is a highly respectable member of the Methodist Church, that he has exhibited to me the record he has kept of the parties & the dates of their marriages above referred to, that I find he has correctly stated the time of the marriage of Peter Kinnett & Milly Blankenship, that the said John Ayres Senr has always been remarkable for his fine memory and high respectability — and full faith & credit ought to be given to any statements he will make given under my hand this 27 day of October 1824. — Col. J. Morgan Jr.

I John R. Stapled Clerk of the County Court of Bedford in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Christopher Morgan Esq. is a Magistrate as within stated and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this 10 th day of November 1815 John R. Stapled Clerk

The Deposition of Elyah Cunniff a resident of the County of Bedford State of Virginia aged Eighty Six Years. depo- seth and saith That he has resided in the Neighborhood & at the place he now lives at for the last Eighty Two Years, That he has been a Neighbour to & well acquainted with the late Abram Blankenship ever since he came into the Neighborhood, which he thinks was upwards of Sixty Years ago He is positive it was as long ago as fifty Six Years, The Circumstance that fixes that in his mind, is that  is now that the birth of his son Jeremiah which is now fifty six Years ago. When Year he bought Corn of said Blankenship that he had made as an overseer for Daniel Brown, That Susan Blankenship is the Widow of Abram Blankenship, That he always regarded them as man and wife legally married and has never heard from any person the shade of a suspicion that they were not legally married, and does not be- lieve there is a doubt resting on the mind of any person on the subject.
Elyah X Cunniff Br
Bedford County to Wit.
This day personally appeared before me Elyah Cunniff and made oath to the above deposition, That he is a respectable member of the Baptist Church and a man of good character respectability and free from fault ought to be placed in his testimony, Given under my hand This 25 th day October 1845,
J. W. Reed D. L.
Mr. Reed in presence of the Peace & Justice of the Peace, Phelps, J. P. in this case

State of Virginia Bedford County to wit
The Deposition of Matthew Hall, aged eighty  seventy years, a resident of the County State aforesaid, deposeth & saith that he was born & raised in this County and near where he now resides, that he has lived neighborhood to the late Abram Blankenship since he came into the County, which he lives to have been up  as much as fifty  fifty eight years ago. He knows they were here in 1789, that year he went on a trip to the Western Country, and they lived at that time in the neighborhood - He also distinctly remembers that in 1794. The year his father died, they still resided in the neighborhood. That the said Abram Blankenship and Susan Blankenship came into the neighborhood together, as man & wife, that they lived together as such up to the time of his death. That he always regarded them as man & wife, legally married, and has never heard a single doubt on the subject during the whole time from any person or persons. — Matthew Hall
Bedford County to wit.
This day personally appeared — Matthew Hall so before me a justice of the peace in & for the County aforesaid and signed & made oath to the above deposition — That he is a man in good health, and has a clear distinct recollection, that he is a member of the Baptist Church is a man of good standing in his neighborhood and full faith and reliance ought to be placed in his testimony given under my hand this 25 th day October 1825 Wm W Reese J.P.

Pension Office October 7, 1848
Sir,
In the case of Susan Blankenship, widow of Abraham Blankenship, an applicant for a pension under the act of 17 June 1844, the service of her husband is satisfactory. But the marriage should be established by record or documentary evidence public or private if attainable. The Register of the church under the Pastoral Charge of Rev Mr Lee or an old family record kept by some branch of the family may furnish the proof required. or if none proof of this grade does not exist, the testimony of respectable and intelligent persons who knew the parties as husband and wife at an ascertained period prior to January 1794. May be received provided they can relate facts calculated to fix and render their recollection of the date thereof with a reasonable degree of certainty. None of the witnesses who have testified appear to have had any knowledge of these parties prior to 1794, and consequently could have had no knowledge of the date of their marriage.
Pleasant Preston Esq Davis Miller Baptist Co Va

I do hereby certify that I was born in the State of Virginia and County of Chester- field in the neighbourhood of Abraham Blankenship Sen r  now resides in the County of Bedford who is now claiming a pension for his services in the Revolutionary war. I have been aqua- inted with him the said Blankenship for nearly fifty years and for his services as a Soldier in the Continental services as a regular is a fact from the report in the neighborhood. I have have frequently heard my father & others talking with said Blankenship about the supplemental services and about the time he the said Blankenship served and for further proof of this reference may be had by applying to Moses Ferguson and George Pruden who lived in the same neighbourhood in Chesterfield were acquainted with the said Blankenship in the Revolutionary war.
Thomas Wyatt
corporation of Lynchburg
The above certificate of Thomas Wyatt was subscribed and sworn to before me the records give the corporation above dated this 11th day of Decem- ber 1829. Albin W. Dene, Recorder

150. Sept. 1. 1845
to Rev. Blantonship June 17. 1844.
J. E. Church. Esq.
James in Agent Washington City
Dear Sir

Davis Mill. Bedford County Va August 28 th 1845-
Dear Sir
I enclose you the Declaration of Mrs Susan Blankenship. Widow of Abram Blankenship Claiming a pension - under the act of Congress of June 7 th 1844 - Hoping the papers will prove satisfactory and that you will allow her a pension & remain
Yours. Most Respectfully
Stearns Foster
When examined please advise me of the result directed to me at Davis Mills Post Office Bedford Co. Va
S.F.

I Tho Phelps of Bedford County Virginia do hereby certify that I have heard John Overstreet say (to the best of my recollection) that Abraham Blankenship was a good Revolutionary Soldier I have also heard several other persons say to the same effect - Said Overstreet said he was a Soldier during the Revolutionary War of
Thomas Phelps
Bedford County to wit
This day Thomas Phelps made Oath Before me a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid that the above Certificate subscribed to by him is True given under my hand this 7 th day January 1830
Lucas Wingfield J.P.

Feb. 7-1938.
Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C.
no reply
can't identify 2-11-38 mmu
Dear Sirs,
Will you please send all the available data of Abram Blankenship of Bedford Co. Eastern District of the State of Virginia, who is listed on page 129 Census of Rev. Pensioners. Age 82 years. I certainly will appreciate any data that you can give me.
Yours Truly,
Mrs Chas. Wayland 511 North Castle St. Knoxville, Tenn.

Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen;
Have you any record of the Revolutionary services of Abraham Blankenship of Bedford or Chesterfield county; Jeremiah White , of Orange county; Alexander White, of Albemarle county; Thomas Steger and Hans Steger, both of Powhatan county?
Thanking you in advance, I am
Yours very truly
Mertie S. Harrison Mrs. Claude Harrison Bedford, Virginia
3 mem
September 21, 1935

2218 West Main St., Houston, Texas, March 29, 1933.
Pension Bureau, Washington, D. C.
Will you please send me the Revolutionary war Record of Abram Blankenship, also that of Colonel Charles Lynch? They were from Campbell County, Virginia. A pension was granted to Abram Blankenship in 1835. At that time, I think he was 74 years old. Any other information which you might give me on these men (dates, name of wife, children, etc.) will be appreciated.
Very truly yours, Mrs. B. D. Werner

April 25, 1933
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Mrs. B. D. Werner 2218 West Main Street Houston, Texas
ABRAHAM BLANKENSHIP W. 10425 BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter of March 29, in which you request the records of Abram Blankenship and Charles Lynch, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension or bounty land made to the United States, based upon military service of soldiers in that war.
A careful search of the records fails to show a claim for pension or bounty land on file on account of the Revolutionary War service of a Charles Lynch.
You are furnished below the history of Abram or Abraham Blankenship, the only soldier of that name found in the Revolutionary War records of this office, the data of which were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 10425, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
He was born in 1759 in Chesterfield County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not shown.
He enlisted in Chesterfield County, Virginia, and served as a private in the Virginia troops as follows: from about June 1, 1777, until sometime in September of the same year in Captain Cheetum's company, Colonel Goode's regiment; he served eighteen months ending August 25, 1779, in Captain James Scott's company, Colonel Dick's regiment; from about September 1, 1780, three months in Captain Patterson's company, Colonel Robertson's regiment; he enlisted in 1781, served as private and minuteman in Captain Moody's company, Colonel Robertson's regiment, was in the battle of Petersburg and "Shirley Hundred" and was

discharged in June, 1781. He also served three months under Captain Joseph Royal, and three months under Captain Lewis, dates of enlistment not shown, was in the siege of Yorktown and at the surrender of Cornwallis.
The soldier resided in Chesterfield County, Virginia, until 1784 when he moved to Bedford County, Virginia.
He was allowed pension on his application executed January 23, 1833, at which time he was still living in said Bedford County, Virginia.
He died March 8, 1845, in Bedford County, Virginia.
Abram or Abraham Blankenship married in 1781 in Chesterfield County, Virginia, Susan Wiatt of that county.
Soldier's widow, Susan, was allowed pension on her application executed August 22, 1845, at which time she was aged eighty-seven years and temporarily residing in Franklin County, Virginia, adjoining county to Bedford.
In 1830 the soldier referred to a daughter, thirty-five years of age, and to her children aged fourteen and eleven years, but did not state any names.
Soldier's daughter, Polly Blankenship, in 1845 was forty-five years old.
In 1845, reference was made to soldier's sister, Milly Blankenship, who married Peter Kinnett on October 31, 1789.
In 1829, one Thomas "Wyatt" who was born in Chesterfield County, Virginia, made affidavit in Lynchburg, Virginia, in support of soldier's claim for pension and referred to him as Abraham Blankenship, Senior. His relationship to soldier's wife, whose maiden name was Wiatt, was not shown.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Abraham Blankenbip a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. W. 1042.5.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     June 1777 Sept 1777 Priv. Cheston Goode Va.   18 months Aug 25 1779 James Scott Rich   18 months 3 mos Patterson Robertson   2 months 3 mos Moody Robertson   1781 3 mos Joseph Boyd   Levis  
Battles engaged in, Battle of Shirley's Hundred, Yorktown
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Cheston, Va.
Date of application for pension, Jan 1830
Residence at date of application, Bedford Co. Va.
Age at date of application, born in 1759
Remarks: Her name was Mary Blankenbip. She married Abraham Blankenbip in 1781. He died Oct 2 1845 and she married him again in 1845. She was a resident of Franklin Co. Va. aged 87 years. In 1830 soldier refers to a dau. 35 years of age and to her children 14 and 11 years of age. No names stated. In 1845 sol. dau Polly Blankenbip was 45 yrs of age.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

September 27, 1935.
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BA--J/ady
Mrs. Claude Harrison Bedford Virginia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter relative to soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon military service of soldiers in that war.
A careful search of the records fails to show such a claim on file on account of the services of Alexander White as described by you, or Thomas Steger, or Hans Steger, all spellings of the names searched.
The records of Jeremiah White and Abraham Blankenship are furnished you herewith on separate pages, as found in the claims for pension based upon service in the Revolutionary War.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

September 27, 1935
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Mrs. Claude Harrison Bedford Virginia
ABRAHAM BLANKENSHIP W. 10425 BA-J/MLB
Dear Madam:
You are furnished herein the record of Abraham or Abram Blankenship, the only soldier of that name found in the Revolutionary War records of this office, the data of which were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 10425, based upon his service in the Revolution.
Abraham Blankenship was born in 1759 in Chesterfield County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not shown.
The soldier enlisted in Chesterfield County, Virginia, and served as private in the Virginia troops as follows: from about June 1, 1777, until sometime in September of the same year, in Captain Cheetum's company, Colonel Goode's regiment; he served eighteen months ending August 25, 1779, in Captain James Scott's company, Colonel Dick's regiment; from about September 1, 1780, three months in Captain Patterson's company, Colonel Robertson's regiment; he enlisted in 1781, served as private and minuteman in Captain Moody's company, Colonel Robertson's regiment, was in the battle of Petersburg and "Shirley Hundred" and was discharged in June, 1781. He also served three months under Captain Joseph Royal, and three months under Captain Lewis, dates of enlistment not shown, was in the siege of Yorktown and at the surrender of Cornwallis.
The soldier resided in Chesterfield County, Virginia, until 1784 when he moved to Bedford County, Virginia.
He was allowed pension on his application executed January 23, 1833, at which time he was still living in said Bedford County, Virginia.
He died March 8, 1845, in Bedford County, Virginia.

Abraham or Abram Blankenship married in 1781 in Chesterfield County, Virginia, Susan Wiatt, of that county.
Soldier's widow, Susan, was allowed pension on her application executed August 22, 1845, at which time she was aged eighty-seven years and temporarily residing in Franklin County, Virginia, adjoining county to Bedford.
In 1830, the soldier referred to a daughter, thirty-five years of age, and to her children aged fourteen and eleven years, but did not state any names.
Soldier's daughter, Polly Blankenship, in 1845 was forty-five years old.
In 1845, reference was made to soldier's sister, Milly Blankenship, who married Peter Kinnett on October 31, 1789.
In 1829, one Thomas "Wyatt", who was born in Chesterfield County, Virginia, made affidavit in Lynchburg, Virginia, in support of soldier's claim for pension and referred to him as Abraham Blankenship, Senior. His relationship to soldier's wife, whose maiden name was Wiatt, was not shown.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator