Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8364., John Biggs, Continental (Va.)

SERVICE
NUMBER
Continental (Va.)
Biggs, John Sarah
No. 8364 B.L.Wt. 1767-100
CONTENTS

883. —
Illinois 916 vrg
John Biggs
Act 15 th May 1828.
Matroop $100 pr Annu
To Illinois from 4 Sept 1837. 3 Jan'y 1838. —
Notification sent to Dr May Carroll Illinois

I John Biggs of the County of Adair and State of Kentucky do hereby declare that I enlisted in the Continental of the Army of the Revolution for and during the war and continued in its service until its termination at which period I was a private in Captain William Heroyday's Company in Col Charles Harrison's Regiment of the Virginia Artillery.
As I was entitled to the benefit of 808 $ and ignorant of it And I further declare that I was not on the 15 th day of March 1828 on the Pension list of the United States and ignorant of it.
Subscribed before me David Folsom
John Biggs Mark
Before me Thomas Gilmer a justice of the peace for the County of Adair and State of Kentucky personally appeared the day John Hamilton & John Scott of the said County who did solemnly make Oath that John Biggs by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed is generally reputed and believed to have been a soldier in the Army of the Revolution in manner as therein stated. Witness my hand this 5 th day of January 1829
Thomas Gilmer J.P.
State of Kentucky
Adair County
§ § §
William Calwell
Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid

Certify that Thomas Gilmer whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is, & was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the peace for said County duly commissioned & qualified to act as such & that due faith & credit ought to be given to all his official acts as such
In Testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court this 26 th day of January 1829 & 37 th year of The Commonwealth
Wm Caldwell Clerk
ms 25

Columbia 1873 ms. 280
Free
Wm Gordon Esq
Chief Clerk Sutler of Mountain Lands
Post Office Washington City
He returned to Mr Gordon D.D.H. }

I John Briggs aged twenty nine do upon oath testify and declare that I enlisted in Williamsburgh Virginia for the period of during the war in the year 1878 or 80 under Capt Wm Meredith of of Harrison's Bight of Artillery of the Virginia line and faithfully served to the end of the war when I was honorably discharged at Appomattox Virginia - I also do further testify and declare that I have never received a land warrant from the United States for the Branty land due me nor have I ever assigned or transferred my right to the same - Therefore - I know all men by these presents that I John Briggs as aforesaid do hereby constitute and appoint Henry Cox that my true and lawfull attorney for me and in my name and for my use to ask demand and receive from the Secretary of War of the United States a warrant for the Branty land due me as aforesaid and my said attorney is hereby authorized and empowered to constitute and appoint one or more such substitutes or attorneys under him for the special purposes above named and the same to revoke at will. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 21st of June 1880
Attest Robt. Rayburn
John Briggs mark
John Stotts
John H. Matthews
Louisville Ky
State of Kentucky ) Personally appeared before me Edwin County ) the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for said County John Briggs Signer and Sealer to the above power of attorney and acknowledgment and acknowledged the same to be his voluntary act and did for the purposes therein named and being duly sworn made oath to the truth of the statement by him made therein also at the same time personally appeared John Stotts and George Poindexter persons of lawfull age and of credibility who being duly sworn saith that they are personally acquainted with the above named John Briggs who signed the foregoing power of attorney in their presence and they do believe him to be the identical person which he therein represents himself to be and do believe that he actually performed the mil-

Military Service by him stated in the manner therein set forth They also say that the said Briggs is now at this time there drawing full pay for life under the Act of Congress of 14th of May 1828 and further they say not
Sworn subscribed & acknowledged before me this 21 of June 1830 Robt. Rayburn J.P.A.C.
Kentucky Adair County S.S.
I William Caldwell Clerk of the county court for the county aforesaid do certify that Robert Rayburn Esqr. whose name is attached to the foregoing Certificate is (and was at the time of signing & executing the same) an acting justice of the peace for said county duly commissioned & qualified to act as such & that all his faithful & qualified to act as such that all his official acts as such
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said court this 28 th day of June 1830 Wm Caldwell

6657 Kentucky,
Sarah Biggs, widow of John Biggs, who was a Matross, in the Revo. war,
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 100 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11, day of Feby: 1845. and sent to
Hon. J. A. Caldwell House of Reps.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 2 Page 178,
m. 2710 First Reso. Dany Dec 1843 2 Certs.
1 — 1838, 1 — 1843,
rep.
Let to G W M. Sen. Agt. Louisville Ky Mar 26 th 45 Hon. J. F. Becc July 21. 1840.

9801
Sarah Biggs Ken.
act 7. July 38
M. 84. 040
Mult. & P. ... act 1828 No 16.
Rec. Oct. 1843.

State of Kentucky Adair County
On this the 13 th day of Sept r . 1843 personally appeared before me John H Taylor an acting Justice of the peace in and for the county & state aforesaid Mrs Sarah Biggs a resident of said county aged eighty five years, and who after 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 the act of Congress part 7 th July 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pension to certain widows," to wit that she is the widow of John Biggs who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution & she thinks belonged to the Virginia State troops and who on account of his service as said soldier in said war in said line received a Pension of $96.00 per annum and to the evidence comprising the matter of the application of her said Husband for said Pension she refers for such particulars as are necessary in the investigation of her claim, She farther states that she has no documentary evidence in support of her claim nor does she know of any person living by whom she can prove her marriage, She farther declares that she was married to the said John Biggs on the 25 th day of January seventeen hundred & eighty four, and that her said Husband John Biggs died on the 7 th day of April 1840 That she was not married to the said John Biggs previous to his leaving the

service but the marriage took place prior to the first day of January 1794 which was at the time above stated & that she has never since the death of her said husband intermarried but still remains his widow Sarah her Biggs mark. sworn to & subscribed on the day & year aforesaid before me interlined before signed
Jno. H. Taylor Esq.
the foregoing Justice of the peace hereby certify that the said Declarant (Judging from her appearan- ces & her statement) that she is wholly unable to ap- pear in open court, without great risk  it would be at much risk for her to attempt it for she is sick at this time scratched out & interlined before signed, Jno. H. Taylor Esq.
State of Kentucky, County of Adair 3 d Set
At a County Court continued & held for the County of Adair at the Courthouse in Columbia on Tuesday the 3 rd day of October 1843. It is ordered by the Court to be certified and recorded that the proceedings in the matter of the application of Mr. Sarah Biggs for a pension before Jno. H. Taylor Esq. on the 13 th day of September 1843 be and the same are now submitted to the Court and are sanctioned by the Court. It is

further Ordered that the Said proceedings are entitled to as full faith and credit as though they had been made in open Court.
I William Caldwell Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do certify that the foregoing order is truly and correctly transcribed from the records of Said Court in my office, and that Jno. H. Saylor whose signatures appear to the foregoing affidavit and certificate is a Justice and was at the time of signing there an acting Justice of the peace of Said County and the signatures purporting to be his are genuine. In testimony whereof I have set my hand and affixed the Seal of Said Court this 4 th day of October 1843.
Wm Caldwell Clk
By Junius Caldwell D.C.

State of Kentucky Adair County 30
On this the 25 th day of January 1845 personally appeared before me Andrew Ewing: an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County & Anthony Reed a citizen of said County aged Eighty years of age, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following Statement to wit, That he is the Brother of Sarah Biggs widow of John Biggs who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and for his service in said war received a pension at the rate of $100 per annum, on the Kentucky agency at Lexington (he thinks) and who for many years was a citizen of Adair County Kentucky, and died in said County on the 7 th day of April, 1840, He further states that he lived some 400 miles from his said Sister when she married but he went to see her in Carroll County North Carolina in the year of Seventeen hundred and Ninety and they then had 3 children he knew her then as the wife of the aforesaid John Biggs, and continued his wife up to his death, She and her husband the said John Biggs lived agreeably together as husband and wife from their their marriage to his death & raised 10 respectable children, and that she still continues his widow having never intermarried since his death. I sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me Andrew Ewing J.P.
A. Anthony Reed

I certify that the Affiant is personally known to me & is a farmer of Said County & known to be a man of Veracity & truth & all his statements entitled to full faith & credit in Testimony whereof I do hereunto subscribe my name This 25 th January 1845 Andrew Ewing pp A C
State of Kentucky & County of Adair
I William Caldwell Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Andrew Ewing whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit and certificate is a justice of the peace for Said County and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 25 th day of January 1845.
Wm Caldwell Clerk

Concord, N.H. Sept. 18th 1881
Yours of the 2nd inst. received. John Briggs had been at the 103rd Reg't of the 1st Infantry, and I think he was there when it was mustered out.
I am very sorry that I cannot give you more information. Yours truly, John G. Dyer

John Biggs N o . 1767

I certify that John Biggs of Harrison artillery Virginia Line receives pay as a private soldier under the act of the 13 th of May 1828
Treasury dept September 3rd 1831
Thomas M. Dickinson -

Application for a transfer
County of White ss
on this 27 th day of November 1837 before the me the subscriber a Justice of the peace for the said County of White personally appeared John Biggs who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Him. in the Regiment commanded by Col Charles Harrison in the service of the United States that his name was placed on the Pension Roll of the State of Kentucky - from whence he has lately removed - that he now resides in the State of Illinois (Hamilton County) where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable in future - The following are his reasons for removing from Kentucky to Illinois - That one of his children moved to Illinois, and he came to live with that one
Sworn and subscribed to before me the day and year aforesaid
En. W. W. Cox , J. P.
John Biggs his mark
In presence of Daniel Keay

State of Illinois } White County } ss I James Ratcliff Clerk of the County Commissioners Court in and for said County Do hereby certify that Enoch Wilson whose name appears to the above and within affidavits is and was on the date thereof an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified into office, and that as such full faith and credit is due and of Right ought to be given to all his official acts In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affi- xed the seal of said Court at Carmi this 27 th day of Nov r 1837 Ja Ratcliff Clerk

18 318
INVALID.
See U.W. Wid. File 8,364.
File No. 18,318
Sarah Biggs
Widow Rev. War in Virginia line
No 9 B
Act: May 15 28
on Kentucky roll
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 26
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Rev
WIDOW, &c.
File No. 8364
Sarah Biggs
Wid. of
John Biggs
Rev. War
Act: March 31/48
Index:—Vol. A , Page 62
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Mr Biggs has received his pension in Kentucky - up to the 4 September 1837 J. Hay
No 9801
Sarah Biggs Mother of John Biggs
Act 7 July 1838
Adm d 2 years interest $100 00 per a n
from 7 April 1840. to 4 March 1841
Adm d Act 3 March 1843 $100 00 No 6955
Gen G. A. Caldwell House of Reps.

9801
Sarah Biggs Mem.
Let. to Hon. G. A. Caldwell Apr. 24, '44 " " Do. Do. — Do. Dec. 19, '44 " " Do. Do. Do. Jan'y 3, 1845
Alt July 7, 1838.

9046
Kentucky
Sarah Biggs widow of John Biggs who was a pensioner under the Act of 1828 and who died on the 7 th Ap r . 1840 of Aldait in the State of Ky who was a Mat ro s in the Company commanded by Captain _____ of the _____ Va. _____ in the Revo _____ line for 2 yrs.
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 100 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. 7, April, 1840. —
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of Feb. 1845 and sent to Hon. G. A. Calhoun H Reps $
[Act July 7, 1835.]
Recorded by J. A. Swann Clerk, Book a Vol. 1 Page 363.
No 271
Certified under H. Hess. Jan'y 23 rd 1845 at $100 per share Common. 4 th March 1836 and ending y e 4 th April 1840 and said to be on G. A. Calowill. Messrs. Columbia, New York.

No. 1 Original for next 916 REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 17 Feb 1829.
John Biggs _____ of _____ in the County of Adair in the State of Kentucky has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An Act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination, at which period he was a Private in captain _____'s company, in Col  Harrison's regiment of the Virginia line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing .
The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.
By order of the Secretary, W. Dickins
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE, 21 February 1829
It appears by the records in this office, that a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars has been issued to _____ in the _____ It further appears that John Biggs _____ is now on the pension list of the army _____ agency, and has been so since the 3d March 1826 at the rate of _____ dollars per month.
John Biggs appears to have received a certificate for his pay, as a Dragoon in the Virginia line, up to the 18th December 1782, but he does not appear to have received any for the Reward of eighty Dollars -
John Hagner Ass't

General Land Office 25 Feby. 1829
It appears from the list of Warrants issued by the Register of the Land Office at Richmond va that John Biggs is stated to have been a Soldier for the War & as such a Warrant for 200 acres of land was issued in his name
G. B. Graham Commissioner

Nov 1828 Entered on Inventory Count with Ad C W W File # 8364
[Handwritten signature or mark]

House of Rep! July 16 th 1829
Sir,
I herewith enclose two declarations of old Soldiers for Pensions—
So soon as they are examined please to let me know the decision
With great respect Yrs & O. R.
R. A. Buckner

Draft.
March 2 nd 1829
Mr. Jas o Briggs of Adair Cty lives near to Columbia, Kentucky
With respect Your ob. ob.
R. S. Buckner

Sarah Biggs
Under the joint resolution of 23 d Jany: 1845 and act of 7 th July, 1838,
Adm d . of $100 per ann: from 4 March, 1836 to 7 April, 1840 —
Hon: G. W. Caldwell, Columbia, Kentucky.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the resolution of Congress of the 23 rd January 1845,
Whereas the act of the 30 th April 1844, prohibited me from drawing a pension for the same period, during which my husband was a pensioner, I now make the following statement under oath to obtain the benefits of the resolution above mentioned; I am the widow of John Biggs who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution; I have been allowed a pension at the rate of one hundred Dollars per annum from the 7 th April 1840, and now ask for the amount due me from the 4 th March 1836, to the 7 th day of April 1840, when my former pension commenced Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 12 th day of March 1845 Sarah Biggs mark at Ezekiel Turners in Adair County, State of Kentucky
Andrew Ewing Justice of the Peace
I certify that the declarant is personally known to me and that she is the same individual she represented herself to be in the foregoing affidavit.
Andrew Ewing Justice of the Peace

State of Kentucky } set Adair County }
I William Caldwell Clerk of the Adair County Court do hereby Certify that Andrew Ewing who has signed the foregoing is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Adair in the State of Kentucky & that the above is his Signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 7 th day of April 1845 at Columbia in Adair County in the State of Kentucky W m Caldwell

Walter H. 29 th Dec 1890
Dec 18
Mr Edward
James J. Edward Esqr Commissioner of Police Washington City
Free

Carmi Illinois
27 th November 1837
Sir
John Briggs - a Pensioner under the act of the 15 th of May 1828 - has lately removed from Kentucky to this State - and settled some 13 or 14 miles from me - he has this day applied to me in person to aid him in being transferred to this State - if no objection to the application you can direct your communication to me very Respectfully your ob t serv t
Daniel Hay
James L Edward Esqr Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Northern Bank of Ky Glasgow Decr 26 1837
Sir
In reply to your favor of the 16 th Inst. I have to inform you that John Biggs has been paid to the 4 th September 1837. Our books will be regulated according to your instructions.
Very respectfully
Your Obedt Servant John Gilford Cust per Wm Ernst clerk
J. L. Edwards Esq Committee of Pensions

Washington City
Dec r 24 th 1844
Dear Sir
Your letter under date 19 th Inst. in relation to the cases of Mrs. Polly and Mrs. Biggs claiming pensions was duly received
You inform me that the evidence in the case of Mrs. Biggs is insufficient - but do not say whether the insufficiency arises from the want of evidence of the service of her husband or the want of evidence of the celebration of the marriage prior to 1 st Jany. 1794
The deceased husband of Mrs. Biggs was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States to my knowledge and was on the roll of the Kentucky agency under the act of the 15 th May 1828 at the rate I think of $100 pr. annum for his services in Harrisons Artillery regiment. He From my knowledge of the family and of the witnesses

especially John Stotts (who is a man of the first respectability and has served in the Ky. Legislature) I can not doubt that she was, lawfully married to her deceased husband, at the time that she and the witnesses stated
I hope you will revise this case and upon a review of it, that you will be satisfied that the evidence of marriage is satisfactory.
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Geo. A. Caldwell
Hon J. L. Edwards Chairman of Pensions

Hon. of Reps. Feby 3 rd 1845
Sir
I send you herewith the letter of Mr. Trabon enclosing additional proof in the case of Mrs. Biggs which I hope will be sufficient. The applicant, the witnesses and the agent are all my constituents - and entitled to the highest respect and confidence. I hope you will find the proof sufficient and forward me a certificate as soon as practicable
Respectfully
Your att. Servt. G. A. Calamsee
Hon J. L. Edwards Commr of Pensions

10254 Nov 10327 - 102 Washington City 9801-oct Ap l 18 th 1844
Dear Sir
I am requested to call your attention to the fact that about last Sept r Mr. G. H. Trabue of Frankfort Ky transmitted to you the declaration and evidence in support of the claim of the widow of Wm Mosby die d late of Adair Co Ky to a pension under the act of the 7 th July 1838 and likewise the Decl. & proof of the claim of Mrs. Biggs of Adair Co. to a pension under do. act. That in the month of October he transmitted to you the decl. of Mrs. Scott widow of the late Jn s Scott die d of Cumberland county Ky for a pension under act 7 th July 1838. and in Jan y enclosed to you a copy of the Marriage bond and license. In these cases I presume that nothing but the great press of business in your office has prevented their allowance as I am advised that they are undisputed cases. I hope therefore you will find leisure to bestow upon these cases your

immediate attention.
Very Respectfully
Your obedt Servt
Geo H. Baldwin
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Court of Pensions

State of Kentucky } ss County of Adair }
At County Court began and held for the County aforesaid at the Courthouse in Columbia on Monday the 11 th day of May 1840.
Present James Page, Andrew Ewing and John H. Taylor Esqrs.
Satisfactory proof was this day made in open Court, by the oaths of Ezekiel Turner, & Hiram Green that John Biggs late a pensioner of the United States departed this life on the 7 th day of April 1840, and that the said John Biggs was the identical person named in an original certificate now here shown to the Court, bearing date the 17 th day of August 1829 and signed by T. D. Ingham Secretary of the treasury granting to the said John Biggs a pension of eight dollars & 33 1 / 3 cents Per month and numbered 883. And it was further proven to the satisfaction of the Court, that Sally Biggs is the widow of the said John Biggs and that she is now living."
I William Caldwell Clerk of Said Court do certify that the foregoing is truly transcribed from the records of Said Court in my office.
In testimony whereof I have affixed the Seal of my office and subscribed my name this 11 th day of May 1844.
Wm Caldwell Clk by Junius Caldwell D.C.

State of Kentucky Adair County ss 3 intact
on this the 13 th day of September 1843 personally appeared before me John N Taylor an acting Justice of the peace in & for the county & state aforesaid, Anthony Price of said county who after being first duly sworn according to law dollo on his oath make the following declaration to wit that he is a Brother of Sarah Biggs the widow of John Biggs who was a petitioner & drew $96 per annum & who died the 7 th day of April Eighteen hundred & forty, he further Declares that he did not see them married but knew them as man and wife in 1788 they then had three children he further Declares that he have known them and lived neighbour to them ever since and never heard there marriage questioned & that she never have intermarried but still continues his widow
Anthony Price his mark sworn to and subscribed on the day and year aforesaid before me J. N. Taylor

State of Kentucky } Set County of Adair }
I William Caldwell Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Mr. H. Taylor whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace for said County and the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 4 th day of October 1843
William Caldwell Clerk By James Caldwell D. C.

State of Kentucky Adair county set. ~
On this the 14 th day of May 1844 personally appeared before me John H. Taylor an acting Justice of the peace in & for the county & state aforesaid John State of 5 th county aged seventy three years past who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following statement to wit, That he has for the last twenty five or thirty years been well acquainted with, & lived near neighbor to, & had much dealings with Anthony Rose the brother of Sarah Biggs & who on the 13 th day of September last gave a deposition in behalf of his 5 th Sister Sarah Biggs & which deposition has been returned from the Department for a certificate of 5 th Biggs character & respectability. He further states the 5 th Rose is a man of credibility & that he fully believes the statements that he has made in reference to his Sister to be true & all his statements on oath are entitled to full faith & credit.
He further states that he has been acquainted with & lived near neighbor to 5 th John Biggs for twenty five or thirty years & that he knew him to be a pensioner at the rate of ninety five dollars per Annum up to his death which took place the 7 th day of April 1844.
Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written Before me Jno. H. Taylor J.P.
John Mott's

Kentucky State County of Adair set
I the Aforesaid Subscribing Justice in & for the City & State aforesaid certify that I have been well acquainted for several years with the officer John Stoll & that his statement is entitled to full perfect & implicit reliance faith & credit that he is further a man of responsibility & respectability. I further state that my acquaintance with Anthony Road has been too limited to certify anything with any certainty in reference to his credibility on oath but that what knowledge I have is favourable to it. Given under my hand this 14 th day of May 1844 Jno. H. Taylor JP
State of Kentucky, Adair County Set
I William Caldwell Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that John H. Taylor whose name appears to the foregoing certificate is a magistrate as appears above and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be theirs  his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office & subscribed my name this 14 th day of May 1844
Wm Caldwell Clk by Jemima Caldwell D.C.
Note - The word "theirs" erased and the word "his" written above it in the foregoing certificate before signing.
Test. Jemima Caldwell D.C.

Columbia January 26 th 1845
Dear Sir
Inclosed I send you the affidavits of John Stotts & Anthony Poe which is deemed sufficient in the case of M rs Biggs application for a pension, as it respects date of marriage, I also send a copy of the Records in the Col rs office of the Death of John Biggs & the date & number of his Pension Certificate, all of which I sent to you last May or June with the request to lay them before the war department, they were enclosed with the papers of M rs Scott of Cumberland County Tenn, I suppose through mistake had been filed with her papers, but I feel assured this will be satisfactory; You will do me the honour to present those claims & give me information of the result as soon as possible
I am dear Sir your Humble Obed t Servant Wm Habue
How G. S. Caldwell House of Representatives

State of Kentucky Adair County ss
On this the 25 th day of January 1845 before me Andrew Ewing an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared John Stotts a resident of said County aged seventy six years part who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath make the following statement to wit, That he has been well acquainted with (& a near- neighbour to) John Biggs a Revolutionary pen- sioner at the rate of $100 per annum and who died the 7 th day of April 1840, for 38 or 40 years part he further states that he is well acquainted with Sarah Biggs the wife of the aforesaid John Biggs & now his widow & there respectable family of children and that they were honourable & respectable and that full faith & credit is due to all her statements & from his knowledge & acquaintance with the family he verily believes & do es not doubt but they were Law- fully married at least fifty years since judging from the ages of their children; he further states that he has been well acquainted with Anthony Poe of 3 d County for 38 or 40 years part & have known him as the Brother of Sarah Biggs and that he is a clever honest truthful and re- spectable farmer and deserves well of all who know him and is intitled to their confidence sworn to & subscribed the day & and year aforesaid before me John Stotts Andrew Ewing Jp AC
I the aforesaid Justice do certify that Applicant is personally known to me and is a farmer of the first magnitude & a pious Christian & of the first respectability & that full faith & credit is due to all his statements In Testimony whereof I do hereunto subscribe my name this 25 th January 1845 Andrew Ewing Jp AC

State of Kentucky County of Adair
I William Caldwell Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that Andrew Ewing whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit and certificate is a justice of the peace for said County and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 25th day of January 1845.
Wm Caldwell Clerk

State of Kentucky County of Clark No. 1
At a County Court leagant & held for the County aforesaid at the Courthouse in Columbia on Monday the 6 th day of May 1840.
"Satisfactory proof was this day made in open Court by the oath of Ezekiel Turner & William Green that John Biggs late a pensioner of the United States departed this life on the 17 th day of April 1840, and that the said John Biggs was the identical person named in an original certificate now here shown to the Court, bearing date the 19 th day of August 1839 and signed by S. D. Ingham Secretary of the Treasury, granting to the said John Biggs a pension of eight dollars & 33 1/3 cents per Month and numbered 883. And it was further proven to the satisfaction of the Court, that Sally Biggs is the widow of the said John Biggs and that she is now living."
(William Caldwell Clerk of the County Court for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing is a full & complete copy from the records of said Court in my office.)
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of my office this 18 th day of January 1840.
Wm Caldwell Clerk

How G. A. Caldwell House of Representative D, C

Adair County Ky November 15 th 1844
Sir
Inclosed I send you the papers of Mrs Shirley not doubting but the proof will be sufficient as no record of Marriage can be found in Caroline County Virginia where they were married since making her Declaration she have found in the possession of her Grand Daughter there family Bible with the family Record of there Marriage & that of 5 of there Children & one Grand Daughter & the Births of 2 of there Sons in there own hand writing which was copied about the year 1818 from there old family Bible which was kept in her husband John Shirley's own hand writing I hope this explanation & proof will be sufficient before the Department & the certificate of allowance granted and sent on in haste for she is very needy. — Also Inclosed I send you the papers of Mrs Polley hoping the affidavit of D. A. Strange will be deemed sufficient to show the relation of husband & Wife prior to January 1794 no record of License or Marriage bond can be found in Fairfield County South Carolina where the rites of matrimony were solemnized by a Justice of the peace. These papers were before the Department & sent back to have the credibility of William Estes & Nicholas A Strange certified all of which have been done by the Court,
In the case of Mrs Biggs

the Deposition of Arthur Rowe was also sent back to have his credibility certified & also to show that the said John Briggs was a Panderer on the Kentucky Agency all of which was satisfactorily done I hope & the pa- pers sent back to the department in June Last I think & have not heard from them since, I have failed in this case also to find any record of Marriage Bond or license in Caswell or Guilford County North Carolina where they were married,
I am Sir with Respect Your Obedient Servant W m Trubee
How G. A. Caldwell House of Representatives

Frankfort Kentucky October 10 1843
Rev. Sir, I herewith enclose you the declaration with the approval of the Court of Mrs Sarah Biggs of Adair County Ky Making application for a Pension under the act of Tennessee passed 7 July 1838. The Marriage as I am informed was celebrated in the State of North Carolina, and I am unapprised of the proper place or office, at which to make application for a copy of the Bonds or authority under which they were Married. In this case however, I hope the evidence enclosed will be deemed satisfactory.
Please enclose me the Certificate of Allowance to Frankfort Kentucky.
I am Sir Very Respectfully your Obed Servant B H Trubee

Kentucky Pension agency Louisville March 21. 1845.
J. S. Edwards Esq
Com. of Pensions Sir By your advn of 11. Feby last
I was instructed to enroll the name of Lydia Powers widow of Jno. Biggs who was a Matross at the rate of $100 per ann m commencing on 7. April 1840. under act 7 Feby 1838. — and by another advn of same date was directed to enroll the name of Lydia Biggs widow of John Biggs who was a Matross at the rate of 100$ Com. S. 4 March 1843 under act 3 rd March 1843.
To Day have been applied to by Sarah Biggs widow of Jno. Biggs who was a Matross for payment of her Pension under act 7. July 1838. at rate of $100 per Annum. Also for the like Pension under act 3 March 1843. & 17 June 1844. and as her name is not on my Books, I appeal to you for instructions; But presume there are one and the same persons and that the error exists in giving the name erroneously in the former instances.
I am with much Respect
Your ob t . Serv t .
G. W. McMurtry Pngd