Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20, John Chester, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Chester, John Mary
No. 20
CONTENTS

For Bryan Mch 28/53 E. W. Newman July 16. 1853
21087 Samuel Snedecor Mary Chester widow of John Chester who served in the Revolutionary war, as a Colo. Harmer Penn Private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1st day of March 1849 and sent to John T. Brien Snedecor Tenn.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 287 Vol. 3.

20.067 East Tennessee
John Chester,
of Sullivan Co in the State of Tennessee who was a Sergeant in the company commanded by Captain Humphrey of the Regiment commanded by Colonel Harriet in the Pennsylvania line, for the term of four years from 1777 to 1781
Inscribed on the roll of East Tennessee at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 7 day of Dec: 1829
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 d of December 1829 and sent to Rev. John Blair House of Reps.
Arrears to 4th of March 1830 $ 23. 48 Semi-annual all'ce ending
$ 23. 48
{ Revolutionary Claim, Acts March 18, 1818, and May 1, 1820. }
Rec: Book L. Vol: 9 fol: 97
See letter Sept. 15. 1891 to J. C. Rhea.
Paid at the Treasury under the act of 6 th April 1838 from 4 th March 1840 to 4 th Jan y 1841. Agent notified April 22 d 1842

p. 58. B t B, Perm a line 6 th capt.
(The Capt & Col. were capt d ) 10 th capt, in 1783
30.067.
Sculler
Sculler & Col. were capt d 10 th capt, in 1783

Original Claim -
State of Tennessee May Sessions 1829
Sullivan County On this 18th day of May 1829 personally appeared in open court being a court of record for the said county John Chester Resident in said county aged about 74 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818 & the 1st May 1820 that he the said John Chester entitled for the term of three years in the Winter of 1777 in the State of Pennsylvania in the company commanded by Captain Isaac Humphrey in the Regt commanded by Col. Josiah Harker being the 6th Regt in the line of the State of Pennsylvania on the continental establishment and shortly thereafter was made orderly sergeant and a part of that time served as Quartermaster Sergeant. That he continued to serve in the said corps until the year 1781 having served under the said engagement almost four years or within two months or thereabouts of the term of four years Declarant states that he was in the following battles vizt Germantown at the Storming of Stony Point at Monmouth at the taking of Gil. Bourgon Brandy Wine besides many other skirmishes too tedious to mention and after having served the full time of three years & six months or thereabouts he was discharged from the service in Princeton State of New Jersey by Genl. Anthony Wayne That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present that his name is not on the roll of any state except the State of Pennsylvania and that the following are the reasons for not making earlier application for a pension viz - Declarant was a Farmer by profession and while he was able to make a living by the labour of his hands & the sweat of his brow he was determined not to ask his country for assistance but Now by reason of age and bodily infirmity he is unable to get his living by his labour & therefore is now reduced to the humiliating necessity to ask his country for assistance to enable him to drag out his few remaining years And in pursuance to the act of the 1st May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a Resident

citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of 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 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule annexed and by me subscribed that since the 18th of March 1818 the following changes have been made in my property Second & declared on the day and date first above written - declarant states that he has a wife & three children to maintain -
John Chester
Here follows a schedule of declarant's property in the year 1818 and also the 18th day of May 1829    Property owned in 1818 -  Property owned at this time    326 Acres of poor land  376 Acres of land worth    Worth about $100 per acre  Say $100 per acre - $376    Mostly wood cut -  1 House worth - 20    Two horse teams worth  1 Mule & colt worth 60    $40 - E  4 Cows worth say $8 E 20    About 4 heads of cows &  6 Yearlings & calves worth    Some calves & yearlings about  $1:50 Pound 9    10 or 12 in number  25 heads of hogs or there    Worth say $4 Pound  about great & small worth    2 or 3 plows worth 3 E  Say $1:00 Pound 25    2 or 3 reaping hoes -  3 Plows worth    2 Axes worth -  Each $5 E - 15     3 old hoes worth 50 E 1:5     2 chopping axes $1:50 3 00     Total $ 52 9:5    The land is poor & worn out and a portion was rented at $1 per acre All of the declarant's  unable to till it with his own hands & has no one to work it for him Second & subscribed in open court the day & date first above written John Chester

State of Tennessee This day appeared in Open Sullivan County Court Jonathan Bachman & David Bragg - who being sworn according to Law doth say that they are well acquainted with John Chester the within declarant and do also know that he is aged & infirm and is poor & does need the assistance of his country in his old age. & that in an judgment the property named in the foregoing schedule would note bring for cash at least more than $529 - Sworn & Subscribed in Open Court this 18th day of May 1829
Jonathan Bachman
David Bragg
State of Tennessee } Sullivan County } May 1829 I Richard Netherland Clerk of the Court of pleas of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of State of Tennessee do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court that the said John Chester did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the foregoing Declaration against the common enemy for the term of Three years & Two Months under an engagement in the Continental establishment I also certify that the foregoing oath & schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total amount in value of property exhibited in the foregoing schedule is not worth more than $529.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Seal of said Court on this 18th day of May 1829
Richard Netherland Clerk By J. C. Netherland

Oct 14: Elizabeth Chester of Lynn
Art. 38
Additional Proof of Age
Oct 14/52
Joseph Bryan of H.

State of Tennessee } County of Sullivan } S.S.
On this the 18 th day of March A.D. 1852 personally appeared before the subscriber an acting justice of the peace in and for the county and State aforesaid, duly authorized to administer oaths. Elizabeth Chester and made oath in due form of law that she is the daughter of John Chester who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States at the rate of $96 per annum that he died on the day of January 183 A.D. leaving a widow Mrs Mary Chester who was also a pensioner of the United States, and drew a pension at the rate of $80 per annum, under the acts of Congress of July the 7 th 1838, March 3 rd 1843 June 17 th 1844, and February 1848, the certificate of which last mentioned has been returned and surrendered. Affiant, further, declares that, Mary Chester aforesaid died on the 17 th day of October A.D. 1850, leaving the following children as her heirs at law, affiant, Elizabeth Chester, Obadiah Chester and Jane Paterson. Affiant having been informed that the pension, of her mother the aforesaid, Mary Chester should have been increased to the same rate per annum which her father the aforesaid John Chester drew, makes this declaration in order to obtain the arrears of pension due her mother, Mary Chester at her death, under the act of Congress of July 1 st 1848.
Elizabeth her Chester mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written before me, and I further certify that Elizabeth Chester who makes the above declaration is a daughter of John Chester, who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States at the rate of $96 per annum, and Mary Chester, who was also a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States at the rate of $80 per annum. I further certify that Mary Chester aforesaid, was never married after the commencement of her pension, and was a widow at the day of her death; that she died on the 17 th day of October A.D. 1852, leaving the following children, Elizabeth Chester, Obadiah Chester and Jane Paterson. I further certify that Elizabeth Chester who makes the above declaration is a woman in whom full faith and credit may be placed and her oath would be taken in any court of justice where she is known, In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand the day and year above written. R. Lyman Smith I Pract for Sullivan county Tenn

Power of Attorney
Know all men by these presents that I, Elizabeth Chester of the county of Sullivan and State of Tennessee, do hereby, nom- -inates, constitute and appoint, Fannie Wher- -man of the town of Knoxville Tennessee my true and lawful Attorney in my name, place, and stead, to prosecute my claim for all arrears of pension which was due my late Mother Mary Chester at her death. Has ther. giving my attorney the said human power to examine all papers which may be on file, to file all proof and receive all commu- -nications, in relation to my claim, for increase or arrears of pension.
Herby ratifying and confirming all that my attorney may lawfully do in the premises by virtue thereof. In Witness whereof I here- -unto set my hand and seal this the 18th day of March A.D. 1852. Elizabeth her Chester mark Signed sealed and delivered In the presence of — James W. Newman. W. K. Wilson
Be it known that, before me, a Justice of the in and for the county of Sullivan and the State of Tennessee personally appeared, Elizabeth Chester and acknowledges the foregoing power of attorney to be her act and deed for the purposes therein contained. In Witness whereof I hereunto set my hand this the 19th day of March A.D. 1852. Elijah Smith J Peace

State of Tennessee County of Sullivan
To wit;
I, H. P. Ford clerk of the county court of Sullivan county Tennessee do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to show that John Chesker who was a Revolutionary pensioner of the United States died leaving a surviving widow Mary Chesker, who was also placed upon the pension rolls at the rate of $80. per annum. and died on 17 th day of October A.D. 1850, the certificate of whose pension has been returned and surrendered; that the aforesaid Mary Chesker died leaving the following children as her heirs at law, Elizabeth Chesker, Obadiah Chesker, and Jane Patterson. I further certify that Elijah Smith before whom the foregoing papers were had is an acting Justice of the peace duly commissioned and sworn and the signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and fix my seal of office this 22 nd day of March A.D. 1852.
H. P. Ford Clerk

FAMILY RECORD.
BIRTHS.
BIRTHS.
Elizabeth Chester born sunday December 23 rd 1787
Robert Chester born wens day December 9 th 1789.
John Chester born thursday october 20 th 1791.
Mark Chester born friday September 13 th 1793
Jane Chester born wens day January 6 th 1796
Ezra Chester born wensday December 20 th 1797
Mary Chester born wens day December 3 1800
George Chester born sa turday february 6 1802
Obadiah Chester born th
sunday June 17 1805
Nancy Chester born friday July 14 th 1811

FAMILY RECORD.
MARRIAGES.
John Chester and Mary Bedwell Married March 21 st in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty six
MARRIAGES.
Robert Chester Married February 1816
John Chester Married December 15 th 1814
Ezra Chester Married June 25 th 1818
Obadiah Chester Married February 11 th 1835
I certify that this is the the family Record taken from Mrs Chester's Bible In witness whereof, I set my hand this 21 st December 1843 J. H. Fulkerson
L. Pease

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th July 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pension to certain widows
and in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed March 3 rd 1843 granting one years pay and pension to certain widows
State of Tennessee } Sullivan County } ss On this 21 st day of December 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace M rs Mary Chester a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged Twenty Three years who being first duly sworn according to law with in her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pension to certain widows That she is the widow:
and in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed March 3 rd 1843 granting one years pay and pension to certain widows That she is the widow of John Chester who was a soldier in the Regular service in the Pennsylvania line in the war of the Revolution that the aforesaid John Chester drew a pension under the act of Congress of March 18 th 1818 of $96 for his said service she further declares that she was married to the said John Chester on the 21 st of March nineteen hundred and Eight six That her husband the aforesaid John Chester died on the 4 th January 1841 that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place subsequent to the first of January nineteen hundred and Eight four viz at the time above stated
Mary Chester mark
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 the said Mrs Mary Cheston is from bodily infirmity unable to attend Court I further certify that the family record attached to her applica- tion of her marriage with her husband John Cheston was in the family Bible in her possession and I believe it to be a true record of her marriage and the births of her children In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 21 st December Eighteen hundred and forty three
State of Tennessee } I-35- Fulkerson Sullivan County } ss January Term 1844 County Court J. P.
The declaration of Mrs Mary Cheston certified on the 21 st day of December 1843 by J. W. Fulkerson a Justice of the peace for said County being submitted to the Court the said Court with approval his proceedings and act in said case and hereby directs the Clerk to indorse the approval on the papers
State of Tennessee } Sullivan County } ss
I John B. Rutledge Clerk of the County Court of Sullivan County do hereby certify that the foregoing proceedings on the original proceedings had and approved of by the County Court of Sullivan County at its January Term 1844 relative to the declaration of Mary Cheston to obtain the benefit of acts of Congress relative to Revolutionary pensions and I further certify that the aforesaid J. W. Fulkerson Esq. 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 Blountville this 19 th of January 1844 John B. Rutledge Clerk

John Chester, Wid. File No. 20, enlisted in Pennsylvania in the Winter of 1777, and served three years and ten months as Orderly Sergeant and Quartermaster's Sergeant under Captain Jacob Humphreys Colonel Josiah Harmar in the 6th Pennsylvania regiment; he was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, taking of Burgoyne, Monmouth and Stony Point, and was discharged at Trenton, New Jersey.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 18, 1829, at which time he resided in Sullivan County, Tennessee, and was seventy-four years of age.
Soldier married March 21, 1786, Mary Birdwell or Budwell; he died January 4, 1841, and she was allowed pension on her application executed December 21, 1843, while seventy-three years of age and a resident of Sullivan County, Tennessee. She died October 17, 1850(?), leaving three children, Elizabeth and Obadiah Chester and Jane Paterson.
Children of John and Mary Chester:
Elizabeth, born December 23, 1787. Robert, " December 9, 1789, married February-- 1810. John, " October 20, 1791, married December 15, 1814. Mark, " September 13, 1793. Jane, " January 6, 1796. Ezra, " December 20, 1797, married June 25, 1818. Mary, " December 3, 1800. George, " February 6, 1802. Obadiah, " June 7, 1805, married February 11, 1835. Nancy, " July 14, 1811.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.

1912 Aug. 16. Hist. to Rear. Sam'l. C. M. Chester letter in W. File 17,611 files Chester R.
20
Pay WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20
Albany Chester, Widow
John Chester, Priv. Rev. War
Act: Feb. 2, 1848.
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page _____
[Arrangement of 1870.]

and the 25 June No. 204
April 30th
1843
Cert e iss d under Seal Pension Jan y 23 1843. at $80 per Annum Com d 4th March 1836 & ending 4th March 1841 and sent to Hon J. W. Blackwell Athens Tennessee
Essex Ind.
8501
Jonesboro. Tennessee
Mary Chester widow of John Chester
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818 and who died on the 14 January 1841 of Sullivan Co in the State of Tenn who was a private in the Co. commanded by Captain Humphrey of the Reg t commanded by Harmer in the Penns a line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Jonesboro at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836. 14 Jan y . 1841
Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of June 1844 and sent to Hon J. W. Blackwell Athens. Tenn
Total amount,
$
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by J. J. Swann Clerk, Book D Vol. 1 Page 343

First Class of 2nd Class 1843 No. 204
5768. Jonesboro Tennessee
Mary Chester widow of John Chester, who was a Pirate in the Penn Line.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of June and sent to Hon. J. W. Blackwell. Athens, Tennessee.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 217
1843 - act of 1843 - act of 1843 - act of

State of Tennessee August Session 1829 - Sullivan County On this 18th day of August 1829 personally appeared in open court John Peoples aged Fifty Four years James Pickens aged Fifty Six years and Charles Dyer aged Sixty Two years who first being sworn in due form of law doth on their oaths make the following statement to wit - That they are close neighbours to Mr. John Christian who has applied to the United States for a pension for Revolution any service and are well acquainted with his circumstances and also the nature of his Real & Personal Property as given in his schedule now on file in the War Office and are fully satisfied that the property was estimated greatly to high and that a mistake was by him made in giving in Fifty Acres of land more than he has any title for whatever he however claims the 50 acres but has no sort of title for it or whatever for that in stead of 376 acres as given in the schedule there is in fact but 325 - And half of which amounting to 163 acres and very clear is not fit for cultivation and is of a about the same quality of land that is situated in the same neighbourhood for the sake of the timber at one cent per acre - 163 acres at one cent per acre is $1.63 The other half - 163 a good portion is worn out and in our opinion would be high at $1.25 per acre 163 acres at $1.25 per acre is 203.75 The House as estimated at $20 is upwards of Twenty years old & in our opinion is not worth more than - The Mammals bolt as estimated at $60 is by far too high the mammal is more than twelve years old the colt indifferent so that they are high at - The foregoing estimate to be worth $ 15.00 205.38

  Amount Brought Over  $ 255:38    6 Yearlings & balvs we value at 1 $ 6  6:00    25 Heads of Hogs we estimate at 50 cents     Each the most of them being shotes &  12-50    Small Pigs  7:00    3 Plows we value at  1:50    3 Hoes  3:00    3 Axes  285:38  
Making in all — Total — $ 285 38  Affidavit Further States that in their opinion the property contained in Schedule before alluded to of which the above is a copy does not exceed in Value $ 285:38  We Further State that the said John Stewart is aged and infirm & does really need the assistance of his Government to maintain him in his declining years to support him — We Further State that we have long been acquainted with the S d Stewart and would believe him on Oath sworn to & subscribed in Open Court the day & date first above written
Sworn to and subscribed in Open Court on the 18th day of August 1829
John Peeples James Picken Charles Jones
Johnathan D. Blake

Pogersville
August 20 th 1829
Honourable
John H Eaton Secretary at War
Sir I herewith enclose you an amended schedule of the property owned by John Chester who is an applicant for a pension and whose papers are on file in your office. It will be seen by reference to the testimony of three disinterested and very highly respectable witnesses that the property was estimated by Mr. Chester in his schedule greatly too high. I hope therefore that the objection will be removed and the poor old man who in my humble opinion is honestly entitled to a pension, will have it allowed as soon as convenient. Please write me (to Pogersville) and inform me of the result.
I have the honour to be your obedient humble servant W. W. Farn

True
Person
H Eaton
tary at War
Washington City

Nogersville
May 30th 1829
Honble
Sir I had send you the declaration of John Christie to be allowed a pension - You will please pass on the claim as soon as convenient and inform me of the result
I have the honour to be
Dear Sir, your Most obedient Servt
M c W ann
Hon. John H Eaton Secretary of War

Washington City Dec. 4 th 1829
Sir;
enclosed I send you an additional statement in relation to the claim of John Chester for a pension now on file in the War Department - when it is connected with the original papers & the claim shall be acted upon in its new character, be pleased to inform me of the result
respectfully
Your obed servt
John Blair

PENSION RECORD
File No.
Cert. No. 6753 Issued March 8 1833 Act of June 7 1832 At 80 per annum.
From March 4 1831.
App. for Pension
Age
Agency Tenn
Res. at date of app.
Service
Res. at date of enlistment
Rank private
On Feb 4 1833 Oct 9 1832 . John Chester, age 84 - resident of Weckley Co. Tenn stated that while a resident of Dobbs Co. NC I was called into military service. I served in the Militia of North Carolina about 1779-80 in company of Capt Benj. Harrison and marched to Kingston on Neuse River and from there to West Point - and returned to winter quarters in Philadelphia - length of service 9 months. A second time he was called for service - He again served, 3 months tour in S.C. - and a third time he volunteered for 18 months under Capt Benj. Calmon Major Redding Blount and Gen Greene about 1782. He was born in Hyde Co. NY about 1748 and died at age 13. He moved to Dobbs Co. NC where he lived there some 12 yrs. and in Edgecombe Co. NC for 25 years. and from there to Williamson Co. Tenn - for 8 years - and in Hickson Co. Tenn 14 years. and from thence to Weckley Count about 2 years ago.

Washington City
May 8 th 1844.
Sir,
I herewith present further evidence in the case of Mrs. Mary Chester, and also, further testimony in the case of Mrs. Nancy Rock. Your early attention to these two cases is respectfully solicited.
I am Sir,
Very Respectfully,
Your O bt Serv t .
J. W. Blackwell
Jas. L. Edwards Esq. Coms. of Pensions

State of Tennessee August Session 1829-
Sullivan County ss I Richard Nitherland Clerk of the courts of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County and State aforesaid. Do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the courts that the said John Chester did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding declaration (that is now on file in the War Office) against the common enemy for the term of Nine Months under the said and engagements on the continental establishment I also certify that the foregoing Oaths and amended schedule herewith inlaid are truly copied from the records of the said courts I also certify that it is the opinion of the said courts that the total amount in value of property exhibited in the aforesaid amended schedule is $285:38
I further certify that it is the opinion of the courts that the said John Peoples James Pickens and Charles Jones Witnesses who have valued the property in the amended schedule and whose names are subscribed thereto are men of standing and respectability whose oaths would be believed by all who know them
sworn and subscribed to open court - the
Given under My Hand and Seal at Office in Blountville the 19th day of August in the Year of Our Lord 1829 Richard Netherland Clerk By S.W. Netherland Clerk

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
March 8 th , 1842.
Sir:
Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," The widow of John Chester, dec d a Pensioner on the Roll of the Knoxville, Tenn. Agency, at the rate of Eight Dollars and  Cents per month  annum , under the law of the 18 th March 1818, has been paid at this Department, from the 1 st of March, 1840, to the 1 st Jany 1841.
Respectfully, yours,
James B. Davis
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

no. act 1843 10.454-6087.
Mary Chetwin
Gen Act 7 th July '38
ad d R
Lyons Prin
$80 per an to summer 4 th Jan '41.
Also Certificate to same money Act March 3 rd '43.
1
Honble J W Blackwell Athens Gen.

Pension Office June 44.
Sir. The papers in the
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page]

Mary Chester
Wm. Chester
under joint Resolution of 23 d
Jan'y: 1845 & act of July 7. 1838 —
Adm'd: of 80 th annu from 4 March, 1836, to 4 January 1841 —
Hon. J. M. Blackwell, Athens, Ga Tennessee.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the resolutions of Congress of the 23 rd January 1845
State of Tennessee } Sullivan County } ss
Whereas the act of the 30 th of April 1844 prohibited me from drawing a pension for the same period with my husband was a pensioner I now make the following statement under oath to obtain the benefits of the resolutions above-mentioned I am the widow of John Christo who was a pensioner in the war of the Revolution I have drawn a pension at the rate of Eighty Dollars per annum from the 4 th day of January 1841 to the 4 th of March 1841 and from the 4 th day of March 1843 to the 4 th day of March 1844 and was ask for the amount due me from the 4 th day of March 1836 to the 4 th day of January 1841 at the time my former pension commenced
Marg aret Christo
sworn to and subscribed before me on 13 th  March day of March in the year One thousand eight hundred and forty five
Rice Duncan
Justice of the peace
I certify that the above statement is personally known to me and that she is the same individual she represents herself to be in the foregoing affidavit
Rice Duncan
Justice of the peace
State of Tennessee } Sullivan County } ss
I Jacob T. Myrick Clerk of the County Court of Sullivan County do hereby certify that Rice Duncan who has signed the foregoing is a Justice of the peace for

The County of Sullivan in the State of Tennessee and the other is his signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office at Offutt in Blountville this 15 th day of March 1845 Jacob T. Mispick Clerk
I, J. W. Blackwell Rep. in the 28 th Congress of the U. S. from the State of Tennessee, do certify that Jacob Mispick, whose name is signed to the foregoing certificate is, and was at the time it bears date, clerk of the county court of Sullivan Co. Ten. duly elected, commissioned and qualified according to law and that the signature appears to be in his own proper hand writing.
Given under my hand this 5 th April 1845.
J. W. Blackwell

State of Tennessee November Session 1829 Sullivan County 3 Ordered by Court that the Clerk certify under the Seal of this Court to the Honorable the Secretary at War the following statement in relation to the claim of John Chester a Citizen of this County who is an Applicant for a pension. On the 11th day of September 1829 John Chester filed his Declaration with the Schedule annexed estimating the total amount of his property at Five hundred and Twenty nine Dollars and from the evidence then before the Court they were satisfied that the property was estimated high enough, and therefore ordered said Schedule to be entered of record and certified accordingly. And at a August Session following John Peoples Darius Perkins and Charles Jones who are the Neighbours of said Applicant and men of Respectability and standing and better qualified to judge of the value of the property than either of the Court or the Applicant himself they were therefore qualified in due form of law to place an estimate on the property which they done, and estimated the total amount both real and personal after deducting the Fifty acres of land that had been given in by the applicant through mistake to be worth the said sum of Three hundred and eighty five Dollars thirty eight cents the Court being well acquainted with the character of said Appraisers Appraisers were satisfied with the estimate put on the property by them and ordered that the said amended schedule should be entered of record and certified accordingly.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of my Official Office in Blountville the 19th day of November 1829.
Richard Netherland Clerk By G. Netherland Clerk

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of June February 1848 entitled "an act making further provision for surviving Widows and Soldiers of the Revolution"
State of Tennessee
Walter County 3 On the 3rd day of October in the year 1848 personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Mrs. Mary Chester a resident of Sullivan County Tenn. who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June February 1848 granting pensions to Widows of Persons who served during the Revolutionary War.
That she is the Widow of John Chester who was a private in the Virginia Continental line and that she drew 80$ annually under the act of Congress of the 17 June 1844 at the Jonesboro Agency. She further declares that she is still a Widow & Mary his wife Chester is 82 years old.
Sworn to me a sworn before me the day & year above written and I certify that Mrs. Mary Chester who made the foregoing declaration is the identical individual who drew under the act of the 17 June 1844 in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal. D. S. Hunt Justice Peace

State of Tennessee Sullivan County
It is hereby certified that David P. Hunt before whom the annexed declaration of Mary Chester was made was at the time of the doing thereof an acting Justice of the Peace for Sullivan County duly commissioned and sworn and that the same purporting to be his is genuine
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at Blountville this 4 th day October 1848 Thos. P. Ford
Clerk of Sullivan County Court
By John C. Rutledge D.C.
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]

Jonestown Tenni Feb 6 1848
Sir
I herewith send you the claims of Mrs Christy and Mrs' Hunsucker for Pensions under the act of Congress of June 26th 1842 which I hope will meet with your early attention Respectfully Yours etc John J O'Brien Attorney

State of Tennessee } ss Sullivan County }
On this 3 rd day of April 1844 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace for said County Mrs Mary Birdwell a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged twenty one years and after being duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following affidavit That she is well acquainted with Mrs Mary Chester who at this time resides in this County and was well acquainted with her husband John Chester up to the time of his death and knew them to live together as man and wife from the year Seventeen hundred and thirty one Affiant is justified in testifying to this fact from the fact of her Affiants Marriage taken place in March Seventeen hundred and thirty one and John and Mary Chester were present at the Marriage and were at that time considered as man and wife and lived together as such up to the time of the death of the aforesaid John Chester and Affiant never had their marriage contested and she further declares that the aforesaid Mary Chester is still a widow
Mary for Birdwell 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 made by Mrs Mary Birdwell In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 3 rd April 1844
Rice Duncan (seal) Justice of the peace

State of Tennessee I Jacob T Missick Clerk of the Sullivan County Court do hereby certify that the foregoing proceedings upon said Rich Duncan 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 at office in Blountville this 4 th day of April 1844
Jacob T Missick Clerk
State of Tennessee I Benjamin L Goakley Chairman of the County Court Sullivan County of said County do certify that Jacob T Missick is and was at the time of signing the above Certificate the legal clerk of the County Court of said County and that his official acts as such are entitled to full faith & Credit witness my hand this 25 th day of April 1844
B L Goakley Chairman