Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 3394, John Demasters, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Val.
Demasters, John Masters
W 3394
Martha
CONTENTS
1/23/61

Letty M rs P. Powell 3 June 1834
Reprinted May 31/49
3548 Richmond Virginia Martha Demaster widow of John De Masters who served in the Revolutionary war, as a 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 31 day of May 1849 and sent to M rs Martha Robinson Richmond Va
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 149 Vol. 3

State of Virginia Nelson County S.S.
On this the 23 rd day of July — 1842
personally appeared before Edmund J. Coffey a justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid Mrs. Martha Demasters a resident of the county and State aforesaid, aged Eightytwo years and upwards, who first being 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 passed July 1 st 1836. That she is the widow of John Demasters deceased who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution; that she is unable to state precisely how long her said husband was in service, but that he enlisted early in the war (she has understood) for two or three years and served his time out and was married to her the said Martha after his return home on the 29 th day of July Seventeen hundred and Seventy nine by Parson Woodlee in the county of Augusta where they went to be married from Amherst County, that after they were married, the said John was again called in service and went to the south, was taken sick in service at a River Dan and returned home in very feeble health after being absent forty days, that the said John never applied during his life time for a Pension preferring to do without it, but always said he was entitled to it, he did apply though for his land bounty, before he died which has been recd by his legal heirs since his death, that her husband the aforesaid John Demasters died on the County of Nelson in the year  the year 1830 1830 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed
Sworn to and subscribed on this the 23 rd day of July — 1842 before me Martha her X Demasters mark
Edmund J. Coffey J. Peace
I furthermore certify that I am well acquainted with Mrs. Martha Demasters above named and that she is a lady of high respectability and strict veracity that she now lives and has lived a near neighbour to me for many years, that she is the widow of the above mentioned John Demasters dec d (who was always looked on as an old Revolutionary soldier) and from old age & bodily infirmity it would be very inconvenient for her to attend court. I also certify that scrip did issue and was recd by the heirs of the said John Demasters under my hand this 23 rd day of July 1842 Edmund J. Coffey

Virginia To wit:
At a Court held for Nelson County at the Court-house, on Monday the 25 th July 1842.
The Court having examined the proceedings of Edmund T Coffey, a member of its body concerning the Declaration of Mrs Martha Demastes, approves of the same and do order the same to be certified to the War Department
A True copy from the Records of said Court
In Testimony whereof I Spotswood Garland do here to sign my name as clerk of the said Court and affix the seal of my office this 31 st day of August 1842
Sp: Garland, Clerk of Nelson County Court

Geoffrey
Family
John D. Masters was
Born Oct. the 14th 1754
Martha D. Masters was
Born July 18th 1860
William D. Masters was born.
January the 8th 1856.
Henry D. Masters was born
April the 27th 1789.
James D. Masters was born.
October the 18th 1785.
Nicholas D. Masters was born
February the 18th 1788
Jane D. Masters was born
Oct. the 15th 1891
John D. Masters was born
March the 19th 1793.
John D. Masters was born
December the 15th 1786
David D. Masters was born
October the 29th 1801
Henry D. Masters was born
December the 4th 1804

offspring... 17 let him... is athirst... the water of life freely.
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book.
f Deut. 13. 1. Prov. 30. 6.
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly; Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
NEW TESTAMENT
Purchased, June 1878, Dr. Master

Wachaprequee Augusta County Virginia 3 rd Feby 1847
Sir I am requested by my Grandmother Mrs Martha DeMasters to ask the favor of you to inform me as early as may suit your convenience what additional evidence is necessary (if any) (and what steps are to be taken to procure for her any additional pension under the act of '36 or '38, to which she is entitled—
Very Respectfully,
J. L. Edwards Esq Pumpkin of Pensions
W. M. Thomas Nicholas DeMasters
P.S. I have just collected the pension for her, (I think) under the act of '32. — and wish to know whether any more evidence is necessary in this case than in that N. D.

State of Virginia Nelson County ss
The affidavit of Mary Coffey made before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County
The affiant having been first duly sworn deposed as follows to wit. That she is forty years old and is the daughter of John Demasters alias John Masters of Nelson County deceased whose widow Martha Demasters alias Masters, is an applicant for a pension on account of the revolutionary services of her husband the said John Demasters. The affiant further deposed that her mother is mistaken in the time of the death of the said John Demasters and this mistake originated in the fact that her mother had no record of the time of the death of her husband. The said John Demasters died in the month of March 1831, and not in the year 1830, as the said Martha Demasters supposed. The affiant is distinct in her recollection of the time of her father's death from the fact that one of her children was born upon the day preceding that on which her father died.
Mary X Coffey
I Edmund F Coffey a Justice of the peace for said County of Nelson certify that the foregoing affidavit of Mary Coffey was subscribed and sworn to before me. That the affiant is a credible

person and that her statements are entitled to belief I further certify that in my opinion the affiant is correct as to the time of the death of said John Demasters. The declaration of Mrs Martha Demasters having been made from a memorandum which proved to be inaccurate. Witness my hand this 28 th day of April 1845 Edmund J. Coffey J. P
State of Virginia Nelson County } ss
The subscriber a affidavit of Charles Purvis made before on this 28 th day of April 1845 Justice of the peace for said County The affiant having been first duly sworn according to law deposed as follows viz viz. That he will be eighty six years old on the eleventh day of next December, and has resided in this County for more than seventy years. That he was acquainted with John Demasters alias John Master who was a soldier of the Revolution, and resided in said County. The affiant further deposed that a company the number of young men enlisted about the comm- encement of the Revolutionary war under the command of Captain Samuel J. Cabell of Nelson County

October 10, 1934.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. Leo W. Kasehagen 1353 Jefferson Street, N.W. Washington, D. C.
BA-J/ady John Demasters or Masters W.3394 Edward Masters or DeMasters W.2651
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the records of Edward Demasters and John Demasters, Revolutionary War soldiers.
Their records are furnished you herein, as found in the respective claims for pension based upon service in the Revolutionary War.
John Demasters or Masters, W.3394
John Demasters or Masters was born October 14, 1754. No reference is made to his parents.
He enlisted in 1776, served as private in Captain Samuel J. Cabell's Virginia Company and was taken prisoner on Long Island, no details of his escape are given nor length of captivity; length of service two years or more. He enlisted in 1781, went on a southern expedition, went as far as Dan River, was taken sick and returned home; having served forty days, names of officers not stated.
He died in 1830 as stated by his widow, in Nelson County, (formerly part of Amherst County) Virginia. He always lived on Tye River in said county.
Soldier married July 29, 1779 in Augusta County, Martha (Patsy) Moran, who was born July 17, 1760, place not stated. No reference is made to her parents.
She was allowed pension on her application executed July 23, 1842 while a resident of Nelson County, Virginia, where she had lived since she was six years old.

Soldier and his wife, Martha, had the following children:
Winifred or Winiford born February 6, 1781. Nancy " April 27, 1783. James " October 18, 1785. Nicholas " February 18, 1788. Jane " October 13, 1791. Jesse " March 19, 1793. John " December 15, 1796. Moris " October 29, 1801. Mary or Polly " December 4, 1804.
In 1845 soldier's daughter, Mary Coffey, made affidavit in Nelson County, Virginia, that she knew that her father died in March 1831 and not 1830 as stated by her mother, from the fact that one of her (Mary's) children was born the day preceeding that on which her father died.
In 1845 one Edmund F. Coffey was a Justice of the Peace for Nelson County, Virginia, no relationship to the family shown.
In 1845 one Edmund S. Coffey, born in March 1773, place not stated, made affidavit in Nelson County, Virginia, no relationship to the family stated.
In 1847 Nicholas DeMasters, a grandson of the widow, Martha, was living in Waynesboro, Augusta County, Virginia.
Soldier had a brother "Ed." of Nelson. There are no further family data.
*****
Edward Masters or DeMasters, W.2651
Edward Masters or DeMasters enlisted in Virginia, place not stated, in 1779, served as private in Captains Jacob Brown's, Samuel Booker's and William Johnston's Companies, Colonel Samuel Hawes' Virginia Regiment, and was discharged at the close of the war at which time he was corporal of Continental Dragoons.
In 1820 he was living in Nelson County, Virginia.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 16, 1828 while a resident of Amherst County, Virginia, and aged about sixty-five years.
He died November 24, 1837 in Amherst County, Virginia.
Soldier married August 23, 1794 in Amherst County, Virginia, Sally Carter, who was born in August 1778, place
Date of widow's death not on AB

not stated. At the time of their marriage they were both residents of Amherst County, Virginia, neither had been previously married.
Soldier's widow, Sally, was allowed pension on her application executed October 18, 1848 while a resident of Nelson County, Virginia.
Soldier and his wife, Sally, had the following children:
Betsey born September, 1797. Nancy " December, 1801. Polly " January, 1803. John " March, 1805. George " April, 1808. Witt " November, 1809. Cornelius " December, 1811. Sarah Ann " August, 1817. Elvira " December, 1819.
In 1828 one John Demasters or Masters, aged seventy-four years made affidavit in Amherst County, no relationship stated. There are no further family data.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator
Date of widow's death not on aB.

Ref?
Let James T. Sutter, Jr.
Oct. 21. 1846
Letter to James G. Paseton 3 Nov 1846. " to Pensioner Nov 16. 1846. do. to Hon. J. W. Brockenbrough 2 nd Dec. 1846 -
Letter to Pen Agents to Pen 4 th Decr 1846
See letters 12 Jan. 1847 to Hon. J. M c Dowell and Prisoner
Let. to Mr. Koepfmaster 8 March, 1847.
Let. Hon. J. M c Dowell, March 9, 1847.
7965
Richmond, Virginia
Martha Darnes
widow of John Darnes
who was a Private
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of September 1846 and sent to James G. Paseton, Lexington, Virginia
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
8 June 17. 1844.
Recorded in Book A.
Vol. 2.
Page 136.

Rep?
Virginia 12,016
Martha Demasters
Widow of John Demasters who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the year 1830 of Nelson Co. in the State of Virginia who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Pleble of the regt. commanded by in the Va. line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 th day of September, 1846, and sent to James G. Paseton, Lexington, Virginia
Total amount, $ 400
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by D Brown, Clerk, Book D. Vol. 1 Page 265.

Amherst County Court Clerks office December 5 th 1845 I Samuel M. Gailand Clerk of the County Court of Amherst in the State of Virginia do hereby Certify that after an examination I have been unable to find among the records and papers of my office any written or documentary evidence of the marriage of John De Masters alias Masters with Martha Moran, and I further Certify that the records of marriages in the earlier days of the County were very irregularly and imperfectly kept
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of Said County this 5 th day of December 1845-
Sam m Gailand Clk Amherst Cty CT

Lexington Dec 6. 1821 3-
Deers Sir
Inclosed you will receive an application of Mrs Eliza Stutfathom of Nelson County for a pension under the act of 1838. We also send you some further evidence in the case of Mrs Patsy DeMasters of Nelson County. There were two persons of the name of John DeMasters alias Masters in the regular service during the Revolution, one who enlisted about Petersburg, Virginia. The other in Nelson County who was the husband of the applicant, we think that you have confounded her declaration with the Petition of a man from Indiana who was not her husband, as we prove that her husband never left Nelson County. We have written to General Richardson Secretary of the Common- wealth . for all the papers or evidence to be found in Richmond in relation to the Revolutionary services of any John DeMasters or Masters. We enclose to you all the papers which he sent us to wit a Petition of John DeMasters or Masters of Indiana for land bounty. He could find no petition of John DeMasters of Nelson County, who in fact drew his land, although there is no petition on file to be found on file. Gen Richardson is mistaken in supposing that DeMasters of Nelson never drew land bounty. His power of attorney, is now on file in the Land Office in Richmond. The DeMasters of Indiana however never drew land, because there was but one of the name who drew land and he was from Nelson County Va. as the

Register of the Land Office will certify if it is required. How the husband of our applicant got his land we cannot say, we know him to be an honest man, and he certainly did not practice a fraud upon the State. We also enclose to you the Auditors Certificates which we think clearly show that there were five persons named Mast one of whose certificates was addressed to Col. Caba under whom he served. It would be strange that one man should have to settlements of his balance of pay within four months of each other, we are satisfied that if there ever was a pension claim which ought to be allowed. It is the claim of Mrs. Bellasters of Nelson County, and we can get five hundred men almost in that county who will swear to their belief in the honesty of John Bellasters, and of his services as a regular soldier. We will send you in a few days the affidavit of an old Pensioner who was a regular during the war, and who lived in three miles of Bellasters for fifty years, who swears to his belief in his services.
Your obedt servt Brockenbrough & Paxton

1 State of Virginia Nelson County } ss
affiant of Catharine Jones made before the subscriber a Justice of the peace for the said County on this 29 th of April 1845
The affiant having been first duly sworn deposed as follows to wit: That she will be eighty five years old on the eleventh day of next June and has been acquainted with Martha Dem- asles alias Martha Masters of Nelson County during her whole life. She also was well acquainted with John Demasles alias Masters of said County who was the husband of Martha Demasles. The said John Demasles alias Masters served two years as a regular soldier in the early part of the war, after his first tour of service he returned to this County then included in Amherst and married Martha Masters. The affiant went with Martha Moran and said Demasles alias Masters to Parson Wadells in Augusta and saw them mari- ed. The marriage took place two or three years before the close of the war. The said John Demasles after his marriage went into service in the military and served for some time. The affiant visited this military for her father and the other neighbors worked at Demasles Corners in his ab- The affiant is distinct in her recollection of the her ongoing facts
Robert H. Anderson a Justice of the peace of the County of Nelson do hereby certify that the above named Catharine Jones subscriber to said affidavit, deposes to the foregoing affidavit. That she is unable on account of age and sickness to attend Court and that she is a person of veracity and credit and that the foregoing statements are entitled to belief, unless my hand hereinafter and year first above written,
Robert H. Anderson

then included in Amherst. The affiant believes that John Masters alias John Demasters was one of the number who enlisted at that time under the said Cabell. and that the said Demasters alias Masters after his first period of service returned home and married. The affiant cannot state the precise time of the marriage of said Demasters alias Masters but he believes it was during the war. he was at any rate a married man at the close of the war. The said Demasters alias Masters has always been considered a soldier of the Revolution
State of Virginia, Nelson County, } to wit:
I, Ephraim Wood Garland, Clerk of the County Court of Nelson County, in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that Robert H. Anderson and Edmund H. Coffey, whose names are affixed to the certificates on the first and third pages of this sheet, are acting Justices of the Peace in and for said County of Nelson, duly commissioned and qualified to their said office, and that the signatures aforesaid, purporting to be theirs, are genuine. And I further certify that the Certificate in blank and noticed with crop marks on the third and fourth pages, was written and cropped, before the writing and sealing of this certificate.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name as Clerk of the said Court, and affix the seal of my office this 29th day of April, 1845.
Eph: Garland, Clerk of Nelson County Court.

Staunton May 2 nd 1813.
Dear Sir
I have examined the Records of this office and can find no evidence of any kind of the marriage you allude to in yours of the 21 st Ultimo. In fact there is no record of marriages in this office prior to the year 1785 and the law did not require any return by the Minister prior to that time and I find also that there is no bonds on file in this office prior to said time & presume from that fact that the law did not require it. You say that the marriage was celebrated by a Person Wooddell and I think it probable from that fact that it may have taken place in Orange County as I know there was a preacher by that name who lived in Orange many years since and I find no record of marriages returned to this office by any such Person.
Yours Respectfully
Jacob H. Skibbling D.C. for Jefferson Kinney Clk

Richmond Va May 7th 1863
Dr Sir,
Enclosed you have the evidence upon which the land bounty of John Demaster (alias, Masters) was allowed and also a letter  certificate of the clerk stating that no marriage bonds are on record in his office prior to 1785. I suppose family record containing the age of the children will be sufficient.
I am Sir
Very Respectfully Yr obed Servt
James T. Sutton Jr

The name of John Masters, or DeMasters, is not returned on the Records the Virginia Line, among those entitled to, or who have received Bounty Lands from the U. States
M.G.

Richmond Va 7 th March 1823
Dr Sir,
Enclosed is the Declaration of Mrs Martha Demasters widow of John Demasters dec d of Nelson County Va. I endeavoured to find some record testimony proving the service of the said John and applied at the Va a Land Office to see when he drew his 200 acres of land but at first could not see such a name however, being assured by the parties interested that John Demasters above named did draw his land bounty and scrip also issued and being sold was divided by Mr Coffey to his wife after his death the Magistrate, I again looked and instead of finding it in D's found it in M's and I therefore enclose Mr Porters copy from the records presuming it will be perfectly satisfactory - John Demasters was Brother to Ed Demasters of Nelson and I believe the only two by that name and there being no Masters in Nelson - the body of the power of Atty was written Masters but the old man signed it himself Demasters as you will see by Mr Port
I wrote the Declaration for Mr Coffey and wrote his name also in Pencil mark and he being an old man himself endeavoured to write this name on that I had written which accounts for the manner in which it is done -
Very Respectfully Yr. Off. Servt.
James T. Sutton Jr

Mrs Catharine Gools Certified in the Camp M. D. Masters

This 13 th day of November A.D. 1841 Catharine Jones of the county of Nelson and state of Virginia appeared before me William Massie a Justice of the peace in and for the said county and made oath that she is well acquainted with Martha D Masters widow of John D Masters late of said county of Nelson and that she was present at their marriage which took place to the best of her recollection in July 1779 after the said John D Masters had served a term of two years as she understood in the regular service in the war of the revolution Given under my hand and seal this 13 th day of Novr 1841 Wm Massie J.P.
November the 19 th 1841. This is to certify that I am well acquainted with Catharine Jones named above (and who was sworn as above stated by me on the 13 th day of Novr. 1841) that she is a respectable lady. and her statements on oath or otherwise are entitled to full credit This I believe to be true. Wm Massie J.P.
State of Virginia, } to wit: Nelson County.
I, Spotswood Garland, Clerk of the County Court of Nelson County, do hereby certify, that William Massie, whose name is signed to the foregoing certificates, is, and was, at the time of signing the same, an acting Justice of the Peace, in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; and that the signatures aforesaid purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have unto sign my name, and affix the seal of the said Court, the 14 th day of February 1843.
Sp: Garland, Clerk.
for Nelson County Court.

Mrs DeMars Mem

John Demarais of Nelson County in 1880 made his power of Attorney appointing Archer Ferguson of Richmond his agent to draw his land warrant same Gay / Teste & Parrish

Bank of Virginia. - Octo: 16 1848.
Sir;
You will receive herein the Declaration M rs Martha Demasters, a pensioner under the Act of the 17 th June 1844, made to obtain the benefits of the provision of the Act of the 2 d February 1848. Be pleased to enclose me a Pension certificate for her.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant
Ant y Robinson
J. L. Edwards, Esquire, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington

no 5800 Antha Demasters widow of John Demasters Act 4 July '36 Virginia case.
See letters April 19. 1843 to J. T. Sutton - August 22. 1843 to F. V. Sutton - 16 June 1845 to Brockenbrough & Paxton -
5800
Lt. to Brockenbrough & Paxton Jan'y 24. 1844 to Mrs. Sutton May 27. April 1846. Lt to Hon. A. H. H. Stuart Aug 20. 1846 to August 8. 46 do. to W. P. Alston Aug. 12. 1846

H. D. Rogers?
Dear Sir
The enclosed Certificate & letter to yourself I have just rec d from my constituent Mr. Paxton, who desires me to deliver them to you I do request that his letter may be put on file along with the papers of Mrs. De-Masters in which he is charged with illegal conduct" & also, that you would have him furnished with a copy of the charges themselves.
Most respectfully
Yours &c: Sir:
J. M. McDowell
June 4 th 1877

Act 1838 N o 90644
Martha Demasters, Widow of John Demasters, private, Va. continental line; Capt. Cabell's company
married July 1779 husband died in 1830 lived 2 years & upwards
Richmond Va. roll
Acts 7 July '38 - 9064 March '43 & 1231
June '44
Entered the claim under 1 st act & canal the claim under act '36
E
Locat: to James G. Paxton, Lexington, Va.

March 15 47
Colonel Edw. DeMarble Va. Pension Office
Hon. John D. Sleele

W. City March 12. 44
Ja: M c Donnell having no other address of Mr. Lyman than the letter sent to Mr. John Edwards would be much obliged to him to forward the enclosed Comm. ~~~~

24
Free
Dear James McDevitt
House of Representatives
Dear
Mr. [unclear] [unclear] The Com. of [unclear] can furnish the information within a few days. We are now in [unclear] re-visit [unclear] - [unclear] to [unclear] in this [unclear] - [unclear] [unclear] will be [unclear] [unclear] [unclear] to the [unclear] [unclear] [unclear] in [unclear] [unclear] [unclear] Mr. [unclear] [unclear]

Waynesboro, Augusta County Virginia 24 th Feby 1827.
Sir After my best respects, I will ask the favor of you, to make some enquiry of the Commissioners of Pensions relative to a pension claim of Mrs. Martha DeMasters - she has recently collected one, under the act of 1832, and understands that she is entitled to an additional one under the act of '36 or '38, she is anxious to know what are the facts of the case (and what additional evidence is necessary, other than that already in possession of Commissioners, - and what steps are necessary to be taken to collect the same Your attention to the foregoing is respectfully solicited by Mr. Furniss Abraham Lynn
Rev. James M c Levick Mem. of Rep. Assembly Washington City, D.C.

This is to Certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Continental Line, during the Revolutionary War, as settled their Accounts, and received Certificates for the balance of their Full Pay, according to an Act of Assembly, passed the November Session 1781, that a Certificate issued on the 11 th day of December 1783 , in the name of John Masters as a Soldier of Infantry for £ 36. 0. 0 , which Certificate appears to have been delivered to Mr Peyton - and was given for services prior to the 1st January 1782.
ps 210 { No Seal of Office. }
Given under my hand, at the Auditor's Office, Richmond, this 30 th day of September 1845.
J. E. Heath AUDITOR.

This is to Certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Continental Line, during the Revolutionary War, as settled their Accounts, and received Certificates for the balance of their Full Pay, according to an Act of Assembly, passed the November Session 1781, that a Certificate issued on the 12 th day of May 1784 , in the name of John Masters — as a Soldier of Infantry for £ 14. 6. 4 , which Certificate appears to have been delivered to Col o G. Cabell and was given for services prior to the 1 st January 1782.
13 213. { No Seal of Office. }
Given under my hand, at the Auditor's Office, Richmond, this 30 th day of September 1845.
J. E. Heath AUDITOR.

1353 Jefferson St., N.W. Washington D.C. September 19, 1934
Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C.,
Dear Sir:-
Kindly send me the record of the military services in the War of the Revolution of Edward Demasters and John Demasters (or Masters) brothers who served in the Revolution. They applied for a pension from Nelson County, Virginia. It may be that John Demasters did not live to be pensioned and his widow applied for a pension.
Yours respectfully,
Signature ? (Mrs. Leo W. Kasehagen)

John Demasters - N. 3394 -
born - Oct 14 - 1754 -
served Amherst (the part called Nelson ) on Nelson Co. Va.
married July 29 - 1779 - while home.
" came back to Amherst Co and went to Augusta Co to be married by minister who lived in Augusta Co. -
Martha - b. July 17 - 1760 - she lived after 6 yrs of age in Nelson Co.
he went back to service -
he died in Nelson Co -
[March 1831] (daughter says)
family record -
Martha - recd pension - issued - Sept 29 - 1846

John Demasters (or Masters) and brother Ed Masters - (de Masters) both Junioners.
Edward Masters in file -
St The daughter Kerificia Mary Coffey -
1847 Grandson - Nicholas Demasters - Waynesburg (?) Augusta Co Va

10. Hist. to Mrs. Leo W. gns 9-12-75
Rev  WIDOW, &c.
File No. 3394
Martha Demasters
Widow
John Demasters
Rev. Rev. War
Act: Feb. 2, 1848
Index:—Vol. A , Page 174
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Nelson County, November Court, 1845.
State of Virginia Nelson County } ss
The court of Nelson county now sitting doth order it to be certified to the war department that the foregoing affidavit of Edmund S Coffey made before Edmund S Coffey was produced in open court, and that Col Charles Perron, and Shottswood Garland, clerk of the court of said county made their affidavits in open court, and the court have no hesitation in declaring that the said John De Masters alias Masters, was a soldier in the regular service in the Revolutionary war and that the court believes that said De Masters alias Masters served under Col Samuel P Cabell, and that said De Masters has always resided in Nelson County, and that he has universally been believed to have been a regular soldier in the Revolutionary war, and the court further certify that a certificate from Auditor James E Heath, was read in open court by which it appears that one John Masters on the 12 th day of May 1784 settled his accounts as a soldier of infantry and was allowed £ 14. 6. 4, as a balance of bill pay, and that a certificate for the same was delivered to Col S Cabell and the court believe that the John Masters mentioned in said certificate, is the same individual who has always resided in Nelson County, and whose name is an applicant for a pension, and the court further certify that they believe the said De Masters to have been a man of veracity and honesty, the court also certify that Edmund S Coffey is an acting Justice of the Peace for said county, and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine.

I, Spotswood Garland, Clerk of the Court of Nelson County, in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court, in the matter of the application of Martha Demasless for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 27th Day of November, 1845.
Sp. Garland, Clerk of Nelson County Court.

Chas. D. Conner - July 14. 16
July 30 46
3
ve
Hon: J. L. Edwards
Comr of Pensions
Washington City
S

J. L. Edwards Esq Commr of Pensions
Staunton Va July 26 th 1846
Dear Sir
I have been requested on behalf of Martha D r Masters (otherwise called De Masters or Demasters) widow of John D r Masters dec d , late of Nelson County Virginia, now of Staunton County , to submit her application for a pension - She placed the necessary papers to prove her marriage & identity, some time since, in the hands of a Mr J. T. Sutton, & it is presumed they are on file in your office. If however they have been mislaid, other satisfactory evidence can be furnished -
Her husband was a revolutionary soldier, & she is now very old & infirm & destitute - I will take it as a favour if you will inform me whether the evidence of her right has been forwarded, & what steps are necessary to secure to her the bounty which the country has provided for those situated as she is -
Very respectfully
Your obt: Servt:
Alex r H. H. Stuart

Pleasure Dept - Sep 30th. 5-
Gentlemen
I enclose copies of the only papers to be found in this department - I have also procured the Auditors certificates by which I think it appears quite certain (taking other facts into consideration) that there were two different men of the same name in service. The former master of Indiana , rec d 200 acres of Land Bounty - the other none.
Very respect ly Yours
H. C. H. Redman

Lexington Va May 3 rd 1845.
Sir,
Enclosed herewith is the declaration of Martha Demasters alias Masters claiming a pension under the kind section of the act of July 4 th 1836 and accompanying affidavits to substantiate the claim.
Very Respectfully Your obed t servant Brookshrough Parton
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington City.

Sept 29 '46
J. Martha De Markin Ves.
W. S. Allison. Edwards Esq. Commis a of Pensions

Dear Sir,
It has been promised by the office that when Mrs DeMasters applied under act of July 1838 that a certificate should be issued for her. Enclosed is her affidavit. May I request that a certificate be now issued. Yours very Respectfully,
Wm L. Hinson
Sep. 28. 1846
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions.

Nov 2, 1896
Rec'd to amiss our husband's of
Charles
Mr. Edwards
5
James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Lewiston Oct 29. 1846
Col James L. Leheards Washington City Dear Sir
Several weeks since I received enclosed from you certificates for pension in the case of Martha Bellmaster of Nelson County. I understand that a Mr Sutton of Richmond Va is making an effort to procure other certificates . you will recollect that the claim had been abandoned for some two years by Mr Sutton. and at the time I took it in hand it was considered desperate. The old Lady will execute the power of attorney in the course of a few days and will claim her money. no other certificates need be issued I wish you would send me the forms by which the widow may be able to claim the residue of pension which her husband at his death left undrawn. I have none of those forms and have several cases in hand in which I need those particular forms.
▪ • • • •
Respectfully your obed Servt James G. Paxton

Stelson County Virginia November 5 th 1845
As there is some difficulty, as to which of the Agents are entitled to compensation from me for establishing my claim, and as I cannot get the certificates which has been issued from the War Department, I will ask you to issue one in lieu of them, so that I may get the amt due me, (and that as soon as possible for I am in much need of it
Very Respectfully
Signed in the presence of Nicholas D. Masters & M c Guire
per Martha D. Masters Mark
P.S. Direct your letter to Waynesboro Augusta County Virginia

Lexington Va Nov 21 st 1856.
Dear Sir,
My friend and former partner in the practice of law James G Paxton Esq has requested me to address you a letter enforcing the propriety of an adherence to the course indicated by you in your letter to him of the 3 rd inst. in reference to the matter of Mrs Martha Demasters' pension. In that letter you say "that no other certificates will be issued in the case of Mrs Demasters than those which have been already issued." This is sufficiently explicit but Mr Paxton is apprehensive that you may be induced to issue other certificates by the extraordinary efforts made by a former agent to defraud him of his just claim to compensation and secure it to himself though he rendered no service whatever. If other certificates are issued they will go directly into the hands of that agent and thus it is a controversy in which the widow herself has no interest & is purely one between agents. This is a controversy which the courts can best decide on a full view of all the facts of the case and I therefore respectfully submit that the course announced by you not to "interfere in any disputes between agents" is the proper one.
It may not be amiss to say that in the event of such controversy being brought into a legal form the Federal Court of this District will not entertain jurisdiction of it as my former & existing relations with

Mr Paxton would render it improper that I should try the case.
I am very respectfully Your obedt servant John L. Brockentrough
James T Edwards Esq Commr of Pension Washington

340 Sept 27. 1854
June 17. 1854
James H. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.
to Martha de Mortes

Dr Sir.
Lovingston Va. Sept 1 st 1846.
At the request of James B. Paton Esq. of Loving- ton Va. I enclose you Mrs Remond's Declaration. I am requested by him to request you to send the certificate to him, who is her Attorney.
Very respectfully Yrs S c
Mr. Gailand Esq. Mr. S. H. Loring

State of Virginia Nelson County
On this 28 th day of Nov. 1840.
Conformably to the regulations of the War Department of the 27 th day of October 1832. G. Ryland Rodas a Magistrate in the County also named do hereby certify that I have the most satisfactory evidence of my own knowledge.
That Martha LeMasters who this day appeared before me, to take the oath of identity, is the identical Pensioner, she declares herself to be in the annexed affidavit, and I am also satisfied that the statement made by her, in relation to the pension certificate is true.
Given under my hands in Nelson, the day and year above written.
Ryland Rodas. J.P.
Virginia, Nelson County, S c
I Spotswood Garland Clerk of the County Court of said County, do hereby certify that Ryland Rodas, whose name is signed to the above certificate is, and was at the time of signing the same, an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified as such, and that the signature purporting to be his, is genuine, and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of my office at Livingston this 30 th day of Nov. 1840. in the 71 st year of the Commonwealth.
Sp t Garland Clerk of Nelson County Court

Nelson County Virginia
December 1 st 1846
Sir
Agreeably to your directions, I have the papers fixed (and new enclose the same to you, which I hope you may find correct) and permit me to respectfully ask you, to forward me the necessary papers as early as you conveniently can, so that I can get the amt due me, as soon as possible - my situation is my only apology for thus urging the matter
Very Respectfully M. Edwards
J. F. Edwards Esq Administrator of Estate Martha D. Masters
P.S. Direct your letter to Waynesboro, Augusta County Virginia.

Payment to be made at Richmond, by J. Carkie, Esq. Agent for paying Pension- ers in the Agency of Richmond.
Payable on the 4th March, and 4th September in each year. demand.
Recorded in the Pension Office in Book D. Vol. 1.
Page 265 by D. Brown, Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838, Martha Demasters, of Virginia. ————— widow of John Demasters ————— who was a Private in the Revolution ————— and died on the — — — day of the year 1830 , ————— is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Eighty ————— dollars and — — — — — cents per annum, commencing on the 4 th of March, 1836 , — and terminating on the 4 th of March, 1841 , unless the Pensioner married or died before the above mentioned date; in which case the pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this — 29 th — day of September, one thousand eight hundred and forty-six.
Geo. L. Mercer
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned. }
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

Payment to be made at
Richmond, by J. Carke, Esq.
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of Richmond
Payable on the 4th September and 4th March
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A. Vol. 2. Page 136.
D. Brown, Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
WIDOW'S PENSION.
I certify that in conformity with the acts of March 3, 1843, June 17, 1844 Martha Demaster, of Virginia, —————
widow of John Demaster, ————— who was a Private in the Revolution ————— and died on the — — — — day of the year 1830, ————— is inscribed on the pension list at the rate of Eighty ————— dollars and ————— cents per annum, commencing on the 4 th of March, 1843, and terminating on the 4 th March 1848, unless the Pensioner married or died before the last mentioned date; in which case the Pension is not payable after the time of such marriage or death.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this — 29 th — day of September one thousand eight hundred and forty-six.
W. L. Marcy
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions.

Pension Office
January 12, 1847
Madam,
I herewith enclose your two pension certificates. They were returned to this Office by James G. Paxton, Esq.
I am, respectfully,
Your Obt. Servt.
J L Edwards
M rs Martha Demeesters, Livingston Nelson County, Virginia.

Washington, Feb. 14, 1846
Sir, Enclosed is the amended declaration of Mrs Martha Tennants of Virginia (which I hope will remove all difficulties in the way of her obtaining her claim as the widow of John Tennants on account of whose service she obtained land) the evidence of her identity being established fully as his widow. I am respectfully Your Obedt Servt. Wm H Allison
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm ee of Pensions.

Richmond October 19. 1846
Sir,
I learn through Mr. Allison of Washington City that the Certificate of Pension of Mrs. Martha Demastes has been sent to a certain Paxton of Lexington Va. at the request of the old lady. She however refuses to give him a Power of Attorney to draw her pension as I am informed, and wishes me to draw it for her. Since her refusal I also learn that this Paxton wrote to her thru' his interest to bring suit against her stating that I had abandoned her claim and indeed given up the pension himself several years since, this much I have seen in his own written statement, which many persons can testify is false - and I doubt not I have occasionally troubled you if not very much annoyed you my dear Sir with my communications, during the progress of the dis- My principle object now is to ask the favor of you to say upon what testimony Mrs. Demastes' claim was allowed , whether that filed by the Paxton or myself this will settle the question I presume as to whom the old lady will render the reward. if it will not be asking too much will you be so kind as to answer this by return of mail
Your compliance will very much oblige me Yours with sentiments of high regard -
2965 March 3 d
James T. Sutton Jr

Washington Dec 30. 1846
Col James L Edwards Washington City
Dear Sir
Judge Brockenbrough handed to me a letter which he had received from you in answer to one which he had written at my request. In your letter you manifest a good deal of dissatisfaction and indignation because Judge B had written to you, and you say, "I am unable to discover why he (Paston) should have called upon you (Judge B) to write a letter to this office requesting us to enforce our own rules". It is a very easy matter for me to give my reasons for requesting Judge B to write to you, but it is a very different matter for me to comprehend why you should feel your dignity so much insulted at receiving this letter from him. Some months since you forwarded to me the Pension certificates of Mrs. Beasley. From this it would be inferred that you considered me the proper person to assist her in drawing her pension. By letter I informed you that the certificates were received and that the money would be drawn in a short time. I also stated that a Mr. Sutton of Richmond was now interfering in the case, and pretended to himself that he could draw the money. I also stated that it was a matter of no consequence to the old woman and her agent who resided near her, which of the agents should draw the money; at any rate one of them would be successful, and they also said that if Sutton did not pay the money to them in a short time, the power of attorney which I had prepared should be executed. I paid the pensioner a second visit and this same statement was made to me, that Sutton professed to be able to draw the money, and that he would do it forthwith, and that if Sutton could not get the money at once, they were willing for me to draw it, that each agent was to receive the same price. I knew that Sutton could not draw the money unless some foul play was resorted to. And hence I

requested Judge B my former partner to write to you upon the subject and to state that the difficulty was alone between agents. That it was a matter of indifference to Mrs Bellasters whether Sutton or myself should draw the money, and that the department should not enable Sutton by means of new certificates or otherwise to draw the pension. You say that this letter was unnecessary. I humbly conceive that it was necessary, and the facts of the case prove it. Sutton finding that he could not produce other certificates, induced Mrs Bellasters through her agent or F. Bellaster to send an affidavit or some such paper to the department which represented that I illegally withheld her certificates. Blank forms were then sent to her requiring her to swear that the certificates were illegally detained by me in order that the pension might be drawn. I now pronounce it false that I illegally withheld her pension certificates. No demand was ever made upon me by Mrs Bellasters for the certificates, and I never had the slightest intimation that she desired me to give them up. And from what I heard I believed that they were willing that the money should be drawn by me. Sutton as I am informed by agreeing to give Mr F. Bellaster the agent of Mrs B one half of his fee prevailed upon them to make the representations to the department which have been made. He desisted this whole affair and will draw the money by depositing me and relieving you have done the very thing in substance which it was the object of Judge B's letter to prevent you from doing: you have enabled Sutton to come in and reap the fruits of my labour. I think it would have been a small act of justice to me for you to have informed me that Mr Bell had made an affidavit charging me with illegal and perhaps fraudulent conduct. you speak of the rules of the department . I think that if it is not, it at least should be one of your rules. That when a gentleman is charged with illegal conduct in withholding certificates, you should inform him of the fact and if you believe the charge should demand the certificates. and then if they are not rendered up should

enable the pensioner to draw the money. I think that I have been treated very badly by the department, and I know that I have been defrauded by Sutton, the Pensioner, and her agents. You will recollect that the claim of Mrs D was established only by my instrumentality. That the case was hopeless when I undertook it. I spent considerable time and money in procuring testimony and preparing the papers. The Pensioner is insolvent, and Sutton together with Mr F. Bellasles come in and divide the profits of my labour. I understand that Mrs D in one of her affidavits stated that I agreed to undertake the claim for one third, and that I now insist upon one half. This is not true: a written contract was entered into, which was attested by E. F. Coffey a Magistrate of Nelson County, by which I was to receive one half of the amount recovered. Sutton receives the same. The fee in that case as in all others was contingent. The rules of the department are so strict as to testimony, that an agent who undertakes at the present time the business of prosecuting claims is scarcely compensated for his services. I suppose that I may be permitted to say that any fees which I received for prosecuting claims were as well deserved and as fairly earned, as you earn your own salary. Persons who are at present entitled to pensions are very poorly ignorant of their claims and have no one to render them assistance, but it is not in reference to my loss of compensation for my services in this case that I write this letter, but because the parties who have been instrumental in defrauding me have persisted to you affidavits in which I am charged with illegal and fraudulent conduct, although you were in correspondence with me during the time these charges were being made. You never gave me any intimation of what was doing, never asked me to return the certificates or gave any opportunity to defend my rights. There would have been no very little trouble for you, in your letter to Judge B. I have stated that the department desired me to deliver

up Mr the certificates: I now return to you the certificates which you might have had before some of you had deman- ded them; although I have not the honor to be an office holder, and was engaged for a short time in prosecuting pension claims! Still I humbly conceive that I have some rights and that in requesting Judge B to write the letter spoken of I was neither guilty of presumption nor highhanded.
Respectfully
Your obedt servt James L. Paston
P.S
I wish you would send to me the blank forms by which any administrator of a deceased Pensioner can draw the residue of Pension left undrawn by the Pensioner at her death: Mrs Agnes Driley of Bath a Pensioner is dead leaving a balance due at her death, her administrator wishes to draw it
JLP
Col James L. Paston Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.

State of Virginia Nelson County } ss
Affidavit of Col Charles _____ made in open court on this 26 th day of November 1845
The affiant having been first duly sworn according to Law deposed as follows to wit that he is fifty seven years old, and that for twenty five years past he has been a practicing Lawyer at he was well acquainted with John De Masters alias Masters who died some years since in said County and that he has always understood and believed that the said De Masters alias Masters was a soldier in the Revolution under the command of Samuel D. Cabell who went into service from the County of Amherst from about the year 1805 till 1808, the affiant has frequently seen the said Col Samuel D. Cabell meeting with his old soldiers upon court day at Amherst Old Court House at which times he was in the habit of treating them. The affiant has seen the said De Masters and Col Samuel D. Cabell in company, and Col Cabell always recognised the said De Masters as one of his old soldiers in the Revolutionary war and he has no doubt that said De Masters was a regular soldier of the Revolution for he was always regarded and believed to be such in the County of Nelson and he was likewise regarded as a man of honesty and

Veracity: In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name this 26 th Nov 1845- Chas. Perrow
State of Virginia Nelson County } ss
Affidavit of Spotswood Garland clerk of the court of said county, made on this day on this 26 th November 1845
The affiant having been first duly sworn according to law deposed as follows to wit That for thirty seven years past he has been clerk of the court of said county, and that he was acquainted with John De Masters alias Masters, who died some years since in said county. The affiant has always believed the said De Masters to have been a man of veracity and honesty, and such was the character which he sustained throughout the charac. county of Nelson Sp: Garland
The court of said county of Nelson doth order it to be - certified that Col Charles Perrow and Spotswood Garland above named subscribed and swore to the foregoing affidavits, respectively to which their names are signed, and that they are persons of veracity
In testimony whereof I hereunto sign my name, as clerk of the said court this 27 th day of November, 1845. Sp: Garland, Clerk of Nelson County Court.

State of Virginia, } Nelson County. } S. S.
At a Court held for said County, at the Courthouse, on Monday, the 28 th day of April, 1845.
The affidavit of Charles Purvis, made in open Court, before the Court of said County of Nelson, on the 28 th day of April, 1845.
The affiant having been first duly sworn according to law, deposed as follows, to wit: That he will be eighty six years old on the eleventh day of next December. and has resided in this County for more than seventy years. That he was acquainted with John Demasters, alias John Masters, who was a soldier of the Revolution, and resided in said County of Nelson. The affiant further deposed, that a considerable number of men of this County enlisted under Captain Samuel I. Lebell, about the commencement of the Revolutionary war, and went into the service of their Country. The Affiant believes that John Demasters, alias John Masters, was one of the number who enlisted at that time under the command of said Lebell. The affiant having resided in the neighbourhood, was acquainted with a great many who enlisted about that time. The said Demasters, alias Masters, after his first period of service was terminated, returned to this County, then included in the County of Amherst, and was married. The affiant is quite certain that the said Demasters was married before the close of the Revolutionary war - at any rate, he was a married man at the termination of said war. The said Demasters, alias Masters, has always been considered a soldier of the Revolution, and the affiant has no doubt of the fact, notwithstanding, that he never served with him - for the affiant was exempted from military service on account of bodily infirmity.
(Signed) Chs. Purvis.
Which said affidavit is ordered to be certified to the War Department. It is also ordered to be certified that the affiant is believed to be of the age as stated in said affidavit, and that he is a person of veracity and credibility; and it is also further ordered to be certified that the said John Demasters was always reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the Revolution.
A true copy from the records of the said Court.
In testimony whereof, I, Spotswood Garland, do

hereunto sign my name as clerk of the said Court, and affix the seal of my Office, this 29 th Day of April, 1845.
J. S. Garland, Clerk of Nelson County Court.

Edmund
State of Virginia
Nelson County Court
I Edmund F. Coffey a justice of the peace in and for said County do hereby certify that I extracted the above leaf containing the date of the birth of John D. Masters and the date of the birth of Martha D. Masters his wife & now his widow of this County from the original family record of the said John D. Masters all of which is in his own hand writing and attached it to this paper and have written my name at a place where the papers unite before signing as a justice of the peace. Given under my hand this 31 st day of December 1882 Edmund F. Coffey justice of the peace
The above certificate is substantially correct except that the register is not in the hand writing of John D. Masters, I positively know it however to be his family register, John D. Masters I believe would not write Given under my hand this 2 nd Jan y 1883 Edmund F. Coffey

State of Virginia, } to wit. Nelson County, }
I, Spotswood Garland, Clerk of the County Court of Nelson County, do hereby certify, that Richard H. Coffey, whose name is signed to the within certificates, is, and was at the time of signing the same, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified; and that the signatures aforesaid, purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto sign my name, and affix the seal of the said Court, the 14th day of February, 1843.
Sp. Garland, Clerk
of Nelson County Court.
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

Martha Lomax Va
at 9 July '38
W. S. Allison Pres.

State of Virginia Nelson County ss.
In this the 1 st day of September 1846 before me Ryland Rodes a justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid personally appeared Mrs. Martha Demastes a resident of the said County & State who first being 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 passed July 7. 1838. That she is the widow of John Demastes dec d who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and for evidence of his services, his marriage &c, she would refer to that which is filed with her declaration under the the act of July 4. 1836 that she shall hereafter, if able to, procure the necessary proof produce it, in support of her claim heretofore made under the act of July 4, 1834, and furthermore that she has remained a widow of said John Demastes of Nelson County Va
Martha her Demastes Mark
Sworn to and subscribed this 1 st day of September 1846 before me - - - - -
Ryland Rodes
J. Pearce
I Spotswood Garland Clerk of the Court of Nelson County Certify that Ryland Rodes is a Magistrate as above and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, and subscribed my name this 1 st day of September 1846.
Spotswood Garland Clerk of the Court of
Nelson County
[Handwritten signature of Spotswood Garland]

State of Virginia Nelson county } ss
affidavit of Edmund S Coffey made before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for said county The affiant having been first duly sworn according to law deposed as follows to wit That he will be seventy three years old in March 1846. That during his whole life he was intimately acquainted with John De Masters alias Masters who died in Nelson county several years since. whose widow Martha Demasters is now an applicant for a pension on account of her hus- bands Revolutionary services. The affiant has frequently heard the said John DeMasters alias Masters speak of his services in the Revolution, and of having been taken prisoner by the British on Long Island, and the affiant thinks that the said Demasters was taken prisoner at the Battle of White Plains. after he was taken prisoner the British officers wished him to swear allegiance to the King of England, which he refused to do. The said DeMasters spoke frequently of Gen Washington, and stated that he served under him. The said DeMasters lived during his whole life on Tye River in the county of Nelson State of Virginia, and never was at any period of his life in the state of Indiana, so far as the affiant ever heard, and they have always lived in the same neighbourhood. The said DeM- asters certainly was not in Indiana during the latter part of his life, and he died about the year 1830

or 1831. The said DeMasters has universally been considered and believed to be a soldier of the Revolution and the affiant has no doubt of his being a soldier of the Revolution
Edmund S Coffey
I Edmund S Coffey a Justice of the Peace for said county of Nelson certify. That Edmund S Coffey above named subscribed and sworn to the foregoing affidavit that he is a person of veracity, and I have no doubt that his statements are true, and that on account of his age and bodily infirmity, he cannot without great difficulty and inconvenience attend court.
I further certify that during my whole life I have lived within five or three miles of said DeMasters, and never have heard of his being in Indiana, and I know that he was not during the latter part of his life, and he died about 1830. or 1831. Witness my hand this 24 th day of November 1845
Edmund S Coffey J.P.
I further certify that the word "old" was written above the fifth line of the foregoing affidavit, before it was subscribed and sworn to
Edmund S Coffey J.P.

State of Virginia Pulaski County
Be it known that before me Richard Rowan a Justice of the peace, in and for the county aforesaid Personally appeared Martha De Masters, Widow of John De Masters, and made oath, in due form of law, that she is the identical person, named in an original Pension Certificate now illegally withheld by James G Parton.
She said James G Parton has by his conduct in this matter forfeited entirely my confidence; - first by leading me to believe that James G Stutton (my true agent at that time) had abandoned my claim, (and the business of collecting claims generally); - (and thus persuaded, making an agreement for his compensation for a certain amount and then wanting to demand a larger one - I suffice it to say he has merited my displeasure, and I wish to have no further business with him
That she is entitled to a pension of Eighty Dollars per annum, on account of services rendered by her husband John De Masters to the United States during the Revolutionary War
And that she now resides in Pulaski County, and has resided there ever since after since her husband was six years old
Martha her De Masters mark
Sworn and subscribed this 28 day of Nov 1840.
before me Richard Rowan J.P.

State of Virginia,
On this 7 th day of October 1848, before me Floyd L. Whitehead, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Nelson, in the said State, personally appeared Martha Demasters, a resident of the said County, aged Eighty eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the 2 d February 1848, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War: - That she is the widow of John Demasters, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution, and that under the Act of Congress of the 17. June 1844, she received a pension at the rate of eighty dollars per annum.
She further declares that she is still a widow.
Martha Demasters mark
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above written
In presence of
John L. Campbell Samuel D. Oliver
Before me
Floyd L. Whitehead J. Peace
I certify that Martha Demasters, the Declarant above named, is personally known to me
Floyd L. Whitehead J. Peace
State of Virginia Nelson County, to wit;
I Spotswood Garland Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Floyd L. Whitehead is a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, duly Commissioned and qualified; - that he is legally authorized to act as such, and that the foregoing signatures, purporting to be his, are genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of the said Court, this 9 th day of October one thousand eight hundred and forty eight.
Spotswood Garland, Clerk of Nelson County Court.

Know all men by these presents, that I John Masters of the county of Nelson do hereby constitute and appoint Archer Ferguson of the city of Richmond, my true and lawful attorney, for me, and in my name, to receive from the Register of the Land Office of Virginia the certificate for land bounty, allowed me for services rendered during the Revolutionary war. In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 7 th day of August 1830
Sealed and delivered in
Presence of
Parks H. Garrison
J. M. Gay
John Masters
Copy of a power of attorney on file in the Virginia Land Office Teste, J. H. Parker Reg. L. Office
In Council June 13 th 1820 It is advised that John Masters be allowed Land bounty as a private in the continental line for service during the war. Attest J. M. Pleasants John Tyler Warrant No 6749 for 200 acres issued to John Masters August 27 th 1830 & delivered to Archibald Ferguson
A Copy from the Records of the Virginia Land Office Teste, J. H. Parker Reg. L. Office

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Third section of the act of Congress of the 4 th July 1836 State of Virginia Nelson County } ss.
On this 25 th day of April eighteen- hundred and forty five personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the said county of Nelson in the state of Virginia, Martha Demasters alias Martha Masters a resident of said county of Nelson in the state of Virginia aged eighty four years who being first duly sworn accord- -ing 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 passed July the 4 th 1836. That she is the widow of John De Masters alias John Masters, who was a private soldier in the revolutionary war. That her husband the said John Demasters enlisted in the service of the United States under Captain Samuel P. Cabell in the year 1776 as in the Virginia line on contin- -ental establishment to serve for the period of two years The said Demasters served out the period of his enlist- ment and returned to the county of Amherst (now called Nelson) and married the Declarant Martha Moran on the twenty ninth of July seventeen hundred and seventy nine. They went to the county of

Augusta for the purpose of being married by Parson Wadell who lived in that county. she refers for further proof of her marriage to the papers filed with her previous declarations in the war department
After their marriage her husband the said John Demasters alias Masters was called upon to go again into service, and left home for a southern expedition he went as far as the river Dan, and was taken sick, and after forty days returned home. her marriage therefore took place before the last period of her husband's service. Their oldest child Winifred was born on the 6 th of February 1781: for proof of her husband's service she refers to the fact that bounty land was drawn on account of his revolutionary service: see the land office in the city of Richmond: and the record of a certificate having issued to him. The certificate was issued in the name of John Masters, but the receipt for the certificate was signed with the name of "John Demasters of Nelson County"
John Demasters was born on the 14 th October 1754, and died in the year 1830. Martha Demasters the declarant was born July 17 th 1760, she has no documentary evidence of her husband's services except that which is filed in the land office at Richmond Va.
That she was married to the said John Masters alias Demasters at the time before mentioned, and has remained a widow ever since his death as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. The last service of her husband was performed in the

year seventeen hundred and eighty one. He left home before the battle of Guilford in the militia at the time such large numbers of the Virginia militia were called upon to oppose the British.
Martha her Demasters
I Edmund F Coffey a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Nelson in the state of Virginia. Certify that the foregoing declaration of Martha Demasters was subscribed and sworn to before me. I further certify that the declarant is unable on account of old age and sickness to attend court for the purpose of making her declaration. I further certify that I have been acquainted with the said John Demasters and his widow the declarant from my earliest recollection, and that the said John Demasters has universally been believed to be a soldier of the revolution, and of the fact I have not the slightest doubt. I further certify that the children of the said Demasters alias Masters drew land bounty on account of his services, and that there was not other Demasters alias John Masters in the county of Nelson who was old enough to have been a revolutionary soldier. I further certify that Winifred Demasters the oldest child of John Demasters alias Masters was nearly as old as myself, and I am sixty six years old. The said John Demasters and his widow the said Martha Demasters lived together from the time of my recollection as husband and wife.

and I have no doubt they were lawfully married The said Martha Demasters has remained a widow ever since the death of her husband the said John Demasters and is now a widow. She is moreover a credible person, and her statements are therefore entit- led to full belief. I further certify that I myself divided the scrip for the land bounty among the heirs of the said Demasters alias Masters. The name of "Demasters" is frequently written "Masters" in the neighbourhood. Witness my hand this 25 th day of April 1845.
Edmund F. Coffey J. P.
I further certify that the word "or" in the 21 st line on the first page, and the word "that" in the 18 th line on the third page were erased or marked out before the declaration was subscribed and sworn to. Witness my hand this day and year above written.
Edmund F. Coffey J. P.
State of Virginia, Nelson County, to wit:
I Shotwell Garland, Clerk of the County Court of Nelson County, in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify, that Edmund F. Coffey, whose name is affixed to the foregoing certificates, is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified to his said Office, and that the signatures aforesaid, purporting to be his, are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto sign my name as Clerk of the said Court, and affix the seal of my Office, this 29 th day of April, 1845.
Sp. Garland, Clerk of Nelson County Court.

I Martha Demasters of the County of Nelson & State of Virginia having made a Declaration on oath, in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836 in which I stated that my deceased husband John Demasters served a tour of forty days after marriage when he was taken sick and returned home, do now set forth the following facts, to wit, that my memory has not been very clear in relation to my said husband's services during the Revolutionary War, but that having conversed much concerning the war after recently, with others, and had my memory refreshed, and believing that I am lawfully entitled to a Pension from the United States I am induced to state in addition to what I have heretofore said, that I believe my said husband returned home on furlough at the time he was sick, (spoken of in my former declaration) and after his recovery returned to the army again, that she is the identical widow of John Demasters deceased who rec d land for his services of which she hopes abundant proof has been exhibited and that this her explanation will be deemed satisfactory.
Martha her X Demasters mark
State of V a Nelson County ss
Be it known that before me E. H. Coffey a Justice of the peace in and for the County of aforesaid personally appeared Mrs. Martha Demasters and made oath to the facts set forth in the above Declaration. Which she very believe to be true. Given under my hand this 28. day of January  February 1846 -
Edmund H. Coffey J. Peace
State of Virginia: Nelson County, to wit:
I, Spottswood Garland, Clerk of the County Court of Nelson County, in

the State of Virginia, do hereby certify, that Edmund F. Coffey, whose name is signed to the foregoing certificate, is an acting Justice of the Peace in (and) for said County, duly commissioned and qualified, and that the signature aforesaid, purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I hereunto sign name as clerk of the said Court, (and) affix the seal of my Office this 30th Day of January, 1876.
St. Garland, Clerk of Nelson County, Va.

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" also of an act of Congress passed 3 March 1843 entitled "an act granting a pension to certain widows of Revolutionary soldiers, and also of an act of Congress passed on the 17 th June 1844 entitled an act to continue the pension of certain widows"
State of Virginia } Nelson County } 85
On this 8 day of September 1846, personally appeared before me, Edmund H. Coffey, a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid, Martha DeMasters, alias, Masters a resident of Nelson County and State of Virginia aged 80 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 the act of Congress passed July 7, 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pension to certain widows" also of an act of Congress passed March 3, 1843 entitled "an act granting a pension to certain widows of Revolutionary soldiers and also of an act of Congress passed on the 17 th June 1844 entitled "an act to continue the pension of certain widows;" that she is the widow of John DeMasters alias, Masters, who was a private in the regular service from the State of Virginia during the Revolutionary war, that the said John DeMasters alias Masters served as stated by the declarant in her last declaration now on file in the War Department, and to that declaration she begs leave to refer for the

particulars of her deceased husbands service, and its duration. She further declares that she was married to the said John DeMasters alias Masters at the time stated in her last declaration, and that he died at the time stated by her in her last declaration, that she was married to him subsequent to his leaving the regular service, but that after their marriage he performed a tour in the militia which last service she has been unable to prove to the satisfaction of the War Department, that her declaration is now on file in the War Department claiming a pension under the law of 1836, but that the claim under said law is not satisfactorily established, to the said declaration and the accompanying evidence the declarant begs leave to refer, and that they may be regarded as a part of this amended declaration.
ser Martha DeMasters mark alias Masters mark
State of Virginia } ss Nelson County }
I Edmund J Coffey a justice of the peace for said County, certify that Martha DeMasters alias Masters above named personally appeared before me at the time mentioned in the Caption and subscribed and swore to the foregoing declaration, that she is a person of veracity and that, is on account of age and bodily infirmity, unable to attend Court
Edmund J Coffey P.

State of Virginia, Nelson County, Sc I Spotswood Garland, Clerk of the County Court of the said County, do hereby certify that Edmund F. Coffey, whose name is signed to the above certificate, (to which this is annexed by wafer and a piece of ribbon), is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Nelson aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified as such according to the laws and usages of this common- wealth, and that full faith and credit are due to all his offi- cial acts as such. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand as Clerk of the said Court, and affixed the seal of my Office, at Loving- ston, this 15 th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hun- dred and forty six, and in the 71 st year of the Commonwealth
Sp. Garland Clerk of Nelson County Court.