Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38624, William Cochran, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Cochran, Williams
S. 38624
CONTENTS

38624
Rev
INVALID.
✓
File No. 38624
William Cochran
Rev Rev W.D.
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 98
[Arrangement of 1870.]

14.897 Alabama
William Cochran
of Clarke bly in the state of Alabama who was a Sergeant in the regiment commanded by Colonel Lewis of the Virginia line, for the term of Three years.
Inscribed on the roll of Alabama at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 7 of September 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 d of Sept 1819 and sent to Harry Toulmin Woodstown Clarke bly Ala a
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1819 - 11 22 / 30 95.40 Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Mch 1820 48
$ 143.40
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
R

Required the judge's certificate that the applicant is in reduced cir- cumstances and in need of his country's assistance for support.
22 May 1819
Wanting the clerk's certificate and seal of the court.
7 th Sept r 1818
W m Cochrane Clarke (Clerk) Enlisted 14 th Jan y 1777 in the 1 st afterwards the 10 th Reg t N. H. Col. Lewis Served for 3 Years.
Harry Foulum Esq r
Corrected & Admitted

I William Buchan, now about the age of seventy, formerly of Henry county in the state of Virginia but now of the county of Clarke in the Alabama Territory, do solemnly swear, that on the 16 th of January 1877, I engaged in the continental service, in the Virginia line, in the 11 th Reg. under the command of Col. Charles Lewis, and in the company commanded by Capt. Henry Conway. That the said regiment was after wards promoted as it was then called to the 10 th . That I continued in the service in the same company (though afterwards commanded by Capt. Nathan Reid) for the space of three years and was discharged in February 1880, at Fredericksburg in Maryland by Col. Webb, under whose command I had been temporarily placed as one of an escort of prisoners from Philadelphia to Fort Frederick. That after wards I sent my discharge to Rich- mond, by order of government, but the same being lost I sent the said discharge back it, so that I never obtained the land due to me as my compliment of service. That during the above period I was a sergeant that I am now in reduced circumstances.

in life and claim in need of assistance in my country for support, and have never been allowed any pension whatsoever. I do further swear that I do not know of any officer now living who belonged to the regiment aforesaid, nor do I know of any officer whatsoever now living who could testify as to the time of my being in service, or of my having ever been at all. W m Cochran
I Harry Toulmin, one of the United States Judges for the Alabama Territory do hereby certify, that the above marked William Cochran, being first duly sworn made the above declaration in my presence and signed the same with his hand. I do further certify that from a per- -sonal knowledge of the above named W m Cochran now applying for a pen- -sion, under the law of copyright of the 18th March 1818, - which knowledge has been of many years standing, - I have no doubt of the truth of his declaration, and that it does appear to my satisfaction that

The said applicant served in the revolu- tionary war, as aforesaid, against the common enemy. Given under my hand and seal (there being no seal of court) at the town of Jacksonville in the County of Clarke and Alabama territory on this 7 th day of Sept r 1818.
Henry Tomlinson
I hereby certify that I believe the above named Will m Cochran to have been in reduced circumstan- ces and to have stood in need of the assistance of his country for support.
22 d June 1819
Henry Tomlinson
Alabama Territory } S. James Magallin Clk. of the Superior Clarke Co. } Court of said County do hereby certify that the hon ble H. Tomlinson who certifies as above is one of the Superior Judges of the Alabama Territory and Judge of the Superior Court of Clarke County - Attest, my hand & private seal having no seal of Office - James Magallin, Clk.

State of Virginia County of Augusta 3 tract
On this 29 th day of March, one thousand eight hundred and fifty five personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the State and County aforesaid, and as such a Justice of a Court of Records for said County, Mrs Mary Cochran, aged eighty two years & now a resident of said County, who first being 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 3 rd day of February 1853, granting pensions to widows of Persons, who served during the Revolutionary war: that she is the widow of William Cochran who was a Sergeant during the war in the Continental line, and for the facts of service, the grade, length of it &c she refers to the proper herewith files &c
She further declares that she was married to the said William Cochran on the 10 th day of October 1816 in Pickney County Ohio: that her said husband died on the 25 th day of August 1825: that she was not married to him prior to the 3 rd of January, eighteen hundred, but at the time stated above - She further declares that she is now a widow -
Teste &
William Craig James D. Addis
Mary X Cochran Mark
Known to me subscribed on the day and year above written, before me the undersigned a Justice of the County Court - and I certify that from the age, infirmity and distance to the Court House of Augusta, I do not think the applicant ought to appear before the Court, that she might be able to appear before the Court, but that the residence & distance to would be very detrimental to her health, and that it ought not to be required &c -
B. H. Poirier JP

State of Virginia County of Augusta ss. I Jefferson Kinney Clerk of the County Court of Augusta in the State of Virginia, do certify that B. F. Points Esq. who hath given the preceding Certificate on the Sheet hereto attached, is an acting Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Augusta, elected Commissioner and qualified according to law with authority to administer oaths and take acknowledgements, & that full faith and credit should be given to all such his official acts, and the signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto sub- scribed my name and affixed the seal of the Court aforesaid in office at Staunton the 29th day of March A D 1888 and in the 79th year of the Commonwealth.
Jefferson Kinney, Clerk
The Commission of Pensions will please send my pension certificate when issued to Thos A T Kelly Atty at Law Winchester Virginia; and direct any correspondence you may desire to have about my claim to him as I have authorized & do hereby authorize him to act as my attorney in the prose- cution of the claim.
Witness my hand
William Craig Samuel G Davis
May here X Cochran Mark

State of Virginia County of Frederick 3 rd Court
On the 17 th day of April 1855, personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for said State & County, Henry Brown, aged fifty five years, some well known as a respectable and credible witness, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he knew well during his life time, Mr. Cochran deceased, that he married the first time a sister of my mother, and for that reason he was very intimate in the family: that after the death of my Aunt, and some time about the year 1817, the said Mr. Cochran went to Ohio, and while there he understood he married Mary Burns, and he can state of his own personal knowledge, that the said Mary Burns always lived with him up to his death as his wife, was always called such, never heard the slightest whisper to the contrary, that they raised a family of children, who always were considered legitimate, and from his knowledge of the parties &c he has no doubt they were legally married at the time stated, in the declaration to that he has often in his house seen the Cartridges box which he said he had used during the war of the Revolution; that he has heard his family speak of his services often to that he knows of his own knowledge that Mr. Cochran died about the year 1825, an old man, and he has known his widow since: that she is now living near Staunton Augusta County Virginia & is the same person who has made application for her Revolutionary Service, to that he is in no way interested in this claim &c
J. R. [unclear] J.P.
State of Virginia County of Frederick 3 rd Court.
On the 17 th day of April 1855, personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the State and County aforesaid Mr. Haines, aged fifty eight years, to me well known as a respectable & credible witness, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he knew well during his life time Mr. Cochran deceased, that he also knew before his marriage Mary Burns: that from the year 1816 she always lived with the said Mr. Cochran died as his wife: that they raised a family of children, a family of children, about whose legitimacy he never heard a doubt, but he never heard the slightest intimation, that they were not legally married: that from the respectability of the family: general reports, and the fact that the law recognized her as his legal wife, induces my thorough belief that they were legally married: that he has known her since the

death of Mr Cockran I know that she is now living near Staunton Augusta County Virginia, & that she is satisfied she is the same person who is apply- ing for a pension for the Revolutionary Service of Mr Cockran: that he knew Mr Cockran well & has heard him speak of his services during the Revolutionary war: & that he was generally reported to be a Revolutionary soldier: that to the best of my belief died about the year 1835 or 6. that he has lived in Frederick County Virginia, all his life & the greater part of it within a few miles of the late residence of the late Mr Cockran &c
J. R. Kelly 2P
State of Virginia County of Frederick B'loins
I Thomas Allen Sedball Clerk of the County Court in and for the State & County aforesaid, do hereby certify that James P. Kelly whose foregoing signature appears before me was at the time of signing the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County: duly commissioned & sworn.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the said Court on this 13 th day of April 1855 and 79 th year of the Commonwealth.
T. A. Sedball
By J. L. Beal D.C.

In the Name of God Amen. I William Cochran of the County of Frederick and State of Virginia being of a sound disposing mind, memory and understanding, considering the certainty of death, and the uncertainty of the time thereof, and being desirous of settling my worldly affairs and thereby be the better prepared to leave this world when it shall please God to call me hence, do therefore make and publish this my last will & testament in manner & form following: that is to say
First to my beloved wife Mary I give and bequeath a bedstead bed and bedding; also to my daughters Sarah and Mary each a bureau, bedstead, bed and bedding - and the rest and remainder of my personal property I desire my executors hereinafter named as soon as they can, to dispose of by public sale to the best advantage for all concerned; and after all my just debts are paid, I desire one third part of the remainder to be given to my beloved wife Mary, and the remaining two thirds to be equally divided amongst my children, namely, I give and bequeath to my sons John, William, Edward and Thomas and daughters Sarah, Mary, Rebecca, Rachel and Eliza Jane and should I have another son or daughter, to each & every one of them share & share alike - Further my will is that my plantation in Frederick County on which I now live, be rented out until such time as a majority of those concerned who are of age shall agree to have it sold either by public or private sale; which done I desire the net produce of this my real estate, to be equally divided amongst my wife and children, namely, to my wife aforesaid I give and bequeath a share, and to each of my sons & daughters aforesaid, and should I hereafter have another son or daughter, a like equal share or part, share or share alike, amongst them all, wife & children each & each -
And lastly I do hereby appoint Daniel Gold and Abraham Miller, to be sole executors of this my last will & testament, revoking & annulling all former wills by me herebefore made, ratifying this and no other to be my last will and testament -
In testimony whereof have hereunto set my hand and my seal, and affixed my seal this 20th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty five William Cochran (Seal) for my last will & testament in the presence of us who at his request, in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto
Deeds Robt J Baldwin Sasannah Carlett William J Carlett

At a Court continued and held for Frederick County the 24 th day of November 1825. The last will and testament of William Cochran deceased was found; the oaths of Robt D Baldwin and Lewis Samuel Elliott witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded, and at a Court continued and held for the County aforesaid the 24 th day of November in the year aforesaid upon the motion of Abraham Miller and Daniel Gold the executors therein named who made oath according to law, certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form on their giving security, whereupon the said Abraham Miller with John Miller his security and the said Daniel Gold with Lewis Hoff his security severally entered into acknowledged bonds in the penalties of fifteen thousand dollars each, conditioned for the due & faithful administration of said decedent's estate.
By the Court
J. A. Sidwell J.C.
State of Virginia County of Frederick
I Thomas Allen Sidwell Clerk of the County Court of Frederick County State of Virginia, do hereby certify that the foregoing will and the endorsement admitting it to probate is a true & faithful copy of the original will of William Cochran deceased and that the above order is a faithful copy of the endorsement of the order of Court admitting it to probate, which is in the form on the back of said original will & which is on record in my office.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of the said Court this 13 th day of April 1855 and 79 th year of the Commonwealth.
J. A. Sidwell J.C.
M. D. Bent D.C.

Acts of July 14, 1802, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
20 83
P. O. _____
Mary Cookran
Service: wid. of William
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

va Mary Cockran
Rev. Joseph Merritt Church Street New Bedford Massachusetts P.O.
FREE
5673
Mary Cockran wid: of W m Va
S. H. A. R. R. Co. April 20 Same July 7 1855 Same Octo 30/55 Same July 23/56 Same January 10 1857
Oct 1/53

This is to Certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Continental Line 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, directing the Auditors of Public Accounts to settle and adjust the pay and accounts of the said Officers and Soldiers from the 1st January 1777 to 31st December 1781, (See Hening's Statutes at Large, Vol. 10, p. 462,) that a settlement was made on the 26 th day of November 1783 in the name of Wm Lockhart as Sergt. Inf _____ and evidence of the indebtedness of the State to him for £ 76. 12. 0 _____ delivered to Mr. Desprez but as the original settlements or copies thereof are not to be found in this Office, the term of service embraced therein cannot be stated
Given under my hand, at the the Auditor's Office, Richmond, this 2 nd day of February 1855 -
{ NO SEAL OF OFFICE. }
G. W. Clutter Aud. P. Keels.

State of Virginia County of Frederick B Court
On the 22 nd day of July 1855, personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the State & County aforesaid, John Shelt of Frederick County Virginia, aged seventy years, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he knew well during his life-time Mr. Beckman, who died many years ago in Frederick County; that when a Young man he often was employed upon his farm: that he upon many occasions heard him speak of his services as a Sgt t or non-commissioned officer in the Revolutionary war: that at the time it was generally understood he was a Revolutionary soldier: that he relates circumstances connected with the service, but it has been more than forty years ago, & his memory has not retained any of the particulars, but from his knowledge of the character of Mr. Beckman & the circumstances, there is not the slightest doubt in his mind that he never as related to me in frequent conversations is that he has not the slightest interest in the claim that the applicant is to establish.
Truly, J. P.
Virginia
I the undersigned Fred Ball, clerk of the County Court of the County of Frederick, do hereby certify that James P. Riley, whose genuine signature is to the foregoing certificate is a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid duly commissioned and sworn.
In Testimony whereof I have unto Subscribed my name and affix the Seal of the said Court The 22 nd day of July 1855 and in the 79 th Year of the Commonwealth
Fred. Ball

Winchester Virginia
June 28 th 3/1885
How Loren P Waldo
Dear Sir
Some weeks ago I received from the Department a communication suspending the claim of Mrs Mary Cockran, widow of H n Cockran who served as a Sergeant of Infantry during the war of the Revolution &c
The claim was suspended upon two grounds - 1 st In evidence of the marriage of Mary Cockran with the soldier - 2 nd That we should produce evidence of the identity of the soldier &c
Now as to the 1 st ground of objection, I would beg that you would again examine the evidence files, for I convince it to be amply sufficient to establish the fact. I for that reason think it must have been overlooked - There is first proof that they lived together as man & wife; that they were generally reported to be man & wife: nobody ever doubted the legitimacy of their connection - they raised a large family whose legitimacy was never questioned - The respectability of the parties &c, this of itself tho' not frontier proof, is such proof as has been heretofore recognized by the department, and comes aptly the requirements of the law - as vide - Mayo & Shultz Page 532 & 3 - case of Rhoda O'Dair decided by De Cordova acting Secretary -

But in addition to the evidence aforesaid, which in itself is sufficient, we furnish an authenticated copy of the will of Mr. Lockhart in which she is recognized as his "beloved wife" - which if testimony were needed of the affection he bore her as his wife & the father of his children, is furnished in the last act of life by the simple provision made for her support in his will - This is testimony open & above that required by the Department - We hope therefore this ground of objection will be withdrawn -
2nd The objection as to the identity of the soldier - I am aware of the almost impossibility of finding at this late day, living eye-witnesses of transactions which took place nearly eighty years ago, for such a witness must himself be nearly one hundred years old - nor if such a witness could be found, with intellect impaired by age & his testimony would scarcely be worth anything - the only way there is of establishing the identity of soldiers in the Revolutionary war is by getting the testimony of persons who knew him during his life-time and heard his own statements & the statements of others as to his services, or that during the life time of the soldier he was generally reported to have been in the war: This we have done by two very respectable witnesses who have no interest in the matter, who knew Mr. Lockhart well during his life-time, who often heard him speak of his services; that he was generally reported to have served - his immediate family, most respectable persons also have heard him time & again speak of his services - no the same facts can be proven by many others, but we thought the testimony of two respectable persons, certified to & reliable by the magistrates sufficient to establish the fact so far as it could be established by such evidence - then we produce record evidence of the service, which is recognized by the Department - surely we think this should be deemed sufficient?

But in addition to this I have in my possession, a paper, found in the possession of Mr. Cockrum after his death, headed thus - "List of others allowed by Capt. Evans' songs company, adding the names to the same" Sept 22 nd 1878"
Among the names I find that of Mr. Cockrum - so clearly this was the company in which he served, & his widow tells me that he was in Morgan's Reg t - now if there be Muster rolls on file at the Department to which reference can be made, it might also assist to prove his identity - from all that I can learn from his family & those who knew him during his life-time I have no doubt, not the slightest of his service to the Capital City in the Capital City.
His widow is old & feeble and has not many years to live, being now near four score years of age & the benefit of the law passed for the relief of the widows of Revolutionary soldiers will in no particular in her case, if difficulties, which which in reality should not exist, but to reason which, after after further than has been already done, is utterly impossible not from any fault of her or the validity & strength of her claim, but for the reason that lapse of time makes it impossible in any case to prove more than she has already proven -
I really hope the claim will be allowed for I think it a just claim & one that deserves clearly the careful consideration of the Department; Many Claims have been allowed upon proof less positive than that presented in this case, & that too at a time when better could be produced - we present this claim with evidence we think should be conclusive, when it is recollected that from no fault on the strength of the claim, it is simply impossible at any case at this late day to produce evidence more positive - With thanks for the kind consideration of the Department in other matters.
I am With great respect
W. A. J. Gilg

Winchester Virginia July 11 th 1876
Hon Josiah Meigs
Dear Sir
After a patient investigation of the Claims for the Revolutionary services of W m Cockran and Edward Jenkins I have at length found out what was more particularly the nature and extent of their service, which evidence or statement I have no doubt you have the means of testing by reference to the rolls on file at the Department —
Captain Morgan as you are no doubt aware raised a company here which volunteered their services before Boston and was attached to the expedition against Quebec where after sufferings of no ordinary kind he found himself a prisoner in 1776, in the Summer of the same year he was exchanged & received a commission as Colonel in the Continental line in November 1776 and was ordered to Virginia to recruit his rifle regiment — Both of the men for whom services I have presented claims were recruited at this time — Cockran in the company of Captain Evans Long and Jenkins with one of his neighbors Richd Murray in the company of Capt Thomas Perry —
There being great difficulty in recruiting at that time & the great need of haste required Morgan to leave & march with the force he had already raised to join the Army at Monmouth early in March 1777 — here his celebrated rifle light

was formed, of which he was Colonel, Richard Battle of Pennsylvania Lt Col and Morris of New Jersey Major: that the Company of Evans Long of Culpepper Virginia, of which W m Cochran was a member was of this regt & it is thought also that of the Penn y of Frederick County. The regt remained for some time under the immediate command of Washington and rendered effective aid to him in harassing the enemy. That at the urgent request of Genl Gates in the middle of Sept 1777 he joined Gates and participated in and greatly assisted in the achieve- ment of all those brilliant successes which preceded the surrender of Burgoyne - he was at the Battle of Red Bank, Red Bank, and the surrender of Burgoyne. In November we find him again in the South under the orders of Washington, passing through all the horrors of the winter at Valley Forge in 1778 - that they remained with the division of the army under Washington until the term of their 3 years service had expired - that W m Cochran was not again but no trace can be found of his service.
I hope therefore that reference may be made to the muster rolls of Long's & Pennys companies on file at the Department & if found to corroborate the statements above that certificates may issue for their services as aforesaid.
I am sure they are entitled & trust they may be allowed accordingly.
I am
Yours respectfully
J. S. J. Cady

Winchester Virginia July 2 nd 3 1885
Dear Sir
Dear Sir
I herewith enclose you another affidavit in the case of Mary Cochran, widow of Mr. Cochran (deceased) and desire that it may be filed with the other papers etc.
The only difficulty in the case I perceive is the identification of Mr. Cochran as the person who performed the several proofs of which we have files - You must perceive at once the impossibility of finding further proof of identification, but we think with the proofs already furnished, with that evidence ought establish the fact -
I know Mr. Shell well, & his statements, are well worthy belief, he is very old, but still retains his faculties in good condition, he said the reason he believed him to be a son-in-law, Misses officer, was just his statements to that effect - then his relating circumstances & adventures connected with himself, when he was sent at the time of secession to re-enlist and get forage etc.
I hope the certificate of pension will be issued to Mrs. Cochran at an early day & the evidence on file in her pension papers, will be transferred to the claim for bounty land or with that for past services & expenses of a continued service to merit the same kind consideration.
Yours With great respect W. A. T. Kirby

Council Chamber
28 th November 1783 —
I do certify that William Cockran is entitled to the proportion of land allowed a serjeant of the Continental Line who has served three years — Thomas Meriwether. Benjamin Harrison
A Warrant for 200 acres (no. 1998) issued to William Cockran 29 th November 1783 —
Virginia Land Office
Richmond a. Apr. 5. 1855
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a copy from the Records of this Office —
S. N. Parker, Reg. L. Office

Winchester Virginia
October 22 nd 1855
Wm Josiah Minot
Dear Sir
Some months ago I filed in your office the papers in the claim of Mary Cochran widow of Wm Cochran a brig d during the Revolutionary war, praying that a pension might be allowed her under the act of 3 rd Febry 1833 -
The claim was first disallowed for want of evidence of marriage, but was subsequently reinstated, but again suspended for proof of identity -
beyond a doubt You are aware of the utter impossibility of proving the identity of a revolutionary soldier at this day, for there are no soldiers living, indeed I feel satisfied that not one is to be found in this Congressional District - The only way it is to prove them is by general report, the declarations of the soldier during his life time & the corroboration of the proof testimony by documentary evidence - This then is the only way to prove the fact of service and the number of the laws granting pensions is sufficient evidence, especially the enlargement of them by yearly enactments, that it was the intention of Congress they should be liberally construed, and should not be fettered by rules of the Department, which however beneficial in some cases to prevent frauds &c, are nevertheless oftentimes the reason for rejecting claims perfectly good & meritorious & entitled for by the law -

I do not think the Department ought to require more evidence to establish a claim than would be sufficient for an intelligent jury to render a verdict upon. I am sure it was not the intention of the framers of the law, and it is really unjust that the rules of the Department should so trammel the execution of a law, that the evidence which would be sufficient to establish a claim in a Court of law, before a jury, would be insufficient to establish it before the Department.
Now what is the evidence in this case
1st We have the Declaration of the widow, certified to be a highly respectable & upright lady, who swears that she has often heard him speak of having served during the war as a serg t .
2nd We have the testimony of three respectable witnesses, certified to be such by the Magistrate that he was generally reported to be a revolutionary soldier, that they have heard him speak of his services: that there were other reasons, such as some of his old equipments or which induced them to believe that he has served as States .
3rd The evidence of one witness John Shell, certified to be credible who swears that he lives with him, has often heard him say he has served, that he told him he was a serg t & states circumstances of his having been detailed with squads of soldiers, to perform special duty, he commanding as a non-commissioned officer - and lastly that he was generally reported to be a soldier -
All of these witnesses certified to be credible & respectable, all but one, the widow, (surviving & I am certifying myself) they have no interest in the claim - Now I fully admit that this evidence of itself would be insufficient to establish the claim by itself, but it is not alone, for we have produced two certificates, which are acknowledged by a notary

decision of Commissioner Walden to be record evidence - 1st that Mr Cochran serves as a sergeant for three years & was paid by certificate of the Auditor of the State of Virginia issued at the close of the war - 2nd that the said Mr Cochran presents his claim satisfactorily to the Board of Council, & they gave him a certificate that he was entitled to the amount of land allowed a sergeant of fifty who has served three years -
The evidence produced corroborates in every particular the record evidence, and though it is not proven to de- monstrate that he is the identical man who served, yet such evidence cannot be produced, for it is impossible to obtain it, or must I can only be required to produce such evidence, which takes a con- clusion (and as corroborating testimony) with the record evidence and satisfy the mind of an intelligent jury of the identity of the individual & the justice of our claim - Now I contend & think upon a calm & considerate re-investigation of the claim as here established an case, & trust that the claim may be allowed.
We will willingly furnish any additional evidence as to the reports, his statements &c, but think the evidence already furnished ought to be sufficient upon that point, should there be anything which would suggest itself to your mind, that I could reasonably be expected to furnish, it will be a pleasure for me to do so, I trust that my position before the Depart- ment is such & by reason of my returning several claims which have been issued against me, but which I have found out after their issue to be fraudulent, & notifying the Department to reject claims I have found out to be fraudulent, that they believe I am conscientious in prosecu- tion of this claim with such pertinacity - for I believe it to be as just a claim as is before the Department -

As you will perceive by the will of a copy of which is on file hereunder Mr. Cockran he was left at his death comparatively independent, but misfortune & old age has reduced her to a state of complete dependance at an age when it is impossible for her to secure a livelihood by her own exertions, & when totally dependent upon the charity of others. She asks the Department to give her the benefit of a provision made by Congress for her relief. There are so many impediments thrown in the way, she will have paid the last debt of nature before she can have her prayer answered -
I hope therefore the case will command itself to your careful & charitable receiving & that it may be allowed -
With many thanks to the officers of the Pension Bureau from whom I have received many kindnesses, and a determination to redress any error against a continuance of this poor treatment etc.
I am
With great respect
Yours AT Riley