Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6,736, John Collins, Va.

SERVICE
✓ NUMBER
Va.
Collins, John Jane
N. 6,736
CONTENTS

6556
Virginia
Sarah Collins, widow of John Collins, who was a Dragoon, in the Va. Line.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 100 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Dec. 1844. and sent to
Alexander Ray, Esq. Present,
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book W June 17: 1844
Vol. 2 Page 135

Set to Alex Gray Oct 6 '45 Set to same Oct 30 '45

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third section of the act of Congress of the fourth of July 1836 - State of Virginia King William County, On this 30 th day of June 1837, personally appeared before me James Johnson a justice of the peace for the County of King William and State of Virginia Jane Collins a resident of the County of King William aged eighty years on the 4 day of September next who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to attain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July the 4. 1836, That she Jane Collins is the widow of John Collins who was a regularly enlisted soldier for three years in the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War which enlistment for three years my deceased husband the late John Collins faithfully served, that my said husband John Collins enlisted into the service of the United States and revolutionary war under Captain David Fannel of King William County as a common soldier and marched from King William Courthouse here he enlisted to York Town under Captain David Fannel and Col Elias Edmunds my said deceased husband enlisted into the service of the United States in the month of September 1777 and left the service in the month of September 1780 after having served his full time of enlistment of three years and I was married to my said husband John Collins in the month of April 1780 and went with him immediately after our marriage into the service and remained with him in the service until he had served his full term of enlistment of three when the army was ordered to the South my husband John Collins was commanded by Captain William Spiller Captain Fannel remaining or being ordered elsewhere and I was at the defeat with my husband and who remained in the service five or six months after I was married to him I mean the regular service but was several times in the militia service after he left the regular service I was lawfully married to my deceased husband in Williamsburg by parson Bracken a regularly ordained minister of the gospel in the month of April 1780 but on what

day of the month we were married I do not now recollect, but positively know that we were married between five and six months before he left the regular service. My said deceased husband John Collins was born and raised and lived in the County of King William to the day of his death, He died in the year 1822 of a rupture which was brought on him during his regular service in the revolutionary army of the United States by excessive fatigue hard marching &c. I further declare that I have never married and am now the widow of the said John Collins deceased, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. my mark Jane Collins Sworn and subscribed to the day and year above written before me. James Johnson D.D.
King William Co. Wilt.
This day Jane Collins personally appeared before me James Johnson one of the Com- monwealths Justices of the peace for the County afore- said and made oath to the truth of the above declaration and I do further state that the s d Jane Collins is a very respectable woman, & in consequence of extreme old age and bodily infirmities she is incapable of attending at the Court House of the County aforesaid Given under my hand and seal this 30 th day of June 1837.
James Johnson D.D.

State of Virginia County of King William Set:
I Robert Pollard, Clerk of the Court of King William County do hereby certify that James Johnson is a Magistrate in as above, duly commissioned and qualified, and that the foregoing signatures (both to the Declaration & affidavits) hereto annexed purporting to be his the affidavits of Joanna Sweat, Maria Collins and James Langston are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office & subscribed my name this 1 st day of July in the year 1837.
Rob: Pollard C. C.
all interlineations made
before signing
Rob: Pollard Clerk.
Declaration of Joanna Collins

At a Quarterly Court held for King and Queen County at the Courthouse on Monday the 11 th of August 1845
It is ordered to be certified that the Court is entirely satisfied from the evidence before them, that the marriage of Sam Collins who is a United States pensioner and the United Widow of John Collins, took place before the said John Collins left his service in the American Army of the War of the Revolution
In Testimony of the foregoing being a true Copy of Record of my office I have here set my hand & affixed the seal of my office this 14 th day of Augt 1845
Robert Pollard Clerk

This is to Certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia State 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 13 th day of June 1783 , in the name of John Collins as a Soldier of Artillery for £ 70. 9. 6, which Certificate appears to have been delivered to himself and was given for services prior to the 1st January, 1782.
{ No Seal of Office. }
Given under my hand at the Auditor's Office, Richmond, this
5 th day of October 1838. Wm. Morton AUDITOR absens

V 2205 Jane Collins And of Mrs. V Ad 4 July 36
paper relm L. M. Gains March 9 1839

Jane Collins wid of Jn o . Mar - Apl 1780: Died 1822
Enlist. Sept. 77 for 3 years under Col. Sam Parnell. Col. Edmund
The above from the acc. of Jane Collins No. 2205 - paper etc. The day h - R.R. Gains Aug 22 1838

Mail Free
Free
From Hon. C.H.
April 24 th 1858
At
James L
Edwards Esq
Mr. Va. Bldg add. Collin Jane Collins
Pension Commissioner
Washington City

Mr James L. Edmonds
Hanover Courthouse April 24. 1838
Sir,
Enclosed you will find three affidavits of the old enough I hope to prove to your satisfaction, that John L. Ginn or Giny Collins now alive (the widow of John Collins the revolutionary soldier) were lawfully married. You will find from the affidavits now enclosed that they affidavits were old enough when they were married to have lawful witnesses and that they were well acquainted with them. In truth every body in the country admits not but that they were lawfully married. In those days in 1780 poor persons were married by publication of the banns almost without exception which ought to account for there being no marriage license bond to be found upon record in Williamsburg subsequent to the year 1780 January or the first of the year I presume.
The widow of the revolutionary soldier John Collins is as poor as she can be but very respectable cannot live long and if you do not allow her claim upon the testimony you now have no more can be had except from persons who are according to what you say are too young to have known any thing about but if such would want as half the county could be had to say that John L. Giny Collins were lawfully married - I hope you may think proper to allow her claim I forward her certificate by the first mail to Hylton's Warehouse to me in order that she may get the money that so much wants - When you write me please say what you mean to do with Mrs Bournes claim her lawful marriage can be proven to your satisfaction beyond contradiction -
I am Respectfully yours H
Robt. B. Ginn
1835 69 1769 11 1750

State of Virginia City of Richmond ss. County of Henrico ss
On this 31 day of July, 1846 personally appeared before me the subscriber Mrs Jane Hargrove a resident of the said County of Henrico, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath state, That she was well acquainted with John Collins who at her request and belief intermarried with Jane Harn, that the said John Collins and his wife Jane were members of the Baptist church and that the said John was in the habit of praying and exorting in publick and that she well recollects of seeing them together, the said John & Jane as man and wife at publick meetings immediately after the close of the Revolutionary war, and before this affiant was married, she also declares that she allways understood and believes that the said John Collins entered the service in the war of the Revolution as a soldier and during his service the said Jane Collins was with her husband the said John Collins some time and washed for the officers,
The declarant cannot state the officers under whom the said John Collins served, but heard and believes that he served several years in the war of the Revolution; That when he the said John Collins returned home from his service in the war of the Revolution he lived with his wife Jane in the immediate neighborhood of this affiant for many years, and continued his religious exercises in

publick, This affiant also states that she has frequently heard the said Jane Collins who was in the habit of visiting this affiant, frequently for many years, speak of circumstances that happened while her husband the said John Collins was in the service of the war of the revolution. She further states that she was not at the marriage for as she spent with certainly the year their marriage took place further than they were married some eight or ten years before this affiant was married. She also saith that she frequently heard the said John Collins relate the circumstance of his wife Jane being with him in the service in the revolutionary war, and that the said John Collins died some years since a consistent member of the Baptist church. This affiant further states that she was married in the year 1788 to Billy Hargrove who was a Baptist preacher and lived in the immediate neighborhood of John Collins and his wife Jane for many years after she was married, and further she saith not.
Jane her Hargrove sworn to and subscribed this day and year last above written, before me,
J. W. 1844
I further certify hereby that the signer and declarant is personally known to me, That she is a Lady of good standing and her statement is entitled to full confidence, Given under my hand & Seal this 31 day of July, 1844
J. W. 1844 (Seal)

State of Virginia, city of Richmond, to wit:
I, Charles Howard, clerk of the court of Hustings for the said city, do hereby certify that F. Wickes, whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificates, is the recorder of the said city, and ex officio a justice of the peace, and a member of the court of Hustings thereof, and I believe his said signature to be genuine. In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court of Hustings on this 31 st day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four.
Chs. Howard

State of Virginia King William
The affidavit of Jane Collins, widow of John Collins deceased, an old revolutionary soldier, aged eighty three years, who after being first duly sworn according to law, doth say, that she was lawfully married to the said John Collins died in Williamsburg, in the state of Virginia, in the month of April 1780, and that soon after her marriage, she went with her husband, the said John Collins to Hillsborough, in North Carolina and from thence she went with her husband, and was in the camp with him at Gates's defeat, and some short time thereafter, she came on to Richmond through Petersburg, and from thence she came on to King William County, where she has lived ever since, to this day. Further this affidavit saith not, given under my hand and seal this 9 day of January 1840—
her Jane X Collins mark
(Seal)
State of Virginia King William County ss,
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the county aforesaid Jane Collins and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit, and I do hereby certify that as far as I know and believe the said Jane Collins is a creditable person, and that therefore her statement is entitled to full credit. Given under my hand and seal, this 9 th day of January 1840
Thos. P. Green (Seal)

State of Virginia, King William County to wit
I Robert Pollard Clerk of the Court of the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that Thomas D Green esq: whose hand and seal are affixed to the foregoing certificate, is a Magistrate of the County of King William, duly commissioned and qualified to the said Office, according to the Constitution and Laws of said State, and that full faith and credit are due to all his acts and deeds as such Magistrate said signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of my Office to be hereunto annexed this 10 th day of January in the year 1840.
Robt Pollard Clk.

State of Virginia King William County ss
The affidavit of Mason Collins an old revolutionary soldier, resident of the aforesaid County, aged 81 years, who after being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath say that he was intimately acquainted with John Collins a revolutionary soldier, and husband of the now widow of Jane Collins who is now alive and is still a resident of King William County, where she has always lived ever since the revolutionary war. This affiant further saith that he himself was at Gates's defeat, and perfectly recollects to have seen the said John Collins and Jane his widow there, both before and after the battle, and that some short time after Gates's defeat, they the said John Collins and Jane his then wife came on through Petersburg to Richmond City, in Virginia, from thence to King William County in Virginia, from whence they went; they the said John Collins and Jane his now widow were lawfully married in Williamsburg in April 1780 and lived together as man and wife until his the said John Collins's death. Further this affiant saith not. Given under my hand and seal this 9 day of January 1840 -
Mason his X Collins (seal) mark
State of Virginia King William County ss
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid Mason Collins and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit and I do hereby further certify that the said Mason Collins is a creditable person as far as I know and believe and that his statement above made is entitled to full credit - Given under my hand and seal this 9th day of January 1840
Thos. P. Green
(Seal)

State of Virginia, King William County to wit:
I Robert Pollard Clerk of the Court of the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that M er William P at Green Esq: whose hand and seal are affixed to the foregoing Certificate, is a Magistrate of the County of King William, duly commissioned and qualified to the said Office, according to the Constitution and Laws of said State, and that full faith and credit are due to all his acts and deeds as such, and that his said signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of my Office to be hereunto annexed this 10 th day of January in the year 1840.
Rob t Pollard Clk.

State of Virginia King & Queen County } ss
The deposition of William Todd taken before me, John Pollard a Justice of the Peace this 11 th day of August 1845, who being first duly sworn in the county of King & Queen aforesaid, deposeth and saith, that he is 66 years of age, that he has been acquainted with Jane Collins, the late wife of John Collins, and who is a United States pensioner, for 35 years or more, and has frequent conversations with her, upon the subject of the war of the revolution in this country, that he has often heard her speak of having been with her husband John Collins, in the American Army, during a part of the time of his service and after the time of her marriage to the said John Collins, and relates circumstances that happened at the time, and that he has entire confidence in the statements made to him by her, and that he believes that it has been more than 20 years since these conversations took place, and further he saith not,
Wm Todd

Sworn to and Subscribed, the day and year last above written
Before me
John. Pollard J.P.
And I hereby certify that the Signer and deponent to the foregoing deposition, is personally known to me, That he is a Baptist clergymen and a gentleman of high standing, and that his statement is entitled to full confidence,
John. Pollard J.P.
Virginia
King and Queen County ss
I Robert Pollard Clerk of the County court of the County of said state aforesaid do hereby certify that John Pollard is a Justice of the peace in and for the said County duly commissioned and qualified, that his Commission was dated on the 7 th day of March 1838 and sealed by him during good behaviour and that his signature above written is genuine Given under my hand & the seal of said County this 14 th of August 1845
Robert Pollard Clerk

Virginia, King William County to wit
At a Court of monthly Session held for King William County in the State aforesaid, on Monday the 22 d of April in the year 1839; The Court doth certify that James Johnson and Richard Willery are Justices of the Peace for the County of King William, and are authorized to administer oaths; and as far as they are authorized, they do approve of their acts in administering oaths and giving Certificates annexed to the Declaration of Jane Collins, and that the signatures of the said James Johnson and Richard Willery are genuine
I Robert Pollard Clerk of the Court of the County aforesaid in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct transcript from the records of said Court.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of my Office to be hereunto annexed this twenty third day of April 1839, and in the 63 d Year of the independence of the United States.
Rob: Pollard Clk

Millers Tavern. Mar 3 Feby 12
Feb 15. 1840
James L. Edwards Esq. add ch. Jane Collins
Mail 3 Via Richmond City
Free
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
Yours truly on my honor living John Brown

James L. Edwards Enaficed P.O. King William February the 9. 1870
Sir,
I Enclose you the affidavits of Jane and Mason Collins in regard to the places she was in camp with her husband John Collins in the revolutionary war after she the said Jane Collins was lawfully married to the said John Collins the revolutionary soldier which I hope will be entirely satisfactory to you in the establishment of her pension claim as the widow of the said John Collins deceased - In your last letter you ask why John Collins did not apply for a pension under the act of Congress of 1818 granting pensions to regular soldiers as he did not die until 1821 which per annum was stated in Jane Collins declaration which was no doubt done according to her best recollection at that time and I doubt not that when she stated her husband to have died in 1821 it was done under a full conviction that he did die in that year but she is a very old and ignorant woman but is a woman of excellent and reputable character which has never impeached and it is but charity to say & believe that it was entirely an unintentional mistake as I have persons recently & since you last wrote me who will make affidavit on oath that he died early in the year 1818 who are persons of reputable as any in the state, and if you require it I proceed to get the affidavits spoken of without delay as regards her legal marriage with her husband the said John Collins there is not a shadow of doubt upon the minds of any person in the county of King William although they were not present when they were lawfully married in Williamsburg which you know is in the county of James City Va. I hope therefore that you will award her a pension and forward the pension certificate without

Delay as she is she as poor and needy as any person living I oblige your obed Servant Robt B
P.S. Direct all your letters to me at Enafield post office, King William V. C.
Washington City Commonwealth of Pennsylvania July 1842
Yrs

CB Should you receive the testimony establishing when John Collins died write me immediately after the receipt of this in order that I may get it directly and before the 4 of March next and in order that you may issue the pension certificate before that day should allow the claim at all so that the poor old woman may receive her money immediately after the 4 of March next — Robert W. Gaines
March 3 Rev. Richmond City John Collins James Feb 15. 1820 Feb 12 William Lee
...pension certificate without

Oct 7. 1848
Adelphi case
James Collins
James
J.
Edwards
Esq.
Court of Common

Washington Sep. 30. 185
Sir/
In the case of Anne Collins; widow of John, deceased 1838. N. & S. and now appearing for the act of July 1836. You will receive herewith a further affidavit in the case. relating to the period of her marriage
I am very respectfully Your Obedt Servt Alex. N. Vay
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comm r of Pensions

Sept. 13. 1845!
Adal be can
Jane Collins.
J. L. Edwards Esq. Comr. of Pensions. Present

Washington
Sep. 12. 1845.
Sir
In the case of Lane Collins, widow of John under act of July 1838. on the Virginia role. Her application was filed for the act of July 1836. but in consequence of the marriage not being satisfactorily established for the act of 1836. a subsequent deduction was made for the act of 1838.
I have received a transcript from the Clerk of the Court of King & Queen County Va. under order of the Court. And an affidavit made by William Todd of Va. which I herewith enclose as evidence in support of Lane Collins claim to the act of July 1836 in lieu of the act of July 1838. which she now enjoys.
I am very
respectfully
Your On Sir
Alex. N. Vay
J. L. Edwards Jr Comm d of Pensions

Virginia
City of Williamsburg to wit
I, Thirner Christian Clerk of the Hustings Court of the City of Williamsburg in the State aforesaid Do hereby certify that I have diligently searched the said Office and that I can find no evidence of the issuing of Marriages licenses or Bonds filed in this Office from the year Seventeen hundred and Eighty to Seventeen hundred and Ninety four; Marriage Bonds and Licenses Subsequent to Seventeen hundred and Ninety four that took place in Williamsburg are filed in this Office.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said City the Seventh day of June One thousand Eight hundred and forty four.
T. Christian C. Clerk.

State of Virginia King William County } Oct.
I Robert Pollard Clerk of the Court of the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that James Johnson and Richard Milleroy esquires whose hands and seals are affixed to the foregoing certificates of acknowledgment are Magistrates of the County of King William and that their said signatures are genuine, and that due faith and credit ought to be paid to all their acts as such -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the County to be hereunto annexed this 10 th day of October 1838 in the 62 nd year of the Commonwealth -
Rob: Pollard Clk.

(Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page)
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page, mostly illegible.]

State of Virginia King William County ss
The affiant of Garland Madison resident of the County of King William, aged Sixty eight years, who after being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath say that he has been well acquainted with John Collins and Jane his wife (formerly) but now his widow residents of the aforesaid County for many years say upwards of forty years, being near neighbours to them during the above mentioned time, and the said John and Jane Collins have always lived together as man and wife, and he has always understood from every body who were well acquainted with them, that they were lawfully married, by a regularly ordained Christian minister some time before his term of enlistment ended, and that she the said Jane Collins after her marriage with the said John Collins, remained in the service with her husband, until his term of enlistment ended. This affiant further saith that the said Jane Collins, now the widow of the said John Collins, and has ever since he knew her, sustained the character of a good woman and a good wife, and that she has always been considered unusually, to be a woman of integrity, honor and honesty. Further This affiant saith not, given under my hand & Seal this 22 day of Sept. 1837 Garland his Madison (Seal) crop
State of Virginia King William County ss
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the County aforesaid Garland Madison, and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit, and as hereby certify further, that the said Garland Madison is a creditable person and that his statement above made is entitled to full faith and credit. Given under my hand and seal this 22 day of September 1837
James Johnson P.P.C. (Seal)

State of Virginia King & Queen County to wit
On this 10 th day of June 1844 personally appeared before me the subscriber William Todd, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath state, that he is now sixty five years of age, that he was well acquainted with John Collins of King William county State of Virginia & Jane Collins now his widow, that the said John Collins was a very respectable man, that the said John & Jane Collins lived together for many years and was considered by those who knew them as man and wife, and lived together as such for many years, and that the subscriber has no reason to doubt the legality of their marriage, but has every reason to believe, they were lawfully married, and has every reason to believe their marriage took place before the said John Collins left his service in the army of the war of the revolution & further this deponent saith not Wm Todd
Sworn to and subscribed this 11 th June 1844 before me
John Pollard J.P.
I hereby further certify that said William Todd who has deposed above is personally known to me, that he is a Baptist preacher of good standing in his church and that the statement above made is entitled to the highest confidence and credit. Given under my hand this day and year last above written John Pollard J.P.
Virginia King & Queen County to wit
I Robert Pollard Jr Clerk of the county Court of King & Queen do hereby certify that John Pollard whose name is signed to the above certificate was at the time of signing the same and now is a justice of the peace in and for the County of said duly commissioned and qualified according to law and to whom official acts as such are faithful and credit as an ought

to be given In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office this 12 th day of July 1844
Robert Southwell

State of Virginia County of King William 3
The Deposition of Warren Lipscomb & Christopher Lipscomb taken this 24 th day of June 1844. before me a Justice of the Peace who being first duly sworn according to Law saith that they have known Jane Collins widow of John Collins for more than thirty years, that they do not know or believe that there is any fam- ily record of the marriage of the said Jane to her late husband John Collins, nor is there any record that we know of of the age of any of her children not having had any, & further they saith not. NB. The words "that we know of" is interlined in the 2 nd line from the bottom & above — Ch. Tompkins J.P. Warren Lipscomb Christopher Lipscomb
Sworn & subscribed to this 24 th day of June 1844 before me, and I certify that they are gentlemen entitled to the highest confidence and credit. Given under my hand this date above, (last expressed) Ch. Tompkins J.P.
I, Robert Pollard, Clerk of the Court of King William County, in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that Christopher Tompkins is a Magistrate of the said County, duly commissioned and qualified, according to the Laws of the said State; and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof, I have set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 17 th day of July, 1844. in the 69 th year of the Commonwealth.
Rob. Pollard, Clerk of the Court of King William County.

Oct 17
re ret d Case Jane Collins Oct 1836
Mail Spencer Walter L. E.

Oct 17
re ret d Case Jane Collins, Act 1836
Miss Mary Stacy  Stacy Sept 11th 1836 Oct 14th 1836
James L. Thomas Esqr
to an affidavit of homestead blanking out City
5/1 I don't know how to get to you so I have not yet written to you

Rev James L Edwards
Sir I herewith enclose you
back all the original papers and the auditors certificate in respect to the claim of Jane Collins for the services of her lawful husband John Collins in the revolutionary war, I conceive that his service in the army, his lawful marriage, &c. &c. is all proven in the declaration of his now widow Jane or Fanny Collins to either with the affidavits of sundry persons prove beyond contradiction that she rendered the service required to entitle his widow to a pension which I hope you will allow without any further trouble or difficulty - I am much surprised that from your last letter to me that you require (contrary to the rules of the President of the United States & the Secretary of War) the declaration of the applicant and the witnesses who can neither read nor write shall go before a judge to be qualified before a judge when the rules expressly say that they shall be qualified before a judge or a justice of the peace making no difference between no difference between a judge & a justice of the peace even if you moreover require that the applicant shall go to court to make her acknowledgement before the court when the rules say that if they are unable to attend court that a justice of the peace shall so certify and it will answer every purpose which has been done & the rules strictly complied with; as to getting a judge to attend to any sort of revolutionary business it is impossible and surely you cannot know the laws of this state in regard to the duties of judges, none of them have less than 6 or 8 counties to attend twice a year Spring & Fall and it is as much as they can do to get through their dockets having but one week to do the business in and almost all the suits of the country are brought in the Superior courts which the judges attend twice a year only & they have as much as they can possibly do & often more before they have to leave for another court, I have often applied to them to attend only for a few minutes to revolutionary business for me and have never been able to attend to one for me so that it is perfectly useless for you to require of me or any body else to
have declarations or affidavits qualified to before a judge for if you do there never will be a another pension claim established I venture to say if the judges generally are like ours in this quarter; I am sorry to find that you are so much opposed to the establishment of pension claims of old revolutionary widows and I think if you knew their property generally you would not require so much knowing how difficult it is to get testimony to establish any claim in consequence of their being so few old persons who were grown before the war and even who are now alive - I have nothing more to prove in regard to Jane Collins claim nor can possibly get a judge to have any thing to do with that nor any other claim of the kind so that you must do as you please about the claim but aside as you may there never was a more just claim & I think fully proven to be so
As I hope you will forward her certificate to Hylets house as early as possible
I have examined the land books in Richmond & find that John Collins & John Bauman have received their land bounty in 1783 so that if you require it I will forward you the certificate of the register of the land office at Richmond proving that fact which prove beyond doubt that they were in the service at least three years else they would not be entitled to land bounty at all
I am Respectfully yours Robt G.aines

8975
Virginia
Jane Collins, widow of John Collins, who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the — 1821 or 1822 of King William in the State of Va who was a Dragoon in the Com- commanded by Captain _____ of the Reg commanded by _____ in the Va? line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Richmond, at the rate of 100 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of Decem. 1844 and sent to Alex r . Ray Esq, present.
Total amount, $300.00
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by J. S. Swann Clerk, Book _____ Vol. 1 Page 265

V 2205 Jane Collins widow of John 5 July Mary Williams to Virginia Atty July 1836. 3 sheet
Robt G. Gann
Affair of James Langston

The affiant of James Langston of the State of Virginia and County of King William, aged fifty years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath say, that he has been well acquainted with, and a neighbor to Jane Collins, ever since he was a small boy, and that he has always understood from the people generally, that she was lawfully married to John Collins deceased, the revolutionary soldier, with whom this affiant was also well acquainted until the day of his death and that he knows that Jane Collins the widow of the said John Collins has never married since his death - Further this affiant saith not. Given under my hand this 30 th day of June 1837 -
James Langston Mark X his
State of Virginia King William County ss.
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the County of King William James Langston and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit and I do hereby further state that the said James Langston is a creditable person and that his statement above made is entitled to full faith and credit.
Given under my hand and Seal this 30 day of June 1837
James Johnson D. Seal

Joanna Lewis affidavit

The affidavit of Joanna Sweat, of the State of Virginia, and county of King William, county aged fifty five years, who being first sworn according to law, doth on her oath say, that she has been well acquainted with Jane Collins, the widow of John Collins, who was a soldier in the revolutionary army of the united States, during the revolutionary war, and that she has always understood from the oldest persons in the neighbourhood, from her first recollection to the present day, that she was the widow of the said John Collins the revolutionary soldier, and that the said Jane Collins is now the widow of the said John Collins and that she went into the revolutionary service with her husband after they were lawfully married, and that she remained with him, until his service as regular soldier ended further this affiant saith not - Given under my hand this 30 day of June 1837 -
Joanna Sweat mark
State of Virginia King William county ss,
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the county of King William, Joanna Sweat, and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit, and I do hereby further certify, that the said Joanna Sweat, is a creditable person and that her statement above made, is entitled to full faith and credit - Given under my hand and Seal this 30 day of June 1837 -
James Johnson D. Seal
The Erasure in the second line & the interlineation between the second & third lines in the affidavit above were made before the ratification thereof J Johnson D.

2205 Jane Collins wid of John. N.B. Ad July 4 th 1836 Marr'd 1780. died 1821

The affidavit of Mason Collins, of the State of Virginia, and County of King William, aged sixty seventy nine years, on the first day of September 1837. Who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath say that he is now receiving an annual pension from the United States of ninety six dollars a year, for services rendered as a regular in the revolutionary army of the United States, and this affiant further saith that he was intimately acquainted with John Collins deceased, formerly of King William County, and the husband of Jane Collins, who is now, and ever has been the widow of the said John Collins, she never having married again since his death; and he this affiant knows that the said John Collins enlisted into the revolutionary army of the United States, under Captain David Pannel at King William Court House for three years, which he the said John Collins faithfully served and that he was lawfully married to the said Jane Collins now his widow some time in the month of April 1780 about five or six months before the enlistment and service ended as a common soldier in the revolutionary army of the United States, this affiant also knows that the said widow of John Collins (whose name is Jane Collins) went into army with her husband after their marriage, and remained until after his service in the regular army ended, which was not less than five or six months; This affiant further states, and saith that he has lived in the neighbourhood of the said Jane Collins ever since the death of her husband John Collins, and knows that she has never married again since the death of her husband John Collins, and he further knows that he died of a rupture which came on him whilst in the revolutionary army of the United States, and that it was brought on him he confidently believes from hard marching, excessive fatigue, hardship &c. and that he died in the county of King William about the year 1822 where he was born and raised, further this affiant saith not - given under my hand this 30 day of June 1837 - Mason his Collins mark

State of Virginia King William County ss,
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for King William County, Mason Collins and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit and hereby further certify that the said Mason Collins is a creditable person and that his statement above made is entitled to full faith and credit - Given under my hand seal this 30 day of June 1837
James Johnson J.P. Seal
2205 Jane Collins wid of John P.S. July 4 1836 Ald Married 1780 died 1821

Certificate in relation to John Collins Esq.

State of Virginia.
James City County, to wit:
I, Thomas O. Cogbree, Clerk of the County Court of James City, in the State of Virginia aforesaid, do hereby certify that I have carefully examined the records of my said Office from January One thousand seven hundred and eighty to January One thousand seven hundred and ninety one, and that I cannot find any evidence of the issuing of a marriage license to John Collins to intermarry with any person, of the City of Williamsburg; and that I do not find any thing in my said Office to shew any licenses having been issued previous to that time: and I do also certify that one portion of the City of Williamsburg lies in James City County, and the other portion in York County. — In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal of the said County of James City this seventh day of June in the year One thousand eight hundred and forty four. —
Th: O. Cogbree C.

11,464 Nov. 20. 1894
Game calling
July 7, 1888
Pa.
Fr.
Jas. L. Edwards
Com o of Penn s
Man Dept
application to relinquish the ad 1896 a present, for the ad 7 July 1895

Washington Nov 20. 1844
Sir
I enclose a declaration made by Jane Collins, Widow of John. for the benefit of the act 1838. Not being able to furnish further evidence of the time of her marriage under act 1836. She wishes to relinquish for the act 1838. and the enclosed declaration is for that purpose.
I remain
Your Mover
Respectfully
Alex. Way
J. L. Edwards Esq Comm r of Pensions

Oct 25 Rte with Core Collins
Mail Spec
[Large signature] Cassava Sago
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Rev James L Edwards
Sir, when I wrote you yesterday I omitted to inform you that the clerks offices of the following counties have all been burnt long since the revolutionary war and I believe all the records were burnt also so that there is no possible chance of getting a certified copy of the license bonds of any persons who were married before the offices were burnt as you seem to to require I am therefore just to the trouble of getting the best proof I can of the lawful marriage of those claims I have undertaken to recover I hope you will not be too particular in requiring testimony of that kind - The offices of Hanover, King William and King & Queen, Essex, Gloucester, Middlesex, Mat- -thews & James City, in which county Williamsburg is have all been burnt, John Collins your wife's rec d  has his now widow said in her declaration to have been lawfully married in April 1780 in Williamsburg & I have no reason to believe to the contrary but on the contrary I have many reasons to believe that they were lawfully married in Williamsburg as stated in the declaration of Jane Collins supported by the testimony of Morgan Collins a very respectable man & citizen - I wrote you this to account to you for not forwarding you the license bonds required - I am respectfully yours obed Servt -
Robt. Gaines

Virginia Jane Collins widow of John
See letter to A. B. Gaine Aug. 2 nd 1839 Apr. 27. 1840 to same Els to Alex. May Oct. 26. 1844.
Ack July, 4 th 1836.

State of Virginia, King William County S.S,
The affidavit of Mary Bradby resident of the county of King William, aged 69 years, who after being first duly sworn according to law, oath on her oath say, that she has been well acquainted with John Collins the revolutionary soldier, resident of King William County and also his now widow now resident of the same county, Jane or Mary Collins, ever since she Mary Bradby was a small girl, and that they the said John and Mary Collins, were then and always have been  laid generally to have been lawfully married, and that they the said John and Mary Collins, did certainly live together as man and wife, and as having been lawfully married, until the death of the said John Collins, who lived and died a near neighbour in the county of King William, to the said Mary Bradby further this affiant saith not
April 10 th 1838
The words "have been" in the seventh line from the top and "generally" in the eighth line are interlined before signed —
James Johnson D.P.
King William County and State of Virginia S.S,
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the county of King William, Mary Bradby and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit and I do further certify, that the said Mary Bradby is a creditable person, and that her statement above made is entitled to full faith and credit given under my hand and seal this 10 th day of April 1838 —
James Johnson D.P. Seal

State of Virginia, King William County S.S.
The affidavit of Polly Holdainaint of King William County aged 68 years, who after being duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath say, that she has been well acquainted with John Collins resident of King William County and a revolutionary soldier, and his now widow Jane or Fanny Collins, ever since the Polly Hold was a small girl, and that the said John and Jane or Fanny Collins were and believed generally to have been lawfully affectionately married, by right and certainly lived together as man and wife until the death of the said John Collins, from her the said Polly Hold first acquaintance with them, which was before the siege of Little York, for she recollects well when the siege of York was, and it was not long after the siege of Little York, when the said John and Jane or Fanny Collins came to the county of King William to live, where they remained living together as man and wife, until the death of the said John Collins who lived and died in this the affiant's neighborhood in the county of King William - further this affiant saith not
April 10 th 1838.
The words "and believed generally" in seventh line from the top, and "as such," in the eighth line interlined by before signed
James Johnson P.
her Polly Hold inwark.
King William County and State of Virginia S.S.
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the county of King William, Polly Hold and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit and I do hereby certify that the said Polly Hold is a creditable person and that her statement above made is entitled to full faith and credit - given under my hand and seal this 10 th day of April 1838 -
James Johnson P. (Seal)

May 1. 1840
see who
J. Edwards Esq.
Pension Office
War Dept.
Washington
see within

Auditors Office Virg ia
29 April 1840
Sir
John Collins a soldier of artillery in the State line received a final settlement certificate for £70. 9. 6 on the 13 June 1783, — but there is no evidence in this office of the length of his service.
There was a John Collins who belonged to the Partizan Legion commanded by General Armand which was discharged on the 15 Nov. 1783 and there were seven persons of that name in the Continental line 1 a corporal — 1 in the cavalry and the rest soldiers of infantry.
Very respectfully
Yours
J. H. Heath
(And)

Dear Sir,
Hylets Jany 17. 1838
You will particularly oblige me by answering my letter in regard to Jane or Fanny Collins's claim. She is very old and poor and if any thing is allowed her, she is anxious to get it now or never as I have never heard from you since the last papers were sent on. I should be glad to know whether you received them or not and if her claim is good I will thank you to send on her pension certificate and a form of a power of attorney so authorizing her agent to receive the money for her. to me Please direct certificate so to this post office, Hylets Warehouse as as possible. I oblige your obed Servt
Robert B. Jones
If you have examined the papers sent on to you recently in regard to Mary Barnes claim and any thing should be now necessary to be done to establish her claim please say what it is, in order that I may proceed to do what is necessary.
I presume that W. N. S.
The multiplicity of business on your hand occasioned by the meeting of Congress is the cause you have not answered before this

Pls acknowledge the receipt of the papers in regard to Jane or Fanny Collins also the papers of Mary Bane in your next — W. B. Gains
Be sure to direct to Hyatts Post Office Kings when County

Jan 22
18 Jan 1871
James L. Canard Esq. Mail B Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Robert B. Gaines Penafold King William.

James City County Court Clerk's Office, to wit:
I do hereby certify that I have examined the records of the said County Court from the year 1780 to 1790, and that I cannot find any bond given by John Collins, or any other evidence, showing that he intermarried with Dinny Richeson - and I do further certify that I cannot find any marriage license bond bearing date before the year 1780. —
H: O. Leagbree Clk. October 12 th 1837. —

Perz WIDOW, &c.
File No. 6736
Jane Collins Wid.
John Collins Dragoon Batty line
Act: Mch. 3 rd 1863 + June 17 th 1864
Index:—Vol. 28 , Page 144
[Arrangement of 1870.]

State of Virginia King William Co. ss.
The affiant of Elizabeth Haden, residents of the County of King William, aged sixty seven years on the 11th day of January next 1887- who after being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath say, that she has been well acquainted with John and Jane Collins his wife formerly, and now his widow, residents of the aforesaid County, for many years, say for at least fifty six years, she having always lived in the same County of King William with them, and most of the time she has lived in the same neighbourhood with them, and she has always understood from every way, that they the said John and Jane Collins, were lawfully married and they have always lived together as such, and that after their marriage which was before the time of enlistment of the said John Collins era, the said Jane his wife went into the service with her husband the said John Collins, the said John Collins being a Revolutionary soldier, and remained with him until his term of enlistment ended. This affiant further saith that the said Jane Collins, has always ever since she knew her, sustained the character of a good woman and a good and constant wife, and a woman of integrity honesty and honor. Further this affiant saith not - given under my hand and seal this 22 day of September 1887 - Elizabeth + Powers (seal) Mark
State of Virginia King William County ss,
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the County of King William, Elizabeth Haden, and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit, and I do hereby further certify, that the said Elizabeth Haden is a creditable person, and that her statements above made, is entitled to full credit and faith, given under my hand & seal, this 22 day of September 1887. James Johnson P. Lead
Powers, in the 3rd line from the bottom interlined before signed. James Johnson P. Lead

State of Virginia King William County to wit:
I Robert Pollard, Clerk of the Court of the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that James and Richard Milliron Johnson Esquires, whose hands and seals are affixed to the foregoing certificates of acknowledgment are Magistrates of the County of King William and that their said signatures are genuine, and that due faith and credit ought to be paid to all their acts as such.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the said County to be hereunto annexed this 25 th day of September 1837, in the 62 nd Year of the Commonwealth
Elizabeth Howden affidavit
Robt Pollard, C.C.

The affidavits of George Abadairn
George S. Beal

State of Virginia, King William County S.S.
The affiant of George Madison, an resident of the County of King William, aged Sixty years, who after being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath say, that he has been acquainted with John Collins deceased the revolutionary soldier, and Jincy or Jane Collins, now the widow of the said John Collins deceased, for many years, having lived in the same neighbourhood with them, and know that they lived together as man and wife, and ever were considered, to have been lawfully married. This affiant further says, that the said Jincy or Jane Collins has always supported the character of an honest and a woman of integrity and respectability. Further this affiant saith not. Given under my hand and seal this 6 th day of Sept. 1837 — Geo Madison (Seal)
N.B. enterlined before signed with the word deceased between the third & fourth line and with the words and a Woman between the ninth & tenth lines given under my hand this the day above written
Rich d . Willeroy J.P. (Seal)
State of Virginia King William County S.S.
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the County of King William, George Madison, and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit, and I do hereby further certify, that the said George Madison is a respectable person, and that his statement above made is entitled to full faith and credit. Given under my hand and seal this 6 th day of Sept. 1837 — Richard Willeroy J.P. (Seal)

The affidavit of Mary D. Haughton

State of Virginia / King William County S.S.
The affidavit of Mary D. Slaughter, resident of the County of King William, aged fifty three years, who after being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath say that she has been well acquainted with John Collins and the old abolitionary and Jenny or Jane who is now the widow of the said John Collins deceased for thirty five years at least having lived immediately in the neighbourhood with them that length of time and during that time they the said John & Jenny or Jane Collins lived together as man and wife, and were since I believed to have been lawfully married, & this affiant knows that the said Jenny or Jane Collins the now widow of the said John Collins, has always supported the character of a woman of honesty & integrity, further this affiant saith not. Given under my hand and seal this 6 th day of November 1837 -
X.B. interlaced with the word soldier 3 Mary D. Slaughter (Seal) before signed between the 3 rd & fourth marks
Rich d Willeroy J.P. (Seal) State of Virginia King William County S.S.
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the
County of King William, Mary D. Slaughter, and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit, and I do hereby further certify, that the said Mary D. Slaughter, is a credible person, and that her statement above made, is entitled to full faith and credit. Given under my hand and seal this 6 th day of Nov r . 1837 -
Richard Willeroy J.P. (Seal)

State of Virginia King William County ss
The affidavit of Major James Miley, resident of the county of King William, aged forty three years in January next (1838) who after being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath say, that he has been intimately acquainted with John Collins dec d , who according to his frequent assertions, was a revolutionary soldier, and Jenny or Jane Collins, who lived with him as his wife, and was generally believed to be his lawful one, is now or was the widow of the said John Collins dec d , or was a few days past, having lived immediately in the same neighbourhood with them, from his first recollection, and that they the said John Collins dec d , and the said Jenny or Jane Collins, lived together as man and wife, and were considered by every body in the neighbourhood, to have been lawfully married, they said so and no one doubted, She the said Jane Collins, never having married again since the death of the said John Collins dec d . The said Jane Collins has supported the character of an honest woman, and further this affiant saith not — Given under my hand and seal this 6 th day Nov r 1837 —
James Miley (Seal)
to P. ... 18 ... 0 ...

State of Virginia King William County ss,
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace, for the county aforesaid, Major James Mill, and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit, and I do hereby further certify, that the said Major James Mill, is a creditable person and that his statement above made is entitled to full faith and credit; Given under my hand and seal, this 6. day of Novbr. 1837
Richard Willeroy J.P. Seal
Major James Mills affidavit

State of Virginia King William County ss
The affiant of Robert Hargrove resident of the county of King William aged 69 years who after being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath say, that he has been well acquainted with John and Jane alias Jane Collins residents of the aforesaid county, ever since he the said Robert Hargrove was ten or 12 years of age and that he always understood that they were lawfully married, and that they the said John and Jane alias Jane Collins lived together as such, until the death of the said John Collins, the husband of the said Jane alias Jane Collins who is now the widow of the said John Collins, and this affiant further saith, that he verily believes himself that they were lawfully married from what he has both seen and heard. Further this affiant saith not. Given under my hand this 11 th day of April 1838-
Robert Hargrove
The word "himself" in the third line from the bottom interlined before signature J. Johnson ss.
State of Virginia King William County ss,
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the county of King William, Robert Hargrove, and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit, and I do hereby further certify, that the said Robert Hargrove is a credit-able person, and that his statement above made, is entitled to full faith and credit. Given under my hand and seal this 11 th day of April 1838-
James Johnson ss. (Heal)

State of Virginia, King William County, to wit:
I Robert Pollard, Clerk of the County aforesaid, do hereby certify that James Johnston Esquire, whose hand & seal is affixed to the foregoing and annexed Certificate of acknowledgment of Robert Margrave, Mary Bradby and Polly Watt, is a magistrate of the County of King William aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified according to the laws of this Commonwealth; that his said signature to each of the said acknowledgements is genuine, and that due faith and credit ought to be paid to all his acts and deeds as such.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the said County to be hereunto affixed, this 13 th day of April 1838. in the 62 nd Year of our Independence
Rob: Pollard, C. C.

17464
Jane Collins M rs of John
Act 7 May 1838
Aar

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of July 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows,"
State of Virginia County of King & Queen } ss
On this 11 th day of November 1844. Personally appeared before the county court of King & Queen and State of Virginia. I saw Collins a resident of the County of King William and State of Virginia aged years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, state in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7 th of July 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows,"
That she is the widow of John Collins who was a private in the War of the Revolution and is the identical person who applied for the benefit of the act of Congress of the 4 th of July 1836, and respectfully refers the Commission of Pensions to the papers filed in that application. She further declares that she was married to the said John Collins in the month of April for the year 1780 in Williamsburg in the State of Virginia and that the said

John Collins died in the year 1821 or 1822
Witness
Robt. B. Bagby Temple Walker
his Jane X Collins Mark
I do hereby certify that Jane Collins the above declarant, appeared in open court this 11 th day of November 1844 and made the foregoing declaration before the court & that she is the same person who applied for the act of 1836 Temple Walker J.P. Presiding Justice
State of Virginia
King and Queen County, to wit;
I Samuel T. Harwood Deputy for Robert Pollard Jr. Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Temple Walker is a justice of the peace in and for the said County, duly commissioned and qualified, that his commission was dated on the 17 th May 1823. and is held by him during good behavior, and that his signa- ture above written is genuine; and that he is at this time the presiding Justice of this Court.
Given under my hand and the seal of said County this 11 th day of November. 1844.
Sam t T. Harwood D.C.

I further certify that the foregoing dedication of Jane Collings was approved of by the court & that she is the identical person who applied for the benefit of the act of congress of the 4 th of July 1836
Temple Walker J.P.
November 11 th 1844

Myrtle North num 3  12 Nov 12 Nov
2205 Myrtle North
Office
Collins
James L. Edwards
Mail Free
~ Penn ~

To James L. Edwards
Sir, Enclose you will find the testimony for
The establishment of Jenny or Jane Collins pension claim on account of the services of her husband John Collins deceased no license bond can be found on any of the records as I am informed by all the old people that in those days that Jenny or Jane Collins was married say in the year 1780 that it was the law and the custom to publish the banns in church three successive weeks and if the marriage was not forbidden then there if the marriage was solemnized it was as legal as if done by license & marriage bond and indeed I have seen an old english book which contains a law established that fact - you will find among the papers the certificate of the clerk of James City which he kept in old William Williams house and in that certificate the clerk states that no marriage bonds at all can be found prior to the year 1780 - John & Jenny or Jane Collins was married in Williamsburg as is stated in the register 1798 (April) so that, that accounts for together with it being then the first custom to marry by publishing the banns three successive weeks before the marriage was solemnized for there being no license bonds to be found nor is there any family record been preserved that any body knows of which could not be expected the parties being both very illiterate so much so that neither could write their names - That they were lawfully married nobody doubts and if such testimony as I now enclose you, as I should suppose certainly it ought to be for there being no record proof of those days, I can get 100 persons in this county King William to give similar affidavits as to the integrity & good character no woman stands better than Jenny.
her the pension & she may be entitled She is very poor & entitled to as poor as possible so much so that she lives from house to house among the re- spectable being of good character Please let me hear from you as early as you can direct your letter to Rylands Warehouse King William County to oblige your obed Servt Robt Gaines
where the  fact should not be presumed that they were lived together as man & wife in this county peaceful lives. If any more letters may should be needed I hope that you will be kind enough to write this last line

11464
Jane Collins Maw of John Collins Va
Act 7 July 1838
Adm o 2 years Arrears $100 per Ann
W. act. 1843 — 6827 " " 1844 — 349
Adm o 3 March 1843 and 17 June 1844 $100 - per Ann
Alscander Ray Esq Present

Sane Collins
Mid of M o V o
Dr. W. B. Gains, 29 July '37
" " 23 Aug '37
" " Feb. 1 1838
" May 7 "
" Aug 22 "
" Nov. 22 "
Ad. 4 July 1838

Aug 3 rd 1844 Va.
Adolph Jane Collins
Mr.
S
Edna
Mr.
Comphione or Parnon

Washington Aug. 2. 1844
Sir,
I herewith enclose additional evidence in the case of Jane Collins, widow John of Virginia, for the benefit of the act. 1836.
It does not appear by the enclosed, that a license or marriage bond ever issued; nor is there any record of the marriage; there were no children.
The time of marriage must therefore rest upon the testimony on file - and the affidavits enclosed.
Mr Collins letter to you requesting my agency is on file.
I am Sir Yours respectfully Alex. Oray
J. L. Edwards Esq. Com d of Pensions

In Kings and Queens County court Jan 10 1844
It is ordered to be certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to us from which it appears that John Collins who was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, died in the month of August in the year 1828 and that Sam Collins who is now applying for a pension is his widow
The testimony of the foregoing being a true copy from the Records of my office I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of my office this 10 day of June 1844
Provo Second Judge

Enfield Conn August 20th 1825
Ann
Aug 20 1825 and Anne Collins
L. Carbons Esqr -
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
Mail Free

James L Edwards Esquire
Hyatts Ware house July the 28. 1838
Sir I herewith enclose you enclose you the affidavits of William L Ellis Major proving that John Collins the old revolutionary soldier was lawfully to Jane or Mary Collins who is now his widow and that they lived together as man & wife affectionately until the death of the said John Collins, it is also proven that they were lawfully married in Williamsburg during the revolutionary war and before whilst the said John Collins aforesaid was in the service of the United States and before the revolutionary war ended - Surely further testimony will not be required to establish this very just claim as is believed by every body in the county King William who are of competent age to judge all the affiants whose testimony I have forwarded you are of the most respectable kind I hope therefore hope you will pass the claim without delay as the applicant is extremely old, poor, emaciated and distressed for the want of her just pension money - Jane Collins is very much respected by all those who know her best - The Clerks office at Williamsburg has burnt long since John & Jane Collins were married since the revolutionary war which is the only reason I am not enabled to forward you a certified copy of his license bond. I hope the testimony herein enclosed with that heretofore sent you is all conclusive & sufficient entirely to establish her claim if not no claim can be established. Please forward to me the pension certificate as early as possible to Hyatts Ware house and oblige your obed Servant
No B Gaines

The affairs of Mason Collins
The affidavits of Mason Collins to the Honorable John C. Calhoun Secretary of the Navy Washington D.C. 1842

State of Virginia, King William County ss.
The affiant of Mason Collins resident of the County of King William, aged eighty years, on the first day of September 1837, who after being first duly sworn according to law, doth say that he was intimately acquainted with John Collins deceased formerly of King William County, and who was a regularly enlisted soldier for three years, in the revolutionary army of the United States, which term of enlistment, he the said John Collins faithfully served and that in the later part of his service he the said John Collins, was lawfully married to one Jane Richardson, who is now the widow of the said John Collins, she never having married since the death of her husband the said John Collins. This affiant further knows, & says, that the said John Collins whose name is found on the roll book of the Virginia Continental line, is the identical John Collins deceased, who was the husband of Jane Collins, who was Jane Richardson, and now the widow of the said John Collins deceased, the revolutionary soldier -
This affiant further saith, that he has been intimately acquainted with the said John and Jane Collins, ever since they were married, having ever since their marriage, lived near them, which took place in the spring of the year 1740. He also knows that after their marriage the said Jane Collins, went into the service with her husband the said John Collins, and there remained until his term of enlistment ended which was about six months. for This affiant further saith that since Jane Collins, the widow of the said John Collins, has ever since he was acquainted with her, sustained the character of a good woman, and a good & constant wife, and also a woman of integrity, honor & honesty. Further this affiant saith not given under my hand & seal this 30 day of Sep. 1837.
The word first, between the 2 & 3 lines was interlined before signed - The word found between the 12 & 13 th lines interlined before signed also -
his Mason Collins Seal Mark

State of Virginia King William 55,
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the county of King William Mason Collins, and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit, and I do hereby further certify, that the said Mason Collins is a creditable person, and that his statement above made, is entitled to full faith and credit - Given under my hand and seal this 30 day of September 1837
James Johnson D.P. Seal

Jane Collins

The affidavit of Ellis Major resident of King William County, and State of Virginia, aged 74 years who after first being duly sworn according to law, doth say, that she has been well acquainted with John Collins the old revolutionary soldier, and also with Jane Fanny Collins, the widow of the said John Collins (having lived in the same neighbourhood & County of King William) all her life with the said John and Jane Collins, and always understood from every body that they the said John and Jane Collins were lawfully married in Williamsburg and this affiant knows of her own knowledge that they lived together always as man and wife, and as having been lawfully married, until the death of the said John Collins; This affiant further knows of her own knowledge that the said Jane Fanny Collins the widow of the said John Collins the revolutionary soldier deceased, is now alive, and that she yet remains this widow, she never having married since the death of the said John Collins, and that she is now living in this affiant's neighbourhood in the County of King William. Further this affiant saith not given under my hand and seal this 26 th day of July — 1838 B. The words (in Williamsburg) between the 8 and 9 lines. inserted before signed and also the words William Major were crossed before the signature of Ellis Major Ellis Major her mark Richd. Willeroy J.P.
State of Virginia, King William County ss,
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the county of King William Ellis Major and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit and I do hereby further certify that the said Ellis Major is a most able person and that her statement above made is entitled to full faith and credit, given under my hand and seal this 26 th day of July — 1838
Richd. Willeroy J.P.

The affidavit of William Major resident of King William County and State of Virginia aged 75 years who after first being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath say, That he has been well and intimately acquainted with John and Jane Collins for a great many years, and that the said Jane Collins is now the widow of the said John Collins deceased, the old revolutionary soldier, both of whom have resided immediately in the same neighbourhood & County with this affiant ever since the revolutionary war, and during which time they the said John & Jane Collins lived  lived always together affectionately as man & wife, and as having been lawfully married, in Williamsburg during the revolutionary war, as he this affiant has always understood from every body in his neighbourhood and County, and as he verily believes himself: This affiant further says that he has resided in the County of King William ever since he was born, and has been acquainted well with the said John and Jane Collins ever since he first could remember, and knows that they lived together as man and wife, until the death of the said John Collins the revolutionary soldier, and he also knows that the said Jane Collins the widow of the said John Collins is now alive residing in the County of King William in which County she has always lived ever since the revolutionary war and that she has never married again, since the death of the said John Collins her husband. Further this affiant saith not. Given under my hand Seal this 26 day of July 1838 — H. William Major Seal 10. The above line between the 9th & 10th lines interlined before signed Richard Willeroy J.P.
State of Virginia King William County S.S. Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace for the County of King William, William Major and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit, and I do hereby further certify that the said William Major is a creditable person, and that his statement above made is entitled to full faith and credit, given under my hand & Seal this 26 day of July — 1838 — Rich d Willeroy J.P. Seal

King William County to wit:
I Robert Pollard Clerk of the County Court for the said County of King William, in the State of Virginia do hereby certify, that Richard Willson before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and whose name is subscribed on the preceding page, was at the time of administering said oath and is now an acting Justice of the peace in and for the aforesaid County of King William, duly commissioned and qualified according to law, and whose official acts are entitled to due faith and credit, and that the signature hereto annexed on the other side purporting to this is genuine. In Testimony whereof I have subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court this 27 th day of July, 1838, and in the 62 nd year of the Commonwealth.
Rob: Pollard, C.C.

State of Virginia City of Richmond ) ss.
September On the 26th day of July 1845 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said City Mrs. Jane Hargrove a Resident of the said City who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath state, that she was born in the year 1761 in the County of King William in said State, That she was well acquainted with John Collins late of the County of King William and said State of Virginia and his late Jane Collins now his widow and a pensioner of the United States as this deponent has heard & believe, That the said John Collins was married to the said Jane now his widow as she has allways heard and believes to the said before the war of the Revolution was terminated, That the said John Collins was in the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution after his marriage to the said Jane Collins, now his widow, That they returned to the neighborhood of this affiants father's house, and were in the habit of visiting him, and that before the marriage of this affiant she well rec- -lects hearing the said Jane Collins tell of circumstances that happened while she was with her husband the said John Collins in the army of the war of the Revolution, That this affiant was married in the year 1788, and that she is entirely as- sured that the said Jane Collins was

a part of the time of service of the said John in the war of the revolution, with him the said John Collins in the army, after they were mar- -ried, as she is of any thing whatever, that she did not see, and further she saith not Jane Hargrove Mark
Sworn to and Subscribed This 26th day of September 1845.
Before me,
J. H. Tucker S.P.
I hereby certify that Jane Hargrove the Signer and declarant to the foregoing declara- -tion or Deposition is personally known to me and has been for many years, that she is a Lady of Good Standing and truth and of very strong memory for a person of her age, and that I believe her state- ment entitled to entire confidence J. H. Tucker S.P.
Note The above signature is now before the Department. C. P. by the Clerk