Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 2,599, John Curtis, Va.

SERVICE
Va
Curtis, John Dolly
NUMBER
R. 2599
Born in Va
CONTENTS
288

Lett. to John Elliott Esq. 14/10/31 Coburleston Road.
East June 26. 1878.
John Curtis
of D. Co. in the State of Va. who was a P in the Company commanded by Captain Pyram of the Regt commanded by Col. ... in the Virginia ... line for ...
215, 3 p 80.00
Inscribed on the Roll of East June at the rate of 80 Dollars ... per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 day of June and ...
Arrears to the 14th of ... Semi-ant. allowance ending ... 40.00 $ 280.00
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by ... Clerk, Book 2 Vol. ... Page 59

State of Tennessee Blount County Court } November Session 1833.
On this eleventh day of November 1833 personally appeared in open court before the County Court of Blount County now sitting John Curtis a resident in the county of Blount and State of Tennessee aged seventy four years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. In the county of Dinwiddie and State of Virginia he entered the service of the United States in the revolutionary war, but at what particular date he is from age & the loss of memory wholly unable to state, as a private soldier, and as a substitute for his cousin Drowry Thrift who was drafted for eighteen months, but upon Applicant being informed that there was such a thing as Virginia State Troops as contradistinguished from the Militia, he cannot tell to which Drowry Thrift belonged, nor has he now any recollection of any such distinction, He entered the service as before stated in Dinwiddie County for the term of eighteen months under Captain Pegram, (Applicant thinks his given name was Robert but is not certain it was) under whom he marched to Cumberland Courthouse, from which place Captain Pegram returned home and Applicant was placed under Captain Lynn, Applicant believes he was the Captain, he was so called; Lynn also acted as a doctor and inculcated Applicant with others for the small pox. Applicant was in no battle nor was he in any march of consequence but was stationed at the barracks at Cumberland Courthouse until within about four days of the expiration of his eighteen months tour, when a recruiting officer came round and Applicant and a certain Hubbard (or Harbord) Lewis who had been his messmate took the bounty and enlisted under a Sergeant Halaby for the rising

The war. - - applicant remembers that while he was stationed at Cumberland old courthouse two soldiers were shot and two others hung - applicant recollects that he was once placed as a guard over one of them before he was put to death, but does not remember the names of any of them. - After applicant enlisted, by some arrangement in the army, he was taken out of the camp and placed with and under Captain Lynn, with whom he remained, more in the character of a servant than anything else, taking care of his horses, his medicine, his papers and going on errands for him until he was finally discharged at a place called the "Piney Fork" on James River, applicant thinks about 25 miles above Cumberland courthouse, but in what county he does not know - Applicant cannot remember the length of his service under his enlistment but believes it was about eighteen months, he is certain it was over a year. He received a written discharge at Piney Fork, which about seven years after the war he sold to Colonel Massenburg in Sussex County for forty dollars and gave up the discharge to Massenburg with a power of attorney or some other instrument of writing which he then gave him - Applicant does not know what Massenburg did with the discharge but supposes he returned it to the war office & asks to have it searched for. - Colonel Massenburg told applicant at the time he sold the discharge that he was entitled to land & that he Massenburg would try to get it for him, applicant has never heard any thing of it, nor did he ever see Massenburg afterwards, - he was then a tolerably old man and must have died long since. - a man of the name of Hike Banner was a witness to the power of attorney which applicant made to Massenburg. - He has no documentary evidence of his service nor does he know of any person

whose testimony he can procure who can testify to it; he can prove by a certain Elliott Smith now a citizen of Bedford County, who was then a boy, that applicant returned home from the Army. — Applicant in all served he thinks about thirty six months, he is certain it was not less than thirty months. —
Applicant was born in Dinwiddie or Sussex County in Virginia in the year 1759. or 1760 — He has no record of his age, his father died when he was very young, and his mother while he was in the revolutionary war. The account of his age he got from his brother's sister and believes it to be true. He lived in Dinwiddie County Virginia when called into the service, from which place he moved to Orange County North Carolina shortly after the war, in which county & Chatham County N.C. he lived for about ten  Twenty years, from then he moved to Sumner County Tennessee where he lived two years, from there to Giles County Tennessee where he lived two years, from there back to Sumner County where he lived about two years more, from there to White County Tennessee where he lived about fifteen years, and from there to this (Bedford) County where he has lived over eight years and where he still resides.
Beside the officers already named he remembers there was a Captain or Col. Kirkpatrick in camp who was a one eyed man. — He received one written discharge and has accounted for it as well as he can. —
He is known in his present neighbourhood to John Dallon — a clergyman and John Bridgman & Joseph McDowell who can testify as to his character for veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
His first term of service was performed as a substitute for Jeremy Thrift, for his second term he was enlisted.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to

a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State. -
Sworn to & subscribed this day & year aforesaid.
his John X Curtis mark
We John Dallon, a Clergyman, residing in the County of Bleedoe and John Bridgman and Joseph McDowell residing in the same County, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Curtis who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy four years of age; that he is respected and beloved, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. -
sworn to and subscribed John Dallon the day and year aforesaid J. Bridgman J. McDowell
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them that John Dallon who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the County of Bleedoe, and that John Bridgman and Joseph McDowell who have also signed the same are residents in said County, and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to to Credit. -

No 6.55
Solly Curtis widow of John Curtis Tennessee Act 17 June 1844 2 nd February 1848
John Elliott Charleston, Tenn.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the acts of congress of June the 17 th 1844 entitled an act granting Half Pay and Pensions to certain widows also In order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress of February 2 d 1848 entitled an act making further provisions for surviving widows and soldiers of the Revolution
State of Tennessee McMinn County & On this thirteenth day of May one thousand eight hundred and forty eight Personally appeared before me the undersigned an acting Justice of the peace in and for the county and state aforesaid Sally Curtis a Resident of the county of McMinn and state of Tennessee aged seventy eight years who after being duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the acts of congress passed the 17 th of June 1844 and the act of 2 d of February 1848 granting half Pay and Pensions to widows that she is the widow of John Curtis who was a privet soldier in the war of the Revolution and for said services was during his lifetime in the receipt of a pension of Eighty Dollars per annum and was paid by the pension agent at Knoxville East Tennessee affiant further declares that she was married to the said John Curtis on the tenth day of October one thousand seven hundred and ninety three that her husband the aforesaid John Curtis died on seventh day of August 1844 and that she was not married to the aforesaid John Curtis

Prior to his leaving the service of the united states as aforesaid but the marriage took place previous to the first of January 1794 was at the time above stated to wit on the tenth day of October 1794 and that she has not married since the death of her said husband
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 13 th day of May 1848
her Sally Curtis mark
John Jenkins
Justice of the peace for the county and state aforesaid
State of Tennessee
McMinn County { I John Jenkins an acting Justice of the peace for said county and state aforesaid do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Sally Curtis who has sworn to and subscribed to the above declaration before me and I do certify that in consequence of bodily infirmity she she is unable to attend a court of Record in order to make a declaration and I do further certify that she has not intermarried since the death of her husband (John Curtis) but remains a widow this 13 th day of May 1848
John Jenkins
Justice of the peace for McMinn County
State of Tennessee
McMinn County { This day personally appeared before me John Jenkins one of the acting Justices of the peace for the county and state aforesaid Alfred Hawks and Sarah Hawks Both Respectable

citizens of McMinn county who after having been duly sworn according to Law (said that John Curtis who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and who was in the receipt of a Pension from the Government of the United States and payable at Knoxville East Tennessee died on the seventh day of August one thousand Eight hundred and forty four affiant further says that Sally Curtis (widow of John Curtis) has not married since the death of her husband Sworn to and subscribed by Alfred Hawkins before me this 13 th day of his Sarah Hawkins May 1848 John Jenkins Mock
Justice of the peace for McMinn county and state aforesaid
state of Tennessee McMinn county I George W. Mayo clerk of the county court of McMinn county aforesaid do certify that John Jenkins whose name appears to the declaration of Sally Curtis and the affidavits of Alfred Hawkins and Sarah Hawkins is and was at the signing the same a Justice of the peace for said county he was duly elected commissioned and sworn as such and faith and credit is due to all his official acts Given under my hand and seal of office at office in Athens on this 18 th day of July 1848
Geo W. Mayo Clerk George

No 28.607
John Curtis Temper
17-1/2 2 yds $8.0
J. A. Mitchell Present. Hons J. Standifer H. R.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjunct notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of John Curtis
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.      The proof of service is not according to the regulations. The testimony of at least one credible witness who has a personal knowledge of the applicant's service should be exhibited. See note J.   
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }  On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I, _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____, and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

State of Tennessee & S.S. McMinn County
This day personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for the county of State aforesaid. Polly Curtis widow of John Curtis deceased who was at the time of his death in the receipt of a pension payable at Knoxville Tennessee and who (the said Polly Curtis) is now an applicant for a pension as such widow who after having been duly sworn according to law deposes and saith that she has no record or documentary evidence of her said marriage with the said John Curtis. She further declares that she has no record or documentary evidence of time of the birth of any of her children which were born of her and the said John Curtis. She further declares that both she and her said husband John Curtis were wholly unable to write or read. She further declares she and her said husband was married as stated in her declaration in that is was in the year 1878 and that her oldest child was born in the month of Jan- uary 1878 but from old age and consequent loss of memory she is unable to give the day of the month.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this fourth day of November 1885. John Jenkins
Justice of the peace for McMinn County
her Polly Curtis mark

State of Tennessee McMinn County I George W. Mayo Clerk of the County Court of McMinn County do certify that John Jenkins Esq whose name is subscribed to the foregoing affidavit of Polly Burtis is now and was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid duly Elected Commissioned and sworn that faith and credit is due all his official acts as such
Given under my hand and Seal of office at office in Athens this 6 th day of Dec 1800
Geo W. Mayo Clerk

State of Tennessee
Bradley County } this day Personally appeared before me William Brittain an acting Justices of the peace in and for the county and State of aforesaid Wyatt Smith aged Ninety Years and Margaret Smith aged Eighty five Years both Respectable citizens of said county and after having been duly sworn according to Law saith that they were personally acquainted with John Curtis who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution and who was the Recipient of a Pension from the United States at the Rate of Eighty Dollars per annum and was paid at Knoxville East Tennessee: and who died on the 7 th day of August 1844 and also with his wife Sally Curtis who has sworn to and subscribed to the within declaration. Affiants say that they were Personally known to the marriage of the aforesaid John Curtis and Sally Curtis Honeycutt now Sally Curtis affiants say that they were married in the State of North Carolina in the County of Chatham affiants say that the above named John Curtis and Sally Honeycutt was Legally and Lawfully married according to the Laws of the State of North Carolina in the month of October one thousand seven hundred and ninety three. They say that the rites of matrimony was solemnized between the above named John Curtis and Sally his wife by Law in the county and State before mentioned and at the time before specified to wit in the month of Oct 1793 sworn to and subscribed } Wyatt his Smith before me this 21 st day of } mark July 1848 } Margaret her Smith W m Brittain } mark Justice of the peace for Bradley County

State of Tennessee
Bradley County
I, John H. Robertson, Clerk of the Court for the County of Bradley aforesaid do hereby certify that William Britton whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit whose name appears to the is now and was at the date of his signature an acting Justice of the peace for Bradley County he was duly elected commissioned and sworn and faith and credit is due to his official acts given under my hand and Seal of office at office in Cleveland July the 24th 1844
John H. Robertson Clk.

No
Dolly Curtis
widow of John Curtis,
Tennessee
At 17 June 1844 2 letters 48
Feb 1848
suspended,
Feb 14 April 1849 to John Elliott
to same 5 th June 1850
Hon Wm Churchwell May 13/52.
Hon. Wm. Churchwell 2599

REJECTED
2579 no
P. O. _____
Holly Hill
Service: _____
Medow of Johnson
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Mar 1793 Holly Hill Enlist Aug 1794
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
Will go back to Sumner Co 15
then to P. O. - only
Recognized. _____ Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18
From 1759 or 60
Nov 1833 he came living in
18 Endorse Co Tenn
Enlisted in 1793 when young
Subscribed for his own & others
Right under Capt. Pegram & Col
Lyon at Shiloh killed
May 2. 1862 shot & 2 sons
and a strange man who
challenged me for 20 years
to sum up on Nov 24

State of North Carolina } Chatham County }
I William P Taylor Clerk of the Court of Pleas & quarter Sessions do hereby certify that I have made diligent search for the record showing the marriage of John Curtis to Sally Honeycutt and have not been able to find any thing going to prove said marriage in my office & I further certify that there is no record made of Marriages in this County or State to my knowledge
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto fixed my hand & affixed the seal office at Pittsboro This 23 rd day of February AD 1850
Wm Taylor C C C

State of North Carolina Chatham County I Henry A. London Chairman of the Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions in and for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that William P. Taylor whose signature appears to the foregoing Certificate is the regular and lawful Clerk of said Court and has the lawful charge of the Seal and documents of said Court and that the signature purporting to be his is in his own proper handwriting and that full faith and credit be due all his official acts as such, and that the Seal is the genuine Seal of his office.
Feb 27 A D 1850
Henry A. London Chairman

Charleston Tennessee August 18 1898
Sir
Enclosed I send to you for your Examination the declaration of Sally Curtis widow of John Curtis who was in the receipt of a pension at the rate of $80.00 per annum payable at Knoxville East Tenn - with the Evidence of Identity etc which I wish you to examine and communicate to me the result of your examination at the earliest day possible
As I am your old
Yours Wm Elliott

Walhalla Tennessee May 3 rd 1860
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir
I respectfully request to be informed whether or not an action have been had by you on the claim presented by myself for the time since of Sally Curtis widow of John Curtis such was a soldier of the road - where and who was in the receipt of a pension at the rate of $80 per annum payable at Knoxville East Tennessee; and also for her claim . Mrs Curtis claims a pension as the widow of said John Curtis deceased. I have expected a favorable decision upon the above claim having complied with the requirements in such cases. If you should decide favorable to the claim please make it payable at Knoxville Tennessee
I am yours
and Sir John Elliott
J. L. Edwards Esq. Washington City D. C.

Auditors Office
17. June 1834
Dear Sir
I hasten to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16 inst.
There is only one person named John Curtis on the Army Register, and he was a Serjeant . He settled his account and drew his certificate for the balance of pay due to him. It appears on enquiry at the Land office that John Curtis a private drew 200 acres of land bounty for his services during the war.
The name of James Loden or Louden is not found, nor does it appear that any such person recd. land.
Neither Col o Kirkpatrick nor Major Eskridge are on the army lists - There were Wm & Geo. Eskridge in services both lieutenants , and there was a captain Abraham Kirkpatrick. Major George Lyne is on the list; Capt Pegram is not.
Very respectfully
your obed t Serv t
J. H. McCall

State of Tennessee 3 McMinn County 3 this day personally appeared Alfred Hanks aged fifty years a credible witness who after having been duly sworn according to law declares that he has been intimately & well acquainted with John Curtis who is now dead and Sally (Curtis) his wife who is now an apostolic for a decision as such widow and has been for some twenty years past they (John & Sally Curtis) having lived in the house with affiant the most of the time that he was not believe that they John & Sally Curtis ever had any record or documentary evidence either of their marriage or of the birth of any of their children they both being unable to either read or write known to and subscribed before me this 23 rd day of December 1845
John Jenkins Justice of the peace
S. Barks
State of Tennessee 3 McMinn County 3 I Geo. W. Mayo Clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby testify that John Jenkins before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have been made is now and was at the date thereof an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County

duly commissioned and qualified to act as such, that his signature signed thereto is genuine, & that full faith & credit is due all his official acts.
Given under my hand and seal of office at office in Athens the 1 st day of February 1830
Geo. W. Mayo Clerk
Affidavit of Edward Hawks M

Ms. Wyatt Smith's Deposition
Wm Curtis's application for a Pension Same
Hon. J. Standifer H R

State of Tennessee Blount County
On this Seventh day of November 1833 personally appeared
W. O. Smith a citizen of Blount County aforesaid, before me Kinzey Smith an acting justice of the peace in and for said county, who being first duly sworn according to law deposes and saith, that during the revolutionary war he was a boy, and was well acquainted with Isham Thrift and Drury Thrift who were brothers - about the close of the war, affiant became acquainted with John Curtis, now a citizen of Blount County and who is making application for a pension under the act of Congress of 1832, and has been well acquainted with him & lived his neighbour ever since except about three years, - affiant was too small to be in the service. - He will recollect seeing the said John Curtis on his return from the army, and at the time heard him & others speak of his services, but does not know, nor does he recollect that he ever understood how long said Curtis served in all. - He remembers hearing Drury Thrift and Isham Thrift say that Curtis had served eighteen months as a substitute for the said Drury Thrift - and he recollects hearing Isham Thrift (for whom affiant was at work) say that when the time was out which Curtis served for Drury, he enlisted for during the war. - Affiant remembers well that it was said, peace was made when Curtis returned from the army. - Affiant does not of his own knowledge know any thing of the said Curtis's services, nor was he acquainted with him before the war, but knows that it was the general understanding, nor was it doubted but that said Curtis returned from the army at the close of the war - and that he had been for a considerable time in the United States Army as a soldier. - Affiant does not certainly know his own age but from the best accounts he has he believes he is between sixty six and seventy years old. - and states that the said John Curtis is several years older than affiant, as upon

their first acquaintance affiant was a boy, and Curtis a well settled man. - Affiant does not remember that he ever understood the names of Curtis's officers. - When Curtis returned from the army he lived for three or four years with a certain Humphrey Hearn who resided about three miles from affiant's father, with whom affiant then lived. -
Subscribed & sworn to before me the date above
Wyatt his Smith mark
Winger Smith Justice of the peace for Blount County
And I the said Winger Smith a justice of the peace as afore said do certify that I am well acquainted with the said Wyatt Smith, that he is now, and has been for a number of years a resident citizen of Blount County. - that he is an old man, and appears to be about the age he represents himself to be in the foregoing deposition, and that he is a credible person and his statement entitled to credit.
Winger Smith Justice of the peace for Blount County
The State of Tennessee, I Scott Terry clerk of the County Court of Blount County, do hereby certify, that Winger Smith esq, whose signature appears to the foregoing deposition and certificate is now and was at the time of signing the same, an acting justice of the peace, in and for said County of Blount, duly

Commissioned and qualified, and that his said sign- atures are in his own proper hand writing, and that his official acts are entitled to credit.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private seal (L.S.) (Not having a seal of office) at Office, in Pikeville the 11 th day of November 1833. Scott Terry CLK

Calhoun Tenn Feb 8 th 1880
Sir
Enclosed I send you the affidavit of Sally Curtis widow of John Curtis deceased who was a soldier of the war of the revolution and who was in the receipt of a pension during his life time payable at Knoxville East Tennessee at the rate of $80 per annum - and also the statement of Alfred Hawks which is all the evidence in addition to the evidence already submitted in support of Mrs Sally Curtis claim for a pension as the widow of the said John Curtis deceased, which I hope will be satisfactory to a favorable action in her case. I have delayed sending her affidavit to you for some time since taking it with a hope that I would be able to procure some record or documentary evidence in support of the marriage of her with her husband John Curtis - but have failed to obtain any such evidence and must submit the claim with what evidence I have already introduced in support of the marriage. You will please communicate to me the result of your examination at as early a day as convenient with your public duty.
I am your obedient John Elliott
H on Edward Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Charleston S.C. March 16 th 1860
Sir
Enclosed I send you a certificate of the county court clerk of Chatham County of the State of North Carolina which I submit as a part of the evidence to be examined by you in the case of Sally Curtis who claims a pension as the widow of John Curtis who was a soldier of the Revolution and who was paid at Knoxville East Tennessee at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum - I could have sent this certificate with the last proof I sent you in support of her claim but at that time I had dispensed getting any answer from the clerk at any time. I had neglect six letters to him and this is the first word I have ever had from him This certificate only shows that there is no record evidence in his office of the marriage of John & Sally Curtis. You will please examine this in connection with the evidence already submitted in Mrs Curtis' claim for a pension. If you pass favorable upon the above case please make it payable at Knoxville East Tennessee.
I am your
H. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
old serv John Elliott

The State of Tennessee, I Scott Terry clerk of the County Court of Blount County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of John Curtis for a pension —
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private seal (not having a seal of Office) at Office this 11 th day of November 1833. —
(Scott Terry clerk)
I hereby certify I hereby certify that Scott Terry is clerk of Blount County Court at being a court of record and that his signature is thereon and that there is no seal of office for said Court
December the 6 th 1833
James H. Sanders N.C.