Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 5087, Jesse Hodges, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Hodges Jesse
P. 5087
CONTENTS

No 1734 2
Sara Hodges Kendall County Illinois
refused. saved not 6 quarts.
Hugh W. Wormely Esq. Lexington Tennessee.

BRIEF in the case of  Silas Hodges  County of Henderson in the State of Tennessee  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 79 years  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Vol. In 1781 about 2. 3. 15 Teamster Gen. Stephens Cap. Simon Slacks  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Pittsylvania Co. State of Virginia  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Clerks Certificate wanting 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
D. D. Clagett Examining Clerk.

Declaration Of 17347 for Ranges for a Pension under the act of June 7 th 1832

State of Tennessee, County of McMinn } ss
On This Third day of September, A. D. one Thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, personally appeared before me, the undersigned, an acting Justice of the Peace, within and for the county and State aforesaid, William C. Hodges, aged 75 years, a resident of McMinn county, in the State of Tennessee, who being first duly sworn, declares, upon his oath, that he is the son of Jesse Hodges, who was a waggoner, in the Revolutionary war, and served a term of six months, during which term of service he was in the battle at Guilford. He further declares that his said father Jesse Hodges, entered the service and furnished his own team and waggon, and he has frequently heard his father, say that he never received any pay for his services or for the use of his waggon. He further declares, that his father, made during his lifetime, an application by his attorney, for his pension money, service pay, and pay for the use of his waggon and team, and he, the said Jesse Hodges, surrendered to the said attorney all his papers, including his discharge from the service, and the aforesaid attorney is now dead. He further declares, that his father, the aforesaid, Jesse Hodges, died at his home, in the county of McMinn, in the State of Tennessee, in the year 1842, in the month of March, on the 18th day of the aforesaid month, leaving no widow him surviving, his mother Elizabeth Hodges, having died January 6th, 1842. He further declares that his father was in indigent circumstances on the 18th of March, 1818, and was

supported by him until his death.
We make this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 4th, 1832. Also for the purpose of receiving his service pay, and the amount due for the hire of his waggon, for his own benefit, and the surviving heirs of Jesse Hodges, that are now living, to-wit Pally, Fanny, Tabetha, Jesse Hodges,
William C. Hodges Sr mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written. And I hereby certify that William C. Hodges, is a good and creditable witness.
A. H. McWhorter for McMinn County
State of Tennessee County of McMinn } ss.
On this third day of September A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty three, personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, John Estes, and James Hollis, two good and creditable witnesses, residents of McMinn county, in the State of Tennessee, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on their oaths declare, that they are personally acquainted with William C. Hodges, and that

They were acquainted with his father Jesse Hodge, and his mother Elizabeth, who died in the county of McStair. They further declare that William C. Hodge, is the son of Jesse and Elizabeth Hodge, and is so regarded in the community where they lived and died.
James Hollis John B Estes
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written. And I hereby certify that the above affidavit was taken in the presence of William C. Hodge.
A. H. McKinnon (J.P.) for McStair County
State of Tennessee 3 rd
McStair County
I A. H. Sanders Clerk of McStair County Court do hereby certify that A. H. McKinnon Esquire whose genuine signature appears signed to the foregoing affidavit or declaration is and was at the time of signing the same an acting justice of the peace in and for said County duly Commissioned and qualified as the said Esquire. That he is empowered by law to administer oaths for general purposes and that full faith and credit are due all his official acts such In testimony of which I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at office in Purdy this 13 th day of Sept r 1853
A. H. Sanders Clerk By A. H. Sanders D.C.

No. 6 Study Declaration
[Faint, mirrored handwritten text, likely bleed-through from the reverse side of the page]

That we are well acquainted with Jesse Dodge who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be of the age of seventy seven years on the 11 th day of February next. That he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Plasterer Militia private and besides he states in his Declaration in the resolution and that we concur in that opinion and we further certify from our own knowledge of the intrinsic worth of his character and after hearing this Declaration read to us that we believe every statement therein made to be most faithfully true -
J. H. Howell Ben. Miller
Sworn and subscribed to in open Court the day and year aforesaid E. H. Lamant Clerk
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 applicant was a Volunteer Militia Private and served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that John Hornell who has signed the preceding Certificate is in active service of the in the County of Washington  Washington resident in the same and that William Miller who has also signed the  is a resident same in the same County and State and are credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit
H. Hamill
Judge of 9 th Circuit of Deaf Sled

who was by the name of Johnson the immediate master of this Declarant was by the name of Ebenezer Wells. This this Declarant can only assign as the reason for this that he with his Team was ordered home with the to convey the sick and wounded of his Regiment to the County Pollylonia the place of their nativity and was there discharged by his Captain the said William Dicks and who gave him certificates and vouchers of his services and which together with his Discharge he hath long since lost never having considered them of any value in consequence of the Depreciation of the Continental money. This tour of service lasted for about three and one half months as well as this Declarant can now recollect.
This Declarant states that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services.
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 known to and subscribed in open Court the day and year aforesaid.
Ebenezer Wells Edw Larrant clerk
J. L. Dodge
We John Dorell an attesting Justice of the peace in and for the County and State of Ohio residing in the County of  same and State of  Ohio near Miller also residing in the same hereby certify

Dedication in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 The State of Tennessee Circuit Court
Henderson County { October Term the year of our Lord 1832
On this 8th day of October 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Hon. the John C. Hemmings presiding as judge of said Court now sitting before Hodges a resident of the County of Henderson in the State of Tennessee aged seventy nine years the 11th day of February next who being 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 7th 1832.
This Declarant States that he entered the Service of the United States in the latter part of the month of January in the year 1781 from the County of Pittsylvania in the State of Virginia the place of his nativity as a Volunteer Militia Private in the Regiment of Pennsylvania Militia commanded by James Morgan and in the Company command- -ed by Captain William Dixon Dicks his Lieutenant was by the name of William Wilkinson This Regiment was attached to the Brigade under the Command of General Stephens. This Declarant states that this Regiment marched from
Questions By the Court.

The Commission of General Stephens - This Declaration states that this Regiment marched from
Questions By the Court.
1 Quest When and in what year were you Born -
Answer: In Pittsylvania County in the State Virginia, on the 11 th day of February 1754 -
2 Quest Give your exact record of your age and if so where is it.
Answer: At home in my Bible
3 Quest. When were you living when called into service - where have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live -
Answer: I lived in the County of Pittsylvania in the State of Virginia. In the year 1798 I moved to the State Tennessee in Wilson County - and ever since in Henderson County I have lived my residence here being eleven years -
4 Quest. How were you called into service - were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom -
Answer: I volunteered - served for about three weeks when I was ordered by General Stearns to return home and bring on my waggon and team which I accordingly did and drove the same for his Brigade the balance of my term of service as stated in my Declaration
5 State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you served

P.sylvania Court House and joined General Stearns' Brigade and joined on the South side of Dunn River in the borders of North Carolina at the House of one Colonel Moore -
This Brigade as herein before stated marched to Hillsborough but after this the marching and countermarching was of such a character and this Declarant then being a stranger to the geogra- phy of the country has no recollection of the countries through which he marched - This
Brigade joined the army then under the command of General Nathaniel Green who had succeeded General Horatio Gates after the Battle of Camden in the command of the Southern army and which Brigade was also in the Battle Guilford Court House. This Declarant states that he was not in this Battle owing to this circumstance - that General Stearns after he had joined his Brigade learning that he was the owner of a good waggon and team dispatched him home for the same in obedience to which mandate he returned returned home and with his waggon and team again joined the Brigade and during the whole of this service which lasted from the latter part of January 1781 to the first week in May he drove his waggon and team when he was discharged - This Declarant solemnly states that neither for his personal services or that of his waggon and team he has never received either directly or indirectly one cent from his country - nor has he any vouchers from the Wagon Master of the Brigade

one cent from his country - nor was he any vouchers from the Major Master of the Brigade
Such Continental Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the General Circum- stances of your service -
Answer - The Generals of the Army were Majors General Cummings in chief Brigadier General of our Brigade Colonels William Washington and Henry Lee of the Cavalry and Colonel Daniel Morgan of the Rifle Corps my own Officers I have before stated The circumstances of my services are set forth in this my Declaration
I Edward H Tarrant Clerk of the Circuit Court held in and for the County of Henderson in the State of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Dodges for a Pension
In Testimony whereof I have here- unto set my hand and seal of Office this 8 th day of October in the year of our Lord 1832
E. H. Tarrant Clerk

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
5087
P. O. Jesse Hodges Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.

Jesse Hodges Tinker Rejected
Served Note 6 months
See letter to A. W. Morley
6 th March 1833 I do. 30 May 1834 let 7 May 1838 A. Thompson let 23 Nov 40 to do let Mr. Cross, March 3/56
5087 Act 7 June 1832

Jesse Hodges Jan - Dec - 1832
Janm. Ale
of Jesse Hodges of Washington at

Washington Feb 26 Commr of Pensions
Sir,
Please examine the within declaration and, correspond with Maclin Cross Purdy Esq., on the subject
Respectfully
J. W. Wright

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Jesse Hodges which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? →
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. * Has he mentioned 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? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? No.

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? See two citizens
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? no
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 6-7
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
‡QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡QUERE XVI. 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 paper 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.
☞ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

17547
Jesse Woodges Winnipeg
regarding let 7 May 1838 to A. Gangup.

Declaration
In Order to Obtain the Benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7 th June 1832
State of Tennessee } McNairy County } ss
On this the fourth day of December in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight-hundred and thirty seven, personally appeared before the Justices of the County Court for said County now in session, Jesse Hodges a resident of McNairy County State of Tennessee aged Eighty three 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 was Born On the Eleventh day of February in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and fifty four, in Halifax County State of Virginia. From Halifax County I moved when very young to Pittsylvania County in the same State, there I resided when I entered the service of the United States as a volunteer soldier which was On or about October One thousand seven hundred and eighty Under Captain William Dick, First Lieutenant William Wilson And finally Sergeant David Grissom, after Our Company was Organized we marched From Pittsylvania County where I volunteered to Halifax Old Courthouse, here my Company and self joined the Brigade Commanded by Col. Hayne Morgan General Stephens who was Under the immediate Command of General Green from here we March with General Green in various directions through Virginia and North Carolina, when the Army got to Guilford County North Carolina, we encamped a very

Short time. While here the Army wanted Waggons and Teams Convey provisions etc. and by some means the Commanders Found Out that I had a Wagon and Team at home So I was sent by General Orders to get my Wagon and Team. three men was sent with me as a guard I returned so soon as I possibly could and joined the Army again with my Wagon near the same place I left it in Guilford County North Carolina. I was then placed under the Command of Abner Wells Wagon Master. I understood that a man by the name of Jemison was head Wagon Master. When I joined the Army with my Wagon I believe it was in February 1781 as well as he now recollects. I was with the Army when we had an Attack at Ramsour's Myers Mill From here we went on to Guilford Courthouse, and was there when the Battle commenced. but was ordered to drive my Wagon and Team to Troublesome Iron Works which we done, after the Battle was over the Army came to where we were, here the Army halted a short time, and then started in pursuit of the British we followed them across deep river then into South Carolina at this time I left the Army and went home Having served in this Campaign From October to May following - I volunteered for the Term of six months which time I fulfilled. and several weeks over. I cannot now recollect the precise number of weeks over six months. but I am positive it was not less than three weeks - he further states that he received a written Discharge signed by Capt. William Dick also a Discharge for my Wagon. Not believing they would ever be of any service to me

I used them early so they have long since worn out and destroyed. Or I lost them. That he has no documentary or written evidence to prove his services by but he can prove by Parson Francis Beard also James Michie both of whom has been personally and intimately acquainted with him for a number of years that he is a man of veracity good moral character and that it has always been represented in the neighborhood where I have resided that I was a revolutionary soldier. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever for a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency of any state - This applicant further states that a short time after the passage of the act of the 7th June 1832 he had a declaration made out and sent to the War Department. the same was not allowed as he has ever heard from Old age and informing he has delayed a further application until this time his residence being twelve or fifteen miles from the Courthouse. after the Revolutionary War was over I remained in Pittsylvania County Virginia until the year 1798 then I moved to Wilson County State of Tennessee here I resided for Twenty two years. From there I moved to McNairy County State of Tennessee where I now reside.
The following is the Interrogatories propounded and submitted to the applicant by the Court
Wadsworth Clerk

When and in what you was you born,
Answer. I was Born in Halifax County State of Virginia On the 11 th day of February 1754
Have you any record of your age if so when is it Answer I have a record of my age in my bible. I Copied it from my fathers bible when my age was recorded.
Where was you living when Called into Service. Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live
Answer - I have made a full Answer to this Interrogatory in my Declaration. When I refer the Commis n of Pensions -
How were you Called into Service were you drafted did you volunteer or was you a substitute and if a substitute for whom,
Answer. I was a Volunteer for a Six Months Tour which I served and not up than Three Weeks Over in the same Tour before I was discharged.
State the Name of some of the Regular Officers who was with the Troops when you served such Continental Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general Circumstance of your Service
Answer. this Interrogatory is fully Answered in the Body of my Declaration
Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service if so by whom was it given and what have become of it.
Answer this Question is also fully Answered in the Body of my Declaration, Given under my hand the date above. Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Maclean Cross CLK
Joseph Hodges
Seal

We Francis Beard a clergyman residing in the County of McNairy and James Michie residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Depe Hodges who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be Eighty three years old that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that Opinion Subscribed and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Francis Beard James Michie Maudlin Crops Clk
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 Francis Beard is a clergyman and James Michie who has also signed the same is a resident in the County of McNairy State of Tennessee and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit. Nicholas Childers William Rogers John C. King
I Maudlin Crops Clerk of the County Court for the County of McNairy State of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Depe Hodges for a pension In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this 9 Dec r 1837 Maudlin Crops Clk

State of Tennessee } ss. McNairy County } On this the 5 day of September 1840 in Open Court Now Sitting for said county personally appeared Sige Hodges a President of McNairy County State aforesaid aged Eighty Seven 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 provisions Made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he has Made two Declarations which he is informed and believing have been different in what he supposed they contained Namely that the service was in part by driving a Waggons. This deponent Will state that after the Most mature reflection he cannot be Mistaken in the time he entered the service Under General Green Or was Mustered into service With a View of Joining the army in North Carolina which finally was commanded by Genl Green as expressed in his former Declaration. This deponent Most positively states that during the whole term of service of six months and some weeks the greater part of which service was Under General Green as aforesaid and expressed in his previous Declaration was actual service performing Camp duty engaged in battles and all Other service pertaining to the duty of a Soldier and not as the driver of a Wagon That if he did some time take charge of a Wagon Or was Ordered to do any thing about the baggage Wagons it was by Order of his Captain Or Other Commanding Officer and not as a hired Wagoner That he did not drive a Wagon as his employment Nor was he separated from his Company Or Miss but performed all the Military service that was usually demanded of the volunteer troops he was therefore in actual service more than six months Under Captain Dicke and received an honorable discharge which discharge he has already accounted for
This deponent further makes Oath that he entered the service again in 1781 Shortly after he returned home, he was drafted Under Captain Thomas Hodgens and was drafted for a six months tour and was Marched and Mustered into service at Buckles

Yazoo Mississippi County Virginia and after he had been in service about a month. On he positively will state that he was in actual service 21 days of this engagement, he hired a cousin of his by the name of James Casey to serve out the balance of his time and this deponent most positively declares that his cousin as aforesaid served out the full period of the time which he engaged for with the exception of a few days. which was after the taking of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. This deponent is informed and believes that he is justly entitled to the bounty of his Government for services rendered the United States in the war of the Revolution and therefore prays that this may be taken as a part of his declaration and as in duty bound he will ever pray
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid J R Adams Cld
Jesse Hodges
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 Revolution- ary soldier and served as he states. Given under our hands this 5 day of October 1840.
J. D. Pace Presiding Justice of the County Court William Rogers G. G. Adams J. H. Burton
I John R Adams Clerk of the County Court for Merion County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Amended proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the applica- tion of Jesse Hodges for a Pension In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and affixed my Seal of Office this 5 day of October 1840 John R Adams Cld

MacKin Cross Adams Declaration
Hon John N. Wright Member of Congress Washington City D. Columbia

Sunday Jan 12 th Feby 1856
How John, Q Ulright
I send you enclosed the Declaration of William C. Hodges. present it at the pension Office, and get an examination of his case, the Original papers you will find in the Office as this Declaration refers to papers, in the hands of an Attorney. I supposed he has filed them,
The candidates for County Officers are now canvassing the County. Blacker & Wawn for Clerk, Josling & Johnson for Sheriff, McKenzie & Hugh Kirby for County Trustee, Your Father has an opponent, he is Mr John Stovall the Grocery man, I think the Old man will beat his hind sights off, you see we have a strong ticket and I think all will be elected - Miss Street and Mr Devault is the Candidates for Constable this election is doubtful.
The Democrats here think the K & South are dead. What think you, will they have a candidate for President or will they join the Northern K & V's and go for Butts - press the claim of Geo. B. Rue as the Old man needs it very much, all is well, John left a few days ago, I think he will go by Washington
Yours Respectfully
Maclean Croft

Carthage Tennessee 4 th November 1840
Sir
Enclosed you will find the amended Declaration of Stephen Hodges for a Pension. It may be proper to refer however to the history of this case. The applicant lives in McMinn County in the western part of this State and has made one or two applications to be placed on the Pension roll. He has some friends here and relatives who are anxious to see the old man righted and of course they attend to his case gratis. I am only requested to lay the whole matter before you which request I obsequiously comply with. By your letter of the 4 th May 1838 it would seem that having alleged 6 months service under Genl Green he could not have served that period. Now I discover that he was from Virginia which State I believe was in the habit of sending troops into service for six months and the commencement of this service may have been under some other General at first and afterwards under General Green as he intimates. After the letter of 4 th May 1838 had been received and the objections communicated to him I am informed by his friends that he made another new Declaration and enclosed the same to his friends at this place which Declaration never came to hand and this accounts to you for the length of time in presenting his claim at this time from all the circumstances I am of opinion that he must have served as he

States His first Declarations therefore will have to be taken as part of the last So far as respects the proof and the interrogatories.
After all I am compelled to believe that the justice of the claim will be manifest & that the old Soldier may get what is due him. I therefore recommend it to your most favourable consideration and Decision.
Respectfully A. H. Gussone
James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington