On the 28th day of October, 1833, personally appeared in open before Joseph Eve, Judge of the Clay Circuit Court now setting, Thomas Stapleton a resident citizen in the County of Clay and State of Kentucky aged 75 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 7th, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.
He states that he was a citizen of Rowan County State of North Carolina. That he entered into the Revolutionary Army as a private soldier, a volunteer, and was united to a Company commanded by Capt. Thomas Cowin and the regiment to which Capt. Cowin's Company was attached was commanded by Col. Lack.
That he entered the Revolutionary Service in the month of June, 1780 as he believes (he is now old & infirm in body & mind) in the county of Rowan, N.C. and was marched to the forks of Adkin, thence to Charlotte, and there joined other troops stationed at that place and was employed in guarding British prisoners there in the bull pen taken at the hanging rock. From thence was marched back to the forks of Adkin, thence to Solam(?) and there recieved his discharge for six months service in the revolutionary army.
He states that a short time after his discharge aforesaid, (in the fall or spring) he again volunteered and entered the revolutionary service in Rowan County North Carolina in a company of Volunteer Cavalry commanded by Capt. James Pierson and the troop was marched from the forks of Adkin to the shallow ford of big Adkin, crossed and marched in a direction for the Moravian Towers in pursuit of a company of about 300 tories commanded by a Capt Briant and between the shallow ford and the Moravian Towers the mounted troop had a smart scrimage with the tories and the tories were routed and fled, were persued and 5 or 6 killed. We lost one man only. Thence we marched to the Moravian Towers, thence we reconnoitered the country round about in pursuit of tories and then was marched to the three forks of the Adkin and was discharged having served in this tour only six weeks.
He states that he was a citizen of Russell County, Virginia again entered into the revolutionary service against the indians as he believes in 1781 or 1782. He entered the company commanded by Capt. William Dortin and Lieutenant Richard Lang and was marched to Bushes Station on Clinch River and was employed in building Orsburns Station, in defense of the frontier.
From thence was marched in pursuit of the indians to Glade Hollow, thence to New Guardian thence to L. Guardian thence to the Maiden Forks of Clinch River, a frontier of fifty miles and was employed in reconnoitering and defending the frontier against the depredations of the indians two years and was then discharged.
He states he has no vouchers in his possession. That he knows of no person by whom he could prove 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 and if any only on that of the agency of the State North Carolina and Virginia.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Thomas (his X mark) Stapleton
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Letter from James L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions
War Department, 25 Feb. 1834 regarding the service of Thomas Stapleton.
Statement showing service of Thomas Stapleton:
1780 - 6 months under Capt. Cowin & Col Locke in Rowan Co. N.C.
1781 - 1 month, 12 days under Capt Pierson in Rowan Co. N.C.
- 2 years under Capt. Dorton in Russell Co. Va.
It is believed that the last service performed by the applicant in defending the frontier against the indians was performed after the termination of the Revolutionary War and that the service performed by him was protection to the frontier settlers and of old a character as not to entitle these who performed said service to the benefits of the act of June 7, 1832. Unless it can be satisfactorily shown that the said service was not and as above stated the applicant will only be allowed a pension for 7 months and 12 days.
I am respectfully, your obedient servant,
James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
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On the 21th day of October 1841, before me, one of the Commonwealth Justices of the peace in and for said county personally appeared Mrs. Sarah Stapleton. A resident of the County of Clay and State of Kentucky, aged about seventy seven years, who duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress. Passed the 7th July, 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows.
That she is the widow of Thomas Stapleton who was a private in the army of the Revolution and served as shown by the evidence on file in the War Department on which a Pension Certificate was granted him allowing him a pension of Twenty four dollars and sixty six cents per annum (under the act of June 7th 1832) which certificate is now in her posession, numbered 26,604, bearing date at the war office on the 5th day of April, 1834 and signed by Lew Cap ?, Secretary of War.
She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Stapleton on the __ day of June, one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight and that her husband the said Thomas Stapleton died on the 15th day of November, 1835
That she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first of January, one thousand seven hundred and ninety four. viz: at the time above stated.
She knows of no documentary evidence within her reach by which she can prove her marriage, living as she does a considerable distance from the courthouse. She declares her inability from age and bodily infirmity to attend court.
Sworn & subscribed on the day and year first above mentioned
Anderson D. Clark J P
Sarah Stapleton, Her X MARK
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The deposition of Molly Dorton, a resident of Johnson County KY taken
to be read as evidence in favor of Sally Stapleton for a pension.
Deponent being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath saith
that she is 84 years of age the 18th of Sept 1844, that she was well acquainted
with Thomas Stapleton and Sally Johnson before their marriage, the said Thomas
Stapleton and Sally Johnson was married in the county near the adkin river a
short distance from the Shallow Ford in the state of North Carolina. She does
not recollect precisely the name of the county nor the date of the year they
were married but the best of her recollection is that it was rowan county and
in the fall of the year one thousand seven hundred & eighty three. She does
know they were lawfully married for she was in attendance when the said Thos
& Sally were married, & further saith not.
July 31st 1844
Molly (her X mark) Dorton
Personally appeared before me, Shadrick Preston, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county & state aforesaid, Molly Dorton, and swore to & subscribed to the foregoing deposition & I further certify that the said Molly Dorton is a woman of truth & veracity. Given under my hand this 31st day of July, 1844.
Shadrick Preston, J.P.J.C.
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The declaration of Joshua Stapleton a resident of Johnson County, State of Kentucky, to be read as evidence in favour of Sally Stapleton the widow of Thomas Stapleton, deceased, who is an applicant for a pension.
The deponent being first duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith that he is seventy seven years old in December, 1844.
That he is the brother-in-law of Sally Stapleton. That he became acquainted with her about the time of her marriage with his brother Thomas Stapleton, deceased. The said Thomas Stapleton and the said Sally Johnson was married in the County of Rowan, North Carolina near the Big Adkin River in what was called the horse shew not far from what was called the shallow ford in the fall of the year 1783 one thousand and seven hundred and eighty three to the best of his recollection. He knows that they were married previous to the year 1785.
The deponent was at the weding and seen them married and further this deponent saith not. July 31th 1844
Joshua (his X mark) Stapleton
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Before the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for said county personally appeared Edward Stapleton aged 66 years resident in said county who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is the lawful son of Thomas Stapleton and Sarah Stapleton.
That his said father was a pensioner of the United States at the rate of $24 & 66ct per annum at the time of his death. And that his said father died in the county of Clay & state aforesaid on the fifteenth day of November in the year eighteen hundred & thirty five (1835) and that his mother the aforesaid Sarah Stapleton has remained a widow ever since to the present period.
Edward (his X mark) Stapleton
Sworn to & subscribed the 15th day of April, 1851 before me Samuel
Johnston J P 0 C
I certify that the above named affiant is a man of sound mind
and a creditable virtness.
Samuel Johnston J P 0 C
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State of Kentucky - County of Owsley
On the 15th day of April, 1851, personally appeared before me the undersigned, Samuel Johnston, a Justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid, came Sarah Stapleton, a resident citizen of the county aforesaid, aged 84 years, who, being first duly sworn, as required by law, upon her oath, made and subscribed to the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress.
This deponent saith that she is the widow of Thos Stapleton, deceased, but a resident of Clay County, State of Kentucky, a Revolutionary Soldier and a pensioneer of the United States at the rate of 24 dollars & 66 cents per annum.
That the said Thos Stapleton died on the 15th day of November in the year eighteen hundred and thirty five (1835).
This deponent further states that her maiden name was Johnson and that she was married to the said Thos Stapleton in the month of October in the year seventeen hundred and eighty three (1783) at the residence of Thos Stapleton at the forks of the Big & Little Yadkin River, Roan County, in the state of North Carolina by a Justice of the Peace, whose name she does not recollect, and that from the time of said marriage to the period of the death of the said Thomas Stapleton, she lived with him in lawful wedlock and had 2 children born as the fruits of said marriage before 1794 whose names are as follows viz: Edward Stapleton and William Stapleton.
This deponent states that she has no ??? of any ??? of the aforesaid marriage ??? and further states that since the death of Thomas Stapleton that she has not again married.
Sarah Stapleton (Her "X" Mark)
Samuel Johnston J.P.O.C.
I hereby testify that by reason of old age & bodily infirmation the aforenamed declarant is unable to appear in open court, and I further certify that satisfactory evidence was ???? before me , that the aforenamed Thomas Stapleton died on the 15th day of November, 1835.
And that the aforenamed declarant has not again intermarried but remained the widow of the said Thomas Stapleton.
Samuel Johnston J.P.O.C.
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Before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said county personally appeared James Crank, aged seventy two years, resident in said county, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he was well acquainted with Thomas Stapleton, deceased, late of Clay County and state aforesaid. That he is also acquainted with Thomas Stapleton's wife, Sarah Stapleton, now a widow and a resident of Owsley County & state aforesaid. That he first became acquainted with the said Thomas & Sarah Stapleton on the Holston River in the State of Virginia about the year seventeen hundred & ninety or seventeen hundred and ninety one. That he recollects well the time of his first acquaintance with the said Thomas & Sarah Stapleton as it was three or four years prior to Genl. Anthony Wayne's victory over the Indians in the Battle of the Miami Rapids (Ohio). That the said Thomas and Sarah Stapleton were reputable people and lived together as man & wife and were reputed as such and at the time affiant first became acquainted with the said Thomas and Sarah Stapleton they had two children born whose names are Edward and William Stapleton - and that he afterwards was well acquainted several years with the said Thomas & Sarah Stapleton in the County of Clay & State of Kentucky, aforesaid, prior to and up to the time of the death of the said Thomas Stapleton.
James Crank (His X Mark)
Sworn to and subscribed this 1st day of May, 1851.
Before me Daniel Baker, J.P.
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Before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared Thomas T. Johnson, aged eighty years, resident in said county, who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith. That he was well acquainted with Thomas Stapleton, late of Clay County and state aforesaid and a pensioner of the United States. That he is also intimately acquainted with his wife Sarah Stapleton, now a widow and a resident of Owsley County and state aforesaid. That the deponent recollects well when the said Thomas and Sarah Stapleton went to be married. That the said marriage was in the month of October, in the year seventeen hundred and eighty three (1783) and took place in Roan County in the State of North Carolina, and that said marriage was at the time the common talk of the neighbors and that no person appeared to doubt said marriage. That the said Thomas and Sarah Stapleton were reputable people and lived together as man and wife and were reported as such and that they lived the first five or six years after their said marriage on a farm belonging to this deponents father in the aforesaid county of Roan & state of North Carolina - And that deponent afterwards lived near neighbour to the said Thomas & Sarah Stapleton in the County of Sullivan and State of Tennessee. And that he was well acquainted with the said Thomas & Sarah Stapleton in the County of Clay and State of Kentucky for twenty years and upwards prior to and up to the time of the death of the said Thomas Stapleton.
Thomas T. Johnson (His X Mark)
Sworn and subscribed this 23rd day of April, 1851, before me Curtis Jett, J.P.
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Before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county, personally appeared Robert R. Johnson aged 75 years, resident of said county, and being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he was well acquainted with Thomas Stapleton, late of Clay County and State aforesaid and a pensioner of the United States, and that he is also well acquainted with said Thomas Stapleton's wife, Sarah Stapleton, now a widow and a resident of Owsley County and State aforesaid. That he recolects when the said Thomas & Sarah Stapleton went to get married that it was in the fall of the year seventeen hundred and eighty three (1783). That said marriage occurred in the County of Roan & State of North Carolina. And that the said Thomas and Sarah Stapleton were reputable people, that they lived together as man and wife and were reputed as such. And that the said Thomas & Sarah Stapleton lived several years immediately after their said marriage on a farm belonging to deponents father within one mile of deponent in the aforesaid County of Roan & State of North Carolina. That he afterwards lived neighbour to the said Thomas & Sarah Stapleton in the County of Sullivan & State of Tennessee for several years and that he lived neighbour to the said Thomas & Sarah Stapleton and was well acquainted with them in the County of Clay & State of Kentucky twenty years and upwards prior too and up to the time of the death of the said Thomas Stapleton.
Robert R. Johnson (His X Mark)
Sworn to and subscribed the 23rd day of April, 1851, before me Jesse Boling, J.P.B.C.
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11.517
KENTUCKY
Sarah Stapleton widow of Thomas Stapleton who died on the (1835) -- who was a private in the line for REVOLUTION.
Inscribed on the Roll of Louisville at the rate of 24 dollars 66 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of June, 1853 and sent to J.J. Crowler, to the present.
Revolutionary Claim - Act July 7, 1838
Recorded by R.W. Reid ??
Book D, Vol. 1, Page 377
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I, John Giles, clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Session for Rowan County aforesaid do hereby certify that I have examined the Records of my Office and that they show no evidence of the marriage of Thomas Stapleton and Sally Johnson, nor is there a marriage bond for the same person on file in my office, - I further certify that the record of my office in no case furnish evidence of a marriage which was performed by a publication of Bans, And that the bond given on an application for a license is the only kind of evidence that the record of my Office show in any case of marriage.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Office the second day of July A.D. one thousand eight hundred and forty four.
John Giles, Clk
by John H. Hadre, D.C.
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On this fourteenth day of March A.D. 1853, Robert Baker personally appeared before me, Abel Pennington, Judge of the Owsley County Court in and for the county aforesaid, who being by me duly sworn as the law directs, declares & saith that he is seventy nine years of age. That he knew Thomas Stapleton in his life time, and that he was the identical Thomas Stapleton who was a pensioner or drawing a yearly pension from the United States government. That Sally Stapleton who is the present applicant for pension as his widow is the identical Sally Stapleton who was his wife and is now his widow. That said Thomas Stapleton died about seven years ago and left the said Sally Stapleton as his widow and select, and that he believes the said Sally Stapleton was the wife of the said Thomas Stapleton from the fact that they lived together as man and wife and were commonly reputed as such, and that they openly acknowledged each other as husband and wife. That he knew them forty odd years ago or during the years 1810 and 1811. That they then lived in the County of Clay in the State of Kentucky. That he was at that time Sheriff of said County of Clay and they were at that time reputed as husb and wife, recognized each other as such and were reputed and recognized as such from that time until the death of the said Thomas Stapleton. That the said Sally Stapleton has since the death of the said Thomas Stapleton been recognized & reputed as his widow & select. That the said Thomas & Sally Stapleton had only two children that he ever knew. The name of the oldest child was / is Edward Stapleton. That he knew him the said Edward Stapleton upwards of forty years ago. That from the appearance of him the said Edward Stapleton he supposes him to be more upwards of thirty years of age, that the said Edward Stapleton was married and had a family and children at that time. That the name of the other and youngest child was William Stapleton upwards of 35 years ago and that he supposes he was at that time upward of 25 years of age. That if ever the said Thomas Stapleton and S. Stapleton had any other children he never knew them and never heard of any others. That the said Sally Stapleton still remains and has remained a widow since the death of her husband the said Thomas Stapleton.
Robert Baker
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid and I further certify that the said Robert Baker is a person to me well known and that he is entitled to full faith and credit when on oath. I further certify that the said affidavit was interlined before signing. And that from my personal knowledge of the said Robert Baker and from his appearance he is a man of the age set forth.
Abel Pennington, P.J.O.C.C.
****************************************************************************************
On this fourteenth day of march A.D. 1853 personally appeared before me, Abel Pennington, Judge of the County Court in and for the County & State aforesaid, John Combs a resident of Owsley County & State aforesaid, who being by me duly sworn declares and saith that from the very best information he is able to get he is now aged sixty seven years. That he knows and has known Sally Stapleton since he was a small boy. That she was then the reported wife of Thomas Stapleton and has always been so reported and considered. That when he first knew the said Thomas Stapleton & Sally Stapleton they resided at what was then called the Long Island on Holstein River in what is now the State of Tennessee. That he never knew of said Thomas & Sally Stapleton having but two children, that the oldest was by the name of Edward Stapleton. That the said Edward Stapleton is older than the affiant and he supposes the said Edward to be sixty eight years old. That the other child is by the name of William Stapleton. That the age of the said William is about sixty five years. That he feels confident of this from his own age, as he is a little older than the said William Stapleton. That Thomas Stapleton & Sally Stapleton were always refuted and considered as husband and wife. That he knew the said Thomas & Sally Stapleton in the State of Kentucky upwards of thirty years ago. That he has frequently heard his father & mother say that the said Thomas Stapleton married Sally Johnson (now Sally Stapleton) at the forks of the river Yadkin in the State of North Carolina but does not now recollect the time they said they were married. That the said Thomas Stapleton & Sally Stapleton once lived a short time in the same house with his father and mother during the time they lived at Long Island. That my best recollection is that they lived in the same house about four months. That the said Thomas Stapleton has been dead about sixteen or seventeen years. That Sally Stapleton still remains a widow and is commonly reputed and known as the widow of Thomas Stapleton.
John Combs (His X Mark)
John Combs further saith that Sally Stapleton is the identical person who was the wife of Thomas Stapleton now deceased and who was the wife of the said Thomas when he first knew her and that she is the identical person who has applied for pension in the in the right of her husband and is the identical person who remained the widow of Thomas Stapleton and is the identical person alluded to in the declaration of Robert Baker, which is hereto annexed.
John Combs (His X Mark)
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid. And I certify that the said John Combs is a person to me well known and that he is entitled to full faith and credit when on oath and that from his general appearance and my personal knowledge I believe him to be a person of the age stated in his affidavit.
Abel Pennington, P.J.O.C.C.
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On the fourteenth day of March A.D. 1853 personally appeared before me Abel Pennington Judge of the County Court in and for the County aforesaid Luther Brawner who being by me duly sworn declares and saith that he knew & was acquainted with Thomas Stapleton & Sally Stapleton about twenty years ago and that from common reputation they were man & wife. And that they were recognized & reputed as such throughout the neighborhood where they resided. That Thomas Stapleton died about seventeen years ago . That Thomas Stapleton in his lifetime drew a pension & said that Sally Stapleton the present applicant is the identical person who was his wife and is now the widow. That said Thomas Stapleton has been dead about seventeen years and that the said Sally Stapleton still remains thus unmarried, a widow since the death of the said Thomas Stapleton. That he never knew of but two children born to the said Thomas & Sally Stapleton and that their names are Edward & William Stapleton. That he does not know the age of the said Edward & William Stapleton but that they are both old men and that the children of each of them are grown.
Luther Brawner
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day & year aforesaid and I further certify that the said Luther Brawner is a person to me well known and is entitled to full faith & credit when oath.
Abel Pennington P.J.O.C.C.
**********************************************************************************
Washington, June 27th, 1853
Sir:
I have just received the enclosed extraordinary letters in the case of Sarah Stapleton, widow of Thomas.
The claim is for a pension under the Act of 1838, and as her husband was a pensioner the only fact to be proved is, the marriage prior to 1794. As it is shown that there is no record, public or private, of said marriage in existence, a foundation has been fairly laid for hard evidence.
The hard evidence fully and conclusively proves (if it is possible to from any fact by purot??) - not only that the marriage took place prior to 1794, but more than ten years prior to that date!
Yet the examiner who wrote the enclosed letters, says that the date of the marriage has not been proved - and that some of the witnesses have shown what circumstance it is fixed in their recollection.
Now sir, I only ask you to look at the brief made by this examiner himself, to see that this objection is totally unfounded in fact.
1st - To the testimony of James Crank, as stated in said brief - He was well acquainted with said Thomas and Sarah Stapleton from the year 1790 or 91 - at which time they had two children. He is enabled to fix the time of his first becoming acquainted with them, because it was 3 or 4 years prior to Wayne's defeat. Is not here a circumstance, by which the fact of marriage prior to 1794 is fixed in the recollection of the witness?
2nd - Thomas T. Johnson - (aged 80 years in 1851) has a personal recollection of the time that said Thomas and Sarah went to be married in Oct. 1783.
3rd - Joshua Stapleton was at the marriage. Thinks it took place in 1783 - Knows that it was prior to 1785, because he was at the wedding and saw them married. Is not this a circumstance to fix the fact in the recollection of this witness?
4th - Molly Dorton aged 84, was also present at the marriage, in the fall of 1783.
5th - The depositions of Robert Baker, Abel Pennington, Luther Brawner, and John Combs, show clearly that the two sons of said Thomas and Sarah Stapleton were born prior to 1794. Abundant "circumstances" are mentioned by these witnesses, by which they are enabled to come at the fact, that these sons were born prior to 1794.
In short, I think I never have seen in any case, stronger or more conclusive penol evidence of marriage prior to 1794, that we have in this case. Will you please examine it -
Very Respectfully - J.T. Trabue
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Pension Officer - June 24th, 1853
Sir:
The additional evidence in the case of Sarah Stapleton widow of
Thomas dec, of Kentucky has been received and filed with the Original
application.
The date of the marriage of Thomas and Sarah, has not been proved. Several of the witnesses testify to a particular date, but have not shown by what circumstance it is fixed in their recollection.
Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant
J.S. Maldo??
Commissioner
J.J. Coombs, Esqr.
Present
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Washington, March 24, 1853
Sir:
Enclosed please find additional evidence in support of the claim of Sarah Stapleton, widow of Thomas, of Kentucky under Act of 1838, and continuing acts.
This evidence I have no doubt you will find perfectly satisfactory to establish the claim. Her husband was a pensioner under the act of 1832, at $24.66.
On file you will find a certificate of the clerk of Rowan Co. N.C. (where the marriage took place,) stating that there is no record of the marriage and that the marriage records of that date are defective.
Also, the deposition of Joshua Stapleton, who was present at the marriage in Rowan Co. N.C. previous to 1785.
I now present the depositions of Robert Baker and John Combs clearly showing that the two children of said Sarah and Thomas Stapleton were both born long prior to 1794.
Thomas Stapleton claimed in his declaration for two years additional service in 1781 & 82. I have written to Raleigh to endeavor to obtain additional evidence of this service. If I do not get any additional evidence, I shall only claim for the widow the amount of pension received by her husband.
I am, very respectfully Your obt servt
J.J. Coombs
Hon P. Waldo, Esq
Comm of Pensions
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Brief case Sarah Stapleton wid of Thos
Sarah Stapleton - (21st Oct. 1841 before J. Peace) aged 74 yrs. declares she is widow of Thomas a private in war dec - Married Thos in June, 1788 - Thomas died 15th Nov. 1835. Married prior to 1794 - knows of no documentary evidence of marriage. Unable to appear in Court from infirmity.
Same - (15th Apl, 1851), declares she is widow of Thos - Thos died 15th Nov. 1835 - Married to Thos in Oct. 1783 - had 2 children born prior to 1794 - knows of no record public or private of marriage - since Thos death has not married.
Edwd Stapleton - (15th Apl, 1851), Says he is the lawful son of Thos & Sarah. Thos died 15th Nov. 1835 - Sarah now a widow.
Jas Crank - (1st May, 1851), was well acquainted with Thos Stapletons wife Sarah (now a widow) about 1790 or 91 - recollects well the time of his first acquaintance with Thos & Sarah, as it was 3 or 4 yrs prior to Waynes defeat of Indians. * (20th April, 1794) At time of first acquaintance they had 2 children, Edwd 7 Wm.
Thos T. Johnson - (23rd Apl, 1851), aged 80 yrs., was well acquainted with Thos a pensioner & Sarah his wife (intimately with) - recollects well when Thos & Sarah went to be married - marriage was in Oct. 1783 - & was at the time common talk of the neighbours. They lived as man & wife - lived on dept fathers farm after said marriage - dept afterwards lived near neighbour to them - knew them 20 yrs prior to Thos death.
Robt R. Johnson - (23rd Apl, 1851 ), aged 75 yrs - same as above.
Joshua Stapleton - (31st July, 1844), aged 77 yrs; says he is brother inlaw of Sally - became acquainted with her about the time of her intermarriage with his brother Thos which was in the fall of 1783 - to best of his recollection; knows they were married previous to 1785 - was at the wedding & saw them married.
Molly Dorton - (31st July, 1844), - aged 84 yrs. - was well acquainted with Thomas & Sally before their marriage - married in fall of year 1783 - does know they were lawfully married for she was present.
Clk Court Rowan Co. - certifies there is no record of marriage nor a bond - the only general evidence in his office.
Robert Baker - (14th March, 1853) aged 79 yrs. - says he knew Thos in his lifetime - identical person who was a pensioner - Sally applicant is identical who was wife & now widow of Thos. - Thos died about 17 yrs ago & left Sally & believe Sally was his wife from the fact that they lived as man and wife & were commonly reputed & acknowledged each other as such - That he knew them in 1810 & 1811 - Dept was sheriff at that time - Sally since Thos death has been recognized and reputed his widow - they had only 2 children - Edwd supposed by him when he first knew him (about 40 yrs ago) to have been upwards of 30 yrs ago - was married and had a family of children at that time - knew Wm upwards of 35 yrs ago, supposes he was at that time over 25 yrs ago. Sally still a widow.
Abel Pennington - (14th March, 1853) - says from the best information he is able to get he is 65 yrs old - has known Sally since he was a small boy. She was then the reputed wife of Thomas - & has always been so considered. Edwd & Wm only children - Edwd older than dept - Supposes he is 68 yrs old - Wm about 65 yrs old. Confident of this from his own age, he being a little older than Wm - Has frequently heard his mother & father say Thos married Sally at the forks of the Yadkin in N.C. - does not recollect the date. Thos & Sally lived in same house with his father & mother at Long Island. Thinks about 4 months. Thos been dead about 16 or 17 years - Sally a widow and commonly reported and known as Thos' widow.
Luther Brawner - (20th march, 1853) - says he was well acquainted with Thos & Sally about 20 yrs ago - reputed man & wife - Thos died about 17 yrs ago; was a pensioner. Sally applicant is identical person who was his wife - now his widow - Edwd & Wm old men & each have grown children.
Power Atty - to Stephen L. J. Trabue, 7th Aug. 1851. Thos a pensioner at $24.66, Act 7th June, 1832. Thos & Sarah married previous to 1st Jany, 1794. Thos died 15th Nov. 1835 - Sally now a widow.
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9396 - Kentucky
Sarah Stapleton widow of Thomas who was a private in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 24 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th day of June, 53 and sent
to J.J. Coombs, Mist.
Acts of march 3, 1843, & June 17, 1844
Recorded in Book C Vol 2 Page 186
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Sarah Stapleton
of Thomas
Kentucky
Suspended
J.L. Hickman, Jan 7 / 42
C. Chinn, Oct. 25 / 44
S.L.J. Trabue, Apl 3 / 52
L.M. Drury, June 26 / 52
J.J. Coombs, 24th June, 1853
Act 7th July, 1838
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Know all men by these present that I Sally alias Sarah Stapleton of the County of Owsley and State of Kentucky have appointed and by these present do constitute and appoint Stephen T. J. Trabue my true and lawful attorney for me irrevocably for me and in my to prosecutor name to prosecute and to receive from the United States the Pension Certificate now pending before the Department of the Commissioner of Pensions and the same presented to the said Department by Norton & Owen (alias A.P. Norton & Morris Owen) of the city of Pittsburgh. Hereby revoking and recalling all the power vested in them by my power of attorney made in my name and confirming and vesting the same in my said attorney Stephen T.J. Trabue. Hereby confirming and ratifying whatsoever my attorney Stephen T. J. Trabue shall do touching the premises in and about the prosecution of my claim for a pension as the widow of Thomas Stapleton a Revolutionary Soldier and further sworn hereby ratifying and confirming my said attorney or an attorney under him may do or perform touching the premises aforesaid and delegating and giving to him all power to make such attorney and to do all acts and deeds as though I were personally present myself and acting in my own proper person.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal this twenty second day of August, 1857.
Acknowledged and subscribed before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Owsley and State of Kentucky this twenty first day of August, 1857.
S. Johnston J.P.O.C.
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Sally or Sarah Stapleton
Power of Attorney
Direct to Washington immediately
T.J. Nolen
Boonville, Aug 22, 1857
Please enter S.T.J. Trabue as my attorney in place of yourself for the prosecution of my claim for a pension as a widow and to deliver to his charge all papers of my own in your possession or under your control in any course to enable him to accomplish what you were authorized to do by my Power of Attorney to you - which power I have revoked.
Yours respectfully
Sally Stapleton
Test
S. Johnston
To Norton & Daven
Pension Agents - Pittsburgh, Pa.
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Frankfort, Ky.
Sept. 5, 1857
Jas. E. Heath Esq.
Comm of Pensions
Sir,
Herein I enclose you a Power of Attorney from Sally Stapleton
revoking all authority hereunto given to Owen & Norton of
Pittsburgh or any one else in reference to her application for
a pension, & restricting correspondence alone with me.
The Certificate of Pension you will please enclose me if upon
examination the evidence be sufficient to authorize the allowance.
I am sir Yours L.T.J. Trabue
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