Transcription — Revolutionary War Pension File

 

Declaration of Bartholomew Murphey

State of Arkansas
County of Johnson

On this 9th day of June 1834 personally appeared in open court before the Judge of the County Court of Johnson County now sitting Bartholomew Murphey, aged seventy eight years, a resident of said County and State, 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.

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That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated.

That he was drafted in Chatham County North Carolina in the year 1778 under Captain Lewis and marched to Cross Creek, now Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he joined the regiment commanded by Colonel Lytle and Major Armstrong. He there remained about two months. He was then marched to the Yadkin River and was stationed there near Salisbury guarding the frontier against the Indians. After remaining there about two months he was discharged and returned home. He served in this tour four months.

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Again in the year 1779 he was drafted under Captain Lewis and marched to Cross Creek where he joined the regiment commanded by Colonel Lytle. He was marched toward Charleston South Carolina. Before reaching Charleston the regiment was ordered back on account of the British having possession of the town. He was then marched to the Yadkin and served there against the Tories and Indians until discharged. This tour was about three months.

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Again in 1780 he volunteered under Captain Lewis and marched against the Tories under Colonel Fanning. He was in several skirmishes and scouting parties. He served in this tour about three months.

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Again he volunteered in 1781 and served under Captain Lewis against the Tories and British. He was in the battle at Lindley’s Mill and other skirmishes. He served about three months.

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He further states that he has no documentary evidence of his service and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service.

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He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state.

[signed]
Bartholomew Murphey

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

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Interrogatories and Answers

Question: Where and in what year were you born?
Answer: I was born in Anson County North Carolina in the year 1756.

Question: Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
Answer: I do not know of my age no how old I am unless by recollection.

Question: Where were you living when called into service?
Answer: Chatham County North Carolina.

Question: Have you lived there ever since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live?
Answer: I lived in Chatham County North Carolina and (Perry County, Tennessee) until I removed to Arkansas.

Question: State the names of some of the regular officers and militia officers with whom you served.
Answer: Captain Lewis, Colonel Lytle, Major Armstrong, Colonel Fanning.

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Supporting Affidavit

We, Samuel Perrin and Thomas Griffin, residents of Johnson County Arkansas, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Bartholomew Murphey who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy eight 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.

[signed]
Samuel Perrin
Thomas Griffin

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Widow’s Application — Anna Murphey

State of Arkansas
County of Johnson

On this 28th day of March 1846 personally appeared before the undersigned Judge of the County Court Anna Murphey aged seventy eight years, resident of Johnson County Arkansas, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled “An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows.”

That she is the widow of Bartholomew Murphey who was a private in the Revolutionary War and a pensioner of the United States. She further declares that she was married to the said Bartholomew Murphey on the 23rd day of November 1775 in Anson County North Carolina by one James Thomas, a minister of the gospel.

That her husband the aforesaid Bartholomew Murphey died on the 21st day of June 1845.

That she has remained a widow ever since his death.

[signed]
Anna Murphey (her mark)

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Supporting Affidavit for Widow

George Jonnette [or Jonnett] and E. F. Kelley certify that they are acquainted with Anna Murphey and know that she is the widow of Bartholomew Murphey deceased; that she has remained unmarried since his death; and that they believe her to be of the age stated.

[signed]
Geo. Jonnette
E. F. Kelley

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Final Payment Voucher

Johnson County, Arkansas
October 8th 1845

Received of William E. Howland, pension agent, twenty four dollars and sixty cents being for three months pension due Bartholomew Murphey, deceased, under Act of June 7th 1832 from the 4th day of April 1845 to the 21st day of June 1845, the time of his death.

[signed]
Anna Murphey

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Pension Office Summary

The file identifies:

• Veteran: Bartholomew Murphey (also appearing as Murphy/Murfree in file indexing)

• Residence at application: Johnson County, Arkansas

• Born: 1756, Anson County, North Carolina

• Married: 23 Nov 1775, Anson County, North Carolina

• Wife: Anna Murphey

• Died: 21 June 1845 in Arkansas

• Pension allowed under Act of 7 June 1832

• Widow pension allowed under Act of 7 July 1838

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