Military

Pension application of Valentine Sevier W6012 Naomi fn78Va.   [Transcribed by Will Graves 8/17/0?, corrections by Charles Avis, 2023] 

[Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and/or grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Also, the handwriting of the original scribes often lends itself to varying interpretations. Users of this database are urged to view the original and to make their own decision as to how to decipher what the original scribe actually wrote. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original. Folks are free to make non-commercial use this transcript in any manner they may see fit, but please extend the courtesy of acknowledging the transcriber—besides, if it turns out the transcript contains mistakes, the resulting embarrassment will fall on the transcriber.] 

p. 3-4
[Statement of Naomi Sevier, the widow]:

State of Tennessee 
Greene County

On this first day of May 1837 personally appeared before the Subscriber an acting Justice of the peace, and of the County Court of Greene County, it being a Court of record, Naomi Sevier, a resident of the County of Greene and State of Tennessee, aged ninety-one years, who being first 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 June 4, 1836: That she is the widow of Valentine Sevier, who, according to the best of her knowledge and belief, was a Captain in the Militia, when he entered the Service, which was during and soon after the commencement of the Revolutionary War, the precise time not recollected, that he served in various campaigns against the British and Indians, that he did not quit the Service until the close or near the close of the War, and was a Major or Colonel at that time, that she has lost all recollection of the Officers' names under whom he served, that her husband at the time he entered the service, resided in Shenandoah County and State of Virginia, and that all his services, were performed as a Volunteer. The different battles her husband was in, she is unable to state, but recollects that of Kings Mountain as one, that she was lawfully married to the said Valentine Sevier in said County of Shenandoah and State of Virginia (by the Reverend Mr. Alderson) about 70 years ago; from the record of the age of her oldest child, which, if living, would now be 69 years & 2 months old, she is enabled to state the number of years since her marriage, and that, she knows of no other testimony by which she can establish the time, that they had six children (two being twins) before the commencement of the War, and three at the death of their father, that were under sixteen years of age, namely Abraham, Joseph and Alexander, all of whom are now dead, that her husband remained in the Western Country (now called Tennessee) during the War, and died in Tennessee, on the 22nd of February 1800. Affiant states that she has no documentary evidence relative to the Services of her husband, and must rely entirely on parole testimony, That from loss of memory, by age, and particularly from a 2nd spell of sickness from which she is just recovering, she has lost the recollection (of many circumstances connected with the services of her husband, that would materially assist in making out her Declaration, and that, she has remained a Widow ever since the death of her said husband Valentine Sevier: as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. 

Naomi Sevier [her mark]

I Jeremiah Farnsworth a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Greene and for the County Court of said County (being a Court of record) do hereby certify that the above declaration was sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above Written, by the affiant Naomi Sevier, cannot from bodily infirmity as I believe, attend to Court, and that she is a person of credibility, before me.

Jeremiah Farnsworth
Justice of the peace

p. 8-9
[Statement of James Sevier, nephew]:

State of Tennessee 
Washington County

This day came James Sevier aged seventy three years before me Joseph McLin a Justice of the peace in and for the said County and being duly sworn upon the holy evangelist of Almighty God -- deposes and saith that during the war of the revolution he was well acquainted with his uncle Valentine Sevier and with whom he served the following campaigns (to wit) one in the fall of the year 1780 when the battle of King's Mountain was fought in South Carolina a 3 months tour a Captain under Colonel John Sevier as well as this deponent now recollects. One other in the last of the year 1780 and 81 against the Cherokee Indians as Captain under Colonel John Sevier a 3 months tour. One other in the fall of the year 1781 to South Carolina after the battle of Eutaw Springs a 3 or 4 months tour he was a Major and Colonel John Sevier's Regiment and acted as adjutant to the same during the Campaign. One other tour in the year 1782 against the hostile Cherokee Indians a 3 months tour and was Major under Colonel John Sevier, this deponent states that from his earliest recollection That he was well acquainted with his uncle Valentine Sevier and his wife Naomi (commonly called Amy) whose maiden name was Douglas, and who is now applying for a pension under the 3rd Section of the Act of Congress of the 4th of July 1836 that they always lived together as husband and wife and was so esteemed by all the acquaintances who knew them until the death of her aforesaid husband Valentine. They had in the year 76 the following children that this deponent recollects (to wit) Elizabeth, John, Ann & Valentine --
Sworn to and subscribed before made this 14th day of June in the year while Lord 1837.

Jas Sevier

Joseph McLin
Justice of the peace

p.10
[Letter of James Sevier, nephew]:

July 4th 1837

Dear Sir
    Herewith enclosed is the declaration of Mrs. Naomi Sevier (commonly called Amy) the widow of the late Major Valentine Sevier. Her declaration is filed for the obtaining a pension under the Acts of Congress of the 4th of July 1836 you will in this enlist of the testimony taken in her case and will be able to know to what amount she will be entitled to under the provision of said acts. There were two other campaigns which he served of which we have no special proof.  I myself very well recollect[?] my uncle Valentine Sevier and James Robertson (the late Gen^l Jas Robertson) being at my Fathers on their way to join Col. Christian's army at the time when Col. Sevier fought the Shawanee Indians at the Kenhawa and I also seen them on their return - I send you a slip from a newspaper written by some person unknown to me showing this fact that they were in that battle, which I have marked, Col. Christian's Campaign against the Cherokee Indians in the fall of the year Seventy Six, we have to lament that we have no proof, the old men have all passed out of time, yet I hear not the least doubt resting on my own mind that he served the before mentioned campaign having often heard him say he did.  Altho always in the Militia he was one of those spirits that never was missing at the post of danger - until the close of the Revolutionary War - I perfectly recollect[?] the person who married them he was a Baptist Clergyman.  If Sir the claim passes you will please send it to me at Jonesboro East Tennessee and Valentine Sevier Greenville East Tennessee payable by Wm. K. Blain Jonesborough

Yours very respectfully,
James Sevier
 

p. 11-12
[Statement of John Sevier, nephew]:

State of Tennessee 
Greene County 

Be it remembered that on the 11th day of May 1837 personally appeared before me the subscriber, one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for the County aforesaid Major John Sevier, who is near 71 years of age; and made oath, that he has been acquainted with Naomi Sevier (widow and relic of Colonel Valentine Sevier deceased) and who is now an applicant for a pension as the widow of said Sevier, ever since his first recollection, at which time they had 4 children; the oldest of which was said to be 2 years younger than this deponent; and that the said Naomi Sevier; and the deceased lived together and were always reputed to be husband and wife, without the slightest allegation to the contrary, up to the time of the death of the said Husband, ever since which time she has remained, and still remains his Widow, he further states that during the revolutionary war part of which time the said Valentine Sevier bore the title of Major, to the knowledge of this deponent; and that he started on several Campaigns, and was a long time absent in Military duty as the deponent understands; and further this deponent saith not. 

John Sevier

Sworn to and subscribed this 11th of May 1837 before me Thos. Jones, JP 


p. 16
[Statement of Rebecca Rector, daughter]:

State of Tennessee 
Greene County

It is on this the 7th day of November 1851 Personally appeared before me, William P. Sharp, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State afsd - duly authorized by Law to administer Oaths, Rebecca Rector - aged Sixty nine years - Who being first duly sworn according to the Law - doth on her oath make the following Declaration - in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the   18   to wit; That she is the Daughter and heir at Law of Major Valentine and Naomi Sevier Dec^d - That her afsd Father (Major Valentine Sevier) was a Major in the army of the Revolution and of Cavalry, and that for His (her afsd Father's) service Her Mother (Naomi Sevier) did have a Pension of $260 per annum up to the day of her death - Which occurred on the 17th day of July 1845 and believing that her Mother was entitled to more than two hundred and sixty dollars per annum as the widow of a Major in the army of the Revolution and of Cavalry.  She most respectfully asks the Honorable Commissioners of Pensions to cause it to be allowed to her and that the certificate evidencing the same may be enclosed to her attorney Tinore M. Nalin, of Frankfort Kentucky and with him only and such others as he may direct.  Does he wish correspondence holder in reference to her afsd claim or claims to a Pension or Pensions that she may be entitled to for the services of her afsd Father in the arm of the Revolution.  And that her Mother was entitled to as his widow up to the time of her death and that she is now entitled to as the Daughter and heir at Law of Major Valentine and Naomi Sevier Decd.  That at the time of her Mother's death there were only two living children, James Sevier and Rebecca Rector (The Declarant).  That her afsd Father died some fifty years ago And that she again most respectfully asks the Honorable Commissioners of Pensions to cause it to be allowed to her under the afsd act of Congress or any other act of Congress heretofore passed.  And that the certificate evidencing the same may be forwarded to her attorney Tinore M. Nalin of Frankfort Kentucky and with him only and such others as he may direct does he wish correspondence holder in reference to her afsd claim or claims to a Pension or Pensions due under the act of Congress heretofore passed,

Rebecca Rector   [her mark]

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year afsd,  Wm P Sharp JP

p. 41

[Pension File Summary]:

Valentine Sevier, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his widow's application for pension on file in this Bureau.  W-6012

Dates of enlistment or appointment, Length of service, Rank, Officers under whom service was rendered

Fall of 1776, 3 mos, -, Col. Christian in the Cherokee Expedition
1779, 3 mos, Capt., Isaac Shelby
Summer 1780, -, Capt., Isaac Shelby
Fall 1780, 3 mos, Capt., John Sevier
1780-1781, 3 mons, Capt., against Cher. Ind., John Sevier
Fall 1781, 4 mos, Major and Adjutant, John Sevier
Fall 1782, 3 mos, Major, against Cher. Ind., John Sevier

Battles engaged in - Musgrove's Mill, King's Mt.
Residence of soldier at enlistment - Shenandoah Co., Va
Date of application for pension - May 1, 1837. Her claim was allowed
Residence at date of application - Greene Co. Tenn.
Age at date of application - 91 years
Remarks:  He mar. Naomi (commonly called Amy) Douglas in Shenandoah Co. Va. about 1767.  He died Feb. 22, 1800 in Tenn.  She died July 17, 1844 or 1845.  The following children are mentioned:  Abraham, Joseph, Alexander, James, Elizabeth, John, Ann, Valentine and Rebecca Rector who was 69 years old in 1851.  No dates of mar. of children are stated in claim.

p. 44
[Statement of William Smith, neighbor & militia member]:

State of Tennessee 
Lincoln County 

Be it known that before me G W C Edmiston, a justice of the peace, in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared William Smith, of said County, and made oath, in due form of law, that he was heretofore personally, and intimately acquainted with Captain Valentine Sevier, (old Fort was Washington County North Carolina, but now Carter County Tennessee) -- that he also knew said Valentine Sevier's wife Amy, and her parents; whose names were Douglas -- during many years: that said Valentine and Amy lived together as husband and wife, and were not only esteemed such by their neighbors, but that no doubt exist, or ever did exist, so far as he knows, of anything to the contrary: 

That he served as Ensign in a company of volunteer mounted men commanded by Captain Valentine Sevier, in a Regiment of which the late Governor Isaac Shelby was Colonel, 7 months during the year 1780: 

That he served 2 months, as Ensign, in a company of volunteer mounted men, under the command of Captain Valentine Sevier, in a Regiment commanded by Colonel John Sevier, during the year 1781: 

that while he served as Captain of a company of volunteer mounted men, under Colonel John Sevier in 1782, the said Valentine Sevier was an officer in the Regiment, but of what grade he does not remember: 

that he has reason to believe, and does believe, that the said Captain Valentine Sevier was at the battle of, anticipated in the action of King's Mountain -- that he was a brave, efficient and meritorious officer, and one who rendered important services to his country on various occasions. 2
Sworn to and subscribed this 20th day of May 1837 before me. 

William Smith

G. W. C. Edmiston, JP
 

p. 47-48
[Statement of William Smith, neighbor & militia member]:

State of Tennessee 
Lincoln County 

Be it known that during the summer of 1780, I acted as ensign in a company commanded by Captain Valentine Sevier, in a Regiment commanded by Colonel Isaac Shelby, and that I was present and participated in the Battle on Ennoree [sic, Enoree River], near Musgrove's Mills, South Carolina; and know of my own knowledge that Captain Valentine Sevier was also present, and fought bravely in that battle; during which the British commander, Colonel Innis, was wounded. 

William Smith

Sworn to and subscribed the 15th day of September 1837 before me.

G. W. C. Edmiston
Justice of the Peace

p. 49
[Statement of William Smith, neighbor & militia member]:

State of Tennessee 
Lincoln County: 

Be it known that before me G. W. C.  Edmiston, a justice of the peace, in and for the County aforesaid, personally appeared William Smith, and made oath that he was well acquainted with Valentine Sevier, formerly of Washington County North Carolina (now Carter County Tennessee;) that he (Smith) lived a near neighbor to him (Sevier) during two or three years previous, and as many as six years subsequent to the War of the Revolution; that he knows of his own knowledge that said Sevier was one of a party of about twenty men, who voluntarily joined an armed infantry force from Virginia under Col. Christie (or Christian) [sic, William Christian] on their march against the Cherokee Indians in the fall of 1776: that the time said troops were absent from the section of country where said Sevier joined them is now unknown to said Smith, but from the distance they had to travel, unprovided with horses; the delays often consequent upon treating with the Indians; and the broken and then roadless country they had to traverse, he is under the impression that they must have continued at least three months, and probably more: and further he saith not. 

William Smith 

Sworn to and subscribed the 27 day of March 1838 before me
G. W. C. Edmiston
Justice of the Peace

p. 52
[Statement of John Clark, militia member]:

State of Tennessee 
Washington County

This 12th day of June 1837 appeared before me Henderson Clark a Justice of the peace for said County, John Clark aged 78 years, who being duly sworn on the Holy evangelist of Almighty God, deposeth and saith that during the war of the revolution in the year One thousand seven hundred seventy nine that he served a tour of duty in the company of Captain Valentine Sevier against the Cherokee Indians under the command of Col. Shelby a three months tour that he also served another tour with the said Valentine Sevier in the Spring of the year 1781 against the Over hill Cherokee Indians under the command of Colonel John Sevier, but this deponent does not recollect what command the said Valentine head on that campaign but inclines to believe that as he had been in command, that he was at that time in command, this deponent himself had the command of a company on that campaign --

Sworn to and subscribed before me the day & year above written.                John Clark 
Test: Henderson Clark
Justice of the Peace