WASHINGTON COUNTY, TN - MILITARY - Aaron and Nancy Payne Brown Revoltionary War Pension Application ----¤¤¤---- Revolutionary War Record and Pension Record Of Aaron and Nancy Payne Brown Aaron Brown was born February or March of 1756 in Cumberland County, VA. He said his father moved the family to Bedford County, VA and it was from Bedford he enlisted. He married Nancy Payne 1783 or 1784 in Bedford. Around 1803, he moved with his family to Hawkins County, TN, and then about 1826 he moved to Monroe County, TN where he lived until his death. His brother Jesse Brown married Dicy Payne. Nancy and Dicy Payne were the daughters of Joseph and Pheobe Offill Payne. Nancy was born ca 1756 and died December 7, 1842. Dicy was born January 30, 1767. She lived in McMinn County, TN when she made her statement. Joseph Payne was born 1720 in Bedford County, VA and died September 24, 1803 in Bedford. Pheobe Offill was born 1734 in Henry County, VA and died before June 27, 1803 in Bedford County, VA. Jessee and Dice Brown sold land in Bedford County, VA to Samuel Oliphant on Beaver Dam Branch. Joseph Blankenship sold to Jessee in 1795 land in Bedford on Beaver Dam Branch. Anthony Tate sold to Jessee land south of Beaver Dam that adjoined Joseph Payne’s land. I have not found anything about where Aaron and Nancy sold land, but information I have received show Aaron was a witness for Christopher Slinker on 10-7-1793. That is not to say he did not have land, it is that I have not found anything at this point in my research. Joseph Payne’s will named his children. To his sons Thomas, Joseph, John, Obadiah, James, and Barnett, he gave one dollar a piece. To his daughters Lucy Stanley, Betsey Crabtree, Susannah Slinker, Nancy Brown and Dicey Brown “married women” one dollar a piece. To his son James Payne he gave his land in Bedford County, VA that was on the waters of Stanton River. This will was hotly contested. I descend from Aaron and Nancy Payne Brown. Their daughter, Pheobe Brown, was born March 26, 1795 in Bedford County, VA and died after the 1870 Hawkins County, TN Census. She married John Y. Staples April 10, 1822 in Hawkins County, TN. John Y. Staples was born December 30, 1794 and died February 26, 1842 in Hawkins County. Information about John Y. (Yance?) and Pheobe Brown Staples and their children was taken from a Bible in the possessions of Juanita Christian Collier, of Kingsport, TN. Their children were: 1. Wilson B. Staples born January 22, 1823 died February 20, 1852 2. James J. Staples born September 5, 1824 died after 1850 3. John Y. Staples born December 6, 1826 died December 30, 1851 4. William A. Staples born July 26, 1830 died August 9, 1862 5. Elizabeth Jane Staples born July 21, 1827 died June 3, 1828 6. Mary Jane Staples born October 21, 1833 died January 30, 1910 From VOLUNTEERS; TENNESSEANS IN THE WAR WITH MEXICO, there is a listing of two soldiers. Corporal Wilson B. Staples and John T. Staples of Co. E. 5th Infantry. Wilson B. was 24 years old at the time of enlistment and John T. was 21. They enlisted at Knoxville, TN November 2, 1847 and were discharged July 20, 1948 at Memphis, TN. Wilson B. held the rank of 4th Corporal on the dates November 2, 1847 to May 1, 1848. In White’s “Index to Mexican War Pension Files”, there is no record of a pension for either man or wives. William A. Staples married Tabitha Armstrong, daughter of John Armstrong. Tabitha is mentioned in her father’s will. They had two children: James J. Staples born May 2, 1858 and died June 28, 1859 and John Staples born 1860. James married Louisana A. Feagins October 9, 1887 and the bondsman was his Uncle, James Christian. Mary Jane Staples married James Christian April 20, 1850. James was born May 20, 1825 and died December 16, 1875. Their children were: 1. James “Big Jim” Christian born January 31,1862 died February 28, 1944. 2. Julia Christian born May 25, 1857 died February 19, 1890 3. Mollie Christian born 1865 died young 4. Francis Christian born May 25, 1856 died March 15, 1931 5. Nancy J. Christian born September 24, 1853 died February 27, 1910 6. John Christian born 1852 7. John Morgan Christian born 1864 8. William Yance Christian born May 4, 1870 died 1952 9. Wilson N. Christian born June 7, 1875 died 1962 10. Mary E. Christian born 1866 11. Isa Christian born October 10, 1872 James “Big Jim” Christian married Susan Harkleroad on February 18, 1885. Their daughter, Emma Christian born April 6, 1894 married William Robert Housewright December 1, 1918. Emma died April 27, 1984. William died January 14, 1968. William Robert “Bob” and Emma Christian Housewright were my grandparents. If anyone has any information about Aaron and Nancy Payne Brown, or John Y. Staples, please contact me at gladysowens@hotmail.com or gladowens@aol.com Sources: freddybrown@juno.com Marriage Bonds of Bedford County, VA 1755=1800 (Jackie, look up volunteer) Bible of Juanita Christian, Kingsport, TN Goshen Valley Cemetery, Hawkins County, TN (tombstone dates) Personal knowledge of Emma Christian Housewright, deceased Volunteers; Tennesseans in the War with Mexico, TN State Library, Nashville Aaron Brown’s Revolutionary War Record 25474 East Tennessee Aaron Brown Monroe in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the War commanded by Captain Bluford of the Regt commanded by Bob Christian in the Virginia for 2 years. Subscribed on the Roll of East Tennessee at the rate of 80 Dollars ---- Cents per annul commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. Certificate of Pension found 14 day of Jan 1834 and have Jan transfer HR Arrears to the 4th of Sept -------200.00 Semi annul allowances ending March 40.00 $240.00 Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1833 Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk, Book E Vol. 7 Page 37 Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. State of Tennessee Monroe County On the 27th day of February 1833, personally appeared before me Joseph E. Richardson and of the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Inspector, for said County of Monroe Aaron Brown, aged 77 years, lacking a few days. A resident of said County of Monroe, 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, 1832. The he was born in 1756 in Cumberland County, Virginia, where he lived a few years till his father moved to Bedford County, VA, where he resided till about 30 years ago, when he moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee, where he lived till near 7 years ago, when he moved into said Monroe County, where he now lives. Sometime, he cannot tell whether 2 or 3 years, after the commencement of the Rev. War, applicant does not remember what year, in consequence of the depredation and violence of the Cherokee Indians, about the head waters of the Holston, he enlisted a private in the Company of Capt. Henry Blueford in Bedford County, VA where he resided and marched in said Company to the Long Island in Holston, in what is now Sullivan County Ten. On their way out they met at the Big Lick in Botetourt Va, about 30 Indians, and some whites going on, he thinks, to see the Gov. at Richmond, in reference to the making of peace. When said Company reached Long Island they found a fort on the North side of the river, with about 500 men under, he thinks, Col. Christy (Note: Could this be Col Christian?) and Shelby. There they remained a length of time, till a treaty was concluded at Long Island, and some time afterwards. He supposes there were as many Indians as whites at the treaty. He remembers that 50 canoes came on the Sabbath full of Indians, who stayed in the Island and danced every night. Applicant was out on the campaign more than 6 months. After he reached the Long Island they grubbed ground and planted corn and when he marched home, it was full (?) late to save fodder. He thinks he left home in Feb and returned in Sept. Capt. Blufords Company were all discharged together, but applicant received no written discharge. They had no engagements with the Indians, but one Indian was killed that applicant know of while he was at the Island and Col. Shelby offered a large reward for the man who shot him. Sometimes, perhaps about two years after the above named Campaign, there was a call for men in Bedford County, Va where applicant then lived. The county, he thinks, was divided into Districts and each District had to send a man on stand a draft for war. Applicant offered to go for his (company or) District and was hired to do so. He went, he supposes, for 18 months a private as he knows he served and received a discharge for 18 months. He was in the Company of Capt. Alexander Cummings. The Company collected at Old-Town in Bedford County and marched on towards Richmond. They fell in with some other troops, commanded by he forgets whom. They marched on to Westham (?) on James River above Richmond, where they found several thousand troops, under whom he cannot say, but thinks Gen. Gates. They remained at Westham a short time, then crossed the river, where they stayed a short time, then recrossed the James River, and marched to Cumberland Old Count (sic) House where several thousand, (he thinks) wintered and where they remained, mostly, till he received his discharge from Col Phebeck, he thinks. The discharge --------not house, and gave to his sister to keep. It was put in a small box, the whole contents of which was destroyed by a bar of soap melting and filling it. Applicant was in no engagements, and remembers the same of his Officers except those stated. Applicant has no record of his age. He is known to the following persons in his present neighborhood, who can testify to his sincerity, and their belief of his services as stated. Viz—Samul. Blackburn, Esq.----Abel R. Chaney—James Tidwell, Esq.--------------- -----------------------service afore said. (Served in all ------------) (Answers to the 7 Interrogations are included in the foregoing) We hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or -------except the present, and the claim that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State. Swore to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, before me Jas. E. Richardson Trustee of the Peace Aaron (his mark) Brown We Levi B. Hurst - A Clergyman and James Jarvis both residing in the said County of Monroe, Tennessee, do hereby certify that we are both acquainted with Aaron Brown who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing Declaration; that we believe him to be a nearly 77 years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to know that a soldier of the Revolution and that we are certain of that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed this day and year aforesaid. Witness: Levi B. Hurst Jas. E. Richardson James Jarvis Justice of the Peace WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office May 31st, 1833 Sir: The evidence in support of your claim, under the Act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjcined notes you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked with braces (thus:} ). You will when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them. And you will by complying with this request greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. STATEMENT, showing the Service of Aaron Brown, Monroe Co., Tennessee (Note: This section had information presented in a table) 6 months service at the rank of Private company of Col. Christy, Col. Phellbs, Col Blueford 77 years old from Bedford, County Va. 1 year 6 months service at the rank of Private Company of Col. Phebeck, Col. Cummings. Proof was traditionary The applicant belonged to the Continental establishment, Virg line and his name does not appear on the Rolls. He should therefore prove his service of 18 months by one or more credible witnesses, who has a personal knowledge of his service. Sept 3, 1823 I am respectfully your obedient servant J. L. Edwards, Commissioner of Pensions State of Tennessee Monroe County On the 15 day of June 1838, personally appeared before this subscriber of said County, who being duly sworn deposith & saith that he is the identical Aaron Brown who made the foregoing declaration, on the 21th Feby last, to which he now makes the following amendments --- He cannot exactly state the time he first entered service but supposes it must have been in the year 1776. The first term for 6 months he …………? He used the term “enlisted” in his declaration; but supposes the proper term is volunteered. He does not suppose that for this term of service name is to be found on the roll. The second time, in the year, he thinks, 1779. He volunteered to go for a division of men who were subject to d draft (of 18 months) of one man. He served the term. He supposes he did not belong to the Virginia State troops but to the Centennial army (Note: this section is marked through and I am unable to read it) As his declaration shows he was with Continental troops but cannot tell what …….. he belonged to. (Note: another section marked through) Applicant knows of no one living who served with him, as he had moved away from the county where they are if any are living reason of getting their testimony. He cannot…..was one of the Capt of memory state the Regiment in which he served, in the war (Note: this sentence was very hard to read and the next section is marked out) Sworn & subscribed before me} Aaron X Brown On the date above written} his mark Jas E. Richardson, J.P. I W. S. Callaway, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Session, for the said County of Monroe do certify that Jas. E. Richardson was at the date above an acting Junstice of Peace for said County and that the above is his guanine signature. Given under my hand and private seat (having moved official this June 20th 1833. Wm S. Calloway, Clerk The certificate to this Applicant will be directed to James A. Coffin Madisonville, E. Tenn I Wm. S. White, Senator in Congress do hereby believe the foregoing certificate, (on this page) to be signed in the proper hand writing of Wm S. Callaway who is Clerk of the said Count. Wm S. White June 24th 1833 In a matter of a pension vested in Nancy Brown, widow of Aaron Brown late of this County of Monroe and State of Tennessee by the Act of Congress of this …..th of July 1838 State of Tennessee} Monroe County} On this the 15th day of July 1845 personally appeared before me J. M. McSpadden one of the Justices of the place in and for said county and state and one of the associated Justices of this county court for said county. Joseph Brown resident of said county who being first duly sworn according to law doeth o his oath deposes and say that he is a son of Aaron Brown late of said county and state who was a pensioner of the United States. Of America under the Act of Congress passed June…1832; at rate of eighty dollars per annium that he was placed on the pension roll for the Agency of East Tennessee on the 14th day of January 1834, that he died on the 27th day of April 1836 then aged eighty years leaving a widow Nancy Brown and the following named children heirs at law Viz: Elizabeth Hunley, Dicy Herel, Mary Christian, Joseph Brown, Phebe Staples, George Brown, Lucinda Brown, Nancy Brown, Wilson Brown, James Brown, Sarah Purvines, and John Brown that the afore said Nancy Brown widow of Aaron Brown and the mother of the said Joseph Brown survived the death of her husband the said Aaron Brown and died on the 7th day of December 1842 eighteen hundred and forty two that the said Aaron Brown and this said Nancy Brown was married in the County of Bedford and State of Virginia on the day of 1783 or 84 that they was married prior to seventeen hundred and ninety four that the evidence of the service of the said Aaron Brown upon which a certificate was issued to Aaron Brown dated the 14th day of January 1834 is now filed in the pension office to which reference is hereby made the said Joseph Brown further states that he was fifty three years of age on this 10th day of April 1845 that he has three living sisters and one brother, that died when a child that was older than him self. This declaration is made to obtain the pension due and (un readable) by me. Said Nancy Brown widow of Aaron Brown and now vested in his heirs by the Act of Congress of June 7th 1838. Joseph Brown (seal) Sworn to and subscribed this 15th day of July 1845 before me J. W. McSpadden (seal) a Justice of the Peace for Monroe County, Tennessee. State of Tennessee Monroe County I James R. McSpadden a Justice of the Peace and for the county and state afore said do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Joseph Brown who has this day made and sworn to the foregoing statement that he is an intelligent and credible person and the son of the late Aaron Brown and of the late Nancy Brown his widow all late of the County of Monroe and State of Tennessee. I further justify that Aaron Brown died on the 9th day of April 1836 and that his widow Nancy Brown survived his death and died on the 7th day of December 1842 eighteen hundred and forty two leaving the following named children heir at law. Elizabeth Hunley, Dicy Hearel, Mary Christian, Joseph Brown, Phebe Staples, George Brown, Lucinda Brown, Nancy Brown, Wilson Brown, James Brown, Sarah Pervine, John Brown, given under my had and seal on the 15 theenth day of July 1845. J. W. McSpadden (seal) Justice of the Peace for Monroe County, Tennessee State of Tennessee McMinn County Evidence of Dicy Brown On this the fifteenth day of July 1845 personally appeared before me Green L. Reynolds a Justice of the Peace in and for said county Dicy Brown a resident of said county aged seventy eight on the 30th of January 1845 who having first duly sworn according to law doeth by her oath make the following statement that she is not interested in any way in this claim of the heirs of Nancy Brown for a pension that she is a sister of the said Nancy Brown widow of Aaron Brown formally residents of Bedford County Virginia and for many years residents of Monroe County Tennessee that Aaron Brown and her sister Nancy Payne was married in Bedford County Virginia in October 17883 or 1784 seventeen eighty three or eight four but she is not positive at to the year but that she is positive they were legeally married prior to the first day of January 1894 seventeen ninety four by the rev. George Simmons, that the said Aaron and Nancy Brown lived together up to the death of Aaron Brown which was on the 29th day of April 1836. That the widow the said Nancy Brown survived the death of her husband and died on the 7th day of December 1842. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 15th day of July 1845 Dicy (her mark) Brown Green L. Reynolds (seal) Justice of the Peace for McMinn County Tennessee State of Tennessee McMinn County I Green L. Reynolds a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Dicy Brown who has this day made and sworn to the foregoing statement that she is an intelligent and credible person and I believe that fact to be exactly set forth in the foregoing statement given under my hand this the 15th day of July 1845 Green L. Reynolds (seal) A Justice of the Peace for McMinn Co., Tennessee (Note: this letter was in the pension file. I do not know to what purpose, because of the date of the letter. I suspect someone, in 1922, requested the file of Aaron Brown and this is a copy of the letter that they may have sent with the file, but in any case, I thought it should be included.) RECORD DIVISON S-525 Revolutionary War Records Section DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS Washington, D.C. June 18, 1922 In reply to your request of………………., received……………….for a statement of the military history of Aaron Brown a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow’s) application for pension on file in this Bureau. R.1332 (Note: there is a table with the information of Dates of Enlistment or Appointment, Length of Service, Rank Officers Under Whom Service Was Rendered and State) 1776 more than 6 mos Pvt. Henry Blueford VA 1779 18 mos Pvt Alex Cummings VA Battles engaged in, None Residence of soldier at enlistment, Bedford Co., VA Date of application for pension, Feb 27, 1833 –al Age at date of application, b. 1756 Cumberland Co., VA Remarks: He d. Apl, 29, 1836 leaving a widow Nancy (who d. Dec. 7, 1842) and the fol. Ch: Elizabeth Hunly, Dicy Hearled, Mary Christian, Joseph Brown; Phebe Staples: George, Loucinda, Nancy, William and James Brown; Sarah Purvines and John Brown. He mar. in 1783 or 84 in Bedford Co. VA Nancy---- (Note: this has a star beside it and a star beside Joseph’s name, I believe this is indicating Joseph died on April 10, 1845) he d. 53 yrs April 10, 1845. Commissioner. (Date of widows death stated 3 times as Dec 7, 1842) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright. 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