Pension Application of Martha Whorley Lynch, widow of Patrick Lynch: W8071
Transcribed and annotated by C. Leon Harris
State of Virginia. Bedford County to wit
On this 29th day of June 1839 personally appeared before me Lewis Wingfield a justice of the peace for the county and state aforesaid Martha Lynch of Bedford County and state of Virginia, who from extreme age and consequent infirmity is unable to appear in court, doth on her oath, after being duely sworn according to law make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by act of Congress passed July 4 1836: That she is the widow of Patrick Lynch, that she has been informed & believes that the said Patrick Lynch was called into service from the state of Maryland where he then resided. That he served a tour under Capt. Nickolds then also of the State of Maryland and marched with him to the state of New Jersey, during a tour of three months. That he served several other tours in the service of the United States. That he removed from Maryland to the County of Bedford in the State of Virginia, where he again enlisted under Capt John Trigg and served under him one tour of about six months and that he was at the Capture of Cornwallace at Little York [sic: Cornwallis at Yorktown, 19 Oct 1781]. And she further states that the said Patrick Lynch served several other tours, the particulars of which from loss of memory she is now unable to state, but that he was in the service a longer period that twelve months. And she further declares she was married to said Patrick Lynch sometime in the fall of 1783: the precise time from age & defection of memory she cannot exactly state. And that her husband lived in the County of Bedford from 1781 to the date of his death and that he died on the 7th day of May 1831. That she has remained a widow ever since that time as will more fully appear from the proff here unto annexed. Sworn to & subscribed on the day & year above written before the undersigned a justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid
State of Virginia. Bedford County towit
This day personally appeared before me Lewis Wingfield a justice of the peace for the county aforesaid, John Nicholds [sic: Nichols], and being sworn according to law sayeth: that he is in his seventy eighth year. that he was well acquainted with Patrick Lynch. That he was a soldier in the Revolutionary war that Patrick Lynch served a tour under Capt Nicholds then of the State of Maryland. that he marched with him to the State of New Jersey where he was gone for the space of three months. and he further sayeth that after that time, but during the war, he removed to the state of Virginia, and after moving there he served three or four other tours – one in the South, and the other at Little York. when Cornwallace was captured. Given under my hand & seal the 29th day of June 1839
Franklin county state of Virginia
the Deposition of Frail Paine aged 77 years sayeth that he was acquainted with Partick Lynch Dec’d for 30 or 40 years whose widow is Claiming a Pention for the Sirvises Rendered by her husband in the war of the Revolution, this Deponant further states that the s’d Lynch has frequently told him of his having served frequent towers in Revolutionary War, but Recollect perfectly of his saying that he had served a tower under the Command of Capt William trig [sic: William Trigg] of Bedford Cty Va. he doth Verily Believe from the Best sorse of information that he served two other towers one under the Command of Capt Bueford the other under the Command of Capt William Terry each of Bedford Cty Virginia
[signed 20 May 1841] Frayl Payne
Bedford County Virginia
the Deposion of Capt William Arthar [sic: William Arthur] aged 79 sayeth that he was acquainted with Partrick Lynch for many years and that from the Best Soarse of of information he Verily Believes that he was a Revolution Soldier in the War of the Revolution for those Reasons that Isham Furgison [sic: Isham Ferguson] and Erail[?] Nicols [Nichols] Neighbours of mine have frequently told me that s’d Lynch served a tower with them of 3 months with them Marched from Bedford from thence to new London and Discharged at ninety six [Ninety-Six SC]
[signed 29 May 1841] William Arther [pension application S6528]
State of Virginia Bedford County to wit
The deposition of James Lynch of the County and State aforesaid aged sixty years deposeth and saith that Partrick Lynch, his Father, and the Husband of the present claimant his Mother, Martha Lynch, died on the 7th day of May 1832 at his residence in the County of Bedford, That he cannot of his own personal knowledge say any thing of his Revolutionary services, but that he has always understood from his Father, both in conversation with himself and others that he was in service during the greater portion of the Revolutionary War, but cannot state or trace out the particulars of the various towers of duty that he said he served. That he distinctly recollects his saying that he went into service after he was married and that he was at the Battle of Guilford [Guilford Courthouse NC, 15 Mar 1781], and at the taking of Corn Wallace at York Town, – and further states that his Mother Martha Lynch the present claimant is now a Widow and that she has never since been married [28 Aug 1841]
James hisXmark Lynch
Franklin County State of Virginia
The deposition of Archabald Nichols sayeth that he was well acquanted with Patrick Lynch Dec’d. whose widow claimes a pention for the servis rendered by her husband in the War of the Revolution – and that his first acquaintance with said Lynch was in Washington County State of Merilon soon after the commencment of the Revolution and said Lynch was cald on to serve tower of duty under the command of Capt Henry Butler for three months servis and after returning from that tower he was cald on again to serve another tower of three months under the command of Capt. John Nichols and after his discharge from that tower he removed to the County of Bedford Virginia where I understood he served sevral towers was at the Battle of Gilford and at other places he was so fond of a soldeirs life that it is hard to asertain all his servises with correctness Just before the War was ended said Lynch married a Miss Martha Wherley at a time when groom ware ast in Church would ride to the parson the said Lynch was married in the town of new london Cambell County Va. [New London in Campbell County VA since 1782] by parson Holt and lived together many year as man & wife and said Lynch Died leving a wife and four children two boys and two girles and she has never married since
[3 Jul 1841] Archabald hisXmark Nichols
Bedford County State of Virginia
The deposition Isaac Cundiff sayeth that he was acquainted with Patrick Lynch Dec’d. whose widow claims a pention for the service rendered by her husband in the war of the Revolution and further saith that himself and said Lynch served a tour of three months together and were marched under the command of Captain John Trigg from the County of Bedford and were marched from the County of Bedford to a place in Virginia near [20 miles east of] petersburg called Cabin point and there joined headquarters under General Mulenburg [sic: Peter Muhlenberg] Colo. Meryweather [sic: Meriwether] and there watched and reconoitered the British a good part of the Tour and from there we were marched into the northeast corner of the state of North Carolina and across the dismal Swamp and after marching a day or two near said swamp having seved our three months tour were discharged
[signed 16 Aug 1841] Isaac Cundiff [pension application S9252]
Bedford County State of Virginia
The deposition of John Buford aged eighty four years being cald upon by the widow Lynch the applicant for a pension, to state what he knows about Patrick Lynch & of his services in the revolutionary war deposeth & saith that in the year 1781 in the month of august or September there was a call for men to go against Corn Wallace, that Robert Sinclair a private belonging to Capt David Beards Company of Militia in the County of Bedford was cal’d upon to perform a tower of duty, & that he this deponant employed Patrick at New london the place of rindevous as a substitute for said Robert Sinclair, that said Lynch was received by the proper officer in place of Robert Sinclair & that he has no reason to doubt said Lynch having served the tower & performed the duty of a private. that at the time this deponat employed said Lynch as a substitute he had no acquaintance, but since Lynch was imployed to serve the tower above alluded to he has seen him frequently in the county of Bedford where he resided & further this deponant saith not. [17 Aug 1841] John hisXmark Buford [pension application W5967]
State of Virginia
Franklin County
The deposition of Martin Woody aged Eighty six years of the county and state afforesaid Deposeth and sayeth that he was acquainted with Patrick Lynch deceased for many years whose widdow claimes a pension for his survices rendered by him in the war of the Revolution and further sayeth that said Lynch and himself served Two Towers of duty together in the war of the Revolution. the first was under the command of Captain John Trigg of Bedford county Virginia and marched from Bedford county to New London in the county of Campbell in the State afforesaid from thence to cabbin point where we joined head quarters under the command of Colonel Meriwether and from that placed we marched to Portsmouth and joined Gen’l. Mulenburg and served during this tour three months ending in April. in the month of the next August said Patrick Lynch and myself were in service again cald on by said Captain John Trigg and Colo. [James] Callaway and marched to Little York & joined head quarters under the command of Colonel [St. George] Tucker where said Lynch and myself served untill the surrender of Cornwallis [19 Oct 1781] when we were discharged having served about three months further more this deponent sayeth not – given under my hand this 21st August 1841 Martin hisXmark Woody [pension application W3912]
State of Virginia Bedford County to Wit
John P Nichols aged Seventy Nine Years, deposeth and saith, that he was well acquainted with Pattrick Lynch, the Husband of Martha Lynch who now claims a pension for the Revolutionary Services rendered by her Husband Patrick Lynch during the Revolutionary War. That himself and Pattrick Lynch were neighbours in the County of Washington in the State of Maryland, from which County said Lynch was drafted as a privateer [sic], and marched into service under the Command of Cap. Henry Butler to Frederick Town, where he joined Head quarters under the command of Colo Bettis and marched from thence to GermanTown and to Bunkers Hill, where said Lynch’s Tower having expired he was discharged, shortly after this, this deponant removed from the State of MaryLand, to the County of Bedford in the State of Virginia. Some time afterwards said Lynch also came to the same neighbourhood in the County & State just mentioned, and from which place he again went into service several times. He is certain as often as twice, but he is unable to state either the officers names or any other particulars of the service rendered after he came to Bedford. He was reputed a brave Hardy Soldier, and was so fond of a soldiers life, that he was always, or nearly so, on duty somewhere. That in the month of November in the year 1780. He went with said Patrick Lynch & Martha Whorley, now Martha Lynch, to an accademy or school House, near New London, where parson Holt kept a school, and saw them married by said Parson Holt. He cannot say distinctly whether it was by License, only asking them in church as we then called it, but rather think in the last mentioned way, that said Lynch resided in the same neighbourhood with himself until the time of his death. That the present Claimant Martha Lynch is his widow, and has never since been married.
[signed, 28 Aug 1841] John P Nichols
State of Virginia }
Bedford County to wit}
On this 31st day of August 1841 personally appeared before me Christopher Morgan a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid – Martha Lynch a resident of the State of Virginia in the County of Bedford aged Ninety Three 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 provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 4th 1836 – That she is the widow of Pattrick Lynch who was a Soldier in the War of the Revolution. that from old age and the consequent loss of memory she is unable to state the particulars of even a single one of the many Towers of duty she verily believes her husband served in the war of the Revolution. That she has a distinct recollection that he was called on and served four towers of Duty after they were married – a circumstance that impresses this fact so distinctly on her memory is that she had no help in his absence to cultivate her crop, and was compelled to hire help. That she always understood from her Husband that he served two Towers of duty in Maryland before he came to Virginia and two after he came to Virginia before they were married and as before stated, four afterwards. That she has often heard him in conversing with herself, and many others speak of the various towers of duty that he has served, and of many things that happened while in service, but that her memory has, from old age, now become so defective, that she cannot undertake to relate them. that she has no record evidence of his Revolutionary services, but relies on the evidence hereto annexed of Cap. John P. Nichols, Archibald Nichols, Martin Woody, Cap. John Buford, Isaac Cundiff, Cap. Will Arthur and Frayl Payne – a part of whom served with my husband in the Revolutionary War and have been our neighbours ever since – and to the Testimony of James Lynch as to the time of his Death. I can obtain no record evidence of our marriage, and suppose that there is none now in existence – but refer to Testimony of Cap. John P Nichols, Jane Hancock [widow of Edward Hancock, pension application W7648] and Archibald Nichols who was present at the time of the marriage and saw it take place and were then our neighbours and has lived within a few miles of us eversince. She Further declares that she was married to said Pattrick Lynch on the [blank] day of November 1780. that her Husband the aforesaid Pattrick Lynch died on the 7th day of may 1832 and that she has remained a widow eversince that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Martha herXmark Lynch
The affidavit of Martha Lynch, widow of Patrick Lynch dec’d. made in reply to, and explanatory of a statement or declaration heretofore made in order to obtain a pension for the services of her deceased Husband Pattrick Lynch, deposeth and sayeth: that she and her husband were both entirely Illiterate, being unable to read or write, and that their children were raised without Learning and that therefore there was no family record of any kind ever kept, but as before stated on oath, Her marriage was legal and she relies on the evidence of Mrs Jane Hancock and Cap John P Nichols, who was present and saw the marriage take place, to substantiate the fact, as there can be no record evidence of the fact produced, and also as relates to the Testimony of Cap John Buford, state, that the tower proven by Cap J Beauford [sic] is a separate and distinct tower from any of those proven by others. That is, she verrily believes so, because her Husband, the said Lynch left home, alone, to go to New London in Campbell County, where the Company had halted for a short time, for the purpose of hiring himself as a substitute, that he hired himself to Cap Buford as a substitute for One StClair, that he was examined and received as she then understood by the proper Officers, and marched into service and served a 3 months tower. The circumstances that places this matter so distinctly on her memory is, that it took place very shortly after her marriage and that she had much difficulty in making out to get along in his absence having to tend her crop and hire help herself to do it while he was gone and further saith not. [18 Jan 1842] Martha herXmark Lynch
The affidavit of John P Nichols of the County of Bedford and State of Virginia aged 79 Years, sayeth that sometime since, he was called on to state what he knew in relation to the services rendered in the war of the Revolution by Patrick Lynch, Husband of Martha Lynch, who is now claiming a pension for the services of her husband in the revolutionary war – that he then stated, or intended to state the truth to best of his recollection, having understood there were exceptions taken to his Testimony, having had more time to reflect on the subject can state more minutely the circumstances than he could have done, or did do, when he first gave his affadavet, which is as follows, That he formerly resided in Washington County in state of Marayland. That the said Lynch was Landed in Maryland an Emigrant from Ireland, and was sold for his passage, and sometime there after, Cap Henry Butler of Washington County was ordered to raise a Company of Soldiers for a 3 mos Tour. That he done so, and they marched from said County of Washington Immideately to Frederick Town, and said Pattrick Lynch hired him self to serve as a substitute in the place of Thomas Ritcheson, and took his place and marched as aforesaid under Cap Butler. my Father John Nichols (now dead) was Lieutenant in the Company and marched as before stated to Frederick Town where they joined the Regiment under the Command of Colo. Bettis and from thence they marched to Viel Town where they joined the Army, near a Town called Brunswick, from which place I was sent back with my Fathers Horse, I having been carried with them that far for the purpose of carrying the horse back, being then a Boy and too young to serve as a soldier. at the expiration of the tour Capt. Butler & his men were discharged and returned home, about this time, my Father John Nichols moved to the County of Bedford, leaving said Lynch behind, where I understand from my Brother Archibald Nichols and others, that the said Lynch served another Tour, but of which, I know nothing of my own personal knowledge. some time after we moved to Bedford County Va said Lynch moved or came into the same neighbourhood, and was enrolled in a Company of Melitia and was very soon there after called into service and was off and on almost continully in service until the year 1780 in the month of November in the year 1780. The said Lynch called on me to go with him to Parson Holt’s to get married to Martha Whorley. Myself and my Sister, Jane Hancock, went with him to said Parson Holt, who then taught a school at a school House or an academy near New London where they were legally married, but whether by Licence or by publishing the bands [sic: banns] I cannot say. soon after his marriage said Lynch again went into the service but of the particulars of which I am unable to give, that I lived a neighbour to said Lynch from the close of the war until the time of his death. that he always has [illegible word] the character of a brave and resolute soldier and one that served during most of the war of the Revolution. That Martha Whorley the present claimant is his widow and that she has never since been married
[signed 18 Jan 1842] John P Nichols
State of Virginia Bedford County to Wit
The Deposition of Cap. John P Nichols
State of Virginia }
Bedford County } S.S.
On this 28th day of July one thousand eight hundred and forty five personally appeared in open court before the court of Bedford County now sitting, James Lynch a resident of said county, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the acts of Congress passed June 7, 1832, and the 7th July 1838. That he is the son and legal heir of Patrick Lynch; who was a private of Malitia in the war of the revolution, as will appear by the evidence accompanying this declaration, and on file in the Pension Office at Washington. That his father the said Patrick Lynch died at his residence in Bedford County Virginia on the 9th day of May 1832. That his mother, Martha, survived her husband the said Patrick Lynch, and remained his widow to the time of her death which took place at her residence in this (Bedford) County on the ninth day of March 1843.
that his father the said Patrick Lynch was married to Martha Whirley (his mother) prior to the 1st day of January 1794, for the proof of which he relies upon the evidence of respectable & credible persons, as he has no record or documentary evidence by which the exact time of marriage can be ascertained, nor can any record or other evidence of the marriage be obtained from the Clerks Office of the Court of Bedford County; the County in which they were married. That he relies upon the Justice of the Commissioner of Pensions to allow to him and his brother Thomas Lynch (the only two children of their parents) the amount of pension which his mother was entitled to under the acts of Congress above named at the time of her death. That he is now according to the best calculation he can make (having no record of his age) in his sixty-fourth year.
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written. James hisXmark Lynch
State of Virginia } On the 24 day of July one thousand eight hundred and forty-five
Bedford County } personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County Captain John Nichols aged about Eighty four, and who I hereby certify to be a respectable citizen of the county aforesaid, entitled to credibility who first being sworn according to law deposes and says That he was a citizen of Washington County Maryland prior to the fall of 1799 that he then and there was acquainted with Patrick Lynch, That the said Patrick Lynch entered the service of his country in the revolutionary struggle as a souldier of Malitia under the command of Capt. Henry Butler and was marched into service at Fredericktown Maryland in company with this deponents father John Nichols Sr. (who was the first Lieutenant of Capt Butler) in the winter of 1777, that this deponant well recollects this fact; from the circumstance of his haveing accompanied his father, Lynch and others, for the purpose of bringing back the horses they rode to join their company That the s’d Lynch served out his tour of three months as this deponant has heard from his father, and believes, when he returned. This deponant with his father and family moved from Maryland to the County of Bedford Virginia where he now resides in the month of September 1779, that in the month of October or November following the said Patrick Lynch came into the said County of Bedford Va, in company with and driving a team for Frayl Payne, and settled within a short distance (2˝ miles) of this deponant. that he remained in the employment of the said Frayl Payne untill the summer of the year following (1780) when he the said Patrick Lynch, again entered the service of his country as a substitute for John Beuford for a tour of three months, that this deponant from what he has heard the said Lynch say since the war believes that he served out the tour for which he had substituted, when he again became a substitute for some other person and served another tour of three months; at any event this deponant knows he was absent from his home some near eight months before he returned, and when he did return he brought with him two horses, which he said was given him in pay for substituting. This deponant further states that the said Lynch did not remain at home any length of time before he again took his own tour of duty, and this deponant believes served untill the surrender of Conwallis at Yorktown, when he was discharged & returned home. This deponant does not know under what officers Lynch served as he was detailed & substituted for others. That a portion of his service was in S Carolina but does not recollect of haveing heard under what captain. This deponant further states that after the return of the said Lynch from the wars, he remained in the neighbourhood untill the time of his marriage which this deponant was at; and which was solemnized at New London in the County of Bedford by a minister of protestant church by the name of John Holt That he was then and there married to Patsey Whirley with whom he lived untill the time of his death which took place in the county aforesaid at his residence on Staunton in the Spring of 1832 or 1833. That his widow the said Patsey survived him and remained a widow to the time of her death which took place on the 9th day of March 1843. This deponant will not be positive as to the year in which the said Lynch was married, but believes it took place the fall of the year after the surrender of Conwallis at Yorktown. at any event he knows it to have taken place prior to the 1st day of January 1794, as this deponant was himself married in the fall of 1784, and he well knows that the said Lynch was married prior to that time. and further this deponant sayeth not. [signed] John Nichols
State of Virginia } S.S. On this 27th day of August one thousand eight hundred and forty
Bedford County } five personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for said County Thomas Payne aged about 78 years, who I hereby certify to be a respectable citizen of the aforesaid county (Bedford) entitled to credibility who first being duly sworn according to law doth say That he came with his father and family from Frederick County state of maryland in the year 1773 to the County of Bedford, Virginia, where he has ever since resided. That he well remembers that Frayl Payne (this deponant’s uncle) came to the said County of Bedford in the fall of the year 1779, and settled within a mile of this deponants residence, that Patrick Lynch came with the said Frayl Payne driveing his wagon & team That he the said Lynch lived with the said Frayl Payne untill the next year untill after the planting of corn time (April) when as this deponant believes he entered into the revolutionary struggle. That the said Lynch was away from his place of residence something like eight months as well as this deponant recollects before he returned, that when he did return he brought with him two horses which was said to have been given him for his services as a substitute for some person or persons, whose place he took in the revolutionary war. That the said Lynch did not remain at home (Frayl Paynes where he made his home when not in service) long before he was again absent in defence of his country as this deponant believes, and remained untill after the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. This deponant has heard the said Lynch speak of his having been in the war; of his service at Ninety Six and in the Carolinas &c. and of his fondness for a souldiers life, & believe he was in service the greater portion of his time from the spring of 1780 to the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown either serving his own tours of duty or substituting for others. This deponant has heard & believes his having substituted for John Buford. This deponant recollects the said Lynch having been at home (Paynes) after the surrender of Cornwallis untill his marriage, which this deponant believes to have been the fall or winter after the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. This deponant states that his so well recollecting the surrender of Cornwallis is from the fact of his very shortly afterwards started with his team to Richmond Va. to trade for salt for himself and neighbours when upon his arrival at Richmond his team was pressed into service to haul the munitions of war taken at the surrender of Cornwallis from Rocketts landing on James river below Richmond up to Shockoe Hill, Richmond which service he rendered for five days, for which he never received any pay. This deponant states that he was married in the fall of the year 1783 and that the said Patrick Lynch and Patsey (Martha) were living together as man and wife prior to that time his own marriage. and further this deponant sayeth not. [signed] Thomas Payn