Here are some new notes on Thomas and Martha Cardwell EPPERSON from
Martha's pension application in 1838. Martha is the daughter of John and
Kezia Lowe CARDWELL.
Commission for Thomas Epperson in Charlotte County Court Order Book 4, pg 109.
"Thomas Epperson Gent. came into Court, and produced his Commission to be a
Lieutenant in the Militia of said County, which was read, and then the said
Epperson took the oath of a Militia officer as by Law directed." Charlotte
County Court 6th October 1777.
Thomas Epperson's pension application file is W7113. Certificate of
pension issued to Martha Epperson 15 August 1839, Charlotte Court House,
VA. States Thomas Epperson was a Lt of the Va Militia for 9 months. [see
notes under Martha Epperson below]
In reply to W. S. Epperson of Greensboro NC in the records for Thomas
Epperson file W7113, the following is recorded:
"In reply to your request of Aug 24, received Aug 24, 1910, for a statement
of the military history of Thomas Epperson, 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. Wid cty 7113.
Dates of Enlistment of Appointment, Length of Service, Rank, Officers under
whom Service was Rendered.
1780, 3 mos, Lt,Captain Harvey
1780, 3 mos, Lt, Captain Williams
1781, 3 mos, Lt, Captain Harvey
Battles engaged in, Gates Defeat; Feb/Mar 1781
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [blank]
Date of application for pensions, Dec 10, 1838 Her claim was received.
Residence at date of application, Charlotte Co., VA
Age at dat of application, 80 years
Remarks, He married July 20 1778 Martha, dau John Cardwell, of Charlotte
Co, Va., and died Aug 1805."
From Martha Cardwell Epperson notes:
From Pension file W7113.
"Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Third Section of the
Act of Congress of the 4th July 1836 --
State of Virginia: Charlotte County to wit:
On this 10th day of December, 1838, personally appeared before me a Justice
of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, Martha Epperson, a
resident of Charlotte County, State of Virginia, aged 80 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 July 4th, 1836 --
That she is the widow of Thomas Epperson late of Charlotte County,
Virginia, who was a Lieutenant in the Milita service of Virginia, in the
War of the Revolution. That from bodily infirmity, old age, and the
consequent loss of memory, she cannot at this period of life, recollect
distinctly, or relate the particulars of her late husbands services in the
old war -- she recollects, however, that after her marriage to him, which
was in the month of July, 1778, he was drafted several times in the
Militia, and held the commission of Lieutenant in the Army, and marched to
Ricmond in Virginia, Guilford, North Carolina, and other places not
recollected. In and during his absence, she was left alone, to scuffle for
herself, the best she could -- that he was engaged in the battle of
Guilford, and other battles, the names of which, she has forgot -- She
knows that the marriage took place, before the last term of her husbands
services expired -- and that she has never married since his death -- How
long he continued in service altogether, she is unable to state precisely;
but believes he was in actual service as long as nine months -- For
particulars of service, grade, line and regiment to which he belonged,
officers commanding etc. etc. she begs leive to refer to the Army Records
of the period and the accompanying certificates of old soldiers --
She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Epperson, on
the 20th day of July, 1778: that her husband, the aforesaid Thomas
Epperson, died on the [blank] day of August 1805: and that she has
remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by
reference to the proof hereto annexed --
Signed Martha X [her mark] Epperson
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year above written, before me --
Wyatt Cardwell, J.P.
Virginia: Charlotte County to wit:
I hereby certify, that I am well acquainted with Martha Epperson the widow
of the above named Thomas Epperson, and know from my own personal
knowledge, that she is very old and feeble and cannot attend the County
Court of Charlotte, from bodily infirmity, in order to make the foregoing
Declaration in open Court. I also, further certify, that she is a credible
person, and her statement entitled to full confidence -- Given under my
hand this 10th day of December 1838 --
Signed Wyatt Cardwell, J.P.
Virginia: Charlotte County to wit:
I, Wyatt Cardwell, an acting Justice of the Peace in the County and State
aforesaid, do hereby certify that Thomas Epperson late of Charlotte,
departed htis life sometime in the month of August, 1805. Given under my
hand this 10th day of December 1838 --
Signed Wyatt Cardwell, J.P.
State of Virginia: Charlotte County to wit:
I do hereby certify, that I was acquainted with Thomas Epperson in the War
of the Revolution; and know the fact, that he was a Lieutenant in the
Militia service at least nine months -- that he first marched in the early
part of 1780, to Norfolk, Virginia, under Capt. Harvey, as a Lieutenant in
the Company, and served on that occasion three months -- that in the same
year, he was drafted again, as a Lieutenant, in Capt Williams' company for
three months, marched to the Sourth, and was engaged in the battle of
Camden, fought in August, 1780 -- He served then, three months -- He was
then drafted the third time, for three months, as Lieutenant, under Capt
Harvey, and marched to North Carolina, and was engaged in the battle of
Guilford in March, 1781 -- He served about three months -- I have
understood, that he was in other service, but do not recollect ther
particulars -- These facts come within my personal knowledge, beging in the
service at the time, and a waggon master --
Thomas [X his mark] Harvey
Virginia: Charlotte County to wit:
This day Thomas Havery came before me a Justice of the Peace and made oath
to the above certificate according to law -- I further certify, that he is
a credible person, and his statement entitled to full confidence -- Given
under my hand this 9 day of December 1838.
John Harvey, J.P.
Virginia: At a Court held for Charlotte County, the 11th day of January,
1839 -- On the declaration of Martha Epperson of Charlotte, for a pension
under act of Congress passed 4th July 1836 with the accompanying documents
and evidence was produced in Court and the Same read, and fully explained
by the satisfaction of the Court - Ordered that the said declaration and
acompanying documents and evidence to be Certified by the Clerk of the
[unreadable].
Virginia: Charlotte County to wit:
I Winslow Robinson, Clerk of the County Court of the County aforesaid, do
hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of an order of the said
Court, from the records of my office, and I do further certify that Wyatt
Cardwell and John Harvey are acting justices of the peace and for the ___
___ duly commissioned and acknowledged and that the signatures marked
purporting to be theirs are genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of my office this 11th day of February 1839,
Winslow Robinson