Misc Manuscripts File, War of 1812, National Archives, Wash DC
"To all to whom these presents may come know ye, that we who have signed and sealed
these presents, from the special trust and confidence which we have and do bear in our
trusty friend Avent Massey have thought proper to make constitute and ordain him our said
friend our proper and legal attorney in fact for the purposes herein after mentioned, that
is to say Whereas we having served a tour of duty at Petersburg and Lowels (Sowels?) Creek
by the call of the Executive of this state of Virginia, and Whereas we the under signed
have not received any compensation therefor, these are therefore to empower our aforesaid
friend Avent Massey to ask and demand a full compensation for the Term of three months and
six days service agreeable to the Laws and usages of this commonwealth. and we also give
him full and ample authority to use all legal? means for the collection of the same and
Any receipt he our said friend may execute shall be binding obligatory on us our heirs and
assigns !
to all intents and purposes--
In witness of which we have hereunto set our hands and affixed Our seals this fifteenth
day February A.D. 1800 fifteen--
Witness William Dancy?
(signatures and seals of what seems to be 21 men, but some are impossible to read)
John Horton?
Sterling Collir?
Alexander Vincent
Sterling Cato
Handy Bennet
William Bennet his mark
Benjamin Case
John Cox
Pettypool Massey
William Massey
Richard Massey
John Vincent