State of North Carolina

Anson County

On this 25^th day of December 1845 personally appeared before me ?? Hubbard one of the acting Justice of the Peace for said county, Elizabeth Massey a resident of North Carolina in the county aforesaid aged 85 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 July 7th 1838 and act 25 August 1842 granting her pay and pensions to certain widows. That she is the widow of Elias Massey, who was a private in the North Carolina Militia in the Revolutionary War and from his narrative of his service rendered to the United States during the War of the Revolution he served five tours of duty of three months each. I have heard him speak oft times of his ups & downs in the war. And of the great sufference? he (?endured). That he was in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse under General Greene and of the circumstance of the little Soldier in the time of the Battle who was in the rear? & seized? my husbands? ? and that he looked around?? and told the little soldier not to shoot him. That I have heard him speak of General Lin? and other officers but the lapse of time and loss of memory deprive me of making any further statement relative to battle names or officers. That Robert Webb Esq of Richmond County took five of my husbands discharges in his ? many years ago in order to ? a pension for him in his life time but Mr. Webb shortly afterward died and we moved from Richmond and Mr Massey not long afterward died and I never knew what ? with the discharge. Nothing more was done until about three years ago a man undertook to ? a pension for me and I have never seen? him since. That she is not on the pension roll and is willing to accept of the such? pension as the government will allow.

She further declares ? that she was married to the said Elias Massey in the month of August after Peace was made (in Halifax or Northampton by Col Gee, a magistrate at Thomas Glovers). That her husband Elias Massey died October the 12^th 1827. That she was married to him before January 1^st 1794 to ? at the time above stated. She ? to say that my first name was Elizabeth Gatewood and that I also born in Northampton in Halifax County at the age of two years old my father moved to Anson County in this state. When I became to be grown I went on a visit back to Northampton in Halifax County where Mr. Massey lived. He had not long returned out of the Service before we were married. In two or three years we moved back to Anson where my father then lived. In a short time Mr. Massey moved over Peedee River in Richmond County then to Anson County again after many years we moved to Mecklenburg County in this state. I now reside in Anson County. I have had fifteen children by Mr. Massey. Our oldest if was living would be I think 60 years of age & my youngest has been grown & married twice many years ago. The first family bible kept by us of our children ages has long since been destroyed having our house burnt and every thing we had accept the clothes we had on and cannot by reason of bodily infirmity attend at the courthouse. Sworn to and subscribed before me M. Hubbard, Jr. Elizabeth Massey (her mark)

This may certify that I believe Elizabeth Massey who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration to be 85 years of age and cannot by reason of bodily infirmity attend the court house and is the lawful widow of Elias Massey & not married since his death and that her statement to credit as she is an old lady of will known ? I do further certify that I have often heard my father & Mr. Massey talk about the war and the Revolution of the very circumstance about the little Soldier in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse that Mr. Massey has mentioned & other Battles & this service given under me how the day and date? above mentioned December 25t^h AD 1845. M. Hubbard JP

---------------------------------------------End of document------------------------------------------

State of North Carolina

Anson County

On this 11^th day of July AD. 1856 personally appeared before me Hugh A. Crawford a magistrate duly authorized to administer ?. ? and for the County and State aforesaid, Mrs. Elizabeth Massey aged about ninety-five years a resident of Anson County in the State aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law declares that she is the widow of Elias Massey who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War North Carolina Militia in Gen. Greene's army. He was in the Battle at Guildford Courthouse under Gen. Greene as I have heard him say in the Battle Mr. Massey led a little Soldier who stood behind him ? and he looked round and told the little Soldier not to shoot him. He ? ? husband was in other Battles in South Carolina but the lapse of time and loss of memory deprives me of making any firm statements of names and places?. Robert Webb, Esq took five of my husband's discharges many years ago to procure an allowance for him. But soon after Mr. Webb died and the papers cannot be found and Mr. Massey died and nothing more done. She further declares her first name was Elizabeth Gatewood and that she was married to said Elias Massey in Halifax County in said State by Col. Gee? a magistrate in August after Peace was made and that her husband the aforesaid Mr. Elias Massey died on or about the 12^th day of October AD 1827. She believes he served fifteen months for whose service she claims bounty land under the act granting additional bounty land to certain officers & soldiers who have been engaged in the military service of the United State. ? March the 3^rd 1835. She also declares that she has never received a Land warrant nor made application under any act of Congress. She further desires to say she made application for a Pension some eighteen years ago but was rejected. Though proof of service was sent to Commissioner of Pensions from Comptroller office at Raleigh NC in further support her claim she refers to this paper now on file at Washington City made for pension in support of her present claim for Land Bounty. That she is now a widow and has ever been since her husbands death and no ? exist of our marriage or efforts has already been made old documents having been destroyed. To the best of her knowledge except such proof as has been filed. Eight or ten years ago for Pension. Has had fifteen children by Mr. Massey all dead but two of the oldest was living would be nearly seventy year old. ??? of Washington City is authorized to ? this or any other claim. ??? Elizabeth Massey (her mark)

We Sherwood Rushing and Elijah Rushing residents of Anson County State of North Carolina upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by Elizabeth Massey in our prescense. And that we believe from the appearance on statement of the application that she is the identical person she represents herself to be and that we have no interest in the claim. Am not ? in its ? Sherwood Rushing Elijah Rushing

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before ? the day and year above written and I certify that I know the ? to be credible person and that the claimant is the identical person she represent herself to be and that I have no interest in this claim and am not ? in its prosecution?

H. A. Crawford JP

---------------------------------------------end of document------------------------------------------

State of North Carolina

Union County

Be it known that before me ? ?? Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid duly authorized by law ? administer oaths personally appeared Sarah Farmer and made oath that she is the daughter and only heir of Elizabeth Massey the identical person who was a pensioner and is now dead and to whom a Certificate of Pension was issued. And that the Pension Certificate of said pensioner has been lost and after due search and inquiry therefore it cannot be found. That the following is a copy of the original Pension Certificate. Viz

Department of the Interior

Widows Pension

I certify that in conformity with the Act of February 2, 1821, Elizabeth Massey widow of Elias Massey who was a private in the Revolutionary War is inscribed on the Pension List at the ? commencing on the 4^th March 1818 and continuing for life ???????

That the deceased pensioner died (?) in the District of Lancaster and State of South Carolina ???? 12^th day of October 1864 in which said District. She had resided for the space of some eight years next proceeding her death. That the said pensioner had not at the time of her death ? married but continued the Widow of the above mentioned Elias Massey and that neither she nor their affidavit was some ? against the government of the United States or in any manner encouraged the Rebels or manifested a sympathy with their cause and that the said provision was last paid her pension according to the last information and belief of affidavit to the 11^th day of March AD One thousand eight hundred and sixty.

That official is now said has been for the past two months a resident of Union County North Carolina previous to which time for ? years she was a resident of Lancaster District South Carolina. Her address is ? Union County N. Carolina

Sworn & subscribed

Before me 10 day January 1867 Sarah Farmer (her mark)

E. W. Richar?

Also personally appeared Samuel W. Hasgett and Doncilles Hasgott ? of the County of Union and State of North Carolina ? to me well known and whom I certify to be loyal respectable citizens ? to credit and who being by me duly sworn say they were present and saw the above named Sarah Farmer sign her name to the foregoing declaration. That the above named Elizabeth Massey was well known to them in the district of Lancaster aforesaid of which at the time of her death she was and had been for

---------------------------------------------end of document------------------------------------------

Madam:

In response to your letter dated the twentieth ultimo, you are advised that in the papers in claim W. File No. 5,32

8, Rev. War, it is stated that Elias Massey was born, raised and enlisted in Halifax County, North Carolina, and served five tours of three months each as a Private in the North Carolina Militia, under Captains Sharp and Eaves (or Reeves), and was in the battles of Guilford, Camden, Ninety-Six and Kutaw Springs.

The date of enlistment and discharge are not stated.

Elias Massey married in Halifax County, North Carolina, in the month of August, after Peace was made, Elizabeth Gatewood who was born in Northampton or Halifax County.

He dies October 12, 1827, and she was allowed pension for his services on her application executed December 25, 1845, while a resident of Anson County, North Carolina, aged eighty-five years of age.

They had fifteen children, of whom the last nine are the only ones whose names are stated, Viz.

7. Charlotte, born January 27, 1793.

8. John " January 12, 1795.

9. Delilah " June 9, 1797.

10. Elias " August 19, 1799.

11. Prudence " April 27, 1800.

12. Sarah " April 19, 1801.

13. Temperance " September 2, 1803.

14. Bery " April 18, 1805.

15. James " April 18, 1807.

Elizabeth Massey died October 10, 1864 while residing in Lancaster District, South Carolina, with her daughter Sarah Farmer, who was made her sole heir in 1867, and a resident of Union County, North Carolina.

Very respectfully,

E. C. Tieman

Acting Commissioner.

---------------------------------------------end of document------------------------------------------