Abstract of Revolutionary War Widow's Pension Application
of Dicey Thomas, Widow of Massey Thomas
1847-1849
Certificate
Council chamber 18th February 1784
I do certify that Massey Thomas is entitled to the proportion of land allowed a Private of the Continental Line who has served three years.
Signed Benjamin Hamason, Thomas Merriwether
A Warrant for 100 acres issued to Massey Thomas 19th February, 1784
S.H. Parker Reg. s. Office
Certificate
Massey Thomas drew a Warrant for 100 acres as a private in the Continental Line for three years. The warrant issued to Thomas himself in Feby. 1784. At this early period no papers containing proof of kinship ... we have the execution ___? only. Signed Willliam W. Parker, Chief Clerk (Register Als___?)
Depositions taken in Ohio Co., Kentucky, 18 May 1847
Deposition of Dicey Thomas
...declares that she is the widow of Massey Thomas who served in the Army of the Revolution as I understand five years he entered the army by enlistment but whether he enlisted more than once I cannot tell at Sixteen years of age in the year 1776 and was appointed to the office of Ensign enlisted under Cornol Bluford [sic] from Culpeper County Virginia was in the battle of Brandywine and several other battles but at present time can't remember where he went to the North with the army took the measles lost his health and was then appointed to drive the medical wagon if I mistake not of Dr. Gregg and drove the wagon somewhere in the state of Maryland he subsequently recovered his health and went to his former post in the army and returned home some time in the year 1781.
I was married to the said Massey Thomas on the third day of June 1783 by Esquire Wallace I believe in Sullivan County North Carolina my name before marriage was Dicey Tolbert but whether by proclamation or banns I know but little my husband died in March 1818. I have a family record and the following is a true copy written by my said husband more than fifty years ago and have been in my possession ever since.
Family Record of Massey Thomas
Massey Thomas was born 23 March 1760
Dicey Thomas was born 24 March 1763
Massey Thomas and Dicey his wife were married the 3
Day June 1783
Rhody [Rhoda] Thomas was born 24 September 1784
James Thomas was born 27 August 1786
Benjamin Thomas was born 20 September 1788
John Thomas was born 29 December 1792
William Thomas was born 12th May 1795
Rhody Gentry can prove that I was the soldier's wife before the first day of January 1794 and Joseph Gentry can prove the death of my husband and I have lived a widow ever since my husbands death he never drew a pension. I guess? I can prove his services at least in part by Robert Render of this County and have lived in this county more than forty five years and have never made application for a pension before my husband once had a discharge but had lost it before we ever thought of getting a pension. She further declares that she was not married to the said Massey Thomas prior to his leaving the army but that the marriage took place previous to the first day of January 1794. Signed, Dicy Thomas
Deposition of Rhoda (Thomas) Gentry
...says that she was acquainted with the aforesaid Massey Thomas and Dicey Thomas previous to the first day of February 1794 when they were then living together as man and wife and continued to do so until the death of the said Massey Thomas. Signed, Rhoda Gentry, Her Mark.
Deposition of Joseph Gentry
...says that he became acquainted with the aforesaid Massey Thomas and Dicy Thomas about fifty years ago was acquainted with him until the day of his death which occurred on the 23rd of March 1818. I know they had a family record and the foregoing copy is correct as far back as I became acquainted with it have also heard him say that he was in the Revolution ___? ___? and that he served at least five years. Signed, Joseph Gentry, His Mark.
Deposition of William Thomas
.........I have been acquainted with the aforesaid family record for almost forty years ago they then had it in their possession it was written in the hand of the aforesaid Massey Thomas and the foregoing is a trew copy to the best of my judgement. Massey Thomas said he was at the taking of Cornwallis in 1781. Signed, William Thomas
Deposition of Robert Render
...that he became acquainted with the aforesaid Massey Thomas shortly after he returned from the Army of the Revolution I think he enlisted under Abraham Bleuford ([sic] then Captain subsequently Cornal Blueford. have heard him say that after his return from the regular services he took office as a substitute of Samuel Plunking? Picken? of Culpeper county Va..........
Deposition of William Tang
....that he became acquainted with the above named Massey Thomas in the time of the revolutionary war but being engaged in another part of the army I am not able to say who he served under as officers neither can I say whether he was an officer or a private soldier I believe he enlisted in 1776 I saw him in the winter of >77 or >78 in port tobacco? in the state of Maryland he was then driving Doctor Greggs medicine waggon. Doctor Gregg was one of General Washington's medical gentlemen..............
Deposition of Dicey Thomas taken in Ohio County,
Kentucky 5th April 1848
...depose and say that she is the widow of Massey Thomas as set forth in her declaration to obtain a pension.......that after her husband had served out the term of his enlistment, he went home to Culpeper County Virginia to see his relations and served several tours in the Militia of Virginia as a substitute for persons who had been drafted. That she is satisfied that her husband served at some period of his military services under Col. Buford that she is not able to state whether he so served under him in the Militia or as a regular soldier her said husband was of rather dark complexion about five feet and two inches in height his eyes were black his hair dark and he was by trade a farmer and was a resident of Culpeper County Virginia prior to his enlistment ...... Signed, Dicey Thomas
Deposition of George Render taken in Ohio County, Kentucky 11 July 1848
....says that he is a minister of the gospel and is about 75 years of age and that he was intimately acquainted with Massey Thomas in Virginia and in Kentucky until his death the said Massey Thomas was a member of the Baptist Church and was known as a man of truth and good ______? and that he is also well acquainted with Dicey Thomas the widow of Massey Thomas and that he knew them as husband and wife in the year 1797 in the State of Kentucky, Ruff Creek, Ohio County...... deponent resided in the same neighborhood in Virginia with said Thomas, he recollects well of hearing that Massey Thomas had enlisted in the army and also perfectly recollects that it was afterwards said that the said Thomas was in the army and the deponent further states that after the close of the war ___? it was said that said Massey Thomas returned home from the army and he was gladly received by his friends and relatives and further this deponent sayeth not. Signed, George Render
Letter from Pension Office August 12th 1848
Sir,
I have the honor to inform you that the additional evidence transmitted by you in the case of Dicy Thomas, widow of Massey Thomas, has been received and filed with her other papers.
The name of claimant's husband is borne upon the rolls of Capt. Gillson's Company of the 6th Virginia Regiment as having enlisted for twelve months which is sufficient to establish his service for that period. But, the evidence now before the Department does not establish the date of their marriage with the certainty required. The witnesses who have testified on this point refer to no fact associated with the marriage of these parties by which they have been enabled to retain the date thereof to this late period.
Letter from Clerk of Court, Sullivan County, Tennessee, in response to request for proof of marriage (undated)
In answer to your letter of 11 June I have to say that the only proof of Marriage that could exist in my office according to our laws is the Marriage License Bond and I have examined the Bonds on file in my office for the Bond of Massey and Dicey Thomas and have not been able to find such bond. [Sullivan Co., TN was formed from Washington District, NC, in 1799.]
Depositions taken in Ohio County, Kentucky, 4th October 1848
Deposition of Robert Render
......The deponent says that he knew Massey and his wife Dicey Thomas in the year 1799, that he was at the house of Massey Thomas in the County of Ohio State of Ky in the section of Rough Creek and the witness state of his own knowledge that Massey Thomas and his wife Dicey Thomas then had children then in the year 1799 who at that time was 13 or 14 years old ........... Signed, Robert Render
Deposition of James Baird
....says that I became acquainted with Massey Thomas in the year 1796 -- the said Thomas came to Hartford in company with a Mr. Benjamin Tolbert a Baptist Preacher. They said their purpose was to look at this County, and the next year or the second year after Mr. Thomas and Mr. Tolbert moved to highlandoo?, then Hardin County now Ohio County and shortly after Mr. Thomas came to the county I was at his house and saw his Family, the oldest children from their size I would judge to be 10 or 12 years of age as seen? from that time till the death of Mr. Thomas he and his wife Dicey was reputed as man and wife -- and that Dicey Thomas the widow of Massey Thomas is now living in Ohio county with her Son in law Joseph Gentry and that Massey Thomas from the time I became acquainted with him, was reputed a Revolutionary Soldier and a Sergeant in the Service -- The reason why I recollect the time above stated is that in 1796 my Father moved to Hartford and a short time after Mr. Thomas and Mr. Tolbert came to his house and I in Company with others went and showed them Land. Signed James Baird
Letter to Pension Office Feb. 27 /49
Dear Sir:
Dicey Thomas, widow of Massey Thomas represents that a number of years ago [actually 2] she applied for a pension under the act of 7th July 1838 and that subsequent thereto that she had a family register which was furnished with the other proofs that she also filed the certificate of the Clerk of the Court of Sullivan County North Carolina [Tennessee] stating? that his office affords no proof of her marriage -- that she also filed the depositions of numerous persons which fully establish her marriage prior to 1794 -- the requirements and I in her behalf ___? that her claim may be allowed ........ Signed L. Breese(?)
Deposition of Joseph Gentry taken in Ohio County, Kentucky, 9th June, 1849
says that the attached family record of Massey Thomas and Dicey Thomas is a true copy so far as his information serves and was written by Benjamin Thomas their third child in the year 1818 that is thirty one years ago and has been in his possession from that date to the present time he further states on his oath that his wife is the oldest daughter of the said Massey and dicey Thomas and the said Dicey Thomas is still living..... Signed, Joseph Gentry
Joseph
& Rhoda Gentry's
Family Record (written
for them by Benjamin Thomas)
An
Age Book, Benjamin Thomas, His hand and ___?
Massey
Thomas was born March the 23 Day AD 1760
Dicey
Thomas was born March the 24 Day AD 1763
Massey
Thomas and Dicey his wife was Married June the 3 Day AD 1783
Rhoda
Thomas was born September the 24 Day AD 1784
James
Thomas was born August the 27 Day AD 1786
Benjamin
Thomas was born September the 20 Day AD 1788
John
Thomas was Born December the 29 Day AD 1792
William
Thomas was born May the 12 Day AD 1795
Massey
Gentry was born December the 4 Day AD 1801
Samuel
Gentry was born February the 1 day AD 1804
Dicey
Gentry was born May the 31 Day AD 1806
Sally
Gentry was born November the 1 Day AD 1808
James
Gentry was born March the 12 Day AD 1811
Benjamin
Gentry Was born March the 7 Day AD 1813
B Thos his hd
Deposition of James Thomas taken in Lewis County, Missouri 11th June 1849
...the within enclosed Family Register containing a record of his birth and marriage together with those of his children was written by himself -- his own birth therein recorded being transcribed from the Family Register of his Father and the other events therein mentioned down to the birth of John Valentine Lewis a grandson of affiant? when the same respectively occurred in an old family Bible from which they were transcribed onto the enclosed record about the year 1830 because of deponents having at that time procured another Bible out of which the enclosed record is taken since which time he has used the within as his Family Register recording the events therein mentioned as they respectively occurred. That said record has been in his keeping ever since it was written. This affiant? further says that he is a son of Massey Thomas and Dicey Thomas and that he believes that the enclosed record is true in every particular.... Signed, James Thomas
Family Register of James Thomas
James
Thomas was born August the 27th day in the year of our Lord 1786
Dicey
Thomas was born Saturday the 25th day of March in the year of our
Lord 1810
Mary
Thomas was born Thursday 18th day of March in the year of our Lord
1811
Massey
Thomas was born Wednesday 27th day of January in the year of our
Lord 1813
Lucinday
Thomas was born Tuesday the 7th day of March in the year of our Lord
1815
Eliza
Thomas was born November the 15th on Tuesday in the year of our Lord
1816
Emely
Thomas was born Monday the 15 th day of June in the year of our Lord 1818
Rhoda
Thomas was born Thursday the 11th day of March in the year of your
Lord 183=20
Margaret
Tolbert Thomas was born August the 9th Day in the year of our Lord
1822 on Tuesday
Eleanor
Thomas was born Wednesday the 1st day of october in the year of our
Lord 1823
Benjamin
Tolbert Thomas was born Thursday the 1 day of December in the year of our Lord
1825
Julianne
Thomas was born Wednesday the 14 day of May in the year of our Lord 1828
Dicey
Thomas was Married to Vallentine S. Lewis Sunday the 3rd day of
January in the year of our Lord 1830
Lucinday
Thomas deceased the 5th day of December in the year of our Lord 1830
Vallentine
S. Lewis deseaced the 18 day of January in the year of our Lord 1831
John
VallentineLewis was born Wednesday the 8th September in the year of
our Lord 1830
James
William Thomas was born Monday the 7th day of November in the year
of our Lord 1831
Mary
Thomas was married to William Longmire March the 7th day 1833
Walter
Franklin Thomas was born Monday the 22 day of February in the year of our Lord
1836
Granville Hurley Thomas was born Tuesday the 22nd day of May in he year of our Lord 1838
William
Thomas Bible
William
Thomas and Sallie Thomas his wife were married on the 18th of
November in the year of our Lord 1824
Corinna
Thomas was born the 5th day of August in he year of our Lord 1825
Amanda
Thomas was born th 14th day of June in he year of our Lord1827
Martha
Thomas was born the 4th day of April in the year of our Lord1829
Adelia
Thomas was born the 19th day of May in the year of our Lord 1830
James
Thomas was born the 7th day of November 1831 and died the 24th
day of December 1831
William
Thomas was born the 19th day of November in the year of our Lord
1832
Christopher
Thomas was born the 13th day of August in the year of our Lord 1834
Elizabeth
& Mary Thomas was born the 22nd day of March in the year of our
Lord 1836
Benjamin
Massey Thomas was born the 8th day of July in the year of our Lord
1838
Dicey
Catharine Thomas was born on the 15th day of December in the year of
our Lord 1840
Sally
Ann Thomas was born 21st day of May AD 1843
Atella Thomas was born the 23rd day of June AD 1645
Pension awarded
Dicey Thomas was awarded a pension in the amount of $40 per year; Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of July, 1849. This was subsequently corrected to the amount of $80 per year since Massey had served not just one year, but 3 or more; Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of October, 1849.
Letter from Isabel Denman, Petaluma, June 17, 1896
To the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
I wish to obtain proof that my great grandfather was a Soldier of the revolution in order that I may join the Society of the Daughters of the Revolution.
His name was Massey Thomas he enlisted in Kentucky and his widow Dicey Thomas drew a pension until her death about the year 1851 or 1852.
I will be very thankful for any information you can give me and if this is not the proper office to address will you please inform me to whom I shall write.
Hoping to hear from you soon
I am Yours Respectfully
Signed Mrs. Isabel Denman
Response to Isabel Denman from Bureau of Pensions June 30, 1896
Madam:
Replying to your request for information concerning the military record of Massey Thomas, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you are advised that Dicy Thomas, widow of Massey Thomas, made application for pension on May 12, 1847, at which time she was residing in Ohio county, Ky., and 84 years of age, and her pension was allowed for the actual service of her husband as a private in the Virginia troops, Revolutionary War, for a period of two [sic] years; a part of the time he served under Col. Buford. He enlisted from Culpeper C
ounty, Va.
Very Respectfully,
Commissioner [no signature visible on copy]
Mrs. Isabel Denman
Petaluma, Cala.