Revolutionary War Pension File
This record is at the National Archives.
Its file designation is Holyfield, Valentine:  W19822

State of North Carolina Surry County
On this 6th day of May 1841 personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the peace for the county aforesaid, Susanna Holyfield a resident of said County, aged about eighty five, who after being 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 the 4th day of July 1836 and the Act explanatery of ____ ?  passed March 3rd 1837 was married to Volentine Holyfield, and that he served several tours of duty in the revolutionary war.  One tour of duty under Capt. William Meredeth of about six months; another under William Underwood some two or three months as well as I recollect.  His service under Merideth was I think in 1780.  He also was called out to guard the General Assembly while in session about as well as I recollect three months.  He was frequently called out at other times during the war but when he went, under whose Command, and how long I am unable to say:  She further declares she was married to the said Volentine Holyfield in the year 1774.  That her husband the aforesaid Volentine Holyfield died on the 8th day of March 1820.  And that she has remained a widow ever since his death as will more fuly[sic] appear[?] by reference is the proof hereto annexed.  She further states she was married in Wake County N Carolina one hundred and fifty miles from her present residence, by Regnal[sp?] Jones, the manner of marriage was then by publishing and if any record was kept I know it not.  Sworn to and subscribed before me                                                                                                     her
       Wm P Dobson, J.P.                                                       Susanna  X  Holyfield
                                                                                                         mark
N Carolina Surry County
May 6th 1841 this day Susanna Holyfield appeared before me and being duly sworn according to  law sayeth she intermarried with Volentine Holyfield in 1774 and had the following children Mary born in 1776.  William in 1778.  Ralph in 1780.  Volentine in 1782.  Daniel 1784.  Susanna 1786.  Jemima in 1788.  Watson in 1791. Nelly in 1793. Elizabeth in 1796. and  John in 1798 all which are living except Mary, Volentine & Daniel.   Sworn and subscribed before me.
CORRECTION!                                                                                            her
                                            Susanna  X  Holyfield
                                                                                                  mark
Wm. P. Dobson, J.P.

I certify that Susanna Holyfield is quite helpless now in bed and unable to rise without help entirely unable to attend Court.
                                                                                             Wm P. Dobson, J.P.
________________

State of North Carolina, Surry County
On this 18th day of September AD 1855 personally appeared before me, an acting justice of the peace within and for the County of Surry and State aforesaid, Elizabeth Wood aged 70 years and John H Dobson aged [left blank] years, residents of the County aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law declare that they were personally acquainted with Susanah Holyfield and that Ralph Holyfield, Watson Holyfield, John Holyfield, Nelly Holyfield, Jemima Kyle and Elizabeth Reid wife of James Reid are all, and the only surviving children of the said Susanah Holyfield.  And that the said Susanah Holyfield was the wife of Valentine Holyfield a Revolutionary Soldier, and that she died in the County aforesaid on the 3rd day of March AD 1844.
                                                                                           her
                                                                            Elizabeth   X    Wood
                                                                                          mark
                                                                            J. H. Dobson

        Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first above written and I hereby certify that the above sworn Elizabeth Wood and John H Dobson are both credable witnesses.
                                                   M. H. Folgers [not sure of this signature]   J.P.
________________

[The handwriting in this letter is very difficult to read.  So this is my interpretation from what I can read and have learned from the other pages. I think this is a letter written from Rockford Township, Surry County, North Carolina in 1855 by H. Holyfield.  He seemed to be trying to make a claim for money owed to Susannah  for a pension on her husband Valentine's service. I think he talks of enclosing proof of Susannah's death and that he would have to get proof of Valentine's service in Fayetteville, N.C.  According to another document in the packet,  the money was sent to H. Holyfield in Rockford Twp., Surry County , NC at the rate of $32.56 per year to cover the time period of March 4, 1831 to March 4, 1844. A Certificate of Pension was issued 9 October 1855 and was sent to H. Holyfield.]

Notes:
[There was a Hardin Holifield living in Surry County NC in 1850. He was age 34. His wife was
Palina[sp?] age 35. Could he be the H. Holyfield who wrote the above letter?  Was he the
grandson of Valentine and Susannah?  Who were his parents?]
____________

The 1790 Census for the Salisbury District of Surry County NC lists
Valentine Holyfield
1   Free white males 16 and upward
2   Free white males under 16
4   Free white females
0   All other free persons
0   Slaves
___________

The Nuncupative Will of Valentine Holderfield [ The Holderfield spelling is on the outer cover of this document.] May ten[?] 1820  Recorder Examined
Will Book 3  Page 145
North Carolina Surry County
March the tenth 1820
A memorandom of the last will, wish and desire of Vanlantine[sic] Holifield deceased.
Which is that I give and bequeath all my Lands Estate and Moveable property to Susanah Holifield my wife, during her life.
Tested by
         her
Nelly  X  Holifield
        mark

        his
Wm  X  Watson
      mark

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