Note: [illeg] means “illegible” — handwriting is unreadable

[p. 14-15]

Madison June 22nd 1839 Mr. J. L Edwards

Sir,

I send you enclosed a further statement of Andrew Ferguson in regard to his claim for a pension which I am in hopes sufficiently comply with the inquisitions of the Law as to [illeg] him to something for the services he has rendered his country, Ignorant and uneducated as he is and destitute means by which he could recollect any event of the revolution unless it has already occurred in his presence and cut off from the company and society of those from whom from time to time names and dates might have been communicated to him it would be entirely vigorous to require of him the recollections of offices and and the particular periods of each tour and under whom he served. Being a colered man I suppose he was not discharged or changed about as the other militia men were; The wounds he speaks of are to be seen- … The minister Rev Holly and Le [illeg] Maxwell [illeg] Whitcomb can attest are two of the most respectable and truthful person that could have been selected. I sincerely hope that if as you no doubt are, well satisfied that he was a soldier of the revolution and exposed to danger and of service of his country you will allow him a small pittance if it should be but 18 months pay. That would keep him from want the few short years allotted to him (being as unable to [illegible] as heretofore for a support, Please let me know the final determination as soon as [illegible] yours 

Respectfully, John S Watts

[p.25]

Claim for increase of Pension. State of Indiana County of Knox SS 

On this 6th day of November 1844, personally appeared before me, Thomas Bishop associate Judge of said county and state, Andrew Ferguson, a pensioner of the U. States as a revolutionary soldier, who made oath according to law, that his pain and disability occasioned mainly by the wound he received on the head at the battle of Guilford, and that in the leg at the battle of Camden during the revolutionary war, have increased of late, that he most earnestly prays, and from the evidence of his services and sufferings during the war of the revolution, now and hereunto presented to the proper department has just reason to believe himself entitled to an increase of the annual allowance now awarded to him – 

That the said wounds by which he suffers were inflicted upon him by the general enemy, when he was in the actual service and line of his duty as an American soldier in the battles mentioned, and as he served in the army upwards of four years he trusts a review of his case with the annexed evidence, will insure satisfaction.- 

Andrew Ferguson [his mark] X 

Sworn to and subscribed before me, the day and year above mentioned – Thos. Bishop AS Justice