Cheshire - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Washington Daniel Cheshire of NC

Randsay — 20 Jun 2008 10:24:48 GMT

I am descended from Washington Daniel Cheshire. Not necessarily looking for any help with the line right at the moment, but thought I would throw this out there in case there was anyone else working on that line that wanted to exchange information.

Cheshire Family

mstewart134 — 18 Jan 2008 8:43:20 GMT

Looking for info on Cheshire Brewrey in England the motto was "Drink Cheshire's Ale and never look pale" believed to have been owned by a William and Mary Cheshire of Lichfield, Staffordshire, England.
M. Stewart, Gladstone, Queensland, Australia

Help wanted: Cheshire surname in Scotland

chesh — 7 Apr 2004 1:15:10 GMT

im the only cheshire i know in scotland and was curious to find any other cheshire maybe even family members as in two sisters i ve never see and a unknown father.

Thornton Cheshire m. Jemima (Miney) Gibson, March, 1808 in Grainger County, TN, USA

blpthr — 8 Apr 2004 4:35:37 GMT

Thornton Cheshire married Jemima (Miney) Gibson on March 8, 1808 in Grainger County, TN. I would like to know the names of their children. Thank you for your help.

Nicolle Elster

Seeking CHESHIRE and variants DNA Candidates

pickinguptwigs — 27 Aug 2007 3:18:54 GMT

If anyone has DNA test results to share of CHESHIRE, CHESHER, CHESSOR, etc......

I am interested. More than interested. Tired of burnt records in Virginia and brickwalls.

I want to compare DNA with other researchers, especially with those with Tennyson/Tennison males in their lines.

Are you interested?

Jeanne Chesher Johnson

George W. CHESHIRE buys land from W. P. and Mary E. COLE, 1856, Prince William Co, VA

CindyMcC — 21 Jul 2007 8:42:59 GMT

GEORGE W. CHESHIRE BUYS LAND FROM W.P. COLE 1856
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA

This deed made and entered into the 30th day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty six between W.P. Cole and Mary E. Cole his wife of the first part and GEORGE W. CHESHIRE of the second part all of the County of Prince William State of Virginia. Witnessed that for and in consideration of the same of three hundred dollars seventy five dollars in hand paid and the remainder secured to them by the said GEORGE W. CHESHIRE the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged they the said W.P. Cole and Mary E. Cole his wife doth grant sell and confirm unto the said G.W. CHESHIRE a certain tract of land lying and being in the aforesaid County being part of the same land that was allotted to him from his fathers estate. Known as a part of the Tancell trust suppost to be from 49 to 50 acres more or less. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this above date.
W.P. Cole
Mary E. Cole

Prince William County to wit:
We S. Lynn and John C. Weedon Justices of the Peace of the county aforesaid in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that W.P. Cole a party to a certain deed bearing date the 30th day October 1856 and has to annexed personally come before us in our County aforesaid and acknowledged the same to be his act and desire to certify the same to the clerk of the county court of Prince William in order that the said deed may be recorded. Given under our hands and seals this 30th day of October 1856.
S. Lynn
John C. Weedon

SOURCE: Land Deed Bk 24, Page 353, Prince William County, Va.

Deed of George W. Cheshire to Henry E. Carter, Prince William Co, VA, 1869

CindyMcC — 17 Jul 2007 7:46:05 GMT

GEORGE W. CHESHIRE GRANTS PROPERTY TO HENRY E. CARTER 1869
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA

This deed made this 15th day of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty nine between George W. Cheshire of the County of Prince William of the one part and Henry E. Carter trustee of the said County of the other part. Witnesseth that the said George W. Cheshire doth grant unto the said Henry E. Carter the following property to wit: two feather beds, bedsteads, one bureau, one tin clock, one small wagon, two sets of harness, thirty barrels of corn and the tract of land where the said George W. Cheshire now lives containing forty acres and bounded on the east by the Landen Dowell ____ by the land of William Carter and south of Quantico Run. The trust to secure to James W. Cheshire of the town of Alexandria the payment of the sum of one bond or note bearing date on the first day of July 1859 and for the sum of six hundred dollars and payable on the ___ of December 1859. And is rented by the said George W. Cheshire and payable to the said James W. Cheshire, in the event of a default in the payment of the said bond or note in whole in part at the time it falls due sale may be made. And covenant and agreed between the parties aforesaid in the case of sale the same shall be made after first advertising the time piece and terms thereof for 30 days or for four weeks in a cocil newspaper if there be one in said county aforesaid and in or on the following terms to wit for cash as much as to so much of the proceeds as may be necessary to defray the expenses of executing this trust the fee and for drawing and recording deed if then unpaid and to discharge the amount of principal and interest then payable on said bond or and if there be any residue of said purchase money they shall be made payable to such time and be secured in such manner is the said George W. Cheshire his executors administrators or assigns shall direct or in case of his heirs failing to give such directions at such time and such manner to give such directions at such time and such manner as the said Henry E. Carter may hold the same until the lawfully ordered to dispose of the same the said George W. Cheshire covenants to pay all taxes and payments dues and charges upon the said property herein conveyed so long as he or his heirs assigns shall hold the same. As witness our hands and seals this 15 day of November 1859.
GEORGE W. CHESHIRE
HENRY E. CARTER

Prince William County to wit.
I John C. Weedon justice of the peace for the county aforesaid in the State of Virginia do certify that George W. Cheshire whose name is signed to the writing hereto annexed the same before me in my county aforesaid. Given under my hand this 18th day of November 1859.
John C. Weedon J.P.
In the clerks office of Prince William County Court November 30th 1859. This deed of George W. Cheshire to Carter with a certificate annexed was received and admitted to record.
Teste Lipscomb Clerk

SOURCE: Land Deed Book 25, Pages 126 and 127, Prince William County, Va.

Premarriage Contract of William A. Simons, Ellen Cheshire, and Susan Cheshire, 1851, Prince William Co, VA

CindyMcC — 2 Jul 2007 12:53:45 GMT

ELLEN CHESHIRE, SUSAN CHESHIRE USE PREMARRIAGE CONTRACT 1851
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA

This indenture made and entered into this 11th day of September 1851 between William A. Simons of the first part Ellen Cheshire of the second part and Susan Cheshire of the 3rd part. Whereas a marriage is intended shortly to be held and solemnized between the said William A. Simons and Susan Cheshire whereas the said Susan Cheshire is possessed of one under ____ of a tract of land containing about forty acres adjoining the land of George ____ and others also 2 cows and calves and one feather bedstead and for interest, 12 chairs, 1 folding leaf table, 2 tea kettle, 1 skillet, 1 oven, 1 doz plates, 1 oyster dish, ½ dozen tea cups, 7 saucers, ¼ dozen candles, 2 pitchers, 1 shovel, 1 set of low geas, one ax, 3 bowels, 2 glass dishes, 2 salt collers, 1 pepper cador, 1 water bucket, 1 washing tub, 1 silver watch, 1 shovel, 1 plow, 2 bead hoes, 2 hogs, 3 cooking grafes and some other property and it hath bargain between the said Wm A. Simons and the said Susan Cheshire that the property of which she is now possessed shall be subject to her control and that she shall enjoy and control the same and the property there of in the same manage as if she was single and unmarried of with standing her coverture and that the same shall not be liable for the debts contracted or engagements of the said William A. Simons. Now then this indenture witnesseth that and for and in consideration of the premises and also of the further sum of one dollar in hand paid by Ellen Cheshire to the said Susan Cheshire at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is here by acknowledged she the said Susan Cheshire hath bargained sold and conveyed by these presents doth bargain sell and convey to the said Ellen Cheshire all the aforesaid property and all other property of which she is now possessed or may have after become possessed whether real personal or mixed. To have and to hold the said property to her the said Ellen Cheshire upon trust of the following intents and purposes to wit. That the said Ellen Cheshire shall hold the said property in trust for the said Susan Cheshire until the solomization of said intended marriage and then that the said Ellen Cheshire shall permit the said Susan Cheshire to take receive and enjoy the said property and the _____ there in the same manner as she were single and unmarried and in the event of the said Susan Cheshire outliving the said William A. Simons then this trust is to cease and determine and the property is to remain with the said Susan Cheshire as it was before the said marriage. But if the said Susan Cheshire should die before the said William A. Simons then the said property should pass to her issue or such part thereof as may in use or policy of and in the event of her leaving no issue then to such person or persons as she shall designate by her last will and testament. In testimony whereof the parties hereto have set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.
SUSAN CHESHIRE
WILLIAM A. SIMONS

In the clerks office of Prince William County court September 11, 1851. The marriage contract from Cheshire to Cheshire was acknowledged by Susan Cheshire and William A. Simons and admitted to record.
Teste J. Williams Clerk
SOURCE: Land Deeds Book 21, Pages 365-366, Prince William County, Va.

Sarah Cheshire Indentured by 1753, York Co, PA

CindyMcC — 28 Jun 2007 12:41:36 GMT

Sarah Cheshire
Female
Indentured by 1753
York Co, PA

Source Citations: Melissa A. Roe, “Differential Tolerances and Accepted Punishments for Disobedient Indentured Servants and Their Masters in Colonial Courts” (unpub. honors thesis, Lafayette College, 1996), 60.

Source: immigrantservants.com

William Cheshire Indentured by 1662, York Co, VA

CindyMcC — 28 Jun 2007 12:40:57 GMT

William Cheshire (Cheshyre)
Male
Indentured by 1662
York Co, VA

Research Notes
Source Citations: Benjamin B. Weisiger, York County, Virginia Records 1659-1662 (n.p.: n.p., 1989), 114-115, quoting York County Wills, Deeds, and Orders 1657-1659, 149.

Source: immigrantservants.com

Cheshire deed, Norfolk, Virginia

CindyMcC — 14 May 2007 9:57:19 GMT

I hereby certify that I was well and intemutaly acquainted with William H. Cheshire and Sarah his wife who was Sarah Thomas and that they are both since dead leaving five children viz, William H. C. Cheshire, Sarah T. B. Oliver, Margaret R. Cheshire, Thomas Cheshire and George M. Cheshire and that they are the only heirs at law now living of the said Wm. H. Cheshire and Sarah his lawful wife. In witness my hand and seal this the 30th day of March 1848.

Eliza Werekmuller
State of Virginia Norfolk City to wit

This day personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in and for the said city Eliza Werekmuller and made oath to the truth of the above statement . I hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the named Eliza Werekmuller and that she is a woman worthy of full faith and credit given under my hand and seal this 30th day of March 1848.

J. Hartshorn J. P. (seal)

Cheshire Petition, County of Prince William, Virginia

CindyMcC — 11 May 2007 11:45:32 GMT

To the Governor of Virginia

Your petitioners residents of the County of Prince William are the only children of John Cheshire who died in thei County during the war of the Revolution and when we were infants we have always understood that the said John Cheshire (our father) served in the navy of this state as a Lieutenant during the war of the Revolution and that he was entitled to Bounty in Land for his services but that he died before he could or did receive his grants in land for his said services leaving his family in powerty. He died with or leaving a will and we are the only surviving heirs and respectfully ask of our Excellency to take our case into your consideration and if you find our father by his services in the said navy entitled himself to the Bounty in Land due to Lieutenants of the said Navy, we only ask to be allowed the quantity of Land due to him. We are your Excellency's obedient servants.

Jane Hayney
Cloe Cheshire

Prince William County to wit

This day Jane Hayne and Cloe Cheshire personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in the County aforesaid and made oath that the facts stated in the foregoing memorial are true so far as they have always understood and verily believe. Given under my hand and seal 6th March 1838.

Thos. Nelson, J.P.

Virginia, Fauquier County, to wit

This day James Green of this County personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in said County and made oath that he was well acquainted with a John Cheshire in the Virginia State Navy from the fall of 1777 until the spring of the year 1780. That the said Cheshire was a master in the service when he (Green) first knew him (Cheshire) and that said Cheshire was commissioned a Leiutenant in the winter of 1778-9 and in that capacity rendered service untill the spring of the year 1780. He Green further states on oath that he thinks said Cheshire entered the service as a master in the fall of the year 1775, and that he lived in Prince William County Virginia. That he settled there previous to the war of the said Revolution and after leaving the Navy lived there until his death. He furtherstates that he was himself a midshipman in the Navy aforesaid and witnessed what he has stated above. Given under my hand and seal this 9th day March 1838. I consider the said Green's evidence entitled to full confidence.

Unit Rasin (seal)

(Endorsation on papers in this claim)

Bounty land is allowed in this case for a service of three years as a Lieut. in the State Navy.

D. Campbell

3rd April 1838

Executive Department
Richmond June 13th 1856

I hereby certify that the foregoing petition of Jane Hayne and Cloe Cheshire, together with the certificate of Thos. Nelson J.P. the affidavit of James Green, and the Executive allowance are true copies of papers on file in this Department.

George W. Mumford, Secy of the Comth.

Source: Land Bounty Case of John Cheshire as found at the National Archives

Defense of John CHESHIRE's Character, Washington City, 1854

CindyMcC — 2 May 2007 11:20:24 GMT

Potomac House, Washington City, 5th Feb. 1854

Commission Genl Land Office

Sir:

In the year 1838 there was three bounty land warrants filed in your office in the names of Jane Hany and Cloe Cheshire for the services of their father John Cheshire. This bounty land was allowed by the Governor of Virginia to the heirs of sd. Cheshire mainly upon the testimony of James Green a midshipman in the Navy of Virginia and I find the claim boldly and bitterly resisted by Mr. Thos. Green. In his efforts to defeat me in the claim, he attacks my conduct and motives by insinuations and upon heresay. Sir, I think I can stop the fallacy of his charges upon heresay and his insinuations unfounded.

After giving a history of the way the commissioner of Revolutionary claims was established 2 opponents by the Legislature and the Governor of Virginia and the coming out of the printed reports from ? in the year 1834 he says it would be absurd to suppose I had not one of the printed reports and thereafter this time I commenced the business of claims agent. I have it in my power to show how and when I commenced the business and thereby show how utterly unworthy his statements are by credit. I lived in the village of Lurray then Shenandoah now Page County Virginia in the year 1829 and in the month of April 1827 received the letter of A. M. Green of which I beg leave to enclose marker No. 1 and ask to copy a few lines of it as follows:

8th Apr. 1829

My Dear Sir:

I have been attending for some months past to the procuring of Land Bounty to the Officers of the Revolution and I have been informed that Capt. Robt. Cowne was one of the band. For the procuring of Bounty I ask one half of whatever may be obtained the customary asking years ago.

Well sir this proposition was on my part respectfully declined. I knew the bounty land had been granted to Mr. Cowne for he had shown me one of the patents signed by Gov. Sooth of Kentucky and the balance of his 4000 acres was ? surveyed but not patented which gave the old gentleman some uneasiness. This Mr. Cowne was my father in law and I returned from Luray in January 1830 to Jeffersonton a village in Culpeper County Va and soon took out letters of administration on his estate. I think it was September the 9th 1830 and brought suit against Virginia for his half pay for life and obtained a judgement for $9411 as which was afterwards paid by an appropriation by act of congress passed 5th July 1832 and that is the how and the when I commenced and not after the printed report of which came out. And I charged a commission of 5 percent on the amt. received from government and not the one half of as Mr. Green witnessed.

Mr. Thos. Green had been an acting agent and attorney from 1826 or 7 for old Colonel Northup the latter residing in Kentucky and Mr. Green in Richmond convenient to the great sources of record information and from which Smith the commissioner spoken of by him Mr. Green obtained all the information that was printed in the interesting documents from No. 30 to 34. Now sir would it not be worse than absurd to suppose the Greens ignorant of the fact of the allowance to Capt. Lieutenant Robert Cowne of 4000 acres of bounty land standing in bold relief on the law book in the Registers office in Richmond? This allowance was made to him in the month of 1783 in plain unmistakeable letters and figures and yet Mr. A. M. Green wrote to me on the 8th day of April 1829 to obtain a contract for bounty land, there was the blind, but the half pay for life was the bounty conveniently aimed at, but ? ? ? man. Mr. James E. Heath, auditor of public accounts of Virginia made a report that was printed and exceedingly interesting and may copies get ? in the old commonwealth of VA and even to Kentucky, yet Mr. Green mentions it not. Why I ask? Probably because Mr. Heath deals very plainly with agents who had at that time so many contracts for the half pay at the "customary asking years ago" See the said report Dec. 17 by Jos. E. Heath and January 4th 1831. This report contains a list of judgments of 38, 20 of which Mr. T. Green is named as attorney but Northup said in the Land offices the other day that he was a partner of Mr. Green in them that from Jun 1829 to 1835 he and Green were partners.

Now the tricks or manner of "? witness that he ? to me or Mr. Thos Nelson I cannot mae out which he means in a mere custom that he double ? and lays it on my shoulders or Nelsons.

I think sir I have shown you that I was not a dependant upon Smiths reprot to enter the field with out a blush as agent and ? as 1830 in the laudable persuit of my wifes rights and to keep her rights out of the hands of an agent who asked one half to get the claim.

He then attacks his namesakes character. Mr. James Green he calls him George Green alias George James Green, alias James Green.

I was perfectly satisfied with Greens statement in regard to his name. He said he was related to the families of Georges and James's and was named after both but was mostly called James and entered the service by that name. But why I ask should or does Mr. Green apeal? the midshipmans testimony? He took a warrant allowed mainly upon it and upon the testimony of John Lowry of Lancaster county, Va. I mean the bounty warrants of Wm. Newby a ship carpenter 855 5/9 acres is now in your files awaiting its satisfaction in scrip. That warrant as above stated was granted to Nancy Rains the residuary devisee of Wm. Newby a ship carpenter. On the testimony of James Green and John Lowry. It appears as if providence so ordained it that these men should appear in judgement against him in this case to stare him in the face for his unwarrartable assaults upon their character when they are resting in their graves. Yes sir, the blush of shame should mantle his cheek for his reckless and unworthy assaults upon their characters, these, too on whose testimony he is a beneficiary is not all in Cheshire's warrant was taken out just at the time Newbys was and why did he not object then? He says he had a contract with Wm. H. Cheshire, then was his time he was as well acquainted with the old middie then as now.

I do not mean this as an argument in support of my claims but as mere defense of my reputation which has been I think most unwarrantable attacked.

I am, sir, most respectfully ,

Wm. Helm

Children of Chloe Chesshire named, 1860

CindyMcC — 30 Apr 2007 3:01:46 GMT

Circuit Court of the District of Columbia

January Term 1860

It was the 9th day of February 1860 proved to the satisfaction of the Court that Chloe Chesshire late of this District and now deceased intestate to whom the State of Virginia issued two thousand acres of Virginia Revolutionary Bounty Land Warrant on account of the services of her father Lieutenant John Chesshire an officer of Virginia in her State Navy during the Revolutionary War--left at her decease the following named children her only heirs who now survive to wit: sons. James B. Cheshire and George W. Chesshire and daughters Ellen Chesshire, Ann Chesshire, and Susan Simons wife of William Simons all which is ordered to be certified.

By order of Court
Test.
Jno A. Smith Clk.

District of Columbia
County of Washington to wit:

I, John A. Smith, Clerk of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia for the county of Washington, do hereby certify that the above is a true and perfect copy of the original taken from the minutes of proceedings of said Court.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said Court this 9th day of February AD 1860--
Jno. A. Smith Clk

Source: Land Bounty Records of John Cheshire as found in the National Archives

Letter from Acting Commissioner to Charles Macalister in case of John Cheshire, 1859

CindyMcC — 30 Apr 2007 2:36:15 GMT

Copy

General Land Office
November 4, 1859

Sir,

I have to advise you that the claim founded on Virginia Military Land Warrant No. 8566 for 2000 acres, issued May 30, 1838, to Jane Haney and Cloe Cheshire for the services of John Cheshire a Lieutenant in the Virginia State Navy in the war of the Revolution has been allowed so far as the question of service is concerned under a recent opinion of the attorney General of the United States--a copy of which is herewith enclosed--but there appears to be a dispute as to the title to said Warrant between Wm. W. Corcoran Esqr. of this city and yourself.

The facts of the case as they appear from the Files and Records of this office, are the following, viz: On the 1st June 1838 Dr. Wm. Helm, who had prosecuted the claim before the Virginia authorities, as the attorney of the Heirs, and obtained the allowance thereof filed said warrant No. 8566 in this office for the benefit of the Warranties; on the 22nd day of December 1838, Jane Haney one of the Warrantees and entitled to the one half part of said Warrant, sold and conveyed to Wm. W. Corcoran, in consideration of the sum of $525.00 the one undivided moity thereof; This conveyance was duly acknowledged on the day of its execution, and placed on our files with the warrant in question; some two months afterwards, viz; on the 25 Feby 1839, you were advised by this office, by letter of that date, "that Virginia Warrants No. 86115 for 500 acres No. 8587 for 1.111 acres, and 8566 for 2000 acres"--the warrant in question--"with, certain Powers of Atty, relating thereto, have been filed in this office by Charles J. Nourse Esqr. in your name.

As, I am advised, you claim that under this communication, you are recognized, as the assignee of said Warrant, No. 8566, adn the evidence of your title duly filed.

Since the claim has been allowed, I have, caused with careful search to be made of the Scrip Files of this office, but have been unable to find any paper, showing, either that Charles J. Nourse, ever had any connection with the case, or that any assignment or transfer of the Warrant in question was ever made to you by any person; though it is, ascertained that you were the assignee of the other two warrants as mentioned in the said letter above referred to and the transfers thereof duly filed.

Under the circumstances of the case, as herein stated, I must conclude in the absence of all proof to the contrary--that an error was committed in our said letter of 25 Feby 1839, and that it was intended to embrace some other Warrant than No. 8566; and that Mr. Corcoran is entitled to receive Scrip for 1000 acres of said Warrant and that the title to the remaining 1000 acres, is still vested in the said Cloe Cheshire.

Nothing, however, will be done in the matter, without allowing you a reasonable period, either to produce the evidences of your title, or to endeavor to establish the same by legal process; for which purpose you will be allowed thirty days from the 10th Instant; at the expiration of which time, if no action is had by you, in the matter, the Scrip for the 1000 acres, will be issued and delivered to Mr. Corcoran.

Very Respectfully, Your Obt. Svt.
Jos. S. Wilson,
Acting Commissioner

Charles Macalister Esq
Philadelphia Pa.

This indenture made and concluded on the twenty second day of December 1838 by and between Jane Hayney of Prince William County Va. of the one part and W. W. Corcoran of Washington City of the second part. Witnesseth that the said Jane Heaney for and in consideration of the sum of five hundred and twenty five dollars in hand paid to her full satisfaction before the ensealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged. She, the said Jane Heaney, hath bargained and sold, and by these presents doth bargain and sell assign transfer and set over to the said W. W. Corcoran his heirs adn assigns all her right, title, claim, interest, and demand in and to one undivided moiety of a certain Virginia Military Land Warrant No. 8566 for two thousand acres, which said Warrant hath been granted to said Jane Heaney and Cloe Cheshire jointly in consideration in part for the services of Lieut John Cheshire of the Virginia State Navy and is now on file in the Gen. Land Office at Washington City, and for the purpose of investing the said W. W. Corcoran fully with all her rights in and authority over the said warrant and scrip which may issue thereon the said Jane Heaney doth hereby make, constitute and appoint him her true and lawful attorney with power of substitution to ask, demand, and receive from the Gen. Land Office all such lands, scrip, with full power to sell and assign the same, and to do and perform all and every act or acts, necessary for receiving, selling, assigning, or enjoying said scrip or said moeity aforsaid warrants, hereby satisfying and confirming whatsoever her said attorney may do or cause to be done in the premises.

In testimony whereof the said Jane Heaney hath hereunto set her hand and seal the day and date above written.

Jane Heaney (her mark)

Witnesses: William Nourse, W. H. Powell

District of Columbia, County of Washington--Be it remembered,that on this twenty second day of December 1838, personally appeared before me the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid, Jane Heaney, and acknowledged the foregoing instrument of writing to be her act and deed, as witness my hand and seal the day and year before written.

? W. Wharton (seal)

Source: Land Bounty Records of John Cheshire as found in the National Archives

McAllister vs. Cheshires heirs

CindyMcC — 29 Apr 2007 7:58:06 GMT

McAllister vs. Cheshires heirs

Note for Mr. McAllister

In this case the question has been raised whether the land warrant from Military service is real or personal estate.

On this question I refer to the following acts of the Virginia legistlature promising land bounty.

10 Henning Slat page 24
Do Do 26-7
Do Do 141
Do Do 198
Do Do 375
11 vol. 83.4

Most of these statutes merely promise the land bounty to the officer or soldier but the acts which speak of deceased officers or soldiers give the warrant to the heirs. The clear result is that as between the adm. and heir the promise to the deceased result to the heir and has that modicrum of real estate.

McLairer, all Genl. in an opinion 2nd Land Laws pages 176.7 holds the warrant to be real estate. That has found no judicial decision directly on the point.

2nd. But however this may be when the claim is settled and the warrant is issued, it passes by assignment and a deed is not necessary to hold. This has been settled in numerous cases.

Before I refer to the cases I will state the legislative history of the issuance of warrants.

In May 1779 when Virginia made her first promise of land bounty, the Legislature established the land office. See Hin. Stat. at Large real 10, pages 50-65.

The first sect directs the appointment of a Register.

The second provides the mode in which the officer or soldier may obtain his certificate of service and also how the purchaser for money may obtain his certificate.

The third section directs the Register on the production to heir of the military certificate, on treasury certificates to issue his warrant to the surveyor.

The act then directs the manner of entirey? surveying an patenting land, but makes no distinction between the legal character and office of a military warrant and treasury warrant.

Page 60 authorizes the apraisement of the warrants
Page 240 authorizes duplicates if the warrant is lost.

Not 11, page 311 the regrets of assignments of military warrants are recognized

Under the 1st law military warrants could be located on a vacant land in Virginia. Subsequently they were restricted to the military distances in Kentucky and Ohio but no change was made in the legal character of the warrant or with assignability.

As few or no military warrants, were ? in Virginia, the cases decided on to to be found in the reports of Kentucky, Ohio, and the Supreme Court of the US

I have herewith the 2nd vol. of Lomax Digest which briefly estabishes doctrine page 379 also page Virginia teller

The following prosecutions are ( I think) clearly settled.

1st The warrant is not land, given not right to any specified land, but gives a more right to acquire land. Wilson , Mason, Cruich, 45 Taylor, Nown, Cramer 236

2 The warrant may be assigned by endoresement or on a separate paper and no special form is required.

Boulden by Mapee Wheat 122
Seper of McArthur vs. Gallaher 8 Ohio 574
Duhr vs. Thompson 16 Ohio 14.15.16

Indeed the proper form is to the party or his assigns.

3. An assignment will often be presumed. page on lila pages 14, 15, 16.

4. More profacron sufficient page 17. Thus principles seem to me conclusions of this case.

It is fully proved Chloe Chesire sold and assigned the warrant many years ago. The warrant came to the land office as the property of Mr. McAllister. Mr. Whitcomb wrote to Mr. McAllister and on the back of this letter Mr. McAllister paid for the warrant. Chloe Cheshire never denied the rate or questioned the right.

The assignment has been lost or mislaid since it was in the office.

Some difficulty is felt because Mr. Whitcombs letter is not entirely explicit. On this point I ask attention to the opinion of the supreme court in Baildin vs. Mapie 7 Wheat 154

On the character of the principals surveyor no imputatiu is cast. His office is proof of the confidence rebond in his integrity by all who knew him. His testimony in concert is studiously calculated to establish an untruth, and his official conduct is fraudulent if he had no sufficient knowledge of the verely of the assignment that is less explicit than it ought to have been that it omit the express asverment of a fact, ? by sell he says, and which is necessary to ? and its truth will not we think justify a presumption against the fact." These remarks of Judge Marshall are applicable to Mr. Whitcombs letter. Unless the assignment was in his office the letter was studiously calculated to establish an untruth anull his official conduct a fraud on Mr. McAlister. As the Supreme courts no such a case would not admit the assembliou of fraud and established the fact by the scope and effect on the suveyors testimony, in the abscence of an express avisment, so here the presentation of falsehood and fraud in the com should be rejected, and the fact the assignment was in his office should be established from the general scope and effects of his letter, although when critically nammed it may contian no express ?.

It is clearly proved Chloe Cheshire and ? this warrant in her life time, and this ? her right. The warrant is I think to her and her assigns. No warrant remained in her. It ? to her assignees. Mr. McAllister is clearly ? as her assignee by the payment of the money for it and by Mr. Whitcombs letter. Nobody disbunks his right except the heirs of Chloe Cheshire. They are ? ? claim a warrant to her and her assignees. If it had passed to any assignees ? ? heir no right to it.

I ask scrip may issue to Mr. McAlister.

S. S. Baxter for McAllister.

Sources: Land Bounty Records of John Cheshire as found at the National Archives

Case of John Cheshire, VA

CindyMcC — 29 Apr 2007 12:14:52 GMT

To the Governor of Virginia

Your petitioners, residents of the County of Prince William are the only children of John Cheshire who died in this County during the War of the Revolution and when we were infants. We have always understood that the said John Cheshire (our father) served in the Navy of this state as a Lieutenant during the WAr of the REvolution and that he was entitlted to bounty in land for his services, but that he died before he could or did, receive his grants in land for his said services, leaving his family in poverty. He died with or leaving a will, and we are the only surviving heirs and respectfully ask your excellency to take one case into your consideration, and if you find, our father by his services in the said Navy, entitled himself to the bounty in land due to Lieutenants of the Navy, we only ask to be allowed the quantity of land due to him. We are your Excellency's obedient servants.

Jane Hayney
Cloe Cheshire

Prince William County to wit

This day Jane Hayne and Cloe Cheshire personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in the County aforesaid and made oath that the facts stated in the foregoing memorial are ture as far as they have always understood and verily believe. Given under my hand and seal 6th March 1838.

Thos. Nelson, J. P. (seal)

Virginia Fauquier County to wit:

This day James Green of this County personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in said County and made oath that he was very well acquainted with a John Cheshire in the Virginia State Navy from teh fall of 1777 until the Spring of the year 1780 that the said Cheshire was a Master in the service when he (Green) first knew him (Cheshire) and that said Cheshire was commissioned a Lieutenant in the winter of 1778-9; and in that capacity rendered service until the Spring of the year 1780. He Green further states on oath that he thinks said Cheshire entered the service as a Master inteh fall of the year 1775 and that he lived in Prince William County Virginia. That he settled there previous to the War of the said Revolution and after leaving the Navy lived there until his death. He further states that he was himself a midshipman in the Navy aforesaid and witnessed what he has stated above. Given under my hand and seal this 9th day March 1838. I consider the said Greens evidence entitled to full confidence.

Unit Rasins (Seal

Wednesday the 2d day of September 1778

This Board doth recommend to his Excellency the Governor and the Honble the council Mr. John Cheshire as a proper person to be appointed a Leiutenant of the navy of this Commonwealth.

The above entry is truly extracted from the Journal of the Navy Page 461

Given under my hand at the auditors office Richmond this 30th day of March 1838

Jas. E. Heath

It appears that John Cheshire a Lieutenant in the State Navy has not been allowed land bounty.

Teste. W. Selden R. L. Off

March 30, 1836

Executive Department
Richmond Va. march 28th, 1853

I hereby certify that the foregoing are true copies of papers on file in this department
George W. Mumford, Secty of ?

Washington Nov. 8th 1859

Jos. S. Wilson Esqre
Acting Comm. Genl. Land office

Sir:

I have just received your favor of the inst, covering a transcript of a letter addressed by you to Chas. Macalester Esr. dated the 4th ? in reference to Va. ? Land Wt. No. 8566, for 2000 acres, one half of which is claimed by him and the other hald by myself; and note that in the absence of further action on the part of her, Macalister for 30 days from the 10th instant, you will issue to me the 1000 acres I claim

With thanks for your atention, I am
Respectfully yours
W. W. Corcorau

John CHESHIRE, Receipt of Scrip, 1860 , Virginia State Navy

CindyMcC — 29 Apr 2007 11:59:51 GMT

General Land Office

Jany 12th, 1860

Received of the Commissioner of the General Land Office 13 pieces of Scrip, numbered 11,152 to 11,164, includsive, issued in my name, Decr. 30, 1859; founded on Warrant No. 8566 for 1000 acres, and issued for the services of John Cheshire, a Lieutenant in the Va State Navy.

W. W. Corceran?

Witness J. Nelson?

Deed: Land Bounty Case of John Cheshire as found at the National Archives

Scrip for 1000 acres for services of John Cheshire, 1859

CindyMcC — 29 Apr 2007 11:49:38 GMT

Application No. 1305

Virginia State Navy Warrant No. 8566 for 2000 acres (Scrip for 1000 acres) and issued for the services of "John Cheshire, a Lieutenant in the State Navy."

Issued December 30th, 1859

12 pieces of 80 acres=960 acres
1 piece of 40 acres =40 acres
No. 11152 to 11164 incl--

To William W. Coresrau

Scrip delivered Wm. W. Corcoian Jany 12th 1860

Receipt inclosed

Scrip for 1000 acres issued for services of John Cheshire, 1861, Philadelphia

CindyMcC — 28 Apr 2007 3:25:35 GMT

Philadelphia 8th March 18861

To the Commissioner of the General Land Office
Washington, DC

Sir:

I have your favor of the fifth instant inclosing "thirteen pieces of scrip for one thousand acres, founded on Virginia Military Land Warrant No. 8566 and issued for the servies of John Cheshire etc."

I am, very respectfully,

Yours,

C. Macalester

Source: Land Bounty Application of John Cheshire as found at the National Aarchives

Letter of C. Macalester Requestion review of Case of John Cheshire, 1860, Washington

CindyMcC — 28 Apr 2007 3:07:49 GMT

Washington June 4, 1860

Hon. Joseph S. Wilson

Commissioner Land Office--Washington

Sir: As I consider the testimony now in file sufficient to establish my claim to the remaining 1000 acres of scrip due upon Virginia Military Land warrant No. 8566 issued for the services of John Cheshire, and as I am unwilling to enter into litigation a resort to the Court if my claims can be established without such resort. I respectfully request that all the papers in the case, may be submitted to the Secretary of the Interior, for his decision.

I am.
With great respect
Your obt. Servant
C. Macalester

Source: Land Bounty Records of John Cheshire as found at the National Archives

Disproving Claim of John CHESHIRE 1855

CindyMcC — 28 Apr 2007 2:48:42 GMT

General Land Office
July 23rd 1855

John Wilson, Esq. (Present)

Sir:

Agreeable to your request, as the attorney-in-fact of D. William Helm, the asignee of parties claiming to be the heirs-at-law of Lieut. John Cheshire, Va. State Navy, I have taken up for examination the claim, in pursuance of the act of August 31st 1852, and have to inform you that, whilst willing, from the record evidence presented, to recognize the services of Lt. John Cheshire as entitling him to land-bounty, pusuant to the laws of Virginia, I cannot, in view of the meagre, ex-parte and unreliable testimony filed to sustain the rights of the parties represented by your client, receive it as establishing the identity of John Chesser, their ancestor, with the John Cheshire commissioned as Lieutenant in the Navy, Sept. 2nd 1778.

The main evidence relied upon to establish the identity of John Chesser as the John Cheshire who was a Master and Lieutenant, consists exclusively, of the affidavit of James Green, alleged to be a midshipman Va. State Navy, and whose claim has been rejected by the office solely in the ground of the inconsistent and contradictory character of his statements as to his own service, and, therefore failing to establish his own identity with the party so serving, and reported by the authorities of Va. as being entitled to land bounty. Green, in his testimony to establish Cheshire's service, says that he knew him from the fall of 1777 ot the Spring of 1780," that he thinks said Cheshire entered the service in '75 as a Master, and that he lived in Prince William Co, VA.; and that he (Green) knows his statement to be correct, because he was in the service, and witnessed what he has stated.

It will thus be perceived that Green even though receiving his testimony as reliable, does not state, from any knowledge of his own, that John Cheshire actually resided in Prince William Co, Va; it is a niere conjecture--he thinks he did reside there, without presenting any fact from which to draw such conclusion.

There is, also, an affidavit filed from Nancy Austin who testifies that she knew John Cheshire, a Lieut. State-Navy, who returned home before the War and died, leaving the warrantees his sole surviving heirs. There is likewise, an affidavit, bearing date of one of the Warrantees--who deposeth that he has heard his mother-in-law say that his father, on his return from service, wore a uniform.

These affidavits comprise all the evidence upon which the Register Land office, at Richmond, Va., ipued the Warrants--in conjunction with a simple certificate of Court, that Jane Haney, late Chesher, and Cloe Chesher are the only heirs of John Chesher, dec'd--which does not identify the said Chesher with John Cheshire, or speak of any military services rendered by him.

The evidence above described, therefore, cannot be regarded as satisfactorily establishing the identity of the parties, for the following reasons:

1st: The testimony of Green has been impeached as contradictory and unreliable, and so decided by this office in his own case.

2nd: The affidavits of Mrs. Nancy Austin and Moses Lynn are of an ex-purte and interested character, the former being the mother-in-law of a son of one of the warrantees, and the latter bein a son-in-law.

3rd: The certificate of court is a niere recital as to who are the heirs of John Chesher, dec'd, without setting forth any fact to establish his identity with the John Cheshire who rendered military services.

Green, also, in his affidavit, state, that Cheshire served until the Spring of 1780, and knows the fact, having witnessed what he had stated.

John Chesser, through whom your client claims was very sick and weak, Oct. 21st 1779, the date of his will, and at that time resided in Prince William Co, as the witnesses to his will--two of them--prove it before the County Court, August 7, 1780; and it is not probable, conceing for the moment that hs was the same party, that he should have regained his strength so rapidly, and performed service again, as stated by Green, to the Spring of 1780.

By conferring to this party's will, it will be perceived, that he signs his name John Chessire, and in several instances writes it Chessire--thus showing the exactitude with which he spells his name; and it is impossible, to my mind, (that an officer could have served as long as it is alleged he did, when it was required of him to sign his name to numerous reports &c) for those in authority to make every entry as Cheshire, when the name of Chesser was before them as the correct name of the officer so serving.

In addition to the above objections, numerous depositions have been filed, with a view to establish the fact that said Chesser was never engaged in any military capacity in the Revolutionary War; and though some of them are of an exparte character, yet in my judgment are entitled to as much weight as the filed to sustain the allowance of the claim. The affiants all reside in Prince William Co., adn show clearly the impression of the people there of the position occupied by said Chesser during the War; that he was a non-combatant, and was engaged during the period it is alleged he served in the Navy, in a more peaceful and congenial avocation. The knowledge of the affiants is based upon common rumor or tradition passed down to the present generation from those contemporary with him and familiar with his pursuits.

Owing, therefore, to the proofs presented, not satisfactorily establishing the identity of the John Chesser with the party serving as a Lieut. in the Va. State Navy, I cannot allow the claim, unless evidence conclusive in its character, can be adduced in this point.

Respectfully
?

Activng Comm'r.

Source: Land Bounty Record of John Cheshire as found at the National Archives

Marriage bond of George W. Cheshire and Jane Ashton, Prince William Co, VA, 1829

CindyMcC — 27 Apr 2007 10:56:59 GMT

Know all men by these presents, than we, George W. Cheshier and Alexander Jones are held and firmly bound unto William B. Giles, Governor of Virginia and his successors for the use of the Commonwealth, in the sum of $150 current money of Virginia, to which payment will and truly to be made we bind ourselves and heirs, executors and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals and dated this 13th day of August 1829. Now that condition of the above obligation is such that whereas ? hath ? this day issued from the clerk's office of Prince William County, a license for a marriage intended to be had and solemnized between the above bound George W. Cheshire and Jane Ashton. Now if there is now lawful cause to obstruct the same, then the above obligation to be void else to remain in full force and virtue.

Geo. W. Cheshire
Alexander Jones

Teste Jno. Williams

I am perfectly willing that my daughter should marry I have nothing to say against it.

Nancy Ashton

August 10, 1829
Copies, Teste P. D. Lipscomb clk

Source: Land Bounty records of John Cheshire as found at the National Archives

State of Virginia, Prince William County, to wit,

I Philip D. Lipscomb clerk of the County Court of the County of Prince William in the State of Virginia, do ? certify that the foregoing are true transcripts from the records of the said County Court. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and annexed the seal of the said Court, this 4th day of January AD 1854.

P. D. Lipscomb clk

John Cheshires Case

CindyMcC — 27 Apr 2007 3:23:20 GMT

John Cheshires Case

Note for Jane Haney and Chloe Cheshire

Since the brief was made in this case two additional pieces of evidence have been filed viz. 1. The inventory of Cheshire's estate 2. and the proof of Jane Haney's age.

I now ask to submit my views of the case on three points.

1st. Was there a Lieut. in the Navy named John Cheshire entitled to land bounty?

2nd. Is he identified as the John Cheshire of Prince William?

3. Are Jane Haney and Chloe Cheshire his heirs?

1. Was there a John Cheshire in the Navy entitled to land bounty?

This question is answered by the record. There was a John Cheshire who was a master and was afterwards Lieut. It will be noticed that this certificate is printed as a general form, which is used in all such cases. It confirms that under the act to adjust the accounts of officers and soldiers (named Nov. 1781) from Jany 1 "77 to Decr. 8, a settlement was made in the name of John Cheshire as master and L33.4.0 due him; but as the original settlement is wit the term of service cannot be stated. The term of service of this master was thus settled certainly between Jany. 1 "77 and Dec. 31 81. But what portion of this period the term he ? does not appear. It is probable the service of Master preceeded that of Lieut. as provided by Green.

A question was raised whether Cheshire resigned. The list of officers on the back leaves of the Navy journal creates the impression that he did resign. But this is disproved as far as is possible. No resignation of John Cheshire is found in the book. The word resigned is in the handwriting of Maxwell who account on the 21 July 1780 once that it is a mistake for John Pettigrew who did resign. See doct. endorsed Lt. in Virginia Navy (John Cheshire)

The proof is complete that John Cheshire was entitled.

2. Is John Cheshire of Prince William county identified as thie officer?

The question of identity of an officer is one proper for ? proof. The officers and soldiers who served with the officer and knew him are the proper persons to identify him.

James Green is a respectable and unimpeachable witness and he identifies him--and proves he lived in P W county. Green like every true witness is sustained by circumstances. Green stated before any record evidence of the fact was found that Cheshire was a master before he was commissioned and the proof of the fact has since been found in the settlement of his depriciation as a master.

This estalishes the accuracy of Greens recollection.

He is corraborated by the deposition of Nancy Austin who knew him and proves his return and death. See her depo.

But the will is provided and in there the name is spelled Chesser and this raises a doubt whether he be the person commissioned as Cheshire. I ask ? now to the order of court and ? this will to probate on the 17 Aug. 1780 in that order the name is spelled Cheshire. Also to the inventory of the estate is the certification of that paper the name is spelled Chesher as the order of court admitting it to record 2 Oct. 1780 the name is spelled Cheshire. Now as the clerk of the court is a sworn officer and could never have intended to make evidence for this case, we must take this spelling of the name to be the one common in that county. The pronounciation was the same in both modes of spelling. The final ? being probably pronounced short or the er pronounced long. This circumstance does not establish the evidence of his idenity for we find his name in the order of court written precisely as it is written in the Navy vessel.

Now I suggest we are investigating past transcriptions, when the officers of government were not as exact as at this day and I submit the evidence is conclusive that John Cheser and John Chesire are teh same man.

Suppose this was a suit against the ? on her hand and for the recorded inventory.

It is necessary to prove the probate of the will and order to take the ?. The will is ... (This is all I can find of this document)

Source: Bounty Land Application for John Cheshire as found at the National Archives

John CHESHIRE - Affidavit of William Corbell, Princess Anne Co, VA, 1848

CindyMcC — 27 Apr 2007 2:56:31 GMT

I William Corbell being now in my eighty forth year of age doth hereby certify that I knew John Cheshire who was a Lieutenant in the Navy in the time of the Revolutionary war, that the said John Cheshire left home in one of the state vessils the name of which I do not recollect, and that he never returned home again to my recollection, and I further certify, that William H. Cheshire who died some few years ago in Norfolk Borough which is now a city was the only heir then living of the said John Cheshire, that William H. Cheshire has left children which I do not know. As witness my hand and seal this 6th day of April 1848.

Wm. Corbell (seal)

State of Virginia Princess Anne County to wit

This day personally appeared before me and made oath to the truth of the above statements and I hereby certify that I have known the said William Corbell for a number of years and that I also know no harm of him and that he is an old man of sound mind and memory. As witness my hand and seal this 6th day of April 1848.

William Roberts, J. P. (seal)

Source: Bounty Land Application of John Cheshire as found in the National Archives

Jane Hayney & Cloe Cheshire appoint William Helm our true and lawful attorney, Prince William Co, VA, 1838

CindyMcC — 27 Apr 2007 2:32:25 GMT

Know all men by these presents that we Jane Hayney and Cloe Cheshire, do, for the purpose of enabling the above named William Helm to derive full benefit from the above contract nominate, constitute and appoint him the said Helm our true and lawfull attorney in fact with a power of substitution, to receive from the Commissioner of the General Land Office one half of the Virginia bounty Land Warrant which he has already recovered for us on account of the naval Services of our father the late John Cheshire a Lieut--in the Virginia State Navy of the Revolution: and he is authorized to locate or sell his share of the said Warrant as he may choose; or, we authorize hime to receive his two thousand acres in certificates of Land Scrip from the said Commissioner and to sell and assign the same. Given under our hands and seals 3rd day of September 1838.

Cloe Cheshire (her mark)
Jane Hayney (her mark)

Virginia Prince William County, to wit:

This day personally appeared before me the within named Jane Hayney, subscriber to the within power of Attorney and acknowledged the same to be her full act and deed. Given under my hand and seal this 3rd day of September 1838.

Rob. Williams, J. P. (seal)

Source: Bounty Land Application for John Cheshire as found at the National Archives

Heirs of William H. and Sarah Cheshire, 1848, Norfolk County, VA

CindyMcC — 27 Apr 2007 2:23:24 GMT

At a Court held for Norfolk County the 18 day of April 1848 From satisfactory evidence this day produced before the County Court of Norfolk, it does hereby certify that William H. C. Chesire, Sarah T. B. Oliver, Margaret R. Chesire, Thomas I. Chesire, and George W. Chesire are the lawful children and heirs of William H. Chisire and Sarah his wife both deceased and are the only surviving heirs of John Chesire a Lieutenant in the Navy at the time of the Revolutionary War and that the said John Chesire left only one child and heir to wit: the aforesaid William H. Chesire.

I Autun Emmerson Clerk of the County Court of Norfolk aforesaid, in the state of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy from the records of the said Court. In testimony thereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 14th day of June 1853 in the 77th year of the Commonwealth.

Autun Emmerson

Source: Bounty Land Application for John Cheshire as found in the National Archives

Letter of Lawyer of heirs of John Cheshire, 1852, Washington, DC

CindyMcC — 8 Apr 2007 1:27:27 GMT

Washington 5 Dec 52

Dear Sir:

The heirs of Sr. Jno. Chishire of the Navy and who reside on the E. Shore have employed me to prosecute their rights to the Land Warrant. I have known the heirs personally for 20 years and have always known that sd. Jno. Cheshire was in one of the E. Shore galleys. Proof on this point can be procurred, both record ? which will prove the matter beyond all ?.

It is proper I should notify you that the Eastern shore claimants will ? their rights to the claimant.

Vespasian Ellis

Source: Bounty Land Record of John Cheshire as found in the National Archives

Deposition of Isaac W. Davis in the Case of John Cheshire, 1853, Prince William Co, VA

CindyMcC — 3 Apr 2007 12:06:44 GMT

State of Virginia, Prince William County to wit:

On this 11th day of July A. D. 1853 personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid and state aforesaid and duly authorized to administer oaths Isaac W. Davis, who being entitled to credit and disinterested as a witness and who having been first duly sworn according to law declares that he was well acquainted with Jane Haney formerly Jane Chesher (or Cheser) and Cloe Chesher (or Cheser) daughter of one John Chesher (or Cheser) who lived and died in this county, and that he has always understood and verily believes that said John Chesser (or Chesher) never was in the Revolutionary war, Army or Navy, and that it is generally believed by those who knew the persons above named that the claims prosecuted against the Government in the name of said Jane and Cloe, in 1838, for the Revolutionary services of Lieut. John Cheshire of the Navy, was fraudulent and unjust and he further declares that he has often heard it stated by highly respectable persons who knew John Chesser (or Chesher) (the father of said Jane and Cloe) that he never was in the Army or Navy of the revolution, that he was a cobbler by trade and a very old man, when he died. And this affiant further declares that in the year 1838, some persons who were hunting up revolutionary claims, called at his fathers house and desired his mother (Catharine Davis) to prove that John Chesher, who lived and died in this county, was in the revolutionary war and that said Jane and Cloe were his heirs, and that his mother refused to give any such evidence, declaring her belief that said John Chesher, the father of said Jane and Cloe, never held any office in the Army or Navy, and that she had known him for years before his death, and was a near neighbor to him. And this affiant further declares that he was well acquainted with Nancy Austin, who in the year 1838, made affidavits in relation to the revolutionary services of John Chesher (or Chesshire) before one Thomas Nelson a Justice of the peace for this county, and that she the sd. Nancy Austin was a very ignorant old woman and might have been easily imposed upon by an artful designing man such as he believes said Nelson was. And he further declares that Wm. Chesher the son of said Cloe Chesher, married the daughter of said Nancy Austin before the year 1838, and that he verily believes the claim that was prosecuted in the name of Jane Haney and Cloe Chesher for the Revolutionary services of John Cheshire was fraudulent and unjust.

Isaac W. Davis

Sworn to and subscrbed before me, the day and year first before written.
S. Fitzhugh, J. P.

Source: Bounty Land Application for John Cheshire found at the National Archives

Deposition of Lawrence Cole in the case of John Cheshire

CindyMcC — 3 Apr 2007 11:40:29 GMT

State of Virginia, Prince William County to wit:

On this 9th day of July A. D. 1853 personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid and state aforesaid and duly authorized to administer oaths Lawrence Cole, who being entitled to credit and disinterested as a witness to the facts to which he testifies and being duly sworn according to law declares that he was well acquainted with Nancy Austin, who in the year 1838 made affidavits, as he has heard, in relation to the claims of John Chesher or Chesshire for Revolutionary services, before one Thomas Nelson then justice of the peace for this county, that said Nancy Austin was a very simple minded, ignorant old woman, an extravagant talker and one who might have been easily imposed upon by an artful designing person, that he has always understood and does verily believe that Jane Haney and Cloe Chesher wrongfully and unjustly succeeded in drawing money from the government as heirs of Lieut. John Cheshire of the Navy of the Revolution that he has heard old and highly respectable persons, who lived in Revolutionary times say that they knew John Chesher, the father of Jane Haney and Cloe Chesher, that he never was in the Revolutionary war, Army or Navy, that he was a cobbler in Prince William County, that he was an old man in the time of the Revolutionary war, and he further states that William Chesher the son of Cloe Chesher married the daughter of the said Nancy Austin before the year 1838, and that he verily believes from the best of his knowledge, and what he has heard from other reliable sources, that the claims of Jane Haney and Cloe Chesher, for the Revolutionary services of Lieut. John Cheshire, to be fraudulent and unjust.

Lawrence Cole

Subscribed and sworn to before me on the 9th day and year above written. L. C. Lynn, J. P.

Source: Bounty Land Application for John Cheshire found at the National Archives

Land Warrants in the Case of John Cheshire, 1859

CindyMcC — 2 Apr 2007 11:46:50 GMT

General Land Office
November 5th 1859

Received of the Commissioner of the General Land Office 13 pieces of Scrip numbered 11,062 to 11,074 inclusive issued in my name Oct. 24, 1859 founded on Warrant No. Ex. 557 for 1000 acres, and issued for the services of John Cheshire a Lieutenant in the VA State Navy.

W. Redin
Trustee for the late firm of Pano and Nourse? Bankers

Witness:

D. McCarty

This receipt is to be dated, signed and witnessed.

Whenever Scrip is issued to married women, the receipt should be signed by them and their husbands; and when issued to minors, by their guardians.

An Agent, upon presenting a Power of Attorney, executed after the issue of Scrip, may sign the receipt for the proprietor.

General Land Office
November 5th 1859

Received of the Commissioner of the General Land Office 13 pieces of Scrip numbered 11,075 to 11,087 inclusive issued in my name Oct. 24, 1859 founded on Warrant No. Ex. 558 for 1000 acres, and issued for the services of John Cheshire a Lieutenant in the VA State Navy.

W. Redin
Trustee for the late firm of Pano and Nourse? Bankers

Witness:

D. McCarty

This receipt is to be dated, signed and witnessed.

Whenever Scrip is issued to married women, the receipt should be signed by them and their husbands; and when issued to minors, by their guardians.

An Agent, upon presenting a Power of Attorney, executed after the issue of Scrip, may sign the receipt for the proprietor.

Land Office, Exchange Military Warrant, No. 557

To the Principal Surveyor of the land set apart for the Officers and Soldiers of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

This shall be your Warrant to survey and lay off in ? surverys, for William Helm, assignee of Jane Hayne and Cloe Cheshire, his heirs or assigns, the quantity of one thousand acres of land, due unto the said Wm. Helm assignee as aforesaid in consideration of John Cheshire's services for three years, as a Lieutenant in the State Navy agreeably to a Certificate from the Governor and Council, which is received into the Land Office.

Given under my hand, and the Seal of the said Office, this 28th day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty eight.

1000 Acres

T. H. Parker, Reg. L. Office

Land Office, Exchange Military Warrant, No. 558

To the Principal Surveyor of the land set apart for the Officers and Soldiers of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

This shall be your Warrant to survey and lay off in ? surverys, for William Helm, assignee of Jane Hayne and Cloe Cheshire, his heirs or assigns, the quantity of one thousand acres of land, due unto the said Wm. Helm assignee as aforesaid in consideration of John Cheshire's services for three years, as a Lieutenant in the State Navy agreeably to a Certificate from the Governor and Council, which is received into the Land Office.

Given under my hand, and the Seal of the said Office, this 28th day of June in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty eight.

1000 Acres

T. H. Parker, Reg. L. Office

In pursuance of an advice of Council, I certify, that this Warrant has issued in conformity with Laws of Virginia, in force prior to the cession by the State of her Western Lands to Congress; and I furthermore Certify, that no other Warrant has issued from the Land Office of Virginia, on account of the services of the within mentioned warrant, except 8566, 8568, and 8567 for which last mentioned warrant, this exchange warrant is issued and that no Grant has issued on this Warrant.

Given under my hand, and the Seal of the said Office, this 28th day of June 1848.

T. H. Parker Reg. L. Office

In pursuance of an advice of Council, I certify, that this Warrant has issued in conformity with Laws of Virginia, in force prior to the cession by the State of her Western Lands to Congress; and I furthermore Certify, that no other Warrant has issued from the Land Office of Virginia, on account of the services of the within mentioned warrant, except 8566, 8568, and 8567 exchange warrant No. 557 and No. 8568 for which last mentioned warrant this exchange warrent has expired.

Given under my hand, and the Seal of the said Office, this 28th day of June 1848.

T. H. Parker Reg. L. Office

Source: Bounty Land Application of John Cheshire found in the National Archives

Decision of Thos. A Hendricks in case of John Cheshire, Lieut. State Navy, 1855

CindyMcC — 2 Apr 2007 11:23:44 GMT

General Land Office
Sept. 18, 1855

In the matter of the application for scrip upon Virginia Exchange Military warrants No. 557 & 558 issued to William Helm assignee of Jane Haney and Cloe Chesser for the services of John Cheshire as a Lieutenant in the Virginia State Navy.

It is sufficiently established by the record evidence that one John Cheshire did serve as a master, and probably as a Lieutenant, in the State Navy, between the years 1777 and 1781, but for what length of time does not appear. There is some evidence that he resigned during that time, possibly before the expiration of the length of service requisite to entitle him to Bounty land; but my judgment upon the testimony bearing upon another part of the case, renders an examination of that question unnecessary.

Was John Cheshire who served in the Navy the father of Jane Haney and Cloe Chesher or Chesser? I think the testimony not only fails to prove that he was, but shews that he was not.

The name whereever it occurs in the Navy records was John Cheshire. It is not to be believed that the name of a Master or Lieutenant, serving for many months, would be incorrectly entered throughout the whole service. The father of the Jane Haney and Cloe made his will in the name John Chesser; and the name appears frequently in the will and in every instance it is so spelled.

John Green (who is entitled to credit) testifies, that he knew Lieut. John Cheshire in the Navy, but he does not identify him as the father of the parties claiming in this case, further than that he was of the same county; on the contrary, he says he knew John Cheshire in the Navy from the fall of 1777 until the spring of 1780; whilst in the fall of 1779 John Chesser was at home, and made his will, being as he says therein "very sick and weak." The probate of the will in August 1780 shews that John Chesser must have died between October 1779 and August 1780.

Nancy Austin, aged 80 years, testifies that she knew John Chesire the father of Jane and Cloe, that he was a Lieutenant and returned before the close of the War--and died. The states no explanatory or sustaining facts, but swears to a direct and brief affidavit prepared for her. But little weight should be given to her testimony. The son of Cloe (one of the applicants for the warrants) married the daughter of this witness prior to the time at which she gave her testimony. Northumberland Pearson, Lawrence Cole, Isaac W. Davis, John Sr. Davis, Seymour Lynn, and Moses Lynn testify that they were well acquainted with Nancy Austin, and that she was a "simple minded, ignorant old woman, and easily imposed upon, and they and others testify that Thomas Nelson who got up the case and prepared the testimony, was an artful and unscrupulous man. Seymour Lynn was the Resident Judge of Prince William county.

The foregoing is the evidence introduced in support of the application, and upon it alone unrebuted, I would hesitate to sustain the claim. But it is greatly weakened by the opposing testimony.

William Carbell, aged 84 years, testifies that he knew John Cheshire, a Lieutenant in the Navy, that he went away in a State Vessel, and did not return, and that he left but one child Wm. H. Cheshire of Norfolk.

Northumberland Pearson, whose testimony was given in the shape of deposition and under the test of a cross exaimination, says, that when he was but 4 or 5 years of age he saw John Chesser and heard him talking about the war, with witness' father, and thought it would not last long. He says that the fmaily were called Cheshire, instead of Chesser, sometimes, out of derision.

Lawrence Cole and a number of other witnesses testify, that the better class of old people who lived at the time of the Revolution, said that John Chesser never served a day in the Army or Navy and that the claim was fraudulent. Isaac H. and John W. Davis say that about 1838, an agent who was hunting up claims came to their mother and wanted her to testify that John Chesser had been in the Navy, and she refused saying that she was his near neighbor and that he was not in the war. To this class of testimony very little if any weight should be given, when it is introduced to overcome more direct testimony.

There is on file, a certificate that at a court held at Norfolk in 1848, satisfactory evidence was adduced that Wm. H. Cheshire was the only child of John Cheshire a Lieutenant in the Navy.

If John Chesser was the identical person who served in the Navy, there was back pay due him, (see his account allowed for 33 pounds in 1785) and if he died there would be bounty land coming to his heirs. In his will he very specifically disposes of all of his property, even to the smallest and least valuable articles, yet he says not one word about his service in the War, nor about any back pay or bounty. If he had then been at home but still in the service, I cannot believe he would have failed entirely to notice his conneciton with the Navy.

My decision is against the application.

Thos. A. Hendricks
Commissioner

Source: Bounty Land Application for John Cheshire found in the National Archives

Memorandum between Cloe Chessire and jane Hayney and William Helm, 1838, Prince William Co, VA/ Warrenton, VA

CindyMcC — 2 Apr 2007 10:57:08 GMT

This memorandum of an agreement made this 21st day of February 1838, between Cloe Chessire and Jane Hayney of Prince William County Virginia of the first part and William Helm of Warrenton virginia of the second part. Witnesseth: That the said party of the second part has undertaken, if in his power, to recover any land warrants or money, pay, half-pay, commutation or interest, one either by the State of Virginia or the United States, or both, in account of the Revolutionary services of John Chesshire a Lieutenant in the Virginia State Navy. And unless he succeeded in his efforts, no charge is to be made for his services and expenses, incurred in the prosecution; which may be carried on by unit, petition, or otherwise. And the parties of the first part agree that they will give the said William Helm one half part of the land, and one half part of the money which may be recovered, for his services, expenses and trouble; and they further agree that they will aid their said attorney as far as they can conveniently, in establishing their claims aforesaid. And both parties bind themselves and their heirs, that they, their executors, administrators, and heirs, will comply with the stipulations of this agreement; the death of neither party to affect its validity, if the claims shall be prosecuted with energy and vigor. In witness whereof, they have hereunto set their hands and seals, this day and year above written.

Jane Hayney (her mark)
Cloe Chesshire (her mark)
Wm. Helm

Witness
Thomas Davis
Thos. Nelson as to Cloe Chessire and Wm. Helm

Court for the said County of Prince William in the State of virginia do hereby certify that Thos. Nelson who witnessed the proceding contract and Robert Williams, who gave the proceeding certificate, were at the time of signing the same and now are acting Justices of the peace in and for the said County of Prince William, only commissioned and qualified to said office, and that full faith and credit is come to all their acts as such and the signature purporting to be theirs are genuine. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and annex the seal of the said County this 17th day of October 1838.

J. Williams, CC

General Land Office
17th May 1839

I James Whitcomb Commissioner of the General Land office do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the original on file in this office.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused the seal of the office to be affixed at the City of Washington the day and year before written.

Jas. Whitcomb, Commissioner

Source: Bounty Land File of John Cheshire at the National Archives

Affidavit for James Green as to Service of John Cheshire

CindyMcC — 2 Apr 2007 2:23:21 GMT

Virginia, Fauquier County, to wit

This day James Green of this county personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace in said county and made oath that he was very well aquainted with a John Cheshire in the Virginia State Navy from the fall of 1777 until the spring of the year 1780, that the said Cheshire was a master in the service when he (Green) first knew him (Cheshire) and that said Cheshire was commissioned as Lieutenant in the winter of 1778-9; and in that capacity rendered service until the spring of the year 1780. He Green further states on oath that he thinks said Cheshire entered the service as a master in the fall of the year 1775 and that he lived in Prince William County Virginia. The he settled there previous to the war of the said Revolution and after leaving the Navy lived there until his death. He further states that he was himself a midshipman in the Navy aforesaid and witnessed what he has stated above. Given under my hand and seal this 9th day of March 1838. I consider the said Greens evidence entitled to full confidence.

Union Raisin

Executive Department
February 5th 1849

I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of a paper filed in this department.

W. H. Rockmofurr, CC

Source: Land Bounty Record of John Cheshire as found in the National Archives

Cheshire Court Records, 1760-1855, Prince William Co, VA

CindyMcC — 2 Apr 2007 1:59:42 GMT

At a Court held for Prince William County on the 26th day of March 1760

William Cheshire Plaintiff
Abraham Farrow Defendant--on petition

The defendant being called and failing to appear an alias summary is therefore ordered to ipue? returnable to the next Court.

A Copy--teste-- P. D. Lipscomb clk.

At a Court held for Prince William County on the 8th day of July 1763

John Cheshire Plaintiff
John Renoe, Jr. Defendant--Trespass in the case for slander

This day a jury was sworn to try the ipue jouied? and the plaintiff being solemnly called came not but failed to prosecute his said action: It is therefore ordered that the said plaintiff be nonseiled and that he do pay the defendant five shillings accoring to the directions of the act of assembly and also his costs by him about his defence in this part laid out and expended.

A Copy teste--P. D. Lipscomb Clk

At a Court held for Prince William County on the 3d day of April 1764

John Cheshire Plaintiff
Thomas Bullitt Defendant--on petition

On hearing the arguments of the parties, it is considered by the Court that the plaintiff recover of the said defendant the sum of five pounds current money together with his costs by him laid out and expended.

A copy teste--P. D. Lipscomb Clk.

At a Court held for Prince William County the 9th day of September 1767

John Cheshire Plaintiff
John Renoe Defendant--On Petition

The parties by their attornies initially submit the matters in difference between them in this suit to the final determination of Lynaugh Helen and William Alexander gentlement and agree their award thereupon be made the judgment of the court and the same is ordered accordingly

A copy teste P. D. Lipscomb Clk

At a Court held for Prince William County the 8th day of March 1768

John Cheshire Plaintiff
John Renoe Defendent--On petitition

The suite abates defendant being dead

A copy teste P. D. Lipscomb Clk

At a Court held for Prince William County the 7th day of July 1768

Ordered that Uzziah Posey pay John Chshire seventy five pounds of tobacco for attending three days as an evidence for him at the suit of McDaniel according to law.

A Copy teste P. D. Lipscomb Clk.

At a court held for Prince William County the 7th day of July 1768

Ordered that William Lynn pay John Cheshire one hundred pounds of Tobacco for attending four days as an evidence for lien against Samuel Byrne according to law.

A Copy teste P. D. Lipscomb clk

At a Court held for Prince William county the 7th day of March 1769 John Cheshire is appointed a Constable of this County in the room of John Thomas Longins. Ordered that he go before a Justice of the peace and be sworn into his office.

A Copy teste--P. D. Lipscomb clk.

At a Court held for Prince William County, the 4th day of September 1769 on the complaint of John Cheshire Constable, it is ordered that the Sheriff summon Presley and Meredith ? to answer the said complaint for insulting the said Cheshire in the execution of his office.

A Copy--teste P. D. Lipscomb clk.

At a Court held for Prince William Coutny, the 4th day of May 1779

Ordered that Benjamin Thomas Sen. pay Baptist Cheshire one hundred and fifty pounds of tobacco for attending six days and evidence for him against Benjamin Thomas Junior.

A Copy teste P. D. Lipscomb clk.

At a court held for Prince William the 7th day of August 1780

Ordered that David Jameison, Francis Jackson, Charles Stuart and Moses Jefferies or any three of them being first sworn do inventory and appraise the estate of John Cheshire deceased according to law.

A copy teste P. D. Lipscomb clk

State of Virginia:

Prince William County, to wit
I Philip D. Lipscomb clerk of the county court of the county of Prince William, in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that the foregoing copies are true transcripts from the records of the said court.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and annex the seal of the said Court this 25th day of October A. D. 1855.

Source: Court records of John Cheshire, Prince William County, 1760-1768 as found in the land bounty records of John Cheshire in the National Archives

Documentation of heirs of John Chesire, Norfolk Co, VA, 1848

CindyMcC — 2 Apr 2007 12:32:01 GMT

At a Court held for Norfolk County the 18th day of April 1848 from satisfactory evidence this day produced before the County Court of Norfolk, it, does hereby certify that William H. C. Chesire, Sarah T. B. Oliver, Margaret R. Chesire, Thomas Chesire, and George W. Chesire are the lawful children and heirs of William H.Chesire and Sarah his wife, both deceased and are the only surviving heirs of John Chesire a Lieutenant in the Navy at the time of the Revolutionary War, and that the said John Chesire left only one child and heir to wit, the aforesaid William H. Chesire.

Copy Teste

Arthur Emmerson, CC

I Arthur Emmerson Clerk of the County Court of Norfolk County in the state of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy from the records of the said Court. Given under my hand and the seal of the said Court this 13th day of July 1853 in the 78th year of the Commonwealth.

Arthur Emmerson, CC.

Course: Bounty Land application #1292 for John Cheshire as found in the National Archives

Depostion of Seymour Lynn in the Case of John Cheshire, 1853, Prince William Co, Va

CindyMcC — 26 Mar 2007 9:18:01 GMT

Virginia, Prince William County, to wit:

On this 1st day of August A.D. 1853, personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for the county and state aforesaid, and duly authorized to administer oaths, Seymour Lynn, presiding Justice or Judge of Prince William County court, a disinterested witness and entitled to full faith and credit and being first duly sworn according to law, declares that Stephen French a highly respectable gentleman, who lived and died in Prince William County, Va informed him that he had known John Chesher the father of Cloe Chesher and Jane Haney well and that they were near neighbours in the time of the Revolutionary War and that he knew to his certain knowledge that said John Chesher never served a day in the Revolutionary War, Army or Navy and that said John Chesher was a shoe make or Cobbler, and said Lynn further declares that he was very well acquainted with Nancy Austin who made affidavit before Thomas Nelson a Justice of the peace in and for said county of Prince William, Va, as to the services of said John Chesher in the year 1838 and that she was a near neighbour to him and that she said Nancy Austin was a very weak minded old woman in 1838 and might have been very easily imposed upon by a cunning and unscrupulous interrogator, and that the son of said Cloe Chesher married the daughter of said Ann Austin. And said Seymour Lynn further declares that from all he has heard and from all the facts and circumstances within his own knowledge he verily believes that the claim allowed by the U. S. Government to said Cloe Chesher and Jane Haney in or about the year 1838 as the heirs of Lieut John Cheshire of the Navy of VA was fraudulently and unjustly obtained because the said Cloe Chesher and Jane Haney were not the heirs of said Lieut. John Cheshire of the the Virginia Navy, and because he verily believes that said John Chesher, the father of said Cloe Chesher and Jane Haney never was in the Revolutionary War--Army or Navy. And said Seymour Lynn further declares that Thomas Nelson the Justice of the Peace who took the affidavits of Nancy Austin, as aforesaid, informed him about the year 1841 or 1842 that the true heirs of Lieut. John Cheshire of the Virginia Navy had been heard from and that said Cloe and Jane were not the true heirs.

S. Lynn

Subscribed and sworn to before me the day and year first before written.

C. E. Norman, J. P.

Source: Bounty Land Records of John Cheshire as found at the National Archives

Deposition of John W. Davis (son of Thomas Davis) in the Case of John Cheshire, 1853, Prince William Co, VA

CindyMcC — 26 Mar 2007 11:41:34 GMT

Virginia, Prince William county, to wit.

On this 16th day of July A. D. 1853 personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in and for the county aforesaid and duly authorized to administer oaths John W. Davis who being entitled or credit and a disinterested witness and who being first duly sworn according as law declares: That he remembers some years ago about the time that Jane Haney and Cloe Chesher were prosecuting their claim against the Government for Revolutionary services of their father John Chesher decd. that an agent who was hunting up such causes came to his father, the late Thomas Davis' house in Prince William County, and devised his mother, wife of said Thos. Davis, to prove the Revolutionary Services of John Chesher aforesaid, that he distinctly remembers that his mother refused to do so, and declared to said agent that she did not believe the said Chesher was in the Revolution, and that she had known him before his death for some time, that the general opinion among the old people of the neighborhood where John Chesher aforesaid lived and died is that the case? so prosecuted as aforesaid by Jane Haney and Cloe Chesher for the Naval Services of one Lieut. John Cheshire of the Navy of the Revolution were fraudulent and unjust; that he knew Nancy Austin, who made as he understood affidavit of the Revolutionary Service of the said John Chesher in the year 1838 before on Thomas Nelson, Justice of the Peace; that she was a very feable minded, ignorant old woman and eaily to be informed upon by an artful designing man such as the said Thomas Nelson, Justice was by many people reputed to have been, that William Chesher, son of Cloe Chesher married the daughter of Nancy Austin, aforesaid, before the year 1838;And that he verily believes the said cause of Jane Haney and Cloe Chesher presecuted as aforesaid was unjust and fraudulent.

John W. Davis

Sworn and subscribed before me on this day and year just before written.

A. Harrison, J. P.

Source: File of Bounty Land Application for John Cheshire as found in the National Archives

Deposition of Elizabeth Cornwell regarding John Cheshire, 1853, Prince William Co, VA

CindyMcC — 26 Mar 2007 4:00:12 GMT

John Cheshire
Lieut. In the Navy
Affidavit of Elizabeth Cornwell

Virginia, Prince William County, to wit

On this 15 day of July AD 1853 personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for the county and state aforesaid and duly authorized to administer oaths Elizabeth Cornwell who being entitled to credit and a disinterested witness and having being first duly sworn according to law, declares that she knew John Chesher, who lived and died in Prince William County, and who was the father of Jane Haney and Cloe Chesher, for a number of years before his death, that she is a cousin to the said Jane Haney and Cloe Chesher, the said John Chesher having married her aunt, that she remembers the Revolutionary war, that she verily knows that the said John Chesher never was in it; that the said John Chesher was a cobbler in Prince William County when she knew him and about the time of his death that he was a very plain unlettered man and certainly never was in the Navy; that the Nancy Austin who gave evidence in the claim of said haney and Cloe Chesher for services of their father in the Revolution, as she learns, she the affiant knew well, that she was a weak minded old woman, ignorant and easily imposed upon by an artful designing man such as she believes Thomas Nelson to have been reputed to have been who was as she learns the justice who took her testimony, that she has often told Jane Haney and Cloe Chesher that their father to her knowledge never was in the war, and that their cliam was unjust, that she verily believes and knows that the claim which the said Jane Haney and Cloe Chesher prosecuted was fraudulent and unjust, and that William Chesher married the daughter of Nancy Austin before the year 1838.

Elizabeth Cornwell (her mark)

Test: L. C. Lynn

Subscribed and sown to before me the day and year first and before written

L. C. Lynn, J. P.

Dec. 16th, 1853

The deposition of Elizabeth Cornwell taken at her home on the same subject as above (John Chesser) before Justice Levi C. Lynn.

Question: How old are you?

Ans: About 18 or 20 years when my first son William was born.

Question: Did you ever see John Chesser, the father of Jane Haney and Chloe Chesser?

Ans: I never did.

Question: Do you know what was the occupation of John Chessher.

Ans: I do not.

(Note: It seems that there may be more to this document, but I am unable to find it at this time.)

Source: Bounty Land Application of John Cheshire, as found at the Library of Congress

Deposition of Northumberland Pearson Regarding John Cheshire, 1853, Prince William Co, VA

CindyMcC — 26 Mar 2007 3:28:12 GMT

Dec. 16th, 1853

The deposition of Northumberland Pearson taken at his own home in the County of Prince William before Levi C. Lynn, a justice of the peace in said county to be read before the Commissioner of the General land office in behalf of the assignes June ? by Choe Chesser devisees of John Chesser a Lt. in the Virginia State Navy--

Question--What will be your next birthday and how old will you then be?

Ans: I was born in March 27th 1775 and will be Seventy-nine years of age on the 27th day of march 1854.

Question: How old were you at the time of the death of John Chesser?

Ans: I was about five years old at that time certainly not more than six.

Question: Do you know whether John Chesser was or was not in the Revolutionary War?

Ans: I do not because I was too young to recollect. I have heard that he was and that he was not.

Question: Did you know Thomas Nelson who was formerly a magistrate in this county, and do you know any thing in derision of his character as a magistrate

Ans: I new him very well as a man and new nothing against his majesterial character. He seemed to be a man of good judgment.

Question: Would you have relied upon Thomas Nelson in any manner of transaction of your own?

Ans: I certainly would. He always acted cleverly with me.

Question: Were you ever at the home of John Chessher?

Ans: No, I never was. I have seen him once at my Father's and they were conversing about the Revolutionary War. He lived but a short distance from my Fathers.

Question: Was he the father of Jane Haney and Chloe Chesher?

Ans: I have always heard so.

Question: Did you give a deposition about John Chesher on the 12th of July 1883 before Mr. Justice Fitzhugh on this subject?

Ans: Yes I did, and if it should not correspond to this, I intended it should and further the deponent sayeth not.

North Pearson

The above deposition was taken fairly before me without any undue bias on the witness

L. C. Lynn, J. P.

Source: Bounty Land File of John Cheshire, Application No. 1262, found in the Library of Congress

Chloe Cheshire Sells Land to Helen Cheshire, Prince William Co, VA, 1823

CindyMcC — 7 Jan 2007 9:19:57 GMT

CHLOE CHESHIRE SELLS LAND TO HELEN CHESHIRE 1823
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA

Know all men by these presents that I Chloe Cheshire of the County of Prince William and State of Virginia for and in consideration of the sum of forty dollars to me in hand paid by Helen Cheshire of the County and State aforesaid the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged. Have granted bargained and sold and by these presents do grant bargain and sell unto the said Helen Cheshire two beds bedsteads and furniture 13 head of hogs 4 chairs 1 table 1 bofet and earthan ware 2 pots 2 ovens 1 pail 1 piggin 1 chest 1 frying pan and 1 tub. To have and to hold the said property to her the said Helen her heirs Exors. administrators and assigns forever to the only proper use and behoof of her the said Helen and her heirs Exors Administrators and assigns forever. And the said Chloe Cheshire for myself and heirs and do by these presents warrant and forever defend the before named property to the said Helen her heirs Exors.defend against all claims of any person or persons whomever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and sealed and delivered.
In presence of Chloe (X) Cheshire
The words “1 chest 1 frying pan interlined before signing
P.D. Lawe

Prince William County to Wit.
This bill of sale from Chloe Cheshire to Helen Cheshire was acknowledged by the said Chloe Cheshire to be her act and deed in the Clerk Office of the county on the 22nd day of August 1823 and admitted to record.

SOURCE: Prince William County, Virginia, Deed Book 9, Pages 168-169.

Descendents of John Cheshire submit Claims Regarding his Military Service, 1838 and 1856

CindyMcC — 3 Jan 2007 11:45:50 GMT

Application 1292, 1305, 1449

John Chesire
Lieutenant, Virginia, State Nanvy

There were three claims submitted by different individuals.

The first claim was made in 1838 by the heirs of John Chesser of Prince William Co, Va.

Maysville, Mason Co, Ky. Court 27, Apr 1880
Prince William Co, Va Will 21 Oct 1779-7 August 1780

John Chesser, d. on 1780 leaving widow Sethy--He was a shoemaker before and after the war.

Issue:

1. Jane Chesser b. 1771, d 1846 m. ___ Hayney
2. Nancy Chesser d w/o issue
3. Mary Chesser d infant
4. John Chesser d w/o issue
5. Choe Chesser d before 1854

Issue:

1. William Cheshire d. bef 1860 m. ___ Austin liv. Mason Co, Ky.

Issue:

1. Ann Cheshire m. Moses Lynn
2. James Cheshire
3. George W. Cheshire
4. Ellen Cheshire
5. Susan Sheshire m. William Simonds
6. Elizabeth Chesser

Depositions: Nancy Austin (Mother in law of William Chesser); Moses Lynn (Son in law of William Chesser); James Green (RWS)

The second claim was made in 1848 by the heirs of John Chesire of North Carolina

Norfolk, Va, Court 18 Apr. 1848
Princess Anne Co, VA. Court 6 Apr. 1848

John Chesire served in a Row Galley and died in service, in 1781, leaving one sons:

Issue:

1. William H. Chesire m. Sarah Thomas (see 3rd claim)

Issue:

1. William H. C. Chesire
2. Sarah T. B. Chesire m. ___ Oliver
3. Margaret R. Chesire m. Caleb Dawby
4. Thomas J. Chesire
5. George W. Chesire m. 13 Aug. 1829 Nancy Ashton

Depositions: William Corbell b.. ca 1764.

Chowan Co, NC Court Spring Term 1856

John Chesire d. 1781 in service. He was Captain of the Caswell, which was one of two ships built at Edenton, NC during the Revolution. He died when his ship was lost near John's Island, NC.

Issue:

1. Henry Chesire d. bef 1848
Issue:
1. William H. C. Chesire
2. Sarah T. B. Chsire m. ___ Oliver
3. Margaret R. Chsire m. Caleb Dawby
4. Thoams J. Chesire
5. George W. Chesire m. Nancy Ashton

2. Wilson Chesire d. bef 1856
Issue:
1. Mary Chesire
2. Sarah Chesire

3. John Cheshire d. bef 1856
Issue:
1. Joseph B. Chsire
2. unk. dau.
3. unk. dau.

4. Peggy Chesire d bef 1856 m. Thomas Cox
Issue:
1. John Cox
2. unk. son
3. unk. dau.

5. Mary Chesire

Depositions: William T. French; Obed Cornwell; John W. Davis; Seymour Lynn; Lawrence Cole; Additon N. Thomas; Robert Marshall; Jonathan Overton b. ca 1766 (RWS): Northumberland Pearson (RWS); Elizabeth Cornwell

The first claimant was awarded land in 1838, and even though a majority of the depositions in 1856 indicated that the first claim was fraudulent, the Attorney General of the United States, in an opinion dated 28 June 1859, stated that the Government Land Office did not have the power to reverse the decision made by the State of Virginia in 1838. It appears that the second and third claims were connected.

Cheshire's from England, before and after 1700

Keli Cheshire — 7 Apr 2004 2:00:54 GMT

I am looking for any Cheshire's from England from about 1700 to the present. We are hoping to have a complete tree done for our children. If you can help please send infomation. Thanks.

Jonathan 'John' Cheshire b. 1847 KY, d. 1912 GA, USA, son of John Cheshire and Nancy ?

Bettie — 12 Apr 2004 2:30:22 GMT

Looking for information on John Cheshire b. abt. 1809 Ky. and married Nancy__?__. Also their son Jonathan"John" T. Cheshire b. 1847 Ky. and d. 1912 Ga. and married Sarah A. Herrin/en b. 1845 Ga.and d. 1926 Ga. I need any help I can get on any of thse families
and their parents. Any information will be greatly appreciated and I will be glad to share information.
Thanks, Bettie littldog@sonet.net

William CHESHIRE, Mary CORNWELL, Prince William County, Virginia, USA

Ron Cornwell — 4 Jan 2006 2:14:02 GMT

The following is from the Prince William County Order Book 1769-1771 which says "Nuncupative will of William Cheshire was presented to court by Mary Cornwell and admitted to record. July 1, 1771." (The 1771 will book is one of those missing records.) I think this Mary Cornwell is Mary Cheshire, the daughter of William Cheshire. Other evidence points to James Cheshire as being her brother. Mary Cornwell appears in the Personal Property Tax Records of Prince Wm County starting in 1782. I would appreciate any information that can be shared with me on the Cheshire family in Prince William County, Va, in the 1700's to 1800's.

Grover Cleveland Cheshire born Texas

lindys_mom — 12 Oct 2006 3:30:10 GMT

Looking for info on my ggrandfather, Grover Cleveland Cheshire (Cleve), born Texas, lived in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). Mother was Mary Ann Redmond and father Robert Monroe Cheshire. Have seen graves of Robert and Mary in Bryan County, Oklahoma and would like to know who Robert's parents are. My grandmother, Vera Ray Cheshire was born in Indian Territory in 1907 and never knew her father. He left to work on the railroad in Texas and never came back. I'll take any hints you can give me...Thanks!

Cheshires of Long Island, NY

lynnkenyon81 — 8 Apr 2004 4:33:26 GMT

need birth dates for following cheshires--thomas who married mehitabe dickinson--thier son thomas who married ???--and had william born 1797---died 1888, he married rachel smith.....how many children did william and rachel have? i only have one his name was luther--where there more?any help out there thanks lynne

Cheshire family Lost! - Oyster Bay

PrnessCheshire — 8 Apr 2004 4:31:55 GMT

I am a 19 yo girl in search of her past. My father (Gordon Cheshire) knows little. He knows that some family lived in Oyester Bay and that's it! Please Help if you can!

Ann Cheshire b1739 in Burlington, NJ

Sallymavs — 7 Aug 2006 4:20:35 GMT

I am looking for information about the family of Ann Cheshire from Burlington New Jersey who married Aaron Ivins in 1764. I can't find anything about her parents. Any information greatly appreciated.