Jul 5, 1855

McQueen Home

Note - this is a transcription of the actual documents. I've done my best in transcribing this, but as you know, handwriting and document quality is not the best. Punctuation and spacing has been added in some places to make the documents easier to read. My comments are included in brackets [].

Dear Sir,

Being call'd upon to make a statement in regard to the Claim of John McQueen, late of the county, for services rendered in the old war and under the act of the 7th of June 1832. I therefore say to you this, I attended to the examination of the old man very closely and had him examined upon every matter that could aid his claim. There was no improper means used to bring about his declaration, but all was done in a proper manner and in presence of the Court. I can say also that I know known him at least 30 years, and that he has always claimed to have served in the old war, and such has been his reputation. He was the oldest man in all my knowledge and counting form his children and my own knowledge he must have been as old as he represented himself to be. All the papers in the case (as produced in my court) has been attended to fairly. McQueen was a man of but shallow intellect and scarcely knew his own rights, and a man who always lived far back in the mountains and considerably secluded from intelligent society. I have admired your course in the pension office in regard to preventing and detecting frauds upon the government, but I say with all candor that I think this claim is a just one and out to be allowed and I am sure I would not recommend or claim that I did not believe in as _____ occupying the [here are 3 lines that are extremely hard to read] I can assure you that I have no interest earthly in the allowance of the claim, but being an old soldier myself (of the War of 1812) feel a deep sympathy for those old soldiers (and their poverty stricken families) who achieved for us the glorious independence which we are enjoying. I have caused the Seal of Office to be affic'd to this letter in order to prove its ________. I have _____

Your obt. Servant

A.W. Quinn

Kentucky

Estill County Sct

I Thomas H. Carson, Clerk of the Court for the County aforesaid do certify that A.W. Quinn whose signature is affixed to the foregoring letter is Judge of said court and that his said signature is _______ given under __________

5th of July 1855 Tho. H. Carson C.E.C.C.