After some of the names mentioned here recently, the Pension Application (S8311) for Rev. War service of Martin Deer may be of interest. Actually, the major items of interest are two Affidavits by Joseph Carpenter and by Benjamin Hoffman.
The first Affidavit was by Jospeh Carpenter.
Virginia Madison County To Wit
I Joseph Carpenter aged eighty three years next May certify under oath I was born and raised in the neighborhood in which old Mr. Martin Deer was raised and have known him ever since my infancy. The house in which he was born is in sight of my present residence. I am a Revolutionary soldier myself and served a full tour as volunteer in 1781 under Captain Elizah Kirtley in the spring of that year. I did not enter the army afterwards. On my return from the same another company was immediately raised and Martin Deer went as private and served a tour in the lower country. I was not with him but know that he went and returned and further I have always understood from old soldiers that Mr. Deer was at York Town and Petersburg and he is reputed by every body so far as I know to have been in the war as a soldier. I never heard his service doubted and he is regarded by every person in my acquaintance as such. And I do not believe a more honest man ever lived. I say again that Martin Deer served a tour in the lower country after my return which was early in the spring 81. I know nothing of other tours performed by him but believe any statement made by him to be strictly correct for he is an honorable man and known as such by the people of Madison.Joseph Carpenter Aged 83 next May
Joseph Carpenter's credentials were testified to by E. G. Chapman, who says he saw "his family register". Mr. Chapman adds that the said Carpenter was a man of respectability and one of our oldest citizens.
Dated 23 July 1846.
The second affidavit was by Benjamin Hoffman.
I Benjamin Hoffman a Revolutionary soldier aged eighty nine years next October certify under oath I served three tours in the Virginia Militia. My last tour was in the spring of 1781 under Capt. Ambrous Bohanon which continued for three months.
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.