In May of 1879, Sallie Russell, widow of Henry, started the process of applying for a window's pension for Henry's War of 1812 service. It appears to have been a two-step process as there is both a Widow's Pension Claim form and then a Secondary Proof of Marriage form. As the latter is dated two weeks after the former, it was probably not known at the time of application that it was necessary. Below I will outline relevant and interesting information that can be gleaned from these two documents.
Claim Form
On May 12, 1878, Sallie Russell appeared before, Epperson Tarply, Justice of the Peace, and related the following information about herself and/or her husband:
She resided in Giles County and was 82 years old
She was the widow of Henry Russell
Henry was a private in the company commanded by Captain Robert Cannon in the regiment of ____ commanded by Col. N. Cannon (?)
Henry had volunteered for service
When he enlisted, Henry was about 5 feet 10 inches tall with dark hair and dark blue eyes, age about 30 years old and born in VIrginia
She married Henry in Carthage, Smith County, TN on March 25, 1816
Her maiden name was Sallie Griffin
Neither she nor Henry had previously been married
Henry died in Williamson Co., TN on September 12, 1854 and resided in Williamson Co. until his death
She lived in Giles County since his death
She signed the form with a mark (X)
Milton Brownlow and A. A. Dunnavant attested to the fact that they had known Sallie for three years and that they had never heard it questioned that she was the wife of the Henry Russell.
Secondary Proof of Marriage Form
On May 28, 1879, Sallie again appeared before Epperson Tarply, Justice of the Peace, and provided the following information on a Secondary Proof of Marriage form:
She was the widow of Henry Russell who served under Capt. Robert Cannon
Her maiden name was Sallie Griffin
She married Henry on March 25, 1816 in Carthage, Smith Co., TN
She had the following children with Henry, and they are the only legitimate children of Henry: George W., Johnathan, Benjamin, Polly, Henry, James W., Eddy W., Elijah, <illegible>, Eliza A.
She couldn't produce record of the original marriage because the record had been destroyed
She couldn't provide an affidavit by the person who performed the marriage because he is dead
She lived with Henry until his death on Sept. 12, 1854
Sallie signed the form with a mark (X).
Appearing with her before the Justice of the Peace was Elizabeth W. Russell and Nancy J. Fogg, daughter-in-law and daughter. They attested to the fact that Sallie was "credible and respectable person," and that she was indeed who she said she was. In addition, there was the following handwritten statement at the bottom which gives some additional information: "Mrs. Elisabeth Russell States that She was personally acquainted with the Said Henry Russell for Eight Years up to his death and was present and seen him buried."
They also also attested to the fact that Henry claimed Sallie as his lawful wife, and that the claimant (Sallie) had with him the following ten children: George W., Johnathan, Benjamin, Polly, Henry, James W., Eddy W., Elijah, <illegible>, Eliza.
Elizabeth Russell signed with a mark, but Nancy J. Fogg signed her name.