Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,166, for Nicholas Powers, South Carolina
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SERVICE SC
Powers, Nicholas
NUMBER S.18.166
carded
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23.482 
South Carolina
Nicholas Powers of
Darlington in the State of So Ca
who was a Pr. & S in the _ commanded by Captain _ of the Regt commanded by Col  Thompson [William Thomson] in the So Ca line for 2 years -
Inscribed on the Roll of So Carolina
at the rate of 103 Dollars 04 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of Feby 34 and sent Chas A. Poellintz Darlington So Ca
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 257.60
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 51.52 = $309.12
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by N. Rice Clerk
Book E Vol. 6 Page 77
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State of South Carolina Darlington District: On this day the 21st of October 1833
[A] Personally appeared before me Nicholas Powers of the District and State aforesaid resident &c 
[B] aged Seventy Seven years; was born A.D. 1756 and swears that the Bible in  which his age was 
[C] recorded was either lost or burned during the Revolution. That he was born near Cheraw, That he was living in and learning his trade in Camden at the time he entered the service of his Country -- that he never obtained a regular discharge, for being severely wounded he was carried home & never afterwards returned.
Now Nicholas Powers being duly sworn doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the Act of Congress made and passed the 7th day of June A.D. 1832.
That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 
[D] 1776 under Colonel William Thompson [William Thomson] and served in the 3rd Regiment of Rangers where he was soon appointed Sergeant for a time: And as soon as Colonel Thompson found he could write made him occasionally a Clerk (as few of the officers or men could write their names) – Robert 
[E] Loyle [Robert Lyle] was Captain of the company which he was in. which Company formed a part of Colonel William Thompson's Regiment: and that he served three years in the Regular Service, and two in the Militia. That Colonel Richardson [Richard Richardson] was Colonel of the Militia
in which he enlisted -- His memory being infirm he thinks the Staff officers were General Lincoln [Benjamin Lincoln] Colonel William Thompson & Major Samuel Wise. That the Company officers were Captain Robert Loyle, Lieutenant John Jones & Nicholas Powers himself acted as Sergeant: That he served in said Regiment in various capacities for three years. That he
resided in Camden Kershaw District South Carolina when he entered the service: That he was engaged in the memorable Siege of Savannah where he was severely wounded & will carry it to his grave. That it was there he was sent home, & before he got well the Regiment was disbanded
& therefore, never received any regular discharge. That he never thought one essential not looking to any requisition of this sort. He further states upon oath that Colonel Richardson was Colonel of the militia under whom he served two years -- that he served his country five years,
two in the Militia service & three in the regular Army -- That during his Service he was up and down the Wateree, Congaree, & Santee Rivers, occasionally to Charleston & Coosahatchie [rivers] And up and down the Savannah from the town of Savannah to Augusta Georgia; That he was often stationed at Fort Stanberry Georgia and went up & down the Ogeechee River & that he
was good & true to the American
[F] cause & that he has never received any pension and never
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expects any, unless he now gets one from the Government. that he never received payment for his services while in the army or very little; That times were so hard that he could
get nothing but fatigue hardships & privations and occasionally a Kermish or fight
[F] He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in any State
Sworn to & Subscribed the 21 day of October 1833 before Richard Gautt presiding Judge s/  Nicholas Powers

[G] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant served as a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states s/ Richard Gautt-
[H] I Jno. B Bruce clerk of the Court of Common pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of
Nicholas Powers for a pension-
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this the 21st day of October Anno Domini 1833 s/ Jno. B. Bruce CCCpls

[K] We Robert Campbell a clergyman residing in the District & State aforesaid, and Isaiah Du Bose residing in the same do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nicholas Powers who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration
that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we
concur in that opinion - Sworn and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid 21st October1833
s/ R Campbell  Isaiah De Bose
s/ Jno. B. Bruce CCCpls

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary and served as he states and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Robert Campbell who has signed the preceeding certificate is a Clergyman in the said State & District
and that Isaac Du Bose who has also signed the same is a resident in
the said State & District and is a credible person & that their statement
is entitled to Credit s/ R Gautt

I Jno B Price Clerk of the Court of
Common pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Nicholas Powers for a pension
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In testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this the 21st day of October 1833
s/  Jno B. Bruce CCPls

Personally appeared before me Nicholas Powers & made
oath that by reason of old age & partial loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise period of his service but to the best of his knowledge he served as stated in his declaration s/ Nicholas Powers
Sworn to before me this 10th 1833
S/ Jno B. Bruce CCPls

Personally appeared before me Col. Benj Rogers & George McCall who being duly sworn testified that they have known the declarant Nicholas Powers ever since & during the war of the Revolution. That it has ever been said that he received the wound
which he now bears in the memorable siege of Savannah & Col Benj Rogers States that he saw the declarant
as soon as he returned to his mothers domicile near Cheraw then immediately from the service of his County- Col Benj Roger further states that he was born in two miles from the declarant & therefore knows him from infancy. That he is certain the declarant was in the regular service & called in by competent authority & believes from common report
at that day that declarant served in the Militia service
Sworn to & subscribed before me this the 21st 1833 s/ Jno B Bruce CCPls
George McCall
Benjamin Rogers
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No. 679
Nicholas Powers
Darlington Dist
S. Carolina
Admit as private
8 mo 11 days 27.88
Sergeant 15 mo 19 ds 75.16
= $103.04
19 June 77
Infy Mar 1 '78
Private 9 Jany 79
S. C roll
Suspended
see let Nov 9- 1833-  to
1. m
Chs .A. Poellnitz
Darlington Ct House
SC
So Co
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 20 1833
Sir, The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the service of Nicholas Powers
Period when the service was
rendered. He enlisted in the militia
service & serd two year previous to his entering the regular service. Col [Richard] Richardson was Col of the Regiment of Militia - served 5 years in the regular service & 2 in the militia.
Duration of the claimant's service.
3 years
Rank of the claimant. Private
Names and Rank of the Company
officers under whom he served.
Capt Loyle [Robert Lyle]
Names and Rank of the General
and Field officers.
Col Thompson [William Thomson]
Battles in which the applicant was
engaged. _
Country through which he marched._
Place of abode when he entered
the service, and age at the present
period. 75 years Camden, SC
Evidence by which the declaration
is supported. Traditionary Clergyman
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1.
The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claimstance
, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
ing the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first in
of
On this
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State Territor Disco ss
County of
day of
personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provion made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)
and
---
served in the
(e) regiment of the
Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of
& c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the
and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,
Clerk of the Court of
for a pension.
do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the applicacation of
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this
day of
& c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission
; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state unto
der oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted
; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.
All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there
subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account
of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war
, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it giv-
6.
{To a Soldier and what has become of it?
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
To unficer has become of it?
State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character
and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the
proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to
perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure
, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will for
low the rule laid down for his guidance.
The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming to the rule.
The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so
definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his
recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For---year----months, and
---
days, I served as a . For months and
days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension."
it is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law
directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months,
is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years
in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is
highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement;
the particular place or place where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority
; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
The opinion of the Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no pubthe
seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains
the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
out a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses
the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well
in the town for a man to where they were
nesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
indispensable in militia cases.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration
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P  18166
INVALID
File No. 18.166
Nicholas Powers
Sergt Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index: -- Vol. 1, Page 301
Arrangement of 1870
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To the Honorable Stephen D. Miller
Sumter District
Nicholas Powers
20,877
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Declaration of Nicholas Powers
State of South Carolina Darlington District
On this the Seventeenth day of October in the year 1832 personally appeared before the Honorable Bayliss J. Earle one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas & General Sessions of the said State Nicholas Powers a resident of the District of Darlington aged Seventy-five years who being duly sworn according to Law, doth in his oath make the following statement &
declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Pension made by the Act of Congress passed the 7th of June 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States under Captain Robert Loyle [Robert Lyle] of the third Regiment of Cavalry commanded by Colonel William Thompson [William Thomson] and that he served under the said Colonel William Thompson three years –
that he enlisted in the Militia service and served there two years previous to his entering the regular Service – Colonel Richardson [Richard Richardson] was Colonel of the Regiment of Militia in which he enlisted – That after entering the regular service at Camden he went from there to Georgia, was up & down the Savannah River & states that he was wounded in the memorable siege of
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Savannah. That he returned home after being wounded & did not receive
from the Commander of the Regiment any certificate or regular discharge. That he served five
years in the whole three in the regular service & two in the Militia.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any Agency of any State. S/ Nicholas Powers
Sworn to & Subscribed the day & year above written s/ BJ Earle presiding Judge of the Court of Common Pleas & Sessions in Open Court at Darlington Court house
We Robert Campbell a Clergyman residing in the District of Darlington & State aforesaid & Rasha Cannon residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Mr Nicholas Powers who has subscribed & Sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to seven five years of age that he is reputed & believed
in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that
opinion s/ Robert Campbell
Rasha Cannon 
Sworn to & Subscribed the day & year above written s/ BJ Earle presiding Judge of the Court of Common Pleas & Sessions in Open Court at Darlington Court house
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of
the Matter & after putting
the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he States & the Court further Certifies it appears to them that Robert Campbell who has signed the preceeding certificate
is a clergyman resident in the district & State aforesaid & that R Cannon
who has signed the same is a 
resident in the same dist & is a creditable person & the statement is entitled to credit.
s/ BJ Earle presiding Judge in Open Court
I John Bruce Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas at Darlington Court House do hereby certify that the above was done in open Court, signed by the declarant & Countersigned by his Honor the presiding Judge and that the foregoing contains this the
original proceeding in the matter of
the application of a Pension
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & seal of
Office this 17 October Eighteen
hundred and Thirty Two.-
s/ Jno. B Bruce CCPls
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JL Edwards Esq
Sir
the original declaration of Nicholas Powers is herein sent to the war department. Being under the impression that it was not necessary to keep it after a new one had been sent in, it has been for sometime mislaid hence the delay-- The seal of the Court being to it I deem it unnecessary to amend it, a new one comprising all the facts that could be needed or as I believe can be given, having been sent. After examining his
claim you will please direct your
conclusion to me at Darlington CH.
So Car. No doubt exists here of his
having been an intelligent & true Whig he is very old & is crippled said to have been done in the Revolutionary Service- I have known him from my infancy say twenty years ago & State that he is a gentleman of high
Character & unimpeachable Veracity
I am yours Respectfully
Chas A Poellnitz
20th Decr 1833
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[stamps] DARLINGTON cT hHO SC DEC 21 FREE
Nicholas Powers
JL Edwards Esqr
War Department
Washington City