Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 22,721, John Carter, S.C.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
S. C. 

Carter, John
Elizabeth

NUMBER 
W. 22.721

War of 1812
Va. to S. C.

CONTENTS

Died 1815
Page 2

2516
South Carolina
--------------------
Elizabeth Carter
widow of John Carter decd.
S. C.
who died about March 1815
of Edgefield Dist. in the State of So. Ca.
who was a Captain in the [blank] commanded
by Captain [blank] of the Regt commanded
by Col Hammond in the So. Ca.
line for 2 years
----------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll of So Carolina
at the rate of 480 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
-------------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of Feby.
1839 and sent Hon. F. W.
Pickens Ho. of Reps.
----------------------------------
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1838            $3600.00
Semi-annual allowance ending Mar. 39   240.00
                                                              $3840.00
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act July 4, 1835,       }
{Section the 3d         }

Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk,
Book A  Vol. 2d  Page 172


[notes on the right side]
Order to pay 11 April 1840
Same do 27th April 1841.

Date of death not on AB
Page 3

State of South Carolina
Edgefield District

Personally appeared before me Mathew 
Gray, a Justice of the Peace and Quorum in the District & State
aforesaid the undersigned Samuel Hammond who being first
duly sworn deposes as follows; That he was well acquainted
with John Carter deceased who is mentioned in the subjoined
declaration of his widow Elizabeth Carter and that the said 
John Carter was a Captain of a volunteer Company of South 
Carolina militia in the war of the Revolution, which company
was attached to Col LeRoy Hammond's Regiment of 
Genl. Andrew Williamson's Brigade of South Carolina militia
This deponent further states that in the first week of January 1779 he
first knew the said John Carter to be in actual service and in the 
capacity of Captain as aforesaid, at a place called Henderson Mills
on Spirit Creek twelve miles below Augusta, near the Savannah
road, where the British troops under the Col. Campbell who was 
then advancing from the town of Savannah to Augusta was met
by a detachment of our troops under the command of Col Hammond
aforesaid, of which detachment the said Capt Carter & 
his company as also a Capt Ryan and his command found
part - A  [bush canonade?] took place across the Creek, and was
kept up for several hours between the hostile force and Col
Hammond.  Capts. Carter and Ryan succeeded in breaking down
the bridges across the Creek as also the passway by the Mills aforesaid
and thereby arrested for a short time the advance of the British.
Soon afterwards Capt Carter aforesaid and his company composed a portion 
of a detachment under the command of Col Hammond aforesaid
which were dispatched by Genl Williamson to intercept a party of British
& Indians a few miles south of the Ogeechee river in Georgia - The 
expedition was immediately successful - The enemy were defeated and 
dispersed their horses and baggage; captured about twenty one or twenty two
Indians killed 2 scalped and a few white men killed, and several influential 
British agents taken prisoner; among the slain on our side
was Major Ross of Col Neil's Regiment.  Captain Carter & his company this
deponent well remembers, were then marched to the Long Camps a
point in Edgefield District nearby [several marked out words] opposite Augusta, where were assembled the 
great body of the force under the command of Genl Williamson
aforesaid.  These troops continued there encamped until the latter [illegible]
of the Spring of 1779, when they were marched towards the low country
for the purpose of protecting it against the British force under the 
command of Genl Provost, which had suddenly invaded that portion 
of the State, and threatened the City of Charleston.  The force under the 
command of Genl Williamson aforesaid first marched to a ferry over
the Savannah river called Summerland's Ferry 40 miles below Augusta,
then turned to the left and moved on util they reached the Edisto along
the banks of which they marched a considerable distance, then crossed the 
river and at length arrived on the banks of the Ashley river near Charleston.
Capt Carter aforesaid and his command accompanied them throughout
this march and were in the battle of Stono Ferry on the 20th June 1779.
From the affair at Stono Ferry until the close of the Summer, Capt Carter
and his company continued in arms with the forces under Genl Lincoln.
Early in September in the year last mentioned, a large number of our forces were
Page 4

moved towards the Savannah river which they crossed at Tubby's ferry,
and from thence were marched to the town of Savannah.  Capt Carter
and his company aforesaid marched with them and with them were
engaged in the siege of Savannah and in the attack upon it with 
the French, on the 9th of October 1779.  From that period until the Spring
of 1780, Capt. Carter aforesaid still remained in service, and in the month
of April 1780, was engaged in the defense of the city of Charleston, then 
besieged by the British he believes Sir Henry Clinton on the 13th of May
next pursuing the Town  Captain [illegible] and Capt. Carter became a prisoner
of war, but under the convention between Genl Lincoln and the British
commanding General, was permitted with the rest of the militia
to return to his family as a prisoner on parole.  The service of Capt
Carter aforesaid from the first week in January 1779 to the 
12th of May 1780 was uninterrupted and without intermission and 
this deponent swears comprized a term of at least sixteen months
continuous service in the capacity of Captain as aforesaid.
After the capture of Charleston Capt Carter remained quietly at 
home in compliance with the obligations of his parole, until his rights
under it were invaded by the British commander declaring that all 
such paroles were void and requiring him with many others to 
resume the character of British subjects, and take up arms in defense
of the Royal authority.  Being released by this measure
from all obligations under his parole, Capt Carter returned to his duty
as soon as opportunity offered.  A suitable occasion did not present itself
until the Spring of 1781, when a body of four forces were collected for the purpose
of making an attack upon the British posts at Augusta, and Silver Bluff
The advances of this body of troops were under the command of Col. James Jackson 
of Georgia and this deponent and also of Col LeRoy Hammond aforesaid
and they had scarcely arrived in the neighbourhood of Capt Carter when 
he joined them (this was about the first of May 1781) bringing with him 
mainly all his former command [illegible] others besides, and this [illegible]
the arrival of either Genl Pickens or Col Lea.  Capt. Carter and his command 
were with the troops last mentioned at the attack upon and 
capture of the two forts in Augusta, the one highest up the river and garrisoned by a party of Tory militia being commanded by Col. Grierson, and 
the other a half a mile lower down, a little below the present lower bridge,
and near to the old ferry being occupied by British Regulars under the 
command of Col Brown.  The latter was taken on the 5th of June 1781,
the former had previously capitulated.  Immediately after the surrender
of these posts Genl Green returned from the siege of Ninety Six.  Lord Rawdon
advancing to its relief, and Genl. Pickens and the militia under his 
command with the Regiment of State troops under the command of 
this deponent, retreated around Ninety Six through the mountains
and rejoined Genl. Green at Col Taylor's plantation, now Columbia, and 
in a short time afterwards marched to the Eutaw Springs and were in 
the battle at that place.  Capt Carter aforesaid and his company continuing with us and fighting in that engagement - This 2d period of Capt.
Carter's service from May 1781 to the battle of the Eutaw on the 8th September
of the same year comprized a term of at least four months continuous 
service - After the affair at the Eutaw Springs the militia had a short
respite from service and Capt. Carter enrolled his command as a volunteer
company for six months additional service and faithfully performed 
this engagement being employed with his company on the line of advanced 
posts extending from the Savannah to Broad River, which line of posts
was placed under the command of this deponent.  While this engaged
Capt. Carter and his command sometimes by themselves and sometimes
with other companies had frequent skirmishes with scouting parties
of the enemy, and in this service continued to the end of the war.  The 
last action in which he was engaged was a successful attack made
by him upon a party of marauding Tories at Saltcatcher [Salkehatchie?] Swamp, and 
this I believe was the last action in the State it being according to my
military notes subsequent to the death of Col. Laurens.
This deponent further states that the said Capt. Carter was married to the
Page 5

said Elizabeth before the close of the war of the Revolution, and the expiration of the 
last term of his service as a soldier aforesaid, and that since the death of the 
said Capt Carter the said Elizabeth has always resided in Edgefield District
aforesaid and has ever since continued unmarried and a widow.
This deponent further swears that the facts above narrated as to the services of the 
said Captain Carter, are correctly & accurately set forth, they having been compelled
after a full & careful examination by him of his notes and memoranda of the war
of the Revolution - This deponent therefore is perfectly assured and swears with
perfect certainty, that the said John Carter served as a volunteer Captain
as aforesaid in the war of the Revolution continuously and without interruption 
for a period altogether of at last twenty six months.  In conclusion
this deponent would further state the he doubts not other services were rendered
by the said Capt. Carter than those which was known to him & which are above recited
since this deponent was always informed that said Carter was a gallant and 
active soldier early in the war, and this deponent would further add
that the said Carter was a volunteer Colonel in the last war with Great
Britain and had command as such on the sea cost between Savannah
and Charleston, and before the close of the last mentioned war died in 
service as Colonel aforesaid in the militia of State aforesaid.  This deponent
further swears that the subjoined declaration of the said Elizabeth was prepared
though not sworn to or subscribed, previously to this deposition

S. Hammond

Sworn to this 22d June 1838 the words "miles from the Savannah river" in 
the 25th line and the words "and about miles from" in the 36th line 
having been first erased as also the word "Brier" in the 14th line having 
been first erased and the word "Spirit" substituted by interchanging in 
presence of and before me

M Gray
QU



South Carolina
Edgefield District

I the aforementioned Mathew Gray do hereby
certify that the above mentioned Samuel Hammond is of unquestionable
credibility, and that his statements are worthy of implicit
belief.  Witness my hand this 22d June 1838.

M Gray
QU



South Carolina
Edgefield District

On this sixteenth day of October in the year
of our Lord 1838, personally appeared before
the Court of General Sessions & Common Pleas in the District & State 
aforesaid, His Honor John B. O'Neall presiding, Elizabeth Carter a 
resident in the District & State aforesaid, aged seventy five years
who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath
make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4, 1838.
That she is the widow of John Carter deceased who was a Captain
in the war of the Revolution of a volunteer company of South
Carolina militia, which company was attached to Col. LeRoy
Hammond's Regiment of Genl. Andrew Williamson's Brigade
of South Carolina militia, and that the said John Carter at an 
early period of the said war entered the service of the State aforesaid
as Captain aforesaid and served as such throughout that memorable
contest whenever opportunities of doing so occurred.  This deponent 
forbears attending to such portions of his service as she has no means
of establishing by evidence, but contents herself by a simple recital of 
such services of the said John Carter as are proven by the accompanying
depositions of Col. Samuel Hammond & Jacob Wise.  The said John Carter
in the capacity of Captain as above stated was engaged in the expedition
against certain British posts in East Florida in the Spring of 1778, and 
this first term of his service comprized a period of at least four months.
Early in January 1779 the said John Carter was engaged in a skirmish
at Henderson's Mills on Spirit Creek in Georgia, with a party of British
troops under Col Campbell then advancing from Savannah to 
Augusta - Soon afterwards the said John Carter was engaged in a successful
expedition against a party of British & Indians, a few miles south
of the Ogechee river in Georgia.  He was then stationed at the Long Camps
a point in Edgefield District that now is nearly opposite Augusta with 
the forces under the command of Genl Williamson until late in the Spring
of 1779, when he marched with them to defend Charleston against Genl. Provost,
and fought in the battle of Stono Ferry on the 20th June 1779.  From
that time until the close of the Summer, the said John Carter still 
continued in service, and in September of the same year he was marched
to the town of Savannah, and was engaged in its seige and in the attack
Page 6

upon it with the French on the 9th of October 1779. The said Captain Carter still continued in service from that time until the Spring of 1780 when he was engaged in the defence of Charleston then besieged by Sir Harry Clinton. Upon the capture of the town on the 12th May 1780 Capt. Carter aforesaid became a prisoner of war but under the convention between Genl Lincoln & the British commanding General was permitted with the rest of the militia to return home a prisoner on parole. This second term of Capt Carter's Service from the first week in January 1779 to the 12th May 1780, comprized a period of at least sixteen 16 months continuous service as Captain aforesaid
After the capture of Charleston Capt. Carter aforesaid remained quietly at home in compliance with his parole until his rights under it were invalidated by the British Commanders declaring that all such pacts were void, and requiring him with many others to resume the character of British subject. Being released by this measure from all obligations imposed by his parole Capt. Carter aforesaid about the
of May 1781 joined a body of the Patriot forces headed by Col Le Roy Hammond aforesaid, Col James Jackson of Georgia & others & collected for the purpose of attacking the British posts at Augusta & Silver Bluff, and brought with him nearly all his former command with many others. The said Capt. Carter was with these troops in their attack upon & capture of the two forts in August, the our highest up the river and garrisoned by any militia being commanded by Col Grierson, the other
half a mile lower down been occupied by British Regulars under the command of Col. Brown. Immediately after the surrender of the parts the latter of which capitulated on the 5th June 1781 Capt Carter with his company and the other South Carolina Militia engaged in the enterprise retreated around Ninety six through the mountains, and having joined Genl Green at Col Taylors plantation now Columbia shortly afterwards marched to the Eutaw Springs and fought in that battle
on the 8th September 1781. This third term of the said John Carter service from the 1st May to the 8th September 1781, comprised a period of at least four months continuous service as Captain aforesaid, Immediately after the affair of the Eutaw the said John Carter enrolled his command as a volunteer company for six months more additional service and faithfully performed it being employed on the line of advanced posts extending from the Savannah to Broad River which said line of posts were under the command of the aforementioned deponent Samuel Hammond-- while thus employed the said John Carter had various skirmishes with scouting parties of them, and one of them a successful one with a party of marauding Tories at the [illegible] Swamp, and in this service he continued to the end of the war this fourth term of the said Capt Carters service added to those  already constitutes a term altogether if at least thirty (30) months continuous service as Captain aforesaid. For a more minute account of the articles of the service of the said John Carter, of which and of his rank as Captain aforesaid the possesses no documentary evidence the said Elizabeth refers
to the accompanying depositions of Samuel Hammond and Jacob Wise the statements of which she believes without doubt to be accurate and true, and which she begs may be regarded as part of her declaration ,the said Elizabeth preferring that the said witnesses should narrate their own testimony, and that she should refer to their deposition rather than they to her declaration. This Deponent further swears that the said John Carter emigrated from Virginia when quite a boy not more than ten years old, and settled in Edgefield District that now is where he continued to reside when he first entered the service as a soldier aforesaid, that she herself was born in Edgefield District that now is and there resided near Big Horse Creek when she was married to the said John Carter that she was married to the said John Carter aforesaid in the seventeenth 17th year of her age and previously to the close of the war and the expiration of his last term of service aforesaid, but the is unable to state the precise date the family record of marriages and deaths having been destroyed by the Tories during the war, that the said John Carter died whilst in the service of the State as Colonel in the late war about the month of March 1813 and that since his death this deponent has resided in Edgefield District & has ever since remained unmarried and a widow. 

Elizabeth Carter  X  her mark

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and
year above written before me John B. O'Neill who does hereby certify that the said Elizabeth is a person of credibility and worthy of belief as I am informed and as I believe - the word Brier having been first erased and the word spirit substituted [illegible] testimony

John Bolton O'Neill Presiding Judge


South Carolina
Edgefield District 

I, George Pope Clerk of the Court of General Sessions & Common Pleas in the District and State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the pension of Elizabeth Carter for a Pension, that the above mentioned John B. O'Neill is a Justice of the Court aforesaid, that the above named Mathew Gray is a Justice of the Quorum in the District & State aforesaid, and that the above signatures purporting to be those of the said J. B. O'Neill & M. Gray are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 31st day of October Anno Domini 1838

Geo. Pope Clerk of Edgefield District


[on left margin]
4117
Page 7

Power of Atty to 
Geo H Jones
in the claim of 
Elizabeth Carter
widow of Jno




Feb 21 1852
Page 8

South Carolina
Edgefield District
Whereas Elizabeth Carter late of the District aforesaid departed this life leaving [illegible] children Viz,  Charles B Carter, Rudolph Carter & others. And whereas it is supposed that there are arrearages of pensions that may be due & coming to the said Elizabeth Carter by reason of services rendered by her late husband Captain John Carter in the War of the revolution; and also certain bounty lands for services rendered by the said John Carter in the War of 1812. And whereas the undersigned Charles B Carter is desirous and of having properly investigated the matters above set forth, he being one of the children of the said Elizabeth Carter therefore Know all men by these presents that I the said Charles B. Carter have made constituted and appointed and by these presents do make constitute and appoint George H Jones Esqr of the City of Washington my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name & stead to examine investigate look into and acscertain any claim or claims that the said Elizabeth Carter May Have had in her life time against the United States of America for arrearage of pension , bounty lands or other matters that may be due & coming to her as the widow of John Carter deceased which by reason of the death of the said Elizabeth has passed to her children by virtue of the Acts of Congress in such case made as provided, and upon the receipt of any sum or sums of money land
warrants or other matters full & complete acquaintances was discharges to give & execute in my
name for the same as I myself could do if personally present 

Hereby ratifying and confirming whatever my said attorney may lawfully do in reference
Page 9

to the matters & things within set forth.
Given under my hand & Seal 
this 31st January 1852

Charles B Carter (seal)

Signed, Sealed and
acknowledged before me 
Mathew M Gray
Notary Public & Ex officio
Magistrate
Page 10

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
August 12, 1931.

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
ILL

Miss Helen Carter
Brucewood Farms
Greenville, South Carolina.

Dear Madam:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the 
Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 22721, that John Carter emigrated
from Virginia to Edgefield District, South Carolina, when about ten 
years of age.  The date and place of his birth and names of parents 
are not shown.

While a resident of Edgefield District, South Carolina, he 
entered the service early in January, 1779, as Captain of a company
in Colonel Le Roy Hammond's South Carolina Regiment.  He was in an 
engagement at Henderson's Mills on Spirit Creek between Augusta and 
Savannah, Georgia, and in an expedition against the Indians and British
in Georgia near Ogechee River, was in the battle of Stono and in the 
siege of Savannah and the siege of Charleston, where, on May 13, 1780,
he was taken prisoner.  He returned home on parole.  The parole having 
been considered void, he joined the troops under Colonels James Jackson
and Le Roy Hammond about May 1, 1781 and then was engaged
in the capture of two forts in Augusta, Georgia, on June 5, 1781.  He 
was in the battle of Eutaw Springs and several skirmishes with the 
Tories and served until the close of the Revolution as Captain.

He served as a volunteer Colonel in the War of 1812 and was 
in command on the seacoast between Savannah and Charleston.

He died about the month of March, 1815, while in the service.

The soldier was survived by his widow, Elizabeth Carter.  She 
was allowed pension on her application executed October 16, 1838, at 
which time she resided in Edgefield District, South Carolina.  She 
was then seventy-five years of age and stated that she was born in 

1.
Page 11

Edgefield District, South Carolina, and married John Carter at 
the age of seventeen when she lived near Big Horse Creek in said 
district.

In 1852, the widow was dead and was survived by the 
following children:  Charles B. Carter, Rudolph Carter and "others", 
names not stated.

Very truly yours,


A. D. HILLER, 
Assistant to Administrator.
Page 12

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
---------
File No. 22,721
Elizabeth Carter
Wid. of 
John Carter
Capt. Rev. War
----------
Act:  July 4th 1836.
Index: - Vol. A, Page 121
[Arrangement of 1870.]



[notes on the left side of page]
1931 Aug 12 - Hist. to Miss Helen
Carter. ILL
1931 Nov. 5 - Miss Helen V. Carter
for adv.  AWS
Page 13

V 4117
Elizth. Carter
wid of Jno
So Ca
Act July 4, 1836
m 1780  d  1815
sus. Let F. W. Pickins
Decr. 13, 1838
Allow as Captain
So Ca Militia 2 yrs
$480 per ann.



Hon F. W. Pickins
H.R.
Page 14

Charleston  7 April 1840

Sir

I forward herewith for authority to 
pay, Voucher of Elisabeth Carter.

I am very respectfully
Your obt S


A Spears
Pension Agent




J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Page 15

Charleston   21 April 1841

Sir

I enclose voucher of Elisabeth Carter, for 
your authority to pay, 12 months being due.
The enclosed letter has reference to a 
voucher of Mrs Carter which was rejected in
consequence of not having been correctly drawn
out.  The voucher accompanying this was
executed some days subsequent.  I have
therefore thought it proper before making
payment to submit it for your decision
knowing nothing of the writer.

I am very respectfully
Yr Ob S


A Spears
Pen Ag




J L Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC
Page 16

Indent Book W
No 412
Issued the 18 August 1785 to Captain
John Carter for One Hundred and 
fifty eight pounds five shillings for 
Militia duty, and for Horses lost in 1781 &
1782  pr. account passed by the Commissioners
£158.5.0

Book Z
No 162
Issued 12th March 1787 to Captain John
Carter for One Hundred and forty eight
pounds Eleven shillings and five pence
Sterling for the residue of account as 
passed by the commissioners  £148.11.5
(vide W. 412)


Comptroller Generals Office
Columbia  10 January 1839


I do hereby certify that the above are
true copies of the record made on the Margin 
of Indent Book W and Indent Book Z
deposited in this office.


William Ed Hayne
Comp Genl
for B. Hart
Page 17

BRUCEWOOD FARMS
GREENVILLE, S. C.
R. F. D. #2

PEDIGREED
JERSEYS
SELECT SEED AND 
POULTRY


7-25-1931


Bureau Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir;

Will you kindly tell me if 
you have a Revolutionary War pension record 
for Col. John Carter, Edgefield District
South Carolina?
I think he was also in the war of 
1812.

Thanking you for the courtesy
extended I am,
yours truly


(Miss) Helen Carter.
Page 18

Rock Hill, S.C.
Sept. 28, 1931

Rev & 1812 Wars Section
Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. Hiller
I received your letter of August 12, 1931 and I am very grateful to you for the information received but in continuing my work I must find something of the parents or brother or sisters of John Carter who emigrated from Va. to Edgefield District, South Carolina, when about ten years of age. If you can give me any information about his brother or sisters or his wifes parents I will certainly appreciate this very much his wife was Elizabeth or Betsy Wise before her marriage to John Carter

The information sent in your letter of August 12, was taken from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension Claim W. 22721

Enclosed please find stamped envelope addressed. your earliest attention will be
most appreciated

Very truly yours

Helen V. Carter
Box 605
Winthrop College
Rock Hill, S. C.
Page 19

November 3, 1931
BA-J/AWF
John Carter
W.22721

Miss Helen W. Carter
Winthrop College, Box 605
Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter relative to John Carter, pension claim W. 22721, a soldier of the War of the Revolution, which record was furnished you August 12, 1931.

This office has no general genealogical data on file and there are no further data in said claim in regard to the family of John Carter, other than that furnished August 12, 1931.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator