Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 32066, Nathan Williford, S.C.
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(3-1776)

SERVICE
S.C.

Williford, Nathan

NUMBER
S 32066

Born in Va.
=======
CONTENTS
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[Left side]
Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the
Act of 6th Apr 1838, from 4th
March 1841 to 3 Jany 1842. Agt
Notified 3d Decr 1844

[Right side]
Georgia [illegible]
Nathan Williford
[next 4 lines illegible]
2 years
========
Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia
at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
========
Certificate of Pension ifsued the 4th day of Apl. 34
and Sent Wm Ezzard
Decatur, Ga
========
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 [illeiglbe]
Semi-anl. allowance ending 8 sept
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Nathaniel Williford
Georgia
No. 17803
-----
Ret
Admit as private
2 years $80.

5.10.13.14
Int.2.7.
P.339

13 Sept 33
Wm Ezzard
Decatur, DeKalb Co. Ga.
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BRIEF in the case of Nathan Williford of Dekalb County in the State of Georgia
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court

2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?

3. How old is he? 75 years

4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
==========
Period.
-----
Jany or Fby in 1779 Vol.
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Duration of Service.
Years, } Months, | Days.
-----
for 6 mos. but contn? in the service until the latter part of the year 1781 - in all about 3 yrs.
=========
Rank.
As a
-----
Ensign was commifsioned Lt. which com. he bore til and of his service
=========
Name of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen.
-----
Lt. Col. Wm Wofford
Capt. Wm Smith Genl.
Lincoln, Genl. Elijah Clarke
Col. Benjn Robuck Genl.
Sumpter, Col. Williams
Genl. Pickens + Morgan

5. In what battles was he engaged? Stono ferry, Musgroves Mills, Blackstok, Kings Mountain, Cowpens

6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? District of 96 South Carolina

7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary

8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?


X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Examining Clerk.
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the act of congress passed June 7th 1832
State of Georgia
Dekalb 
On this day personally appeared in open court 
before the Superior Court of the said County
of Dekalb now sitting Nathan Williford a resident of said County and State of Georgia aged Seventy five 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 act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States
under the following named officers and served as herein stated sometime in the month of January or February
in the year 1779 - this declarant entered the service as a volunteer under the command of Lieutenant Colonel 
William Wofford in the company of Capt William Smith, as an ensign, -he resided in what was then called the District of Ninety Six and State of South Carolina and marched to the city of Augusta in the State of Georgia, and from thence went down below Augusta & joined the army of Genl
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Lincoln, and from thence to the battle of Stono
ferry when the Americans were defeated by the British
about the 15th or 20th June 1779 - he was then
in several scouting parties but no battles
of importance until the battle at Musgrove's
Mill on the Everer [Enoree?] river under
General Elijah Clark - he was also in
battle at Blackstocks on Tiger river
in the Regiment of Col. Benjamin Robuck
commanded by Genl Sumpter - he was also at
the battle of King's mountain under the
command of Col. Williams who lost his
life at this place. He was also at the battle of
the Cowpens under the command of
Genl. Pickens, Genl. Morgan Commander
The further states that he was acquainted with ┃
Cols Howard and Washington who were
present at the battle of the Cowpens. - At the
Battle of Stono his colors were shot all to
pieces notwithstanding which he still held
them up, & in consequence of his bravery on
that occasion he was presented with a sword
by Col Wofford by order of Genl. Lincoln and also with a
Lieutenants commission which he bore until the end of his service - he further states that he was not in the
battle at Eutaw springs in consequence of his having been sent off by Genl Pickens after deserters - the last battle which he was
in was the battle ofCowpens as above stated which was fought on the 17th Jany 1781
He further states that he served on horse
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back the whole of the time, and found his
own horse and was engaged a great deal
as a spy and frequently sent on expresses -
He also states that he had a severe conflict
with three town in the month of February
1781 who had taken Capt. John Lawson Prisoner
at which time Lawson and a man by
the name of Holcom who was in company
with him was killed. He further states when
he first went into the service as above stated
he went as a volunteer for a tour of Six month
and continued part of of the time against the British & the balance scouting parties against the Tories
until the latter part of the year 1781-
having served in  all about three years
and that he has no documentary evidence of
his service
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a
pension or annuity except the present and
declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to & subscribed
this 10th day of October
1832

W. Colquitt
Nathan Williford
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We Elijah Bird a clergyman residing in the said county of DeKalb and James Philips residing in the said County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathan Williford who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy five years of age, that he is reputed + believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Elijah Bird
James Philips
Scorn + subscribed the day + year aforesaid
W T Colquitt J.S.C.

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 Elijah Bird who has signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in said county of DeKalb and that James Phillips who has also signed the same is a resident in said county and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
W T Colquitt J S C

I Charles Murphy clerk of the Superior court of DeKalb county do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Nathan Williford for pension

[Sideways on the left]
Nathan Williford
17803
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And I do further certify that Walter T Colquitt whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is the presiding judge of said count
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand + private seal there being no seal of office this 30th day of October 1832
C Murphy Clk
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Rev. and 1812 Wars Section MMHF

October 26, 1923

Mrs. W F Robertson
Conzales, Texas

Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 32066 it appears that Nathan Williford was born September 15, 1757 Southampton County, Virginia.
While a resident of the District of Ninety Six, South Carolina in January or February 1779 he enlisted and served four months as a private and two months as Ensign in Captain William Smith's company, Lieutenant Colonel William Wofford's South Carolina Regiment; was in the battle of Stono, where, for his bravery, he was presented a sword by Colonel Wofford by order of General Lincoln, and was also made Lieutenant and served to the last of 1781. Was in the battles of Musgrove's Mills, Kings Mountain, Blackstocks and Cowpens.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 10, 1832 while a resident of DeKalb County, Georgia. He died January 3, 1842. There is no family data on file.
Repectfully,
Commissioner.
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Georgia}
Cherokee County} Personally came + appeared before me Henry Holcomb of said county who after being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with Nathan Williford Esquire of the county of DeKalb in said State and that he knew said Nathan Williford in the State of South Carolina in the time of the Revolutionary war and that he frequently saw said Williford in the service as a soldier and afterwards as a Lieutenant of a company of militia in said service, I first became acquainted with him shortly after Furgusons defeat at the battle of Kings Mountain - the said Williford was sent out in company with one Joseph Holcomb as a spy - by Captain John Lawson + Lawson himself was  taken prisoner by them torrie and Williford + J Holcomb came acrofs them + attempted to rescue Lawson + he Lawson + Holcomb and one of the tories by the name of Dofsset [Dosset] was killed in the struggle and the other two tories made their escape and Williford succeeded in taking two of the horses belonging to said tories + brought
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them off. I knew said Williford from that time till the end of the Revolutionary war and he was always reputed + known to be a brave whig - and my imprefsion is that after Capt Lawon was killed as above stated he the said Williford was elected to command the said company + I think he continued to serve more or lefs until the termination of the war. I lived at that time in what is now Union District So. Carolina + was about fifteen years of age, + frequently saw said Williford in the section of country in which I lived in the service of the whig party in the Revolution
Henry Holcomb

Sworn to + subscribed before me this 25th day of Sept 1832
Wm B Malone J.P.
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The Affidavit of Thomas Betterton
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George}
DeKalb county} Personally Came before Me Daniel Galu a Justice of the Peace for said County Thomas Betterton who being duly sworn saith and deposeth that Nathan Williford did serve in the revolutionary war in the same company with this deponent six months or more and this deponent further states that the said Williford was a good and faithful patrol of that day and did actually fight in defence of this country
Thomas Betterton (his x mark)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 9th day October 1832
Daniel Galu
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
July 31st, 1844.

Sir:

Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension agents, The Admor. of Nathan Williford ded. a Pensioner on the Roll of the Georgia Agency, at the rate of Eighty Dollars per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1841 to the 3d Jany 1842.
Respectfully yours,
Albion K Parris
Comptroller.

To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Resent.
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N Willeford

N Willeford
Admit as private
2 yr. $80
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Nathan Williford which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?

# V. *Has he mentioned 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 amout of pension he is entitled? No

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?

# X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? No [There is a bracket to the left of this statement.]
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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? No

XIV. [Cross symbol] If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? No

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI. [Cross with a bar at the bottom symbol] Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 2. 7 not answered

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
# *QUERE V. 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. [A bracket appears on both side of this paragraph.]
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3

# 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 in too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pension merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the name of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. [The rest of this paragraph is underlined.] This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places 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. [There is a bracket on both sides of this entire paragraph.]
[Cross symbol} QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In 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, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify [The rest of this paragraph is underlined.] to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[Cross with a bar at the bottom symbol] QUERE XVI. Mode of authentication 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 paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
{Right pointing hand symbol] In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers. [There is a bracket on both sides of this paragraph.]

Unlefs the applicant can specify his services, and addua some other proof of his having held a commifsion no favorable [illegible] can be had on his case - The Militia in the Revolution did not perform tour of duties of 18 months continuous service - such allegation cannot be admitted
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Georgia}
DeKalb County} Personally appears before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace in and for said County Nathan Williford who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age + the consequent lofs of memory he can not swear positively as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not lefs than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades. For six months in the year 1779 I served as a volunteer in the army of the United States [illegible] months of which service I performed [illegible] two months as an Ensign. For Six months [illegible] latter part of the year 1779 and for [illegible] 1780 I served as a volunteer + Lieutenant in the army of the United States. For Six months in the year 1780 I served another tour as a lieutenant and volunteer in the army of the United States. For Six month in the year 1781 I served as a volunteer + Lieutenant in the army of the United States, but not being able at this time to prove that I held a commifsion for either of the officers above mentioned, I claim a pension for my services as a private only, and this much I do claim, during the above periods of service I was in the army of the United States as a volunteer in actual service, and was not during any part of said time engaged in any civil pursuit
Nathan Williford
Sworn to + subscribed before me this 17th day of March 1834
H B Latimer J.P.
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Georgia}
DeKalb County} I, Elzy B Reynolds Clerk of the Superior Court of said County do hereby certify that H B Latimer whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County and that the signature thereunto annexed purporting to be his is genuine given under my hand and seal office this 21st day of march 1834
E B Reynolds Clk
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Gonzalis Texas, Sept 13 ' 23
[Round stamp mark]
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
L
SEP
17
1923

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,
Will you please send me the record of Nathan Williford, Spartan Co, S. C. - m. Martha Wood - 1782 - was born 1757 - died 1842 - Fought in Revolution and received a pension.
Yours truly
Mrs W F Robertson
Gonzales, Texas
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32066
Revy INVALID

File No 32 066
Nathan Williford

Pri Rev War

Act: June 7th 32
Index: Vol. 2, Page 455
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Nathan Williford
Page 25

State of Georgia}
DeKalb County} On this Eighth day of July in the year Eighteen hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open court before the Inferior court of the said county of DeKalb, now sitting Nathan Williford a resident of said State + county aged Seventy five years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the  following declaration in addition to the one which he made at the time of the Superior court held in + for said county in October last in order to obtain the benefit of an Act of congrefs pafsed on the 7th June 1832. That he entered the service of the United States as an Ensign in January or February in the year 1779 and served in that capacity until the battle at Stono ferry which he believes was on the fifteenth or twentieth of June in the same year he can not say positively how long he served in that capacity but he is certain that he served at least four months as an ensign - He further states that he served from that time until the battle of the cowpens as a Lieutenant he can not from the lapse of time + the lofs of memory state the precise length of time but he is certain it was at least Eighteen months, after that time he was in no general engagement but was engaged for a considerable length of time in scouting paties against +
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in pursuit of the torries. He further states that he is certain he served two years at the least in the capacity of an Ensign four months, and as a Lieutenant Eighteen months, The Declarant further states that he has no documentary evidence of his service, and can not at this time obtain the testimony of living witnesses, as the witnefses whose affidavits he procured before do not reside in this county, nor is there any person residing in said county who knew him in the army except John Woodall whose affidavit he will endeavor to [mail]. He states that he was born in South Hampton County in the State of Virginia on the 15th day of September in the year 1757 - has no record of his age except a memorandum in his bible which was transcribed from his father's Bible The declarant further states that he is known to Daniel Gober Esquire, Reuben Martin, William Conn, John Isham + Jacob R Brooks + Joseph Powers in his immediate neighbourhood and Major Jefse F Cleveland [Jesse F Cleveland}, James Simon, Gel. William Ezzard, Col. Thomas Akins, Col. George D Anderson, Tully Choice, Jephthah V George and Thomas Stevens all of the Town of Decatur in said county all of whom can testify to his character for veracity, and their belief of his service as a soldier of the Revolution
Nathan Williford

Sworn to + subscribed the day + year aforesaid
Lodwick Tuggle J.S.C.
Thomas Ray J S C
Edward Jones J S C
Page 27

Mr Jephthah V George a clergyman residing in said county and Robert Malone residing in the same do herby certify that we are well acquainted with Nathan Williford who has subscribed + sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy five years of age, that he is reputed + believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinions
Jephthah V George M. G.
Robert Malone
Sworn to + subscribed the day + year aforesaid
Lodowick Tuggle J. S. C
Thomas Ray J S C
Edward Jones J S C
And the said court do herby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and of 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 certify that it appears to them that Jephthah V George who has signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in said County of DeKalb, and that Robert Malone who has also signed the same is a resident in said county and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
Lodowick Tuggle J. S. C.
Thomas Ray J. S. C
Edward Jones J S C
Page 28

I Elzy B Reynolds Clerk of the Inferior court of DeKalb County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Nathan Williford for a pension. And I do further certify that Lodowick Tuggle, Thomas Ray + Edward Jones whose names appear to the foregoing certificate are the Justices of said court 
In Witnefs whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this [illegible] day of July 1833
E B Reynolds Clk
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George}
DeKalb County} Personally appeared before me John Wooddall who after being duly sworn deposeth + saith that he was acquainted with Nathan Williford in the revolutionary war in the year 1781 + Knows of his having served in the revolution + bore the name of a true whig
John Wooddall
Sworn to + subscribed this 13th day of July 1833
Daniel Gober JP
Daniel Gober an acting Justice of the peace in + for said county do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with John Wooddall who has sworn to + subscribed the above affidavit + believe him to be a person of veracity + entitled to credit Given under my hand + seal this 13th day of July 1833
Daniel Gober JP

Georgia}
DeKalb county} I Elzy B Reynolds Clerk of the inferior Court in + for said county do hereby certify that Daniel Gober whose name appears to the foregoing certification is an acting Justice of the peace in
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+ for said county + that due faith + credit ought to be given to his attestation as such - given under my hand + seal this 19th day of July 1833
E B Reynolds Clk