Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32323, Malachi Hofford, N.C.
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(3-1776)

SERVICE                                                 NUMBER

N.C.               Hofford, Malachi             S32323


CONTENTS
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31,786

Illinois

Malachi Hofford
of Gallatin Co, in the State of Illinois
who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Pierce of the regiment commanded by Col. Tillman in the N. Carolina 
line for 6 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois
at the rate of 20 Dollars  [line through Cents] per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
Certificate of pension issued the 9th day of September, 1840 and sent to Samuel Elder, 
Equality, Illinois.
Arrears to the 4th of Sepr. 1840  $90.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4, Mar. 1841 $10.00
[Total] $100.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Wm. W. Edwards, Clerk,
Book E-2, Vol. 8   Page 123  [65 struck through]
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State of Illinois, Gallatin County SS [State Seal]

On this 22nd day of September in the year AD 1837 Personally appeared in open Court before the circuit Court of Gallatin County now sitting, Malachi Hafford a resident of said Gallatin County and State of Illinois, aged eighty one 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 I was drafed [drafted] and entered the service under the command of Capt James Pierce and marched to Newbern  town and
There was stationed to guard that place, no field officer recollected but Col. Tilman, I saw there, and at the end of three months service I was discharged by Capt. Pierce, the day, month or year I do not recollect but it was in the early part of the Revolutionary war, next after that I was drafted and entered the service under the command of Capt Hardy Gatlin we marched to Kings town and round about that place to guard against the depredations of the Torys, I do not recollect any field officer at Kings town but General Caswell, the month or year I do not recollect but it was not too long after the death of, General Bryant I was sick part of my time and wanted to go home but, General Caswell would not agree for me to go home until the expiration of three months service. When I received a discharge from Capt Gatlin, I next turned out volunteer under Capt Charles Roach for for six months comanded [commanded] by Col Johnson and a Major Lowery. We randevoused at Kings town we then marched to Charlotte from there we marched a cross the Catobs river at the old Indian town, we then marched to a place called the big swamp in South Carolina  I was taken sick and the next place I recollect was the Savanah we crossed at Augusta we then marched down the river some distance and crossed the river back into South
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South Carolina and marched until we came near Stone river, where we had severe swamps to pass through we was then halted near where the British was at or in a fort on the Stone river we lay there some time before we attacted the fort, from our camp to the attact we marched in the night and we of the militia was put in the front and we comenced the action early in the morning and I saw the British picket guard run into the fort we fired some time on the fort and the Militia broke and I saw the green coats which was said to be the Hesian troops come pouring out of the fort as I thought in great numbers and we the Militia was marched off and the ninemonths men and regular troops advanced and I heard them firing heavyly for some length of time. We was marched back to the camp and did not return to the fort any more my officers informed us that our men had gained the victory we continued at our camp for some time. I was sick and had to be hauled a part of my time in a waggon and my six months service expired I received a discharge from Capt Roach and set out for home and I was yet sick and unable to reach home and a friend came after me with a horse. I was not acquaint with the names of any of the continental officer so as to recollect them, on the day of engagement I saw three officers riding and asked who they were, the answer from a private soldier was that one of them was Genl Lincoln or Linkhorn as I understood the name, I was put on the picket guard one time where a continental officer had the command and in the night as they informed me while I was sleeping a parcel of horses came running and they thought it was the british light horse and an alarm gun was fired and the officer commenced calling the guard by their numbers and I yet asleep he continued calling the numbers when I awoke from sleep and run to my place and he cursed the Militia at a considerable rate though I do not recollect his name, this all the recollection I have
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of any continental officers in my service in South Carolina
the month or year I cannot recollect, Next after my
return home I was drafted and stationed at Swifts
Creek bridge under the command of Capt. William Winum
guard the publick stores that was deposited at
that place and I served three months and at the end of three months service I received a discharge from Capt Winum, and returned home, the date by month
or year I cannot recollect,  Again I was drafted and
entered the service under the command of Capt Aron
Arnold we was marched down the country as low as a
place called the richland Chappel and there we was
stationed for some time until our term of service
for three month expired and I received a discharge
from Capt Arnold. There was no regular troop served
with us in any of my three months tours,
the month or year I do not recollect only by the age of my
oldest son which was born the night before I arrive
ed at home from the last service which the
record of his age now in the possession of his widow
bares date the 12th day of November AD 1781 and
I have no other dockamentary evidence in my poses
ion at this time. And I know of no person whose
testimony I can procure who can testify to my service
I served all my service a private soldier, And
I never was furlowed to leave the service and
I am certain that I served not less than Eighteen
months for which I claim pension, and I hereby
relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or
annuity except the present and the reason I have
not claimed sooner if I did not know that any but
the regulars was allowed a pension. And I do further
declare that my name is not on the pension roll
of the agency of any State
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Interogatories by the Court
qu: where and in what year were you born
Ans: I was born in Craven County, State of North Carolina, on the
6th day of March, AD. 1756
qu: Have you any record of your age if so where is it
An:
I have had the record of my age, but it is detroyed or torn
out by the ware of an old Bible
qu: Where were you living when called into service
An: In Craven County North Carolina
qu: where have you lived since the Revolutionary war
An: I moved from Craven County, North Carolina to Sumter County
in the State of Tennessee about thirty nine or forty years since
I lived in Tennessee about nine years I then moved to Christian
County since attached to Caldwell County in the State of Kentucky
County
I lived there about Eleven years, I then moved to Gallatin County
in the State of Illinois
qu: And where do you now live
An: in Gallatin County State of Illinois
qu: Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and
if so by whom was it given and what has become of it
An: I have received five dicharges one was given by Capt. James
Pierce another given by Capt Hardy Gatlin, and another
given by Capt Charles Roach and another given by Capt
William Winum and fifth given by Capt Aron Arnold
and all lost or destroyed with some other old papers
that I did not think would ever be of any service to
me and took but little care of them on that account
Malachi Hafford
his mark
sworn to in open Court Leo White Clerk
22 Sept. 1837
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September 18, 1939

BA-J/AWF
Malachi Hofford
S. 32323

Mr. Thomas Carder
Eldorado
Illinois

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which
you request the Revolutionary War record of
Malachi Hafford.
The data which follow were obtained from
papers on file in claim for pension, S. 32323,
based upon service of Malachi Hofford. This is
the record of the only Malachi Hofford, found on
file in the Revolutionary War pension records of
this office. The surname was searched under
similar spellings.
given.
Malachi Hofford (as the name is shown in the
claim) was born March 6, 1756, in Craven County,
North Carolina. The names of his parents are not given.
While residing in Craven County, Malachi
Hofford served as private from early in the
Revolution, at various times with the North Carolina troops, under Captains James Pearce, Hardy Gatlin, Charles Roach, Lewis Jones, William Winnum, Aaron Arnold, Colonels Tillman, and Johnson; during his service he was stationed in
Newberntown " to guard that town, stationed in Kingstown" to guard against attacks by the Tories,
was in the battle of Stone, was stationed at Swifts
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Creek Bridge to guard public stores, also stationed at " Richland Chappel.
The soldier, Malachi Hofford, moved from
Craven County, North Carolina, about 1797, to Ten-
nessee, lived there nine years, then moved to
Kentucky, there about eleven years, then to Gallatin
County, Illinois.
He was allowed pension on his application
executed September 22, 1837, then a resident of
Gallatin County, Illinois, where he continued to
live in 1840.
Reference was made in 1837 to the widow of
his oldest son, and that said son was born November
12, 1781. No names were stated and there are no
further discernible data in the claim relative to
the family of Malachi Hofford, nor is the date of
his death shown
In order to obtain the date of last payment
of pension, name and address of person paid, and
possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you
should apply to the Comtroller General, General
Accounting Office, Records Division, this city,
and furnish the following data:
Malachi Hofford
Certificate #31786
Issued September 9, 1840
Rate $20.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Illinois Agency.
1831
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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1939. Aug 14 list to [illegible]
1939. Sept 18"" Thomas Carder

32323
Revy INVALID.
File No. 32, 393
Malachi Hofford
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 194
[Arrangement of 1870.}
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Malachi Hofford
Illinois
______
Suspended
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Act of June 1832

Samuel Elder
Equality
Ill
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Equality Ill}  Free
July 2nd

July 17
Act 1832
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
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Gallatin County, Illinois, June 29th 1837
Sir enclosed I send you the declaration of Malachi
Hofford of his services during the revolution war
with great Britan, he is a man of no learning
and has lived a private retired life, rendering
him unacquainted with the history of his Country
to Strengthen his recollection, therefore he has
made his declaration agreeable to his own bare
recollection which has underwent so many toils and
hardships for the many years that passed since that
time. Therefore his claim is submited under its own
colours, for your examination having full confidence
that you will give it that examination which
is due to those who defended their country in
the great struggle for Independance
And whether or not his claim is embraced
please to write and give the nessessary information
Your Obt Servant
Saml Elder
---
Direct to Equality post office
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Gallatin
County, Illinois
Sept 22. 1837
Sir enclosed I send you the declaration of
Malachi Hofford had before the circuit
Court of Gallatin County, he made mention
of some services in his former decaration
which he has omitted in this for which
he makes no claim in consequence of their
being only of a few weeks duration for which
he received no discharge, and as there is
no clergyman residing in the neighborhood
of said applicant, we had to use the testimony
of other respectable men and has attached
the certificates of Mr Lane our Sheriff
and Mr Spilman a Clergyman residing in
another part of the County, to show the
character of said applicant as to his honest
pretensions,
please communicate as early
as convenient

And oblige your Obt Servt
Saml Elder

Mr. J.L. Edwards
Commisioner of
Pensions
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S. Elder
Augt 18 1837
Ill
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War Dept Pen Offices
Augt 18th1837
Sir
The statement made by
Malachi Hofford of his services
during the revolutionary war as a
militia man of N. Carolina
has been exd [examined] & filed with suspended
cases in this office. In order to
obtain a pension under the act
June 1832 he should
make a declaration, drawn
up according to the enclosed
blank form, and comply with
the regulations thereto attached. He
should also state under oath his
reasons for not making and
earlier
application for a pension
Samuel Elder Esq
Equality P.O.
Illinois
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S. Elder
Nov 16. 1837
Ill
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War Dept. Pen Office

Nov 16, 1837
Sir,
The amended declaration
of Malachi Hafford has
been ex,  & filed with his other
papers.
He alleges several tours
of three months each and one term
of six months. The militia did
not
serve so long as six months
and the applicant is mistaken in
his statement of his having served
three months in each term. That
description of men seldom served
so long as
three months and the
record in this
office shows that in
the applicants first term under Col
Tillman he served twenty
days there is no evidence hereof
other alleged terms. He should
there make an additional statement
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Aug 19 40
Ill
Add proof
Malachi Hafford
Equality Ill
 JM Agent

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
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1840
August 8th, 1840
Gallatin County Illinois
Sir
enclosed I send you the amended
declaration of Malachi Hofford which
may cause you to think strange of the
long delay but the old man like other
old people in their dotage was very much
dissatisfyed in consequence of his term of service
being disputed which he claims to be
substantially true and intended to try
to live without it but I have satisfied
him that it was the duty of government
officers to be thus carful
and guard agains
 frauds and the old mans needs and
wants are such as to make him wiling
to throw off part of his service he
says Col Tilman was an old man that
had marryed a young wife and return
home and left him in the service
but old men like him without education
or proper information must be excused
for not being able to judge more correctly
of duty of officers I have known the old
man for more than thirty years myself and
knew him to be an industrous man bearing the
character of and honest truthful man
I am with Respect
your Obt Servt
Saml Elder
Commissioner of Pensions
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I Malachi
Hafford aged eighty one years
do solemnly swear that I enlisted in Craven
County North Carolina under Captain Charles
Roach for six month from the time we joined
head quarters as a private we was placed under the command
of Major Lowry and Col. Johnson we then marched
up the country and crossed the Catabo [Catawba] river at the
old Indian town we marched through South Carolina
and crossed Svanah [Savanah] river at Augusta
Marched down the river then crossed the river back
again and marched back into South Carolina
near Stone [Stono Ferry]
we lay there some time until reinforced we then marched against the British that
was station on stone river there we had a severe
battle in which we conquered the enemy in which
some was killed and some wounded I do not recollect
the date for I am no schollar but I know it
was in the revolutionary war and I do not recollect what General had the command on that
day, and being unacquainted with the Generals  I asked one of the soldiers what officers them was that
was riding and I think he said General Lincoln
and he did not know the other, I heard there
say the next day that if General Mootric [Moultrie] as
I understood the name, had come from Charlestown as they expected he would, we would
have done much better for he would
have prevented the British from making
their escape after they crossed the bridge,
We
then returned to North Carolina our time being
out we was discharged and I served by turn for
three month tour several times during the war
I went out for three months under Captain
Aron Arnold but had no engagement and returned home by discharge then when General Creig marched in I turned out under Captain Lewis Jones
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but Creig retreated and I was discharged in about
a month and when Cornwallas marched through
North Carolina, I turndout out under Captain
Hardy Gatlin we marched up the Country for the
purpose of keeping the torys from having access
to Cornwallis but Cornwallis had passed through
before we got up and we was discharged
Malachi Hafford

his Mark

Subscribed and sworn to before the under
Signed a Justice of the peace in and for Gallatin
County and State of Illinois This 28th day of
June 1837
Saml Elder J.P.

State of Illinois
Gallatin County
I Samuel Elder now acting
Gallatin County Justice of the peace in and for
said County do hereby certify that I have been
acquainted with
with Malachi Hofford more than
twenty five years and I believe him to be a
man of truth and strict honesty all of
which I do hereby certify, Given under my hand
this 28th day of June 1837
Saml Elder J.P.

State of Illinois
Gallatin County
S
I Leonard White Clerk of
the County Commissioners Court and foresaid
County do certify that Samuel Elder whose name
is signed to the above declaration is and was at
the time of signing the same and acting Justice
of the peace duly commissioned and qualified
and that his signature is genuine and that full
faith and credit is due to his official acts as such.
Given under my hand and the 
seal of said Court at Equality
this 1st day of July AD 1837
Leod  White
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State of Illinois
Gallatin County
The amended declaration
I Malachi Hafford a resident in the County
and State aforesaid, aged Eighty four 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 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the
United State under the following named officers and
served as herein stated, I was drafted and went
under the command of Captain James Pierce to Newbern
town and there was stationed to guard that place
and served twenty days as a private Militia man
next after I was drafted again and went under the
command of Capt Hardy Gatlin to Kingstown  to
guard that place and served thirty days as a private
next after I turned out volunteer under Capt Charles
Roach, we randevoused in Kingstown under a Major
Lowery & Col Johnson we marched to Charlotte
from there we marched across the Catoba river
at the old Indian town we then marched to
a place called the big swamp in South Carolina
we then marched to Savanah River and crossed
at Augusta, we then was marched down the River
and crossed this River back into South Carolina and
marched until we came near Stono River we was
stationed near where the British was at a
fort on the Stono River I omited stating
that after we crossed the Savanah River back
into South Carolina we was marched in various
directions in search of the British and our
troops took from a party of the British a parcel
of negroes and Rum, we was then marched
on through the Country and was encamped at
Bacons Bridge where our picket guard was
fired upon and when we was marched from
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Bacons Bridge the British pursued us and some times so close that we could not get time to cook but we were reinforced an [and] we got on persuit [pursuit] of the British and they retreated to the fort at Stono I had been sick from the time we left the big swamp and was hawled [hauled] in the baggage waggon [wagon] for some time and my health so bad that I have but a small reccollection [recollection] of all the circumstances that occured [occurred] and when we went into the battle at Stono I was hardly able to do duty but I marched to the attact [attack] at the fort and our Lieut Philip Neal informed us that Gen'l Moltrie from towards Charletown [Charlestown] was to attack the British on the opposit [opposite] side at the same time but I understood he failed to do so. from Stono we marched to monks Corner from there to Dodgester and from there to Georgetown and after we left Georgetown I was taken sick again and lay at a mans house until a friend came after me and carryed [carried] me home I also omited [omitted] stating that for turning out volunteer I got five dollars for turning out and five dollars per month which was paid in contineltal [continental] ["3 month" annotated in margin] money and I served three months as a private, next after I was drafed [drafted] and stationed at Swifts Creek bridge under the command of of Capt William Winneim to guard the publick [public] stores that was deposited at that place and ["15 day" annotated in margin] I served fifteen days next after I was drafted and went under the command of Capt Aron Arnold we was marched down
Page 25

the Country to a place called the Richland Chappell and there we was sationed [stationed] to guard against depredations and I served twenty
five days I served all my service as a private and the day of the month or year I do not recollect but my service was all rendered in the Revolutionary war between the United States and Great Britain and I served six months for which I claim Pension And I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a Pension or anuity [annuity] except the present. And I do further declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
Malachi  his X mark Hafford
State of Illinois}
Gallatin County} [illegible]
I John Reynolds now acting Justice of the peace in and for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing declaration of Malachi Hafford was subscribed and sworn to before me this 8th day August AD, 1840
[Signature] John Reynolds J. P.

State of Illinois-- Gallatin County Lct. [?]
I Leonard White Clerk of the County Commissioners Court for the County aforesaid do certify that John Reynolds Esqr whose signature is attached to the above certificate was at the time of signing the same & still is an acting Justice of the Peace in & for the County of said, duly commissioned & qualified as such that the above is his genuine signature, and that all faith & credit are to be given to his acts as such. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & official seal at Equality this 8 day of August 1840. Leonard White Clerk
By  [Signature] J. R. Finley Dep. Clk
Page 26

On roll first [illegible] [illegible] Tillman N. C. militia roll page 23 for 20 days
Page 27

I John Lane residing in Gallatin County Illinois do hereby certify that
I have been acquainted with Malachi Hafford who has made the foregoing declaration and believe him to be a man of truth. and have no doubt of of his services and belive [believe] him to be of the age he represents
[Signature] John Lane
I Benjamin F. Spilman a Clergyman a resident of Gallatin County do hereby certify that from the character of Malachi Hafford I have no doubts but he is of the age he represents himself to be and of his having served as he states in his declaration
[Signature] Benj F Spilman
The court do hereby certify that it appears that Benjamin F. Spilman who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman and that John Lane who has signed the above is a credible person, and that their statements is entitled to credit
Page 28

we John T. Brown and Peter Gates residing in Gallatin County, Illinois and in the neighbourhood [neighborhood] of Malachi Hafford the applicant in the forgoing [foregoing] declaration, do hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with the said Malachi Hafford who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty one 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 the opinion
Sworn to in open Court
22 Sept 1837 
[Signatures] 
John T. Brown
Leo White elk
Peter his x mark Gates

And the said Court do hereby declar [declare] their opinion after the Investigation of the matter and after puting [putting] the interogatories prescribed by the war Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certifys [certifies] that it appears to the Court that John T. Brown and Peter Gates who has signed the preceding certificate are residents of Gallatin County, Illinois, and is credible persons and their statements is entitled to credit, And it appears that there is no clergyman residing in the neighborhood of said applicant
State of Illinois
Gallatin County [illegible]
I Leonard White Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the
Page 29

Application of Malachi Hafford for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of Said Court at Equality, this 27th day of September AD 1837.
Leod [Leonard] White

[Vertical Handwriting]
 On roll first [illegible] [illegible] Tillman N. C. militia roll page 23 for 20 days
Page 30

[Circular Stamp at top left of page]
RECEIVED
AUG 26 1939
MAIL SUB-DIV
Reader No. 33
VETS ADM

Eldorado, Ill., Aug. 24, 39.

Veterans Admistration [Administration],
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:
I am trying to get a monument for one Malachi Hafford who served in the U.S. Army during the Revolutionary war.
I would like to have all the data you have on the the U.S. pension files concerning the said veteran.
Yours and oblige,
[unsigned]
Thomas Carder,
Eldorado, I..
Page 31

August 14, 1939

BA-J/AWF
Malachi Hofford
S. 32323

The Quartermaster General
Memorial Branch
War Department
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of Malachi Hereford, who "probably drew a pension, died in Saline County, Illinois.
The Revolutionary War records of this office have been searched and no claim for pension or bounty land found based upon service of Malachi Hereford.
The record of a Malachi Hofford has been found who was pensioned on account of his service in the Revolutionary War, while a resident of
Illinois. His record follows as found in papers on file in claim for pension, S. 32323, based upon his service in that war.
Malachi Hofford was born March 6, 1756, in Craven County, North Carolina. The names of his parents are not given.
While residing in Craven County, Malachi Hofford served as private from early in the Revolution, at various times with the North Carolina
troops, under Captains James Pearce, Hardy Gatlin, Charles Roach, Lewis Jones, William Winum or Winnum, Aaron Arnold, Colonels Tillman, and Johnson; during his service he was stationed in Newberntown" to

[Handwriting at bottom of page] See this letter, also, in negative Files. Under Malachi Hereford
Page 32

guard the town, stationed in "Kingstown" to guard against attacks by the Tories, was in the battle of Stono, stationed at Swifts Creek Bridge to guard public stores, and stationed at "Richland Chappel".
The soldier, Malachi Hofford, moved from Craven County, North Carolina, about 1797, to Tennessee, there nine years, then to Kentucky, there about eleven years, then to Gallatin County, Illinois.
Malachi Hofford was allowed pension on his application executed September 22, 1837, then a resident of Gallatin County, Illinois, where he continued to live in 1840.
Reference was made in 1837 to the widow of his oldest son, and that said oldest son was born November 12, 1781. No names were stated and there are no further discernible data in the claim relative to the family of Malachi Hofford, nor is the date of his death shown.
The application for headstone for "Malachi Hereford" is returned herewith, as is also a letter addressed to your office from Alpheus Gustin, Harrisburg, Illinois.
Very truly yours
[unsigned]
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator