Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31,659, Elisha Dyar, N.C.
Page 1

Service 
N.C.

Dyar, Elisha
or Dyer

Number 
S 31,659
Page 2

[left side of page]
Hon J. L Orr 28 Feby 1855
32 [illegible]  Oct 4, 1856

Enos D Davis Oct 9/56
[illegible] L. J. Gartrell Aug 20/55
H Cleveland Mach 19/59

[right side of page]
12.255

Georgia
Elisha Dyer
of Franklin in the state of Ga
who was a Pvt in the      commanded
by Captain Potter of the regt commanded 
by Col. Ford in the NC
line for 2 years.

Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia
at the rate of $40 Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of April 
1833 and sent to JB
Hartford Carnesville Ga

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833             80
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept  -      20

                                                                     $100

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk
Book E  Vol. 6  Page 88
Page 3

[illegible] private f
12 mo [illegible] 1778
Capt Potter
Col Ford  NC

$40

J. B. Stamford
Carnesville
Geo
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Brief in the case of Elisha Dyer County of {illegible} in the State of Georgia (Act 7th June, 1832)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? in Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the appllicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 3. How old is he? 69   4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period Duration of Service Rank Names of General and Field Officer under who he served
Years Months Days As a Gen
March in 1778   3   private  Cap Potter Col Farn  1780 "  "  Cap Bennett Col Ramsey  1781 3 " Cap Anderson Col Malarus  178  "   Cap Debois  He says that all together in the four years he served about 12 months
5. In what battles was he engaged? skermish at Stone Battle Guilford Ct House 6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service? Granville Co North Carolina 7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary one living witness 8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?  the amount of service is not really specified Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.  George Taylor Examinng Clerk
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Monroe Walton Co Ga
Sept 25, 1856
Dear Sir, I am informed by one of the heirs at law of Elisha Dyer late of Franklin Co State of Georgia Dist that there is something like $3500 coming to his heirs on account of the services of said Elisha in the Revolutionary War. Please write me at your earliest convenience and give me the needed information.  Let me know the course to be pursued by the heirs to obtain the fund and what is its amount.
Respectfully yours Charles D Davis
To the commissionr of Pensions, Washington City, Dist Columbia
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Treasury Department Third Auditors Office October 8th 1856
Sir:  In reply to your letter of month instant, I would state that Elisha Dyer, a pensioner of the Georgia Agency, under Act of 7th June 1837 at $40 per annum, who was paid to the date of his death, 21st July 1846, as appears from the records of this Office.  There papers are herewith returned.     Very respectfully, Your obt servt W.A.S. Taylor Actg Auditor
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Declaration in order to obtain the Benefit of the Act of Congress passed 7th June 1832 State of Georgia County of Franklin On this third day of September in the year eighteen hundred and thirty two personally appeared before the Inferior Court of the County and state aforesaid now sitting for ordinary purposes Elisha Dyer a resident of Captain Newells district in the county and state aforesaid aged sixty nine 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 7, 1832.  That he entered the service of the United States in the militia of North Carolina in Granville County in said state in March 1778 when but sixteen years old under Captain Abram Porter and Col Farra was marched to Briar Creek & was in a skirmish with the British at Stono South Carolina. Shortly afterward was discharged for a three month tour by Capt Carrington of {illegible} County Nor Car & returned home. Again entered the North Carolina militia in Granville County about two months before Gates defeat near Camden, S.C. 1780 under Capt Peter Bennett & Col Ambrose Ramsay of Guilford & Genl Butler and was marched to Cross Creeks from Fayetteville and was placed under command of General Caswell was rept scouting until they were marched to Camden S.C. and placed under Genl Gates, at which time his father sent one Jesse Gaskins to serve out the remainder of the tour, as it was the sickly season was discharged by Col. Ramsay.
He again entered the N Ca militia at Granville County previous to the Battle of Guilford March 1781 was under Capt John Henderson, Col Malbady a French officer & General Green was in the battle at Guilford, was marched near Fayetteville and was discharged for a three month tour by Captain Henderson.
Again entered the North Carolina militia at Hillsborough under Capt Frederick Debo (or Dubois) from Caswell County N.C. in {illegible} 1782
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where he was stationed as a friend of the Legislature then sitting, was under Col. Hugh Tinnon, and was discharged by Capt. Dubo for a three month tour.  Served altogether twelve months, three or four tours of three months each as a private soldier, and served three months in addition to above as a express under Col. Potts at Hillsboro & found his own horse as a volunteer.

1.  Was born in Virginia near the Big Falls of Potomac in May 1763.
2.  Has a record of his age now in his profession.
3.  When called into service, was living in Granville County, North Carolina from there removed after the war to Rockingham County, N. C. thence he removed to Pendleton, South Carolina, thence to Georgia about the year 1800 and has resided ever since in in Franklin County except seven years he resided in Walton County, Geo. & removed back about four years since to Franklin.
4.  Was never drafted, always volunteered, & never served as a substitute.
5.  Has stated all of the Regular officers he recollects.
6.  Received form discharge, one from Capt. Carrington, one from Col. Ramsey, one from Capt. Henderson and one from Capt. DeBeau or Debo all which went with his sister in a chest to the Western Country, and does not now know where she lives or whether she is alive.
7.  He is known in his present neighborhood to James Cash, who saw & knew him in the service, and to Jesse M'Williams who can testify to his veracity [illegible] and to Samuel Hymer, a preacher of the Gospel, all of whom can testify to his veracity and to their belief of his having served in the army of the Revolution.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of any agency of any state within his knowledge or belief.  Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day and year first aforesaid.

Elisha Dyer [signed]
Thos. King Clk.
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Mr. Samuel Hymer clergyman and Jesse M'Million
F.[?] James Cash residing in the County and State first aforesaid hereby Certify that we are well acquainted with Elisha Dyer who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be Sixty-nine 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, and that the said Jas. Cash saith that he saw and knew that said Elisha Dyer in the service at Gates defeat in So. Car.  Sworn to subscribed by[?] James Cash the day and year first above written.

Thos. King Clk. [signed]
James M. [?] Cash [signed]
[illegible]

And the said court do hereby declares their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogations 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 Samuel Hymer who has signed the preceding Ecetoficato by a clergyman resident in the County first aforesaid and that James Cash & Jesse McMillion who have also signed the same are residents of said County and that their statement is entitled to credit.

Thos. King [signed]
Clk.

William Lark [initialed JH]
Thomas Farmer [initialed JH]
Robt. Pattison [initialed JH]
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I Thomas King Clerk of the Court of Ordinary, do here by certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in the matter of the application of Elisha Dyar for a pension.

The testimony whereof I have hereunto let my hand and seal of office this 11th day of September 1832.

Mr. King C.C.O.

Elisha Dyer
10,356 [appears in right margin of page]
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Atlanta, Georgia
August 13th, 1838

Dear Sir,
Washington, D. C.

Elisha Dyer was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and drew a Pension up to a short time before his death.  He staid in Franklin County in this state and staid [previous two words crossed out] eleven years ago.  Some of his children are living now in this county (Fulton) and have been informed that he was at the time of his death entitled under some existing law to several hundred Dollars.  Will you please ascertain and write same when he (Dyer) commenced drawing a pension and how long he continued to draw it, and whether there is or not an arrangement due him to which his children are entitled?  Please let me hear from you at your earliest convenience, any item particular interested are [sic] constitutionally of mine.  In haste.

Very respectfully,
James Olfrens

Hon. Geo. C. Whiting
Court of Presiding
Lewis J. Eastrell
Washington, D. C.
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January 14, 1936

Mrs. John M. Hulsey                  ELISHA DYAR
93 Green Street                          S. 31659
Gainesville, Georgia                   BA-J/MLB

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Elisha Dyar, of Franklin County, Georgia.


You are furnished herein the record of Elisha Dyar (name appears also as Dyer) as found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 31659, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. 

Elisha Dyar, as soldier signed, was born in May 1763, in Virginia near the "Big Falls" of the Potomac River; the names of his parents are not stated.

While residing in Granville County, North Carolina, Elisha Dyar volunteered and served as private in Captain Abram Potter's company, Colonel Farra's North Carolina regiment, during this tour was in the Battle of Stono and after having served three months was discharged by Captain Carrington and returned home. He volunteered about two months prior to Cates' Defeat at Camden in 1780, served three months as private in Captain Peter Bennett's company, Colonel Ambrose Ramsay's North Carolina regiment. He volunteered prior to the battle of Guilford, date not stated, served as a private in Captain John Henderson's company, Colonel Malmedy's regiment, in the North Carolina troops, was in the battle of Guilford, and was discharged after having served three months. He volunteered at Hillsborough, North Carolina, sometime in 1782, served three months as private in Captain Fredrick DeBow's company, Colonel High Legislature then in session. In addition to the tours above-named, he volunteered and served three months as an express rider for Colonel Potts, date of this service not stated. 

After the Revolution, the soldier moved to Rockingham County, North Carolina; from there he moved to Pendleton, South Carolina.
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thence to Georgia about the year 1800, where he lived in Franklin County, with the exception of seven years' residence in Walton County, that state, and in 1828 moved back to Franklin County, Georgia.

Elisha Dyar was allowed pension on his application executed September 3, 1832, while residing in Franklin County, Georgia, in Captain Newell's District. He died in Franklin County, July 21, 1846.

No reference was made to soldier's wife.

In 1858, it was stated that some of soldier's children were then residing in Fulton County, Georgia, but no names were given. 

In 1832, Elisha Dyar referred to his sister who had moved to the Western country, but he did not state her name nor place of residence there.

Very truly yours

A.D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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31659
King
INVALID.

File No. 31.659
Elisha Dyer
Pri, Rev. War
Act:  June 7 32
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 119
[Arrangement of 1870]

1911, Sept. 25. Hist. to Mrs. A. M. Calvin letter in W. File 910 Moses, Crawford C
1912, July 13. Mrs. O. G. Weston C
1914, June 9. Hist. to Mrs. Rella C. Hemenway C [line crossed through C].
1917, May 28. To Mrs. L. C. Perkins C [line crossed through c]
1936, Jan. 14. Hist. to Mrs. John M. Hulsey -
MLB [initialed]
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Pension Officer USA

Gentlemen, be so good as to inform us when was the last pension money drawn by Elisha Dyar, a Revolutionary soldiers [sic] who served under Gen. Gates from Franklin County Georgia,
and what steps are necessary to get the remainder of the money for his [illegible] at [illegible].  If you will give me a firm plain directions [sic] on this subject it will greatly oblige.

Henry Cleveland
Hartwell
Hust. C
Georgia
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BREIF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Elisha Dyar which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? [illegible]

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

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? [illegible]

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

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 amount of pension he is entitled? [illegible]

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

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

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? [illegible]

IX. Has the Clerk given his certification? [illegible]

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? [illegible]
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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? [illegible]

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

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? [illegible]

XIV. 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? [illegible]
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? [illegible]
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? [illegible]

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? [illegible]

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? [illegible]

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

       --------------------------------------------

                      EXPLANTORY 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.
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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 is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and the other particulars respecting their service. 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 preformed; 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 preformed, he was not employed in a any civil pursuit. 
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 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. 
QUERE XVI. 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 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. 
[pointing hand] 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.
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[illegible] June [illegible]
Government Pensions
Washington File

There are in Wells [illegible] Zollman seconds.
S. 31659 [illegible] to served in the Revolution [illegible] Potter at Granville Co., Virginia. - Granville Co., N. C. W. 910
The  Crawford, Virginia for [illegible] [illegible]
Capt. William C. [illegible] Virginia [illegible]

U. S. Pension Office O Jun 8 1914 [stamped]
Page 20

John Randall Jnr. [illegible] served under Capt. John Steele..

Col. William Crawford [illegible] is a Col. under [illegible] Virginia

[illegible] 

I am away under Mr. [illegible]
Yours truly, 
Mrs. Della Calvin Hemenway
Plymouth, Michigan
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#1219 - 2 - Ave.
Columbus - Ga.
July - 6 - 1912 -

Department Of Interior -
Bureau of Pensions -
Commissioner-

[Notation]:  S. 31659 Dyar [initialed J. S. C.]

Dear Sir.

Will you kindly give me the pension record of one Elisha Dyer who served in the war of the Rev.

Was enlisted at Granville Co - N. C. 
He served under Captain Potter - Bennett Henderson & others.

He died in Franklin - Co, Ga. 1846.  He was pensioned in
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1832.  His wife was  Melvina Miller.  I am the the great-great  grandaughter [sic] of the above - I will thank you for all the information you can give me in connection with said Elisha Dyer - his service & etc.

He was a Virginian by birth.

Respectfully,
Mrs. C. G. Weston [signed]
Page 23

[seal]                                 Gainesville, Georgia.
                                          Nov. 30, 1935

Department of The Interior.

Bureau of Pensions.

                                    Will you please send me
the Record of Elisha Dyer, Revolutionary Soldier of Franklin County, Georgia.    Am working on this Line for a woman who wishes to join our Chapter of D.A.R. If you will please send the desired information you will confer a great favoe, and we will be very grateful for your kindness.

                                                    Sincerely,
Mr John M. Hulsey
93 Green st
Gainesville, GA.
Page 24

ONLY MISSISSIPPI DAILY WITH FOUR PAGE COMIC ON SUNDAY
SPECIAL LEASED WIRE SERVICE
Stamped [handwritten] [illegible]
THE ONLY MERIDIAN NEWSAPAER WITH FULL LEASED WIRE ASSOCIATED PRESS [underlined]
The Meridian Dispatch
THE LEADING NEWSPAPER IN MISSISSIPPI'S LARGEST CITY

MERIDIAN, MISS.,
May 20, 17.

Pension Department
U. S. Government
Washington, D.C.,

Dear Sirs, -

I would like to obtain the record of my great great grandfather, Elisha Dyer who fought in the American Revolution, and received a pension for his services when he resided in Georgia about 1834.  I have written the Secretary of State of Georgia, and he replies. as follows; "I find that Elisha Dyer drew a lot of land in the state of Georgia in the Lottery of 1827 on account of his being a soldier in the Revolutionary war, but I cannot tell from the grant just how long he was in the service."

Will you please give me the record, as you have it, with dates in full.  Was he living in Virginia or Georgia at the time of joining, that date, his services, any extraordinary service, rank and date as to leaving; in fact, everything about this forefather.

I thank you in advance for this information.


Sincerely,
Mrs. L. C. Perkins [signed]

U.S. Pension Office A May 23 1917 [stamped]
Page 25

Rev. Wat Section

June 10, 1914.

Mrs. Rella C. Hemenway
Plymouth, Michigan

Madam:

You are herewith furnished the history of Elisha Dyer (Sur. File No. 31.659) of Granville County, North Carolina [underlined].  There being no Granville County, Virginia, and advised that from the meagre data given by you, this Bureau is unable to identify John Randall.

Very respectfully,
G. M. Saltzgater [signed]
Commissioner.
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In reply to your request of [illegible], received for a statement of the military history of [illegible] a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 

[table] [details listed below]
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT
LENGTH OF SERVICE
RANK.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.       COLONEL.          STATF.

Battles engaged in, [illegible]                          
Residence of soldier at enlistment, [illegible]
Date of application for pension, [illegible]
Residence at date of application, [illegible]
Age at date of application, [illegible]
Remarks: [illegible]

Very respectfully, 
     [illegible]                            Commissioner.
                                                      [illegible]