Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 20. 283, Thomas Ballard, S.C.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
S. C.
Ballard, Thomas
NUMBER
S. 20.283
CONTENTS
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32565
South Carolina
Thomas Ballard, dec.
[missing text] of Lancaster Dish the State of S.C. 
who was a Capt
in the Compy comm [missing text]
by Captain of the Regt commanded
by Col. Kimbrell in the S.C.
line for 12 months 1 day
Inscribed on the Roll of Charleston
at the rate of 240 Dollars 66 Cents per
annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
and terminating on 28th Dec.r '43.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of
May, 1847, and sent to A. S. Wallace, Lancaster
Arrears to the 4th of March 1843             $2887.82
Semi=anl. allowance ending 4th Sept. 43    120.33 Payable to Thomas P. Ballard                   $3008. 15
Susanna Caston & Mary
Russell only living Children
{Revolutionary Claim,
{Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Tho. Rumpkin
Book E Vol. 6 Page 71
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Georgia
Gwinnett County
[Adjourned crossed out] Inferior Court
December [November crossed out] Term 1832
Personally appeared in open court it being a court of record) Now sitting Thomas Ballard a resident of the said County of Gwinnett and State aforesaid aged Eighty 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 - of that he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated to wit, that he entered the service in the State of South Carolina the part which is now called Kershaw District that he was then captain of the crossed out] a malitia [militia] Company and that he together with his Company were called into service by Col Kimbrel as volentiers [volunteers] that he was then by Col Kimbrel brevitted [brevetted] captain of said Company that he was in Maj Thompsons Battalion & Col J Trimbuls [Trimbles] Regiment that during this service he was was with Genl Marion Six weeks when his company was relieved and allowed to return home that this service was during the
year 1780 & 1781 that this was a three months Tour but that he was relieved & allowed to return home a few days before the Term of service expired - That afterward
in the year 1781 the company which he commanded was again called into service under the command of Maj Thompson in Genl Hendersons division for a three months service. That he was stationed at Capt Young's house in the State of South Carolina and was engaged during this service in skirmishes with the tories and at the end of the service he returned home that he did not receive
written discharge in neither of the above mentioned services because he did not conceive them at that ^time necessary
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That his brevett [brevet] has been lost or mislaid. That the Two several tours of duty were served in the State of South Carolina and that he has no documentary Evidence nor does he know of any one now living
except Michael Branham who can establish the same that since the Revolutionary war he has resided first in South Carolina Kershaw District from thence he removed to Gwinnett County in Georgia where he now resides that he was born in the State Virginia in March 1751. He hereby relinquishes
Every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on to pension Role [Roll] of the agency of any State
Sworn to & subscribed this 10th December
1832 in open Court.
Thos. Ballard [signature]
[Wm. Rakisbraw JP crossed out]
Attest Wm. Maltbie Clk:
Georgia
Gwinnet County
I William Maltbie Clerk
of the Inferior Court for
said County do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter of the 
application of Thomas
Ballard for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & seal of office
this 10th day of December 1832.
 
W. Maltbie C.H.
[Paper seal]
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Thomas Ballard L2gs
Georgia
No. 21780
Rejected did not 
serve six months
[illegible] L Agt 
Age 13 1133
Com Malthie [Maltbie] Clk
Gwinnett Co Ga.
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form.
On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: ⎬
You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the service of Thomas Ballard 
[Headings: and answers
- Period when the service was rendered
&
 - Duration of the claimant's service
1780 & 81 vol. 3 months but was relieved a few days before the expiration
1 81 3 months
 - Rank of the claimant.
Capt
-Names and Rank of the company officers under whom he served.
Col Kimbrel
Maj Thompson
Genl Marion
Major Thompson
Genl Henderson
-Names and rank of the General and Field Officers 
-Battles in which the applicant was engaged
-County through which he marched.
-Place of abode when he entered the service and age at the present period
80 years
Kershaw District So Ca
- Evidence by which the declaration is supported
Traditionary & Witnesses
 I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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Regulations under the act of June 7th, 1832

The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under terms "Continental Line", "State Troops", "Militia", and "Volunteers" all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers and Teamsters, Boatmen, and Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged by guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.

Four general classes of cases are embraced by this law:
1. The regulate troops
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers
3. Persons employed in the Naval service.
4. Indian spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance make application by transmitting the following declaration which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
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3

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case.  The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corrobating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be at attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.  All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.  
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1.  Where and in what year were you born?
2.  Have you any record your age, and if so, where is it?
3.  Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4.  How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?  And if a substitute, for whom?
5.  State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.  {To a Soldier.} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?  {To an Officer.}  Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7.  State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.  The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.  The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons - one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.  If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party  And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.  
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides.  If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had.  Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled.  In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:  For  year  months, and  days, I served as a  For  months and  days, I served as a  ; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served:  the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no 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.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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. 
[i] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops,  The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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Col. Ballard
Paper
Thos Ballard
Amended by Honbl T. D. Sumter
Hon T.D. Sumter
HR
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South Carolina ⎬ 
Lancaster District

On this sixth day of November Anno Domini 1839, personally appeared in
open Court before the Court of General Sessions & Common pleas now
Sitting Thomas Ballard a resident of the State & District of aforesaid
aged eighty 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 7th 1832-
viz. That he entered the service as a militia man (volunters) [volunteers] in
Capt William Nettles Company (Malitia) [militia] in Col John Marshall Regiment (Malina [militia] in the year 1780 about Six or
eight months before Gates defeat near Camden, at the time of Gates defeat he was with General Sumter as a volunteer afterwards in the spring of 1781 he received a commission to
command the Beaver Creek Company Kershaw District So Ca from Col Kimbrell who then had the command of Col
Marshalls Regiment Col Marshall having gone to Virginia
served under Col Kimbrell & Genl Marion three months as
Captain in Santer Swamp near McCords ferry So Ca war in pursuit of the British & caused them to evacuate
Bigham Church & fire the same
for the same was at the Battle of
Hobkirk Hill near Camden Sole between Genl Green
& Lord Rawdon, he afterwards returned with his company
& remained at home for about three months, he then as Capt
& with his company returned to the
in the service and Joined the
Whigs at the "Fore Holy" thinks a Col Henderson had com
man & continued with him three months in the fork of Edisto
River matching the movements of certain forces in that
neighbourhood [neighborhood] he & his company then returned home dont
recollect that has become of his discharge or whether he has
one, his commission has been mislaid it was signed
by Col Kimbrell
Thos Ballard [signature]
Sworn to open Court the day & date above mentioned
S Beckham
Clk
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South Carolina 
Lancaster District ⎬

 On this sixth day of November Anno
 Domini 1839, personally appeared in
open Court before the Court of General Sessions & Common pleas now
sitting Thomas Ballard a resident of the State & District aforesaid
aged eighty 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 7th 1832
viz. That he entered the service as a militia man (volunter) [volunteeer] in
Capt William Nettles Company (malitia) [militia] in Col John
Marshall Regiment Malitia [militia] in the year 1780 about six or
eight months before Gates defeat near Camden, at the time of
Gates defeat he was with General Sumter as a volunteer afterwards
in the spring of 1781 he received a commission to
Command the Beaver Creek Company Kershaw District so Ca 
from Col Kimbrell who then had the command of Col
Marshalls Regiment Col Marshall having gone to Virginia
Serving under Col Kimball & Genl Marion three months as
Captain in Santer Swamp near McCords ferry So Ca
was in pursuit of the British & caused them to evacuate
Bigham Church & fire the same, was at the Battle of
Hobkick Hill near Camden So Ca between Genl Green
& Lord Rawdon, he afterwards returned with his company
& remained at home for about three months, he then as Capt
with his company returned to the service and joined the
Whig at the "Fore Holy" think a Col Henderson had com
man & continued with him three months in the fork of Edisto
River watching the movements of certain forces in that
neighbourhood [neighborhood] he this company then returned home dont
recollect what has become of his discharge or whether he had
one his commission has been mislaid it was signed
by Col Kimbrell
Sworn to Open Court the day & date above mentioned
Thos Ballard [signature]
S Beckham Clk
 r
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South Carolina a
Lancaster District 
I J P Thompson a Clergiman [clergyman]
residing in the District & State aforesaid
& Saml B. Hammond of the same District & State do
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thos Ballard
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we
believe him to be eighty nine
years of age that he is reputed
andebelieve to be in the neighbourhood [neighborhood] where he resides to have
been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion
in Sworn to before me Nov 1839 -
 S. Bickham Clk [signature]
J. P. Thompson [signature]
Saml. B. Hammond [signature]
And the said Court do hereby declare there [their] opinion after the
investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatory
presented 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
J P. Thompson 
who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident
in Lancaster Dist So Carolina, & that Saml B Hammond
resident of the same State & Dist is a credible person & that
their statement is entitled to credit
6 M 1839-
John Bilton O'Neill
Presiding Judge
Lancaster Nov. Term 1839
I S. Beckham Clerk of the Court of Genl Sessions & com
pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of
Thos Ballard for a pension,
In testimony whereof
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I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this
6th Nov 1839 -
S. Beckham
Clk
Interrogatories
1 -Where & in what year were you borned [born]
and
ans -1757 -
2. Have you any record of your age if so where is it
ans - Have none
3 where were you living when called into service where have
you lived since the revolutionary war & where do you now live,
ans - When called into service lived in Kernshaw Dist of So Ca moved to Georgia in 1821- returned to So Ca Lancaster Dist in about 1838
4 - How were you called into service, were you drafted did you
 Volunteer or were you a substitute, of a substitute for whom
ans - called into service as a militia man
5th State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the
troops, where you served, such continental & militia Regiments as
you can recollect, & the Genl Circumstances of your service
ans - was in Col Kimbrels  Regt Capt Nettles Company was at Bingham church when it was fired by the British & was at a Battle at Hobkirk Hill near Camden
6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service if so by
whom was it given & what has become of it?
ans - dont recollect that he recd a discharge-
7th Did you ever receive a commission, if so by whom was it
Signed & what has become of it?
ans - had a commission it from Col Kimbrel
dont know what become of it -
 
Thos. Ballard [signature]
Page 14

8
21.780
Thos Ballard
S.C.
See Ga. Ma. 
Act [ 7 July 1838. crossed out] 1832
Page 15

State of South Carolina
Lancaster District ⎬
Personally appeared before me James H Witherspoon Jr page
of the Court of Ordinary Lancaster District
Col Thomas Ballard res in of the said distict
& state, aged ninety years old 7 March
next, who being duly sworn maketh Oath
& said, that he was born in the County of
Albemarle & State of Virginia 7 March 1751
& resided there until the year 1789, where
he removed to South Carolina, Craven County
now the district of Kershaw, where he resided
& lived until the year 1818, when he removed
to Georgia, Gwinete [Gwinett] County, & resided &
lived there until the year 1838, when he
removed back to South Carolina Lancaster
Districk [district], where he now resides  .This
deponent further states that shortly after
be removed to South Carolina to wit in
the fall & winter of 1779 & 1780 he entered
the service of his country under Capt
Wm Nettles who was attached to Col. Marshions [Marions] regiment, this deponent was out & engaged
in said service at various times, principally
scouting & routing. Certain Tories who were
there lurking in Kershaw District, he was
then residing in Capt Wm Nettles, beat, and
as a malitia [militia] man was called out [about -crossed out] some time in Decr 1779 & was engaged & one on service until May 1780, whenever the
Company was on duty, the duty of this company at that time was principally the
routing & keeping in check the Tories in the
districh [district] [some -crossed out] deponent further saith there sometime in August or Sept 1780 he went on a visit to Virginia, that whilst there, he
heard that a great many tories, had assembled
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hear the Brushy Mountain in North Carolina
he then volunteered under Col. Bryce Martin
in Henry County Virginia to march against
them after marching seven days under him
the regiment was dismissed by Col Martin, upon
learning that the Tories  had left & abandoned
that place. This deponent then returned to
So Ca Kershaw Districh [District] where his family were still residing. He was [there - crossed out] afterwards engaged in various service, but not regulars [until - crossed out] he was present & assisted in taking Rudgeley fort in March or April 1781 this deponent received a Captain Commission from Col Kimbrell to command the Beaver Creek company in Kershaw District, He then marched
his company to Camden & was at the Battle of
Hobkirk Hill near Camden, he then
afterwards with his company under Col
Kimbrell marched & Joined Genl Marion near
Bigham Church, deponent as Captain
served under Genl Marion three months
in the State- and afterward marched his
company to Edisto & there [illegible] remained
three months to the best of his recollection
deponent has either lost or misplaced his commission, he cannot now find it - deponent
in conclusion state that to the best of his
recollection he served six month as a malitia [militia]
man under Capt Nettle, ready to perform duty
whenever called upon is perfectly satisfied
that as captain he was three months under
Genl Marion in active service and also
the month in the fight of Edisto & was upon
duty as captain altogether six months
besides other duties & services - deponent
further saith that he ^has never recd any
compensation for said service either from
Page 17

the state or the United States.
Thos. Ballard [signature]
Sworn to & subscribed 
Before me 19 January 1841
James H Witherspoon Jr
Judge of the Court Ordering
Lawrence A Burhill
Page 18

State of South Carolina
Lancaster District
In the Court of Ordinary -
On this the 25th day of February in
the year one thousand Eight Hundred &
forty seven, personally appeared Col. Thomas P Ballard of the District & State afore
said aged forty seven years, a son of Capt
Thomas Ballard before me James H Witherspoon Judge of the Court of Ordinary for said District in open Court, who being
first duly sworn according to Law, doth on
his oath, make the following declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th 1832. That the declarant the aforesaid Thomas P. Ballard, on behalf of himself
& the other children of Capt Thomas Ballard
viz Susanna Caston & Mary Russell, that his
said Thomas Ballard deceased was a soldier
in the South Carolina Militia in the army
of the Revolution.
the children do understand, and as such he served the United States against the common enemy.  That he the said Thos. Ballard entered the service of the United States in the latter part of
the year 1779, or beginning of the year
1780 as a Lieutenant in Capt. William Nettles 
company, Col Marshals regiment, but can
not give the particular, or the length of the
served, and was shortly afterwards promoted to the rank of Captain of the Beaver
Creek company which is now in Kershaw
District, then [illegible] District SoCa attached
& in the regiment of Col. Kimbrell, Gene
Sumters Brigade, & was almost constantly in service during the years
Page 19

1780 as a Captain as hereinbefore stated
and this declarant further states, that the
said Thos. Ballard (decd), was further
engaged in the service of the War against
the Common Enemy, a part of the years
1781 & 1782 as captain of the Beaver Creek
company in said Regiment & Brigade, these
services & ours were for some considerate
length of time, as he be always understood
but cannot give the precise length of
time & particular-- this declarant further
state, that he always understood from his
father Capt. Ballard, & every other person, that the whole service of the said Thos. Ballard
during the revolutionary war was that of
a volunteer. The declarant further
states that his father the said Capt. Thos Ballard was after the close of the revolutionary war promoted to the rank of Major & Lt Col. in the Kershaw Regiment of Malitia [militia], that at this time & during the Revolution war he
resided in Kershaw District SoCa, but near
& within one mile of the Lancaster Dist
line, from the place he removed to the state
of Georgia, & remained there some length of
time, but subsequently returned to the
district of Lancaster SoCa. (near where he
formerly lived in Kershaw & that he continued
to reside in Lancaster District until his time of his death which occurred on
the Twenty Eight day of December one thousand Eight Hundred & forty three. This declarant further states that he has frequently heard his father the said Regst Thos. Ballard say, that he held & had in his possession his commission as Captain aforesaid & also declares that he heard himsay, that the same was lost
Page 20

& mislaid. be not supposing that it would be
of any further service to him as his service
as such were well known & appreciated in
the community in which he resided. This
declarant further states that he has not
in his possession, nor does he know of any
record evidence of the appointment of the
said Capt Thos. Ballard, to the command of a
Beaver Creek Company, save & except that
he has heard his father the said Capt. Thos
Ballard say that he had one as stated
aforesaid, & that the whole community believed it
- This declarant further state that he
now has in his possession the Commission of Capt Thos. Ballard as Lt. Colonel. 35th Regiment of Malitia [militia] (Kershaw) & that he has examined the signature of Thos Ballard his father, to the oath of the Commission 10th March 1805. before Adam
Willis J.P. & believe that the same the
true & proper handwriting of his said father.
Capt. Thos. Ballard. He further state that the
saw his father the said Thos. Ballard
sign his name to the Bill of sale to Elizabeth Thompson dated 5 Apr 1820, which
said papers are hereunto appended. This declarant further states that he has oftin [often] heard his father the said Capt Thos. Ballard say that when he first application was made to this Resd for a pension, that he supposed & was so
informed it was unnecessary to state, [illegible crossed out] length of time beyond three months, that he was ignorant of the pension Laws & was informed that if he could prove but three months service
in any capacity he would be entitled to the
full benefit of the pension Law
& that when his second application was
made he supposed that it was over
Page 21

necessary to state he served in each capacity
three months, & that would entitle him to be
placed on the pension Roll, this declarant
further states that for several years before
the death of his father Capt Thos Ballard he
was quite infirmed, afflicted with a troublesome & painful cancer & had become almost deaf so much so that it was difficult for any person out of his family to understand him, or for him to be understood correctly by a Stranger-
Thos. P. Ballard [signature]
Sworn Before me
Thos Ballard
in Open Court
25 February 1847
James H Witherspoon
Judge of the Court of
ordinary Lancaster District
SoCa

I. James H Witherspoon Judge of this Court of
Ordinary for Lancaster District certify that   
was shown in evidence to my satisfaction, (besides being personally acquainted with the fact that Capt Thos Ballard deceased named in above foregoing declaration died at the residence of Mrs Susanna Caston, a daughter of a deceased, in Lancaster District on the Twenty Eight day of December one thousand Eight Hundred & forty three (1843) leaving surviving him the following children viz Thos P. Ballard, Mrs Susanna Carton & Mrs Mary Russell, all & each of whom are of Lawful
age & that Col. Thos. Ballard the declarant
person & gentleman to whom statements full, & implicit facts & credit should be given. Given under my hand & seal of office at Lancaster CH So.Ca 25 Febry 1847. 
James S. Witherspoon
Judge of the Court Ordinary Lancaster Dist SoCa
[paper seal]
Page 22

July 6, 1932
BA-J/AWF
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Thomas Ballard
S. 20283
Mrs. S. Bruce Jones
915 Highland Avenue
Bristol, Virginia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which
you request information in regard to Thomas Ballard, a soldier of the War of the Revolution.
The data contained herein were obtained from
the papers on file in pension claim, S.20283, basedupon the military service of Thomas Ballard durng theRevolutionary War.
Thomas Ballard was born March 7, 1751 in Albemarle County, Virginia.
He moved in 1779 to Kershaw District, South Carolina, and while residing there served with the
South Carolina troops, as follows: from sometime in December, 1779 until in May, 1780 as lieutenant in Captain William Nettle's company in Colonel Marshall's regiment, and was out on scouting parties against the
Tories, and in an engagement at Ridgways Fort; and in 1780, 1781 and 1782, he was captain in Colonel Fred rick Kimball's regiment, was in the battles of Hobkirk's Hill and Bigham Church, and was in actual service three hundred and sixty-six days.
After the Revolution he was major in the militia,
and November 29, 1804 was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the Thirty-fifth Regiment of South Carolina Regiment.
Pension was allowed on his application executed December 10, 1832, at which time he was living in Gwinett
Page 23

Gwinett County, Georgia, having moved there about the year
1818.
In 1839 he was living in Lancaster District,
South Carolina.
 He died December 28, 1843 at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Susanna (Susan) Caston in Lancaster District, South Carolina.
The following children survived Thomas Ballard,
Colonel Thomas P. Ballard, who in 1847 was forty-seven years old and living in Lancaster District; Mrs. Mary Russell, and the above named Mrs. Susanna (Susan) Caston.
The name of the soldier's wife is not given, and
there are no further data as to children.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 24


20283
INVALID.
File No.  20283
Thomas Ballard
Capt Rev War
South Ca regt
Act: June 7 32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 20  
[Arrangement of 1870.] 
1927 - Feb 17 - Hist to Coug. A. G. Bulwinkle awj
1927 - Feb 24 -   "    "   Mrs C. J. Hibbett awj
1932 - July 6  -    "    "   Mrs S. Bruce Jones - see
letter in John Huffman W. 10 132 awj
1932 - Aug 25 - Mrs S. Bruce Jones avr. only    
Thomas Ballard  - awj
Page 25

 
(26
Thomas Ballard of S.C.
Act 1832 -- Let to
Hon T. D. Scunter 5 Feby
1841
Let to Hon. J. A. Woodward
Jany 25 47
[4 boxes within box with CZ written]
Glm
Augt 7 1852
Rel to Case of Ballard 24
Official Business
F.F.C. Tripplett
Sitting Commis of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
[Label: M. THOMPSON, ATTORNEY & COUNSELLOR AT LAW AND GENERAL AGENT WASHINGTON CITY, D.C.]
Page 26

20
-
No. 2 1780
Thomas Ballard
Georgia
Rejected see let.
of the
13th Apl 1833 to
the Wm Maltbil
Page 27

Reposted
Let to Hon D. Wallace
Dec 17/49
11 
1 Feb 7th 1860
M. Thompson
Apl 10/52
Same Octo 16 1852
See Intenir Oct 22 1852
 "   M. Thompson
Nov. 15, 1853
Page 28

Thos Ballard
56-@32
(23 )
M Thompson
Official Business
Hon [Illegible] E. Heath
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington 
D.C.
[Label: Label: M. THOMPSON, ATTORNEY & COUNSELLOR AT LAW AND GENERAL AGENT WASHINGTON CITY, D.C.]
Page 30

The State of South Carolina
To Thomas Ballard Esquire
WE, reposing special Trust and Confidence in your courage and Good Conduct, in your
Fidelity and Attachment to of United States of America, have Commissioned and Appointed you,
and by these Presents do Commission and Appoint you, the said Thomas Ballard
Lieutenant Colonel of the Thirty fifth Regiment of the Militia which said
Regiment you are to Lead, Train, Muster and Exercise, according to Military
Discipline. And you are to allow and observe all such Orders and Instructions as you shall, from
time to time, receive from the governor, the Commander in Chief, for the time being, or any of your
Superior Officers, according to of Rules and Discipline of War, pursuant to the Laws of this State,
and of the United States. And all Inferior Officers and others, belonging to the said Regiment
are hereby required and commanded to obey you as their Lieutenant Colonel
This Commission to continue during Pleasure.
Given under the Seal of the State.
Witness, HIs Excellency, James B Richardson Governor and Commander
in Chief of the said Lot, this Twenty Ninth Day of November in the year
eight hundred and four and in the Twenty ninth year of the Independence
of the United States of America.
[Printed by W. P. Young.]
[Paper seal]
James B. Richardson [signature]
Secretary's Office
Certified by 
Daniel Hieger
Secretary of State.
Page 31

Thos Ballard 89
1780 pr. o. Cap Nettles
1781. Capt. 3 mo. Col Kimbell S C militia
3 mo
Commission signed by the
Col
Res from Ga. Apl 13. 1833 L
Wm Maltbie
Page 32

[check mark]
Report in careof
Thomas Ballard
Commissioner
July 23. 1853,
Page 33

Col
Ths. Ballard
Bill of Land
Page 34

State South Carolina
Kershaw District 

Know all men be there presant [present]
that I Thomas Ballard of the
State and District aforesaid for and in
Consideration of the Sum of Eight
Hundred dollars to me in hand paid
have bargained Sold and delivered
to Elizabeth Thompson, one negro
Woman by the name of Rody aged
nineteen or twenty and her child by
the name of Charrity-- the Fair negros
I do Warrent [warrant] and defend from the claim 
of any person or persons ^lawfully claiming the same, or any part thereof given
under my hand this 5th day of
April 1820
Thos. Ballard [Signature]
Witness,
John Bill
Page 35


6
Payment to be made
at Charleston
by Hon C. Cochran, Esq
Agent for paying Pensioners
in the Agency of S. C.  same of
Recorded in the Pension
Office, in Book E Vol. 6
Page 71 by
Th. Lumpkin, [signature]
Clerk
Page 36

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832, Thomas
 Ballard, dec.
State of S.C.
who was a Captain in the
Revo.
is entitled to receive Two hundred and forty dollars and sixty six cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and ^issd in 28th Dec. 1843 [payable semi-annually, on the 4th
of March and 4th of September, in every year. -crossed out].  when he died. Payable to his
Children
Given at the War Office of the
United States, this 5th day of May,
one thousand eight
hundred and forty - seven.
Secretary of War.
Examined and}
Countersigned.}
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 37


Washington March 19th 1832
Hon. James E. Heath
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
Sir
In the case of Capt Thos Ballard of South Carolina
it appears from the evidence deduced from the records of that
state, that he served 366 days as Capt under Col Kimball.
it also appears from the records of that State, that said
Kimball commanded a regiment of Cavalry at the time
said Ballard performed the above specified services. and
it does not appear from the records of that state that
said Kimball ever served in the revolutionary war, in any
other branch of the public service, all his official
reports and all the payments made to him and his
regiment by the State of South Carolina being expressly for
Cavalry service
Will this evidence, and with these recorded facts
staring you in the face, will it not strike you with
astonishment that Capt Ballard was placed on the
Pension roll at $240.66 per annum, instead of $300.00
per annum?
When it is shown that Capt Ballard
served 366 days as Captain under Col Kimball, and that the
latter served as Col of Cavalry, and that he served
in no other branch of the public service, except the Cavalry
can any reason, or rational argument be given for
not placing him on the pension roll as a Capt of
Cavalry that Capt B. is entitled to be placed on the
pension roll at $300.00 per annum, for the above named
services is a proposition quite too plain to admit of
doubt or discussion.
In addition to the above, it also
appears in evidence that said Ballard served under
Capt Nettles in Col Marshall's regiment some six or eight
months, also served three or four months as Capt under
Page 38

Col. Henderson. It is matter of history familiar to every School boy in South Carolina, that Col's Marshall and Henderson as well as Genl Marion under whom Capt  under whom Capt. B. served, rendered efficient services in the revolutionary war, and that they performed little or no other than Cavalry service.
In addition therefore to the increase
from $240.66 to $300.00 per annum, for the 366 days as Capt under Col Kimball, he is equally entitled to an increased pension for six or eight months service under Col Marshall, and three or four months service under Col Henderson.
It is obvious from the whole contexture of the
evidence that Capt Ballard's services were confined to the cavalry throughout. We find him no where except in company with historically known cavalry officers.
The evidence in this case affords you no more authority for placing Capt Ballard in the infantry than it does for placing him in the Engineers, Provost or Artillery. He selected for himself the company of cavalry officers
and officers who performed no other than cavalry service as shown by the evidence, the official records & history of the times, and you assume to drag him from his
high position, and place him in an inferior rank
not warranted by a jot or tittle [title] of the Evidence.
The circumstances of this case, would go more
strongly before a court and jury, in support of
the positions, I have laid down, then the positive testimony of witnesses could do. Not
a particle of the evidence, not one single fact of this case, supports the hypothesis that Capt B. served in the Militia. Mr Stankie says Vol 1 Page 572 "It is essential that all the facts should be consistent with the hypothesis. For as all things which have happened were necessarily congruous and consistent it follows that if any one Established
Page 39

fact be wholly inconceivable with the hypothesis; the matter  can not be true."
Is not the fact that Capt Ballard served 366 days as Capt under Col Kimball, at a time when (as it is shown by the most imfragible [infrangible] evidence) the latter commanded a regiment of Cavalry (and never commanded any thing but cavalry,) utterly and absolutely irreconcilable, with the hypothesis that Capt B. was a Capt of infantry, except upon the still more absurd and impossible hypothesis that he possessed the power of ubiquity, and served at one and the same period of
366 days as Capt of infantry and Capt of Cavalry; and if you take the latter horn of the hypothetical dilemma
he is entitled for the same time to a pension as Capt of infantry and cavalry.
Mr Starkie says, Vol 1 page 577 in
regard to circumstantial evidence
"It is sufficient if they produce moral certainty to the exclusion of every reasonable doubt; even direct and positive testimony
does not afford ground of belief of a higher and superior nature." But not doubting the result and your entire concurrence in the above views upon a full and fair reexamination of this case, I will not trespass longer upon your time and attention
I have the honor to be &
M. Thompson [signature]
Atty for Ballard
Page 40

Georgia
Gwinnett County
We Hosea Camp a Clergyman
residing in the State & County aforesaid and John F. Martin resident in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Thomas Ballard who has subscribed & sworn
to be above declaration that we believe him to be Eighty years of age that he is reputed and believed the neighborhood where he resides to have been soldier of the Revolution & that we concurring that opinion
Hosea Camp [signature]
 John F. Martin [signature]
Sworn to & subscribed this [day and year aforesaid -crossed out]
10th December 1832
Wm. P.[illegible] J.P. [signature]
 
Georgia
Gwinnett County 
Inferior Court adjourned Term
And the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion after the investigation of the matter & after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier
and served as stated and the Court further certifice [certifies] that it appears to said Court that Hosea Camp who has signed the above certificate is a clergyman resident in the County & State aforesaid & that John
F Martin who has also signed the same is a resident in the said State & County & is also a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
Given under our hands and seal of office
this 10th [October - crossed out] December 1832
 
Clifford Woodroof JJC [signature]
Reuben Mylan JJC [signature]
J. Woodlaw JJC [signature]
Page 41

Michael
Georgia
Gwinnett County
Before me
a Justice of the peace for said County Court
is person Michael Branham and being sworn an oath saith that he served six months
under the command of Thomas Ballard in
the revolutionary war - who was a Capt.
of the Militia of Kershaw District in the State
South Carolina - and further states that
said six months service is mentioned and
correctly stated in the written declaration-
Sworn to & subscribed
before me this 10th
December 1832
his
John Clower J. P. [signature]
his
Michael x Branham [signature]
mark
Page 42

11
John Clanton
Afidavid [Affidavit]
Page 43

State of South Carolina Kenshaw Destrict  [district]
Before me appears John Clanton of said District after being duly Sworn as the Law directs made oath that he became acquainted Thomas Ballard in the year 1780 and in the year 1781 he served together a tower [tour] in the servise [service] in behalf of the Liberty, of the State and U.S. we joined the whigs at a place cald [called] forehales in S.C. Thomas Ballard was a Captain and Commanded the Company cald [called] The Bever [Beaver] creek ^company pf Said Destrict [Distric] I Frther [Further] state that I was his Cook for his meals. I belive [believe] belive [believe] him to Be as good a whig as the state had at that time according to the opportunitys [opportunities], he had to sho [show] it
his
John x Clanton [signature]
mark
Sworn to before me this 2 July 1837
Elijah Sill. J.Q.[signature]
Page 44

State of South Carolina
Fairfield District
Personally appeared
before me Henry Moore of the State & District of aforesaid and being sworn as the
Law directs says on oath that he was
introduced to a Captain Ballard
either before or shortly after the fall
of Charleston but it is so long since
that he can not fully I certify
him at this late period further
that he thinks the foregoing certificate
of Mr John Clanton entitled to
undoubted credit this 9th Septr 1837
 
William Moore S.U. [signature]
Henry Moore Capt [illegible] [signature]
of Artillery Regt
So. Carolina
Page 45

The State of South Carolina
Fairfield District

 
I I Elliott Clerk of the Court of Common pleas
for said District do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Maj. Henry Moore a Revolutionary solder who has signed the within certificate for Mr Thomas Ballard & that full faith & credit may be given to his certificate as such -
Given under my hand & the seal of
the said Court at Fairfield Courthouse the
10th day of September 1839-
J. Elliott CLK [signature]
 
 State of South Carolina
Kershaw District
I, Geo Q Mc Intosh clerk of the Court of
Kershaw District do hereby Certify that
Elijah Hill is an acting Justice of the
Quorum, and that all due faith and
Should and ought to be given to his signature given under my hand seal of office
Oct 30. 1839 

South Carolina Kershaw District ss,
⎬
I Josiah J Evans [do certify - crossed out]
am one of the associate Judges of said State do certify that Geo. Q Mc Intosh of Clerk of the Court of Kershaw District as above subscribed, that under faith and credit is and 
ought to be given to his signature as such
Signed at Kershaw Court Herein
Novbr 1, 1839.
Josiah J. Evans [signature]
Page 46

10

John Truesdale
Affidavit
Page 47

South Carolina
Lancaster District
 Personally came before me John Truesdale aged seventy one years last March
of March, & after being duly sworn, maketh Oath & saith that in & about the year 1781 the fall of the year he became acquainted with
Col Thomas Ballard who was then
Thomas Ballard & had the character of an
good & valiant whig in the revolutionary
army, in & about the neighborhood of
Hancock & Beaver Creek Kershaw Dist
South Carolina, in which neighborhood
place both deponent & Thos. Ballard resided shortly afterwards the Ballard was
called captain of the Bearer Crack
Malitia [Militia] Company Kershaw District So. Ca & the generally received opinion at
that time & up to this day was that
Thomas Ballard was an officer a captain
in the revolutionary war & bore the
character at that day & since, of
a brave & courageous defendant
of the liberties of his country - deponant
has known Col Ballard from ^about1781 to 1821 at which last period he removed to
Georgia, where he remained until
1838 & at this time is living in Lancester Districh [District] SoCa.
John Trusdel [John Truesdale] [signature]
Sworn to & subscribed
Before me 5 Nov. 1839
J. H. Witherspoon Jr [signature]
J.W. E. off
Page 48

South Carolina
Lancaster District ⎬ 

Personally came before me Thomas Mackey
Senr aged 77 years last February
& maketh Oath & saith, that during the
revolutionary war he this deponent was a private in Col. Kimbrell
regiment, previous Col. Marshall & that
he knew Thos Ballard, that he was
attached to said regiment & commanded as captain the Beaver Creek Company Kershaw Dist So. Ca, deponent can't say positively how long Thos Ballard & the deponent remained in the same regiment, his impression
that the company [Col - crossed out] Thomas
Ballard commanded was sent one
on a scouting party & this deponent
& the company he was attached to
was ordered to Perrysburgh, deponent
served three months & is satisfied
that Thos Ballard was also out during
that tour of three months, he [illegible] believes that Tho Ballard served much
longer, he was always regarded a
true & Brave whig & rendered [illegible] services to this County during the
revolutionary struggle
Thos Muckey [signature]
Sworn to & subscribed
Before me to
J. H. Witherspoon Jr  [signature]
Q,W,E, Off
Page 49

21780 (16)
Thomas Ballard desd
S.C
Act 7 June '32
7
Adm?
12 ms 1 day Capt
240.66 to 28
Dec. 43 when he
died
To Thos P. Ballard - Susanna Caston & Mary
Russell only living children
A.S. Wallace Esq
Lancaster So. Ca
Page 50

House of Reps. 2nd Feby. 1841.
Sir
I herewith enclose you the papers of
Thos Ballard applying for a pension for
Revolutionary services and beg of you to
examine them. In the examination of them
I would request you to refer to the paper of
William Barkley a pensioner of the U. States
who was in Ballards company
Yours with respect
Thos. Hunter
J. L. Edwards Eqr.
Page 51


Comptroller Genls Office
Columbia S.C. October 30th 1846
Book W.}
Indent 165}
Issued 9th August 1785 to Capt. Thomas
Ballard for One Hundred and
fifty six pounds, 17s 1 1/2 D. for three
hundred and sixty six days duty
in 1780, 1781 & 1782 as per account
audited
Print L156:17: 1 1/2D  Ann ^cint
 L10: 19: 7D.
Book W}
Account 165}
Capt Thomas Ballard
For 288 days duty
under Col Frederick Kimball in
General Sumter's Brigade@ 60 S. per
day - 40 days under Col Frederick
Kimball @ 60 S. per day 38 days
under Col Kimball @ 60 S. per day
in all 366 days Sterling P156:17:1 1/2D.-
I certify the above to be a true copy from the Records in this Office
For Comptroller Genl
J. Aug Black
12/p 87 [illegible]
It appears that Mr. Ballards declaration
did not set forth as much as he was
entitled to will a new declaration
be necessary?
J A Woodward
Page 52

18
Page 53

House Reps. Jay 18, 1847
Sir:
I herewith enclose papers relating
to the claim of Capt. Thomas Ballard
now deceased. Your early attention
is desired.
Capt. Ballard was a staunch
whig, and it was want of proper
information, that the evidence now
submitted, was not furnished at first
The certificate from the
Comptroller's office is genuine and
authentic. The Hon. Mr. Black
my colleague, will testify to that
if required. I have not had the
opportunity to see him-
Very respectfully
Your Obt Servant
J A Woodward
J. L. Edwards Esq
Page 54

Comptroller's Office
Columbia 20 Feby 1847
I hereby certify that I have compared the
signature of Capt. Thomas Ballard to his
account filed in this office (Book W. 165.)
with the signature of the same name to
a commission as Lieut. Col. dated 29th November One thousand eight hundred and four, and also with the signature of the same name to a bill of sale dated 5th April 1820 and
that there is a striking similarity between
them, so that I am convinced that all
are written by one and the same hand.
Derrill A. Hart
Depty Pro: tem:
for Wm C. Black
I also certify that
Compt Gent
after
I also certify after careful examination I cannot find the name of Thomas Ballard in any of the Records of this office other than the place above mentioned
D. A. Hart
for W. C Black
Page 55

South Carolina
Lancaster District
Personally Appeared before me John J Sims A resident of said District aged 44 years
before me the Subscribing Magistrate
and made oath in due form of Law
to the following Statement

That he had Known Thomas Ballard
Revolutionary Soldier [illegible] Deceased
since his first Recollection and all
was understood that the said Thos Ballard
was A Captain in the war of the Revolution against the Common Enemy
that he has often heard say [Deponent - crossed out] ^Thos Ballard speak of his service in the said war as well as other Revolutionary Soldiers and that I have often heard my Grandfather Sims speak of Capt Thos Ballards Service in the Revolution and said he was a
brave man & soldier of the first order (who
has also A Revolutioner in said war)
Deponent further states that Col Ballard
Lived in Kershaw District About one mile
from the Lancaster Line and went by the
Title of Col. Since my first recollection
Deponent further states that he was raised
within one mile of the said Thos. Ballard that he also lived Eleven months in the
House with him and was always intimately
acquainted with him with the exception
of some two or three years that he lived
Georgia up to the time of his
death which took place in Lancaster
District S.C.
John J. Sims  [signature]
Sworn before me, E. Massey, Mgt, this 23th day of February 1847
I the said Magistrate do hereby certify that
John P Gimes has sworn to and subscribed the
above afidavid [affidavit] before Me
Page 56

Whoes [whose] a Pentioner [Pensioner] woes [whose] statements is due full for
faith and [illegible crossed out] Credit and that the above is in his
own hand wright [writing]
E. Massey Mgt [signature]

South Carolina
Lancaster District ⎬ I Henry R. Price
Clerk of the force of Common Pleas and
General Sessions for Lancaster District, do
certify that John J Sims & Ezekial Massey
whose signatures appears to the foregoing
affidavits, & which are genuine are &
was at the date aforesaid & at the time
acting Magistrate in & for the District of
Lancaster, State aforesaid, & that full
faith & credit should be given to all
their acts as such
Given under my hand &
seal of office at Lancaster CH SoCa this 25th
day of Febry 1847
Henry R. Price [signature]
Clke
[Illegible Seal with ribbon attached]
Page 57

South Carolina
Lancaster District
Personally Came before me J. J. Sims
one of the Magistrates of said District
Hilam Twitty Esqur [Esquire] Aged 66 years
who being first duely [duly] Sworn According to law sayeth on oath that he was well
Acquainted with the Ballard of Kershaw
District Revolutionary Soldier Decd
for fifty three years before his Death
with the exception of two or three years
that the said Thos Ballard lived in the
State of Georgia from whence he returned to Lancaster District S.C. where
he the said Thos Ballard Dyed [died]
Deponent further says that the Above
named Thos Ballard was A Capt During the
war of the Revolution Against the
the Common Enemy as the Deponent has
Always understood and believes in Col
Kimballs Rigt [Regt] Sumters Brigade and acted in that Capacity until the Close of
the war but cannot give the particulars
of or length of time the said Capt Thos
Ballard was in service
28
He further says that the said Capt Thos
Ballard was A Major and Lieut Col after
the said war that he has often seen the said
Capt Thos Ballard Write and that the signature
to his commission as Lieut Col is genuine
and Also to A bill of sale dated the 5th day of
April 1820 is in his hand writing
Deponent further says that he lived within
one & one fourth miles of the said Col Thos
Ballard the time Above stated he further says
the Above named Col Thos Ballard Dyed [died] in the Latter part of December 1843 Leaving Mary Russel Susan Caston & Thos P. Ballard Surviving children and all of Lawful age
Page 58

and never heard of any other heard of any
Ballard that done service in the war of the
Revolution as A Capt Except the above named
and that Col Kimball did Command the
Militia of the afore said Capt Thos Ballards
Neighbourhood [neighborhood] and lived in Lancaster District
S. C. within fifteen or twenty miles of the
affore said Capt Thos Ballard in time of
and after the war of the Revolution in
what was then called Camden District
S. C. Sworn to before me this 23rd day of
February AD 1847
John J. Sims Magt [signature]
Hiram Twitty [signature]
I the said Magistrate at Hereby Certify that
that Hiram Twitty Esqr who has sworn to
and subscribed the above Affidavid [affidavit] is A gentleman of unexceptionable Morral [moral] Character and his statements Entitled to full faith and credit and that he is the
age he represents himself to be
John J. Sims Magt [signature]
Page 59

J. L Edward
Comr. of Pension
Washington City
17
Page 60

Lancasterville S.C
25th of Feb the 25th 1837
Dear sir yours of the 25th of January
last is before me and in reply I offer you
the Declaration and Identity called fer [for]
which I hope will be satisfactory to your
Defortmient [Department] which you will pleas  [please] Examing [Examine] and report the same to me at yorkville [Yorkville] at as early a day as posible [possible]
the original account of Capt Thos
Ballard is in the handwriting of the
Thos Ballard of Kershaw's district for whom
we claim pleas [please] call for the original account of the with in [within] not satisfactory as the Deputy would not give it up unless called if or the account of service as Capt and order to draw the money are both in the office of the
Comptroller of this State
Very Respectfully yours
A. S. Wallace [signature]
J.L. Edwards
Com of Pensions
Page 61

Southarolina [South Carolina]
Lancaster District
Personally Appeared before
me John Bell A Resident of said District of Age 68 years and made Oath in Due form of Law to the following statements
That he has known Thos Ballard Revolutionary soldier Deceased, for the last 41 or 2
years of his life that the said Thos. Ballard
allways [always] had the Reputation of being A Capt in the war of the Revolution against the
Common Enemy that he deponent lived with
in one mile of the said Thos Ballard the
greater part of the period Above stated
the said Thos Ballard lived in Kershaw
District and said Deponent in
Lancaster District S.C. That he was very
intimately Acquainted with him the said
Thos Ballard with the exception of some two
or three years he lived in Georgia (that is
he Thos Ballard lived in Georgia he further says that Thos Ballard Above named
was A Major when Deponent first became
Acquainted with him and Afterwards
Lieutenant Col. and commanded the
upper Battalion in Kershaw District S.C.
Deponent further states that he has often
seen the said Thos Ballard Write and that the
signature to his Commission as Lieut Col dated the 29th day of Nov 1804 is he believes to be his genuine signature
and Also the signature to  A bill of sale
dated the 5th day of April 1820 he believe
to be his the said Thos Ballards Signature
and that he deponent Assigned the same as
witness
Page 62

Sworn to and subscribed this 25th day
of February A.D. 1847
before me
John J. Sims Magt [signature]
John Bell [signature]
 
I the said Magistrate do hereby Certify
that James Summerville and John Bell
who have this day sworn to and subscribed the foregoing Affidavids [Affidavits] before
me are gentlemen of High Character
and sound mind and their statements
entitled to full faith and Credit and that they
are the age they Represent themselves to be
day and date Above written
John J. Sims [signature]
Magt
Page 63

South Carolina Lancaster District} Personally appeared before me James Summerville a resident of said district of said district aged 71 years before me JJ Sims the subscribing magistrate and made oath in due form of law to the following statements that he has know Thos Ballard Revolutionary soldier deceased since his first Recollection that the said thos Ballard always had the reputation of being a captain in the war of the revolution against the common enemy that the deponent was raised within one mile of the said capt Thos Ballard who lived in hesshah district SC within one mile of the Lancaster line when he lived in time of the war until he deponent was married He further says that Col Kimbal Commanded the militia of capt Ballards neighbourhood as deponent has always understood and believes and that the said Capt Thos Ballard was a lieut col after the war of the revolution and commanded the upper Battalion of the Kershaw rigt SC sworn to before me this 23rd day of February AD 1847
James Summerville
John J Sims Magt
Page 64

Winnsboro SC May 28 1847
Sir:
Application has been made in the case [crossed out on behalf] of Capt Thomas Ballard late of Lancaster district SC and I have been requested to certify for the credibility of Col Thos P Ballard James Summerville, Hiram Twitty John Bell and JJ Sims Esq These gentlemen are immensely worthy of belief
very respectfully
JA Woodward
JL Edwards esq
Com Pensn
Page 65

State of South Carolina
Kershaw District
I have known Mafr Thomas Ballard of this district nearly fifty years I have always been of the opinion that he was during the war of the revolution among the patriots of that day in the service of the United States In 1794 the militia of this state was organized agreeable to an act of Congress for that purpose & in electing the field officers to command this regiment particular regard was had to the men who had been in the service of the country Major Ballard was then elected to command the upper Battalion witness my hand this 1 day of Nov 1839
Jas Chesnut
Page 66

Comptroller Genls office
Columbia SC Nov 28th 1849
Having examined the account in this office of the Revolutionary services of Col Frederick Kimball I find that for the years 1780 & 1781 his account mentions the following items March ye 5th 1780 2037 days in the lite horse service as Capt a L 3:10 per day L 129-10 certified John Marshall Majr  1 June 1780 286 days in lite horse service capt at L 10 per day L 1001 certified by me John Marshall Majr December ye 15th 1780 to 90 days major a L 4-10 pr day L 405 certified by me John Marshall Col March ye 7th 1781 20135 days Lieut Col a L 5 pr day L 675 certified by John Marshall Col Sept ye 4th 1780 to 106 days full Col at L 6 pr day L 636 in currency L 3192 ye and I further certify that the Indents in favor of the men who served in Sumpters Brigade mentions state troops and from many statements I have seen among these old Revolutionary Records I have no hesitation in saying that the greater part if not all of the service under General Sumter was that of Cavalry
For Comptroller Genl
James A Black
Page 67

House Reps US
Dec 5 1849
Sir
In the year 1847 or near that time AS Wallace Esq of Yorkville SC Received a pension for the Revolutionary services of Capt Thomas Ballard.
It now appears as I am informed that the said Ballard was a captain in the Calvary & that Infantry pay only has been allowed.
The difference between Calvary & Infantry pay I am now requested to ask for 
I have the honor to be your obt servt D Wallace
Hon JL Edwards War department Washington
Page 68

House Reps US 
Washington Jany 22d 1850
Sir
In the case of Thomas Ballard you require the production of record evidence to shew that Capt Thomas Ballard was captain of horse.  The said Ballard served under Col Kimball.  The inclosed certificate of the comptroller General of South Carolina shews that Col Kimballs Regiment were all Cavalry the pay of Col Kimball shews this fact to be so
I hope this evidence will be satisfactory to prove the point referd to 
I have the honor to be your obt servt D Wallace
Hon JL Edwards 
over
Page 69

PS This claim is for an increase of pension.  Ballards case has been admitted as Capt of Infantry
He was captain of Cavalry I sent the papers to the department the 5th December nst DW
Page 70

15
Power of atty to M Thompson
case of Capt Thos Ballard
decd Revy war So Car
Filed Decr 23 1851
Papers in the case called for M Thompson atty
W Cole
Page 71

POWER OF ATTORNEY - Revolutionary Pension Claims
Know all Men by these Presents That I Thoms P Ballard son of Col Thomas Ballard who was a capt in the Revolution do hereby constitute and appoint Col M Thompson at Washington my true and lawful agent and attorney to prosecute the claim of said Thomas Ballard for any amount of Revolutionary Pension or Increase of Pension, that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said agent to examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim, on file in the departments at Washington City, or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments; and to receive the Certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable to as the surviving children to Mary Russel Susan Castor and myself only heirs to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed; and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present.  Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said attorney and agent shall lawfully do in the premises.
WITNESS my hand and Seal this 1st day November AD 1851
Thos P Ballard
Signed and sealed in the presence of 
AS Wallace 
CC Ballard
STATE OF South Carolina
District of York} ss:
On this 1st day November AD 1851 before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid personally appeared Maj Thomas P Ballard and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I hereunto set my hand, the day and year aforesaid}
AS Wallace J Peace Magistrate
Page 72

Claim of Pension Act 7th June 1832
STATE OF South Carolina
District of York} ss
Be it known that on this first day of November AD eighteen hundred and fifty 1 before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the county and state aforesaid personally appeard Thomas P Ballard a resident of Lancaster District in said State, and made oath according to law that he he is the son of Thomas Ballard the within named late of Lancaster District deceased who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of United States at the rate of two hundred & forty 66/100 dollars per annum; that he has been informed that the said Pension ought to be increased that he is directly interested as a claimant in said pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my agent may use in prosecuting said claim. Thos P Ballard
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me AS Wallace  J Peace} 
magist
I AS Wallace a magistrate in and for said district county do hereby certify that that Maj Thomas P Ballard who executed the foregoing paper is a respectable resident of Lancaster District and is I believe directly interested in said claim as therein set forth. 
AS Wallace J Peace
Magistrate
I clerk of the court in the county and state aforesaid do hereby certify that before whom the foregoing papers were executed was at the date of the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said county duly authorized by law to administer calls; and the name thereunto subscribed, is signature. 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal this day of AD 183
John G Enlow Clerk
Page 73

STATE OF 
COUNTY OF } ss
It is hereby certified that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me that  was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at the rate of $  per annum and that died on the day of eighteen hundred and leaving surviving and that the only surviving of the aforesaid. 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this day of one thousand eight hundred and fifty.
Page 74

Washington Aug 6 1832
Hon FFC Tripplett
Commis of Pensions
Sir An increase of the pension of Capt Thomas Ballard of South Carolina was asked upon the grounds stated in my letter of 19th March last to the Hon Jas E Heath since which I have had no intelligence whatever from the case. Your attention to the same as soon as practicable will much oblige 
yours resptfy 
M Thompson 
Atty for Ballard
Page 75

25
Appeal in the case of Capt Thos Ballard
Oct 21/32
Referred to the commissioner of pensions for report
Sept Into
Oct 20/52
Rec Oct 19 1832
Page 76

Washington Oct 18 1852
Hon A H H Stuart
Secy of the Interior
Sir
I appeal to you from the decision of the court of Pensions in the case of Catp Thomas Ballard a pensioner on the revolutionary war of Solear who claims an increase of epnsion upon the grounds stated in my letter to the commis [crossed out in my letter] of 19th March 1852 & 6th Aug last 
I have the honor to be your obt sert
M Thompson Atty for Ballard
PS of corsery letters above referd will be found on file with the papers
Page 77

22 No 170
Pension office
Oct 22 1852
Commissioner of Pensions
Rel to the claim of Thomas Ballard act June 7th 1832
Coms decision affirmed
RMC
Nov B
Rec Oct 23 1852
Page 78

Pension Office
October 22d 1852
Sir
I have the honor herewith to enclose the papers in the case of Thomas Ballard decd of SC numbering from 1 to 29 inclusive Mr Thompson appeals from a decision of this office refusing to grant an increase of pension on the ground that he was an officer of cavalry There is no evidence in the papers of his having been such an officer.
In his own declaration he speaks of his service as having been in the militia and as having been rendered in the usual made of three months tours at separate times He says nothing of having been attached to a cavalry Regiment. The Comptrollers certificate shows that he served under Col Kimball who belonged to Sumpters brigade.  At another time Sumpter commanded the State troops
Page 79

a body of cavalry enlisted for 10 months which was a continuous service.  But Ballards service of 366 days was divided among the years 1780, 81 & 82 showing it was not ordered in the state troops has always been the rule of the official that where there is no positive proof of a soldier having served in the cavalry troops he must be rated as a soldier of infantry
I have the honor to be very respectfully
JE Heath
Commissioner
Page 80

Thomas Ballard
Nov 15/53
Col Nile
7 803
1832
20283 Jos
Page 81

Department of the Interior
Washington Nov 14th 1853
Sir
Your decision in the case of Thomas Ballard decd under the act of June 7 1853 has been affirmed and the papers which accompanying your report are herewith returned to your office
I am Sir respectfully your obedt servt
RM Clelland Secretary
The Honorable
LP Waldo
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 82

110-20th Ave South
Nashville, Tenn
January 4 1927
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Revolutionary War Section
Washington DC
Sir: 
Will you kindly send a statement in full of the military history of Thomas Ballard an officer of the Revolutionary War who served in the Kershaw County Regiment of South Carolina
Very respectfully
Glayds St C Hibbett
(Mrs CT Hibbett)
Page 83

AL BULWINKLE
9TH DIST NORTH CAROLINA
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives 
Washington, SC
February 15 1927
Hon Winfield Scott
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

Dear Mr. Scott:
If it is possible for you to do so I would appreciate very much your sending me all information and records of Thomas McDow, Private int he American Revolutionary War; also, information and records of Thomas Ballard.  It is my understanding that Ballard was a major under Colonel Joseph Kershaw in the Kershaw County Regiment during the American Revolutionary War. 
Sincerely yours
AL Bulwinkle
B-h
Page 84

2
Militia and November 29 1804 was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the Thirty Fifty Regiment South Carolina Militia
[handwritten and crossed out moved to Ga in 1820]
Pension was allowed on his application executed December 10 1832 while a resident of Gwinnett County, Georgia
[handwritten moved there in 1818]
In 1839 he was living in Lancaster District, South Carolina. He did there December 28 1843 [handwritten  at the rest] leaving the following children - Colonel Thomas P Ballard, Mrs Susanna (Susan) Caston, and Mrs Mary Russell.  The name of soldier's wife is not on record, and there [crossed out is] [handwritten are] no further data on file as to children. 
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S 9437 it appears that Thomas McDow was born October 12 1765 "on Waxhaw" in Lancaster district, South Carolina.
While a resident of Lancaster District, South Carolina, he enlisted and served as a private in the South Carolina Troops as wollows
From July 1781 three months under Captain George Dunlap, Major Thomas Thompson and General
Page 85

Francis Marion he was in a skirmish at Cartier's Ferry on the Edisto River, and in the battle of Eutaw Springs. 
From June or July 1782 three monts under Lieutenant Richard Terrell.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 15 1832 at which time he was a resident of Lancaster District, South Carolina. 
There is no data on file relative to his family.
Very truly yours
EW MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
Page 86

Rev and 1812
Wars Section
February 24 1927
Mrs CT Hibbett
110 20th Ave South Nashville, Tenn
Madam: 
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S 20883 it appears that Thomas Ballard was born in March 1751 in Albermarle County, Virginia.
While a resident of Kershaw District, South Carolina he served from December 1779 to May 1780 as Lieutenant in Captain William Nettle's Company, Colonel Marshall's South Carolina Regiment, and was out on scouting parties against the Tories and in an engagement at Ridgways Fort; and in 1780, 1781 and 1782 he was  Captain in Colonel Frederick Kimball's South Carolina Regiment and was in the battles of Hobkirk's Hill and Bigham Church was in actual service three hundred and sixty-six days.
After the Revolution he was Major in the Militia, and November 29, 1804 was commissioned Lieutenant Colo-
Page 87

nel of the Thirty-Fifth Regiment of South Carolina Militia.
Pension was allowed on his application executed December 10 1832 while a resident of Gwinnett County, Georgia.
In 1839 he was living in Lancaster District, South Carolina.  He died there December 28 1843 leaving the following children Colonel Thomas P Ballard; Mrs Susanna (Susan) Caston; and Mrs Mary Russell.  The name of the soldier's wife is not on record, and there is no further data on file as to children.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner
Page 88

915 Highland Ave 
Bristol Va
Aug 11 1937
Director of Pensions
Washington DC
Gentlemen:  In reply to BAJ/AWF
Thomas Ballard
S 20283
Your reply to inquiry for Revolutionary Record of Thomas Ballard of Albemarle is the record of Thomas a son of Thomas Ballard who lived and died in Albemarle (1781).  Do you have any record of a Thomas Ballard who served in a Virginia Regiment from Albemarle County His wife's name Susanna
In reply John Huffman W 10132
Your reply to John Huffman showing [crossed out him] that he lived in So Carolina and I want record of a John Huffman who lived in Amherst and Rockbridge and served in a Virginia Regiment. His wife's name probably Mary.  This name is spelled either Huffman or Hoffman.
Again thanking you I am
Very truly yours
(Mrs S Bruce) Ruth Clay Jones
Page 89

August 25 1932
BA-J/AWF
Mrs S Bruce Jones
915 Highland Avenue
Bristol, Virginia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request further information in regard to Thomas Ballard and John Huffman (Hoffman) soldiers of the War of the Revolution, from Virginia.
You were furnished July 6, 1932 the record of the only soldier named Thomas Ballard (s. 20283) found on the Revolutionary War records of this office.
The record of John Huffman (W.10132) which was sent you on that same day, is that of the only soldier John Huffman or Hoffman, from Amherst County, Virginia, found on said records, and no record of a John Huffman or Hoffman is found who served from Rockbridge County Virginia. 
As a possible means of securing information relative to the military record of the soldiers in whom you are interested it is suggested that you address The Adjutant General, War Department, Washington, DC.
Very truly yours
AD HILLER
Assistant to Administrator