Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8602, for John Ratcliff, South Carolina
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SERVICE
S.C.
Ratcliff, John
NUMBER
R. 8602
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rejected May 8. 1832
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Original Claim
Declaration in order to be placed on the Pension List, under the act of the 18th March 1818.
State of Mississippi
Franklin County
On this 4th day of April 1832 personally appeared in open Court in the circuit Court of the County of Franklin being a Court of Record for the County aforesaid John Ratcliff resident in said County aged between
Seventy two & three years who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in or order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818, and the 1st of May 1826; that he the said John Ratcliff enlisted for the Term of Twelve months on the 14th day of July 1782 in the State of South Carolina in the Company or Corps of Cavalry Commanded by Captain Laneaux in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Peter Orea in the line of the State of South Carolina on the continental establishment; that he continued to serve in said Corps or company untill July 1783 when he was discharged from the service in Craven district (since called Darlington District) in the State of South Carolina; that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension, except the present. That his name is not on the roll of any state whatever except that of South Carolina and that the following are the reasons for not making earlier application for a Pension.
That he has heretofore thought that he was able to work and live without a pension as he has enjoyed general good health but now as he is in declining years and becoming incapable for performing labour sufficient to support himself, he needs a Pension.
John Ratliff
Sworn & subscribed in open court [illegible] 1832
E. Turner presiding judge
And in pursuance of the act of the first of May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not, said that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part thereof with intent thereby to so diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled and
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act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war passed on the 18th day of March 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts, or debts, due to me; nor have I any income, other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed. That since the 18th of March 1818 no changes have been made in my property.
John Ratcliff
Sworn to & subscribed & declared in open Court this 4th day of April 1832
E. Turner, Presiding Judge
Schedule-
I have no property except my wearing apparel that before the 18th March 1818 I divided what property I owned among my children and
have since that time resided with them. That I have laboured for my support and my children are in quite limited circumstances. I have eight
children four sons & four daughters all of whom are adults.
John Ratcliff
Sworn to & Subscribed & declared in open Court this 4th day of April 1832
E. Turner Presiding Judge
---
State of Mississippi
Franklin County set
This day personally appeared in open Court in the Circuit Court of the County of Franklin Benjamin Goodson and make oath that he saw in the above named John Ratliff in the Company of Calvery commanded by Captain Laneaux & Regiment commanded by Colonel Peter Orea. That said company was Twelve months more - That he was well acquainted with said John Ratcliff at that time and has been well acquainted with him at different times since.
Ben Goodson
E. Turner Presiding Judge
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I John F Witherspoon clerk of the Circuit branch of the County of Franklin do certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the court, that the said John Ratcliff did serve in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding declaration, against The common enemy, for the term of nine months, under one engagement on the Continental establishment. I also certify, that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto amended, are truly copied from the records of the said court. And I do further certify, that it is the opinion of the said Court that the said John Ratcliff has no property and did not own any property on the 18th March 1832 as stated in and by said schedule. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court on this 4th day of April 1832.

Jho F Witherspoon Clerk of the Circuit Court of the County of Franklin
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May 24, 1940

Mrs. T. W. Montgomery
Innis Louisiana

BA-J/MCS
John Ratcliff, R.8602

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to John Ratcliff, a Revolutionay War soldier who lived in Wilkinson County, Mississippi, and died in Saline County, Arkansas.
The data which follow were taken from papers on file in the pension claim, R.8602, based on military service of the only John Ratcliff that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
The date and place of birth of John Ratcliff and the names of his parents are not shown.
John Ratcliff applied for pension April 4, 1833, at which time he was seventy-two or seventy-three years of age and was living in Franklin County, Mississippi. He alleged that he enlisted in South Carolina, July 14, 1782, and served one year in Captain Lanew's company in Colonel Peter Horry's South Carolina regiment. His claim was not allowed as the service he rendered was not on the Continental Establishment as required by the Act of March 18, 1818, under which he applied for pension.
John Ratcliff stated that he had four sons and four daughters in 1832, all of whom were adults, but he did not give their names nor that of his wife. There are no further data relative to soldier's family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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[first page]
1907 June 11 Hist. to Mrs. A. Field Bean AW
1914 Jan 17 Hist. to Hon. Morris Sheppard USS
---
1937 Oct 1. hist. to Mrs. T. J. Shockley M.C.S.
---
1940 May 24. hist. Mrs. T. W. Montgomery M.C.S.
[second page]
8602
P.O. John Ratcliff
Service:
Enlisted:
Discharged:
REJECTED
Application filed:
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized. Contract
Cert. of Dis.  Searched for
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22,184
John Ratcliff
Mississippi
Rejected Revoly
See letter May 8, 1832 to Sec. War.
8602
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Columbia Tenn
Aug, 11, 1937

Veterans Administration
Washington D.C.

Kinds Friends
Will you please tell me something about John Ratcliff who was a Revolutionary soldier from Va. and I think James City County. I would like to know who his wife was also the names of his children. I wonder
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if it would be possible to trace his ancestry to the John Ratcliff who was Captain of the "Discovery" that reached Va in 1607 and where could I obtain such information?
Anything you have about him would be most pleasing to me to know.
May I assure you of my very great appreciation.
I am sincerely yours
Mrs T. J. Shockley
Columbia Tennessee
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Only one
[stamp]
RECEIVED AUG 13 1937
MAIL PUB.OFF.
VETS ADM SERVICE 5
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[stamp]
RECEIVED APR 18 1940 [illegible]

Innis, La.
April 9, 1940

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Please give me all information of John Ratcliff who was a Revolution Soldier. Lived in Wilkerson Co. Mississippi and died in Saline Co. Arkansas - July 24. (I do not know the year.) Age 82. He had a daughter Margaret who married Philomen Terrell about 1809.
Thank you very much.
Yours sincerely
Mrs. T. W. Montgomery
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[stamp] JUL 2 1907 O.W [smudge] FILED
Troy N.Y.
June 28, 1907
U S Commissioner of Pensions
Will you please let me know if the name of John Ratcliff or of James
Field, or both, occurs on the pension roll of Revolutionary soldiers of the State of South Carolina. If so, please send me all the information obtainable, as they were my ancestors, and I wish to join the Daughters of the American Revolution.
James Field was Capt. of Artillery. John Ratcliff was with Frances Marion.
By an early reply, you will greatly favor
Yours very truly
Mrs A. Field Bean
801, 2nd Apl. Troy N.Y.
[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE H JUL 1 1907
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MORRIS SHEPPARD.
CHAIRMAN.

United States Senate,
COMMITTEE ON EXPENDITURES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
Jan. 15, 1914.
My dear Sir:
Mrs. C. W. Butt, of Nacogdoches, Texas, is very desirous of obtaining all the information possible concerning her grandfather, John Ratcliff, born in Virginia, said to have been a courier for General Marion, and also desires to ascertain
whether her great-grandfather, James Ratcliff served in the Revolutionary War. I have obtained from the Adjutant General such information as is contained in
the records of his office along the lines of this inquiry. The Adjutant General suggests that your office may also be able to give me some information along this line; if so, I would very much appreciate having it.
It appears that John Ratcliff served in Captain William Brown's Company, Maryland Artillery, assigned to Colonel Charles Harrison's 1st Artillery Regiment, Continental Troops.
James Ratcliff, it appears, was a private in Captain John Bankson's Company, 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, commanded by Colonel Walter Stewart, Revolutionary War.
Thanking you in advance for any information you may be able to give me, I am,
Yours very truly,
Morris Sheppard
Hon. G. M. Saltzgaber, Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.
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[stamp]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
G
JAN 16 1914
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May 8, 1832
Hon Lewis Cass
Sec War
Sir:
On examining the case of John Ratcliff, I find that he is not entitled to a pension. He alleges that he belonged to Col. Peter Orea's regiment. No such officer belonged to the Army. I presume that Horry is the name of the officer to whom he alludes. He was a Lieut Colonel in the State Troops of South Carolina. As the Revolutionary
Pension Laws do not provide for State Troops, his claim cannot of course be allowed.
The letter of the Hon F.E. Plummer, who sent the application of Mr. Ratcliff to this Department is herewith enclosed. The declaration will remain on our files
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O. W. and N. Division.
3 -- 525.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., - 190-
In reply to your request of -, received - for a statement of the military history of John Ratcliff a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for a pension on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
July 14, 1782
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
1 yrs.
RANK.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.  Lanew
COLONEL.  Peter [strikethrough Orea] Horry
STATE.
S.C.
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment,
Date of application for pension, Apr. 4. 1832
Residence at date of application, Franklin Co. Miss
Age at date of application, 72 or 73.
Remarks: Soldier had 4 sons and 4 daughters in 1832, their names are not stated, his claim was rejected, service not rendered on the Continental Establishment as required by the Act of Mar 18, 1818 under which he applied for pension
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
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October 1, 1937

Mrs. T. J. Shockley
Columbia Tennessee

John Ratcliff, R.8602
BA-J/MCS

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to John Ratcliff who served in the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, R. 8602, based upon the military service of the only John Ratcliff that is found in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
The date and place of his birth and the names of his parents were not given.
He applied for pension April 4, 1832, at which time he was aged seventy-two or seventy-three years of age and was living in Franklin County, Mississippi. He alleged that he enlisted in South Carolina, July 14, 1782, and served one year in Captain Lanew's company in Colonel Peter Horry's South Carolina regiment. His claim was not allowed as the service he rendered was not on the Continental Establishment as required by the Act of March 18, 1818, under which he applied for pension.
He stated that he had four sons and four daughters in 1832, all of whom were adults, but he did not give their names nor that of his wife. There are no further data relative to soldier's family.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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January 17, 1914.

Hon. Morris Sheppard,
United State Senate.
My dear Senator:
In response to your letter dated the fifteenth instant, requesting information for Mrs. C. W. Butt or Nacogdoches, Texas. I have the honor to furnish the history of the only James and John Ratcliff (of any spelling whatever) found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.
John Ratcliff, R. File No. 8,602, applied for pension April 4, 1832, while seventy-two years of age and a resident of Franklin County, Mississippi. He stated that he enlisted in South Carolina, July 14, 1782, in Captain Lanew's company of Cavalry in Colonel Peter Horry's regiment of South Carolina troops, and served until July 1783, when he was discharged in Craven District, South Carolina.
He stated that he had four sons and four daughters, but did not give their names nor refer to his wife.
His claim was rejected on the ground that his service was rendered in the State troops, and not on the Continental Establishment, as required by the pension laws of March 18, 1818. and May 1, 1820. under which he applied for pension.
M Saltzgaber

See also James Ratcliff S. file 35,041.