Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7764, for Richard Wyatt Oates, North Carolina
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(8-1776)
| SERVICE | [Blank] | NUMBER |
| N.C. | Oates, Richard Wyatt | R 7764 |
| [Blank] | Elisabeth | {Blank] |

CONTENTS
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Richard Wyatt Oates
Wyatt Oates
Power of Atty
to 
Jas. G. Austin
of 
Suspended Rev Pension
Georgia Suspended
Roll

I deliver to Lee the papers on file in this Case-
Aug 16, 1852
Jas. G. Austin
Atty
Present
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Know all men by these presents, That I [Handwritten "Elizabeth Oats"] of the county of [Handwritten "Sumter"] and State of [Handwritten "Georgia"] have constituted and appointed, and by these presents do constitute and appoint [Handwritten "James G Austin"] of Washington City, my true and lawful attorney, irrevocably for me and in my name to receive from the United States all such sum or sums of money as may be due me on any account whatsoever, [Handwritten "and Especially to Examine all papers filed in the pension office by my deceased Husband Wyatt Oates for a pension, and to take all proper steps to obtain such pension as I may be Entitled, as his widow"] and in my name to execute such receipts and acquittances for the same as may be necessary, and generally to do all lawful acts and things touching the premises;  and an attorney or attornies under him for the purposes aforesaid, to make and at his pleasure to revoke; hereby confirming all and whatsoever my said attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be done in the premises, by virtue of these presents.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this [Handwritten "tenth"] day of [Handwritten "August"] 185[Handwritten "2"]
[Handwritten "Elizabeth Oates"] [Stamp "SEAL"]

State of [Handwritten "Georgia"]
County of [Handwritten "Sumter"] to wit: 
 [Handwritten "Elizabeth Oats"]

On this [Handwritten "10th tenth"] day of [Handwritten "August"] 185[Handwritten "2"] personally appeared before me a [Handwritten "Justice of the [illegible] Court"] in and for the County aforesaid, and acknowledged the above power of attorney to be [Crossed out "his"] [Handwritten "her"] act and deed for the purposes therein expressed
[Signed "J.W. Fletcher [illegible]"]  [Stamp "SEAL"]

State of [Handwritten "Georgia"] 
County of [Handwritten "Sumter"] to wit:
I hereby certify that [Handwritten "John W. Fletcher"] Esq., before whom the above acknowledgement was made, and who has hereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the [Handwritten "[illegible] Court"] [Crossed out [illegible]] in and for the County aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn. 
[Illegible stamp/seal] 
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the [Handwritten "Superiour"] Court, for the County aforesaid, this [Handwritten "tenth"] day of [Handwritten "August"], 185[Handwritten "2"].
[Signed "A.G. Ronaldson"]   Clerk.
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State of Georgia 
County of Sumter    SS

On this fourth day of November eighteen hundred & forty four, personally appeared in open Court, before the Inferior Court of said County now sitting for ordinary purposes, Richard, Wyatt, Oates, for the most part known, called & designated, by the name of Wyatt Oates, resident in said County & State aged eighty two & more as he has good reason to believe, 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 7th June 1832.

That he was a penny less orphan born in the County of Wayne in the State of North Carolina, sd he has good reason to believe in July seventeen hundred & fifty eight & that his real age was designedly kept a secret from him by the man into whose hands he fell in childhood & that this man concealed his age that he might reap the benefit of a protected period of servitude as unjust as it was rigorous. Applicant remembers to this day that he was willing & thought himself abundantly able to bear arms in the American army against the British, long before his task master would admit that he was of competent age to perform military duty, but that according to their means statements which prescribed at the time, & to which he had to submit in the absence of positive proof to the contrary, applicant was born in the county & State last aforesaid, on the 26th day of July 1762- that he has not & never had any record of his age except what he made himself upon the authority of interested strangers. That he lived in his native County when he volunteered as a militiaman in the war of the revolution on the [illegible] of liberty against British oppression in  that he continued
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to live there three or four years after the war- that he removed thence to Hancock County Georgia where he resided thirteen years- thence to Coweta County- Ga. where he resided four years & from Harris he removed to 1835 to Sumter County the place of his parent residence. 

About the first of January 1781 he volunteered in the militia of N Carolina for a three months tour of service which with one exception he faithfully performed & from which he was regularly discharged by his Captain. He has been fortunate enough to keep his discharge which is herewith exhibited to the Court, & which he asks to be take & considered or part of this declaration. Col. Reed commanded the regiment to which he was attached, & Capt. Robinson the Company Genl Greene was at that time Commander of the southern army. Applicant was at the beginning of the battle of Guilford, but he & other militia men with astonishing unanimity, thought it advisable to leave before the fight had made much progress, & did so with an impetuosity as eager as it was contemptible. After this, our nerves became steady, other counsels prevailed &though we never had a regular built fight we did nothing to avoid one. From Guilford we secured the Country about Troublesome Iron works, Haw river, Ramsey's Mills, & Camden- the three months expired while we were at little Linches Creek where applicant received the discharge above reenlisted.
He did not stay at home three days before he volunteered again for another tour of three months. The Country was so full of Tories & their villianies became so daring, that he could not consent to stay at home & tamely listen  to the frightful accounts of their savages which were constantly grating on his ears. He enlisted this time under the command of Capt. John Grantham.
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The name of the first Lieutenant was Jernigan. The operations of this tour were principally confined to N. Carolina & much was done in the neighborhood of Drowning Creek. The chief business of the tour was to pursue, capture & hang the tories. On one occasion during the term of this last enlistment the Whigs did one capture a tory the honor to shoot instead of hang him. One Nathan Grantham was along at the time this was done, & if applicant had known he was entitlled to the benefit of the act of 1832, a few years ago, he could have procured the testimony of this gentleman in support of his claim for this tour of services, but he now learns, with pain, that he is dead, & applicant does not know of a single living witness by whom any of his revolutionary services can be positively proven. He served out the three months fully & faithfully, but thinks he never got a written discharge. He cannot at this late record of time state the precise day upon  which he entered upon or ended these two tours of duty, but he can safely state that both were fully served out in the manner mentioned, & he can state further, that after these tours were fully completed & ended, an counting together to a service of six months, under a regular organization he served irregularly in scouting parties against the Tories as long as their disturbances continued & in fact, up to 1789, when times became quiet. He refers the court to all his neighbors present to testify to their opinion of his character for truth & veracity. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to any pension or annuity-except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state in the union. Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
R W Oates
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We, John W Fletcher clergyman residing in the County of Sumter & State of Georgia & Neille M Kay residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Richard Wyatt Oates who had subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be of the age therein mentioned- that he is reputed * believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinions Sworn & subscribed this 4th day of November 1844.

[Signature "John W Fletcher"]
[Signature "Neille M Kay"]

And the said Court do hereby declare this opinion after the investigation of the matters & after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier & served as he states. And the Court for this certifies, that it appears to them that John W. Fletcher who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Sumter & State of Georgia & that Neill W Kay who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place & is a credible person & that their statement is entitled to credit.
[Signatures "Eason Shmitts"] "William Tinsley"
"Louis Bruner"]
I Edmund Nunn Clerk of the Court of ordinary of Sumter County Georgia do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Richard Wyatt Oates for a pension. In testimony where of I have here unto set my hand & private seal thus being no seal of office this fourth day of Nov 1844.
[Signature "Emund Nunn"] Clerk
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7764
P.O. Richard W Oates

Enlisted: REJECTED
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No 35.924
Ltr Geo M. Dudley
Dec 19th 1844
Letter Hon A M Stephens March 14
[illegible] James Johnson July 10/82

[illegible] 20th  [illegible] 1853
[illegible][illegible] 9/57
Richard W. Gates 
Ga
Act 7 June 1832
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July 28 1853
Addl. ev. in case of Elizabeth Oats widow of Richard Wyatt Oats or Wyatt Oats pension.
Act 7th June 1832.

Jas G Austin
Present

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PENSION OFFICE, OFFICIAL BUSINE
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Affidavit of Rev. A.G.W. Fletcher
Richd W. Oates
Georgia
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Georgia
Sumter County
Personally came before me John W. Fletcher who being sworn disposed today that he certified his belief in the truth of the statements made by Richard W. Oats of this County in his declaration in for sd (foresaid) pension. This he made that certificate under a full range of the obligation resting upon him as a minister of the Gospel, that he has known said Oats for nine years & he had many dealings, with him in the ordinary business transaction of life. That he has always found him strictly upright, truthful & honest in all his dealings and even more than usually prompt & him with in keeping his word to the letter of his promises that with this knowledge of his character he did not hesitate to believe nor does he now doubt that any statement he would make under oath in relation to revolutionary services or any other matter is as much entitled to credit on the statement of any other upstanding farmer in our land. Sworn to & subscribed this 8th day of February 1845.
Before me 
John W Fletcher
William B Guerry
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NO. 35.924
Richard W. Oates
Ga
act 7 June 32
776H
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Mr 11 1849
Wyatt Oates
June 7 1832
Geo

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

(stamp Americus Ga. Nov 5)
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Americus 4th Nov. 1844
To J. L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions
Dear Sir
Herewith is transmitted a Declaration for a Pension made this day before the Inferior Court sitting for ordinary purposes by Mr. R. W. Oates. He is an old man who has levied in great retirement for years, & says he never knew till today that any Revolutionary soldier was entitled to a pension, except such as had been awarded in battle or served in the Continental Line.  The old man is very infirm & fears he will not live to realize the bounty of Government even if his claim be recognized as valid with as little delay as possible. He 
entreats your earliest attention
Yr. obt. seev.
Geo. M. Dudley
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Georgia
Sumter County
Personally came Jacob W Cobb a city in of said county who being duly sworn deposes & says that he has been acquainted with Richard W. Oates of said County some eight or ten years & much of that time intimately, & said that acquaintance believed him to be a man of strict truth & uprightness of character that said Oates has always been reputed a revolutionary solider in the America side & that any statement he has made or on any matter about his revolutionary services or any other matter is in deponents opinion as much entitled to credit on the statement of any other man on earth. Sworn to subscribed before me this 18th Febry 1845.
Adam A Robinson 
Jacob W Cobb
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Georgia
Sumter County
Personally came before the undersigned a Justice of the inferior court of said County stated & sworn in since the first of January last Wright Brady a city in of said county who being duly sworn deposed & says that he has been acquainted with old Mr. Richard. W. Oats of said County who has lately applied for a pension about twelve years that he regards him to be a man of the strictest truth & veracity & promptness & [illegible] in his dealings & that in the opinion of this deponent no other man's oath is entitled to more respect than his in relation to any fact he may state.  Sworn to & subscribed this 18th day of Feby 1845
Before me
Adam A Robinson
Wright Brady
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Mar 11 45


A.H. Stephens M E
J.L. Edwards
Com. Pen
Washington
D.C.


A.H. Stephens
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Crawfordsville Ga
7 March 1845
Dear Sir
The enclosed papers have been forwarded over by Mr. Geo M. Dudley of Americus Ga with a request that I found to their [illegible] in Mr. Dudley is a man of very high character in our State. Yours respectfully
A.H. Stephens


J. L. Edwards
Com Pen
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Georgia Suspended Roll
Revolutionary Act 7th June 1832
Richard Wiatt (Wyatt) Oats
of Georgia
Additional Evidence

Presented July 27 1853
By Jas. G. Austin
atty
Present
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L. P. Waldo Esq         Washington July 27 1853
Coms of Pensions
Sir Herein enclosed I present addition evidence in the case of Richard Wiatt (Wyatt) Oats Late Georgia More application has been made for a Pension under act of 7th June 1832. & which has 
been suspended by your predecessor. The evidence herewith presented consist of the affidavit of the old man well known to Mr. Oats. & Who are Certified to be Credible. Also the official certificate of the Judge of Sumpter Co Georgia. All of which I trust may prove satisfactory & his claim be allowed. 
Respectfully Yours
James G Austin
atty
Present

Testimony 
Arnold Goodwin  76
James Dunn   72
P.S. Return correspondence in this case to be made to me.
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(left side)
of January 1853
Andrew G Ronaldson
CSC

(right side)
R. W. Oats
additional evidence
of Arnold Godwin
aged 76 years
Persue Knowledge 
Reputation +c.
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Georgia
Sumter County
Personally came before me James M Miller a Justice of the inssesion [in session] court. Arnold Godwin a citizen of the said county of Sumter and of the age of seventy six years who himself duly sworn. Saith that he was intimately acquainted with Richard Wyatt Oats of Wyatt Oats (as he was commonly called) a reputed Revolutionary Soldier and from his knowledge as belief of the truth & veracity of said Oats and the frequent conversations with him upon the subject believed that he did serve a tour in said Revolutionary war and I further declare that I am entirely disinterested in making the above statement. Sign before me Jas M, Miller         Arnold Godwin

I do hereby certify that I have long been acquainted with the above named Arnold Godwin & Know him to be a  man of undoubtable trust & veracity Jas. M. Miller
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Georgia Sumter county
I Andrew G Ronaldson Clerk of the Superior Court of said county do hereby certify that James M Miller whose name appears to the foregoing certificate is an acting Justice of the inssesion [in session] court and that full credit should be given herein as such. Given under my hand and seal of office this 8th day of January 1853.
Andrew G Ronaldson
C.S.C.
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Americus Mar 27 1847

John W [illegible] Esr

Sir Your note of Dec 13 1834 to Jas G Austin Esq of Washington City in reply to notice upon the Lot of Land [illegible] No1868.80 acres issued under act of Sep 1832 in the name of Willis Martin now before me is whom you state that a temporary suspension has been entered to a list The issue of a patent & should be returned located until further advised. {illegible] you do me that favor to inform me information reception whether or not said warrent has ever been returned located & M Austin was acting as my right at that time, but for the last two years I have not heard from
him allow me to ask it he still resides in
Washington, he also had charge of the case of Wyatt Oate's claim for a pension as Revolutionary soldier will you please inform me if any decision has been made in that case
Wyatt Oates had a Regular discharge which accompanied the petition, and I supposed there would [illegible] be made in getting the pension allowed Your attention to the above will be thankfully recd Respectfully + Chas J. Malone
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Richard W. Oats
additional evidence 
James Dunn
aged 72 years
Reputation +c

Jas G Austin
atty
Present
July 27 1853
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Georgia
Sumter County}
Personally appeared before me John Cater a Justice of the Peace James Dunn a citizen of forsaid county, when being duly sworn saith & deposeth that he was acquainted with Richard Wyatt Oats or Wyatt Oats or he was commonly called for about seventeen years and that he had heard Mr. Oats say during his life time that he had served a tower in the Revolutionary War, and from his knowledge and general opinion of the old gentlemen believes him to have been a man of the undted truth & veracity and that he always was reputed a Revolutionary Soldier and further more I do hereby declare that I am En lively disinterested in making this statement my age is seventy two years
Sworn and subscribed before me January 1853
Frances Dunn
John Coker 

and I John Coker do certify that the above named Frances Dunn is a man of undoubted trust & veracity and that have known him about ten years
John Coker J: Jd
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Georgia
Sumter County
I Andrew G Ronaldson Clerk of the Superior Court of said county do hereby certify that John Coker whose name appears to the foregoing certificate is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county and that full credit should be given him as such given under my hand & seal of office this 8th day of January 1853
Andrew G Ronaldson CSC

[Image of a seal, which is not legible]

Richard W Oats
addition evidence
James Dunn
aged 72 years
Reputation +c


Jas G Austin
atty
Present
July 27 1853
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Affidavit of 
Dr. James W Oats
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Georgia 
Sumter County
Personally came James W Cato a citizen of said county who being duly sworn upon says that he has been made acquainted with Richard W. Oats now & for some years past a residence of the County aforesaid & who has always been reputed to have taken part in the American side in our struggle for Independence that from a knowledge of the old man's character & evident for ten or twelve years past he has no hesitancy in saying that he is a man of strict faith & fair dealing & that in the opinion of this deponent his station considerately made who the under oath or other said is as much entitled to [illegible] as any man living & that from men would be more deeply pained than he, at the imputation of attempting to set up a fraudulent claim   against an individual  or the generosity from who would more promptly repel the slightest insinuation again to his voracity. Understanding that W Oats has filed his claim for a pension for Revolutionary services & being called upon to express his opinion on oath of his character for truth, the undersigned has given the foregoing as the result of many years acquaintance thus forwarded then all who have known Mr Oats as well + as long as deponent has would cheerfully testify to the same effect. 
Sworn to & subscribed this 8th day of February 1845. before me William B Givens

James W Cato
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State of Georgia 
Sumpter County
R.W.Oats [illegible]
Certificate of Court as to Death of Oats 
viz 13th Day of Oct 1851
& Elizabeth Oats his 
wid survived him
dated Dec 31st 1852

Jas G. Austin
atty
Present
July 27 1853
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State of Georgia
County of Sumter s.s -
I  Louis Bruner Judge of the Court of Ordinary in & for he County being a Cort of record, do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been adduced to said Court, that Richard Wyatt Oats or Wyatt Oats (as he was commonly called a reputed Revolutionary Soldier & who in his lifetime applied for a Pension for services and whose papers are now on file at Pension office at Washington D.C.) died in the County of Sumter & State aforesaid, on the 13th day of October 1851, and that at his death he left co Widow him surviving  and whose name is Elizabeth Oats, a resident of the said County of Sumter and that she is still living and remains his widow. 
In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand & affixed my official seal 31st day of December 1852
Louis Bruner
Ordinary