Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6147, for William Langley, Virginia
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(from left to right)

Continental (Va.)

Langley, William
Lucy

R. 6147
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State of So. Carolina
Chester District

Personally appeared before me James B McCully one of the Justices of the (unsure) in and for the state of So. Carolina District of Chester w Sarah Glaze who being duly sworn deposeth that she was well acquainted with WIlliam Langley and Lucy Langley his wife and that she accompanied the said William Langley and Lucy Howze to their wedding and did well and truly witness the ceremony of marriage contracted and consummated between him the said William Langley and Lucy Howze, and that they were legally married to all intents and purposes, and pronounced man and wife in conformity to the usages of the state aforesaid. She further deposeth that other witnesses accompanied the said William Langley and Lucy Howze from the her Fathers (whos name was James Howze) to the place where married and returned with them after the consummation of said marriage contract, but to the best of her knowledge and belief not one of those witnesses are alive except herself, said (unsure) is of the opinion that said marriage was contracted by and with the consent of the said parents of the said parties, but she does not distinctly recollect by whom said ceremony was performed or whether by a majistrate or by a preacher it being common in those days to go to whichever was most convenient it being difficult at times to obtain either, partly owing to their scarcity and partly owing to the unsettled state of the times even after the declaration of Peace.

Further this deponent? saith not 
sworn to before me this nineteenth day of February in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty One

J.B. McCully

Sarah Glaze
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South Carolina
Chester District

I certify that the written deponant? Sarah Glaze is a respected and aged citizen of Chester District South Carolina whos testimony is entitled to unlimited order?

Witness my hand & seal
Feby 19th 1841

J.B. McCully (symbol)
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Lucy Langley
No. 7787
Wid of William
SC
Act July 7 1838

(further down)
6147
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State of So. Carolina
District of Fairfield S.S.

On the twenty fifth day in Year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty one personally appeared before me George L McIntosh Clerk of the court of the state aforesaid Lucy Langley of the state and district aforesaid aged seventy seven years and six months (having been born according to the family record on the twenty seventh day of August seventeen hundred and sixty three.) who being duly sworn according to the law, doth on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of a pension made by an act of Congress passed at some import, and in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed July the seventh Eighteen Hundred and Thirty-Eight entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of William Langley since deceased, who was attached to Col. Washingtons Corps of Cavalry having regularly enlisted in and about the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine. And is confident that William Langley must have been present at every battle in which that corps was engaged from the period from his enlistment to the close of the war. Part of which has been proven, as appeared by reference to the testimony of Col. Samuel Hammond as contained in his affidavit, first that He (William Langley) was engaged at the battle of Cowpens S.C. 17 Jany 1781" subsequently at the battle of Guilford C.H. and more than probable at the battle of the Ewtaw. She the said Lucy Langley declares that she was legally married to the said William Langley since deceased on the Eighteenth (18) day of September Seventeen hundred and Eighty three (1783) that her husband the aforesaid William Langley died, died on the twenty fourth (24' day of July Eighteen Hundred and Fifteen (1815) that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service but that the marriage took place as aforesaid prior to the first day of January the year seventeen hundred and eighty four (1784) Wiz? on the Eighteenth day (18) of September seventeen hundred and eighty three (1783). That she does not know whether the said William Langley sens deceased sold his indent to General Sumpter with whom the said WIlliam Langley was on terms of the greatest friendship, or whether such records as the said William Langley sens deceased may have held respecting his said services in the revolution, and especially the discharge of him the said William Langley sens decd from Col. Washingtons corps were destroyed in the great fire in Camden So. Carolina in or about the year Eighteen Hundred and Twelve (1812). But that she the said Lucy Langley is positive that he the said William Langley sens decd has never directly or indirectly received any pay or pension for services rendered the United States during the Revolution, other than his regular pay while in that service; and none since the passage of an act for the relief of officers & soldiers of the Revolution passed at some antecedent period not now recollected but subsequent to his demise. That she has since been twice burnt? out and reduced to the greatest poverty and is now entirely dependent for her support upon her youngest son Samuel Langley who is also in limited circumstances and dependent on the practice of his profession as Medical Doctor for the support of a helpless & increasing family and with whom she has lived for many years past. In witness? whereof she hath hereunto subscribed her hand and seal as aforesaid this twenty fifth (25) day of February Eighteen hundred and forty one (1841)

Sworn to and subscribed before am?
This the twenty fifth day of February
AD Eighteen Hundred and Forty One
Geo. Q McIntosh. Clerk? of the Court of Common Pleas for (unsure)

Lucy Langley (seal)
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South Carolina
Kershaw District

I Geo. Q McIntosh Clerk of the Court of Common John of Kershaw? Dist of State aforesaid do hereby certify that Mrs Lucy Langley of Fairfield District did this day appear before and this is in (unsure) proper person sign & seal the aforesaid declaration (unsure) that the said Lucy Langley is very infirm, so much so that she is totally unable to attend court or ride from her residence to the Courthouse, (unsure) that the said Lucy Langley is a creditable lady and that all due faith is to & ought to be given to her word & affidavit

Hand & seal of Office
20 Feby 1841

Geo Q. McIntosh
Clk Kershaw Dist.
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WASHINGTON.   September 15, 1931

Mrs. Fred W. Strieby
4823 - Eighth Street N.W.     BA-J/AWF
Washington, D.C.

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter addressed to Mr. William Mahn of this office, in which you request the Revolutionary War record of William Langley of Virginia.

You are furnished herewith the record of the only soldier named William Langley that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this office.

it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 6147, that William Langley married, September 18, 1783 in the state of South Carolina, Lucy Howze. She was born August 27, 1763 and was the daughter of James Howze.

William Langley died, July 24, 1815 in Camden, South Carolina, where he had lived several years, and was at one time postmaster there.

His widow, Lucy, applied for pension, February 26, 1841, then a resident of Fairfield District, South Carolina.

It was alleged that William Langley enlisted about 1779 in Petersburg, Virginia, and served in Colonel Washington's Corps of Cavalry, was in the siege of Savannah, battles of Cowpens, Guilford Court House and several others, that his horse was shot from under him in one battle, and that he made his escape from the Tories, through a chimney, and served to the close of the war.

The claim was not allowed, as proff of service as required by the pension law was not furnished.

It is stated that they had several sons and one..
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...daughter, the only name given being, Samuel, the youngest son, and a resident of Fairfield District, South Carolina, in 1941, and referred to as a "Medical Doctor", his family was also referred to at this time, no names were given.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Assistant to Administrator
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South Carolina
Edgefield District

Personally appeared before me Colo. Samuel Hammonds who being duly sworn saith on oath that he was acquainted with Col. Washington command of cavalry during the Revolutionary War and that during his acquaintance with that corps, William Langley was a member of the same, he also not know in what capacity the said William Langly served whether as an officer or as a private __- This department further swears that he was with him at the Battle of Guilford C.H. and previously (unsure) they were together in the battles of the Cowpens S.C. 17 Jany 1781. He does not know how long he served in the war, but that his name must be on record at the city of Washington and by proper application this fact can be furnished whether Wm. Langley enlisted regularly or not in Col. Washington's Corps this deponent? over not recollect. Col. Washington & corps were in the Battle of Eutaw but cannot say positively whether said Langley was present but it is more than probable that he was, knows nothing of Wm Langly being engaged on secret missions or expeditions. The Corps was (unsure) engaged in the Battle of Camden S.C. also at Haw River under the command of Col. Ortho? Williams. This deponent?  further states that the corps in the battle at Hammonds old store on Bush River S.C. previously to the battle of the Cowpens and further swears that he has often heard of Wm. Langly having his horse shot from under him in some battle place to his recollection __ and that further he has nopersonal knowledge of Wm. Langly
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escaping from the Tories through the chimney near the close of the war, but have frequently heard the officers speak of it, and thats there was a song composed upon the subject and has frequently heard it sung and further swears that he has no recollection of having seen Wm. Langly (unsure) or the close of the war of the Revolution.

Sworn to before me
this 6th day of December 1839
David G. Taylor J.P.

S. Hammond
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South Carolina
Fairfield District

Personly appears before me William Lewis who being duly sworn declares that he the said W. Lewis were acquainted with William Langley and Lucy Langley his wife as far back to the best of his knowledge and belief as fifty four or sixty years and that they then being together as man and wife and that he the said deponent? had never (unsure) the legality of their marriage questioned and never had the most remote suspicion of their being other then man and wife this deponent? further saith that He has repeatedly heard the said William Langley speak of his trials and hardships in the Revolutionary war and of repeated fights and skirmishes in which he was engaged but has no distinct recollection of any one event so often spoken of by him the said William Langley and further this deponent saith not

Sworn to before me this
22 Day of Feby 1841
James E Caldwell J.P.

Wm Lewis
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REJECTED

6147

P.O. Lucy Langley

Application filed:
The printed list of 1852 shows reasons for (unsure)

Alleges:
"For further proof"
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State of So. Carolina
Kershaw District

Personally appeared before me George Q McIntosh Clerk of the Court of Communal? for Kershaw District in the state aforesaid Joshua Reynolds, Thomas Salmond, (name crossed out) Phineas Thornton, Charles J Sharmon, John Cantey, (name crossed out), Henry R. Cook, (names crossed out), who being sworn deposeth that they have been for a number of years well acquainted with William Langley sens decd, who departed this life in 1815 at Camden in the state and district aforesaid where he had lived for many years and also with Lucy Langley his wife. That it has always been represented and uniformly and generally believed that William Langley sens deceased was actively engaged in the revolutionary war as a patriot in defence of American liberty and the independence of these United States under Command of Col Washington, and that he enlisted for ___ years and that he always supported during his life time a reputable and good character and was for a series of years an officer of the United States government as post master at Camden. That from the best of their knowledge and belief Lucy Langley widow of Wm Langley sens decd would make no representation whatever from? interest or otherwise respecting the history or Life of her late husband or in any other respect whatever, that she the said Lucy Langley does not conscientiously believe to be true, just and proper and that the life of said Lucy Langley has uniformly been reputable, correct, honest and upright. 

They further depose that Wm. Langley sens decd and Lucy Langley lived together as man and wife from their earliest recollection and that she bore by him .... the capacity of his wife several sons and daughters
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whom they are well acquainted and that (unsure) their marriage cannot positively be proved from the want of living witnesses it having occurred judging from the respective ages of both parties at a remote period, they nevertheless believe and are fully persuaded that the marriage was legally and properly consummated and that the bare word of the said Lucy Langley to that or any other effect is of paramount value, and worthy of all credence. Further the deponent saith not.

Given under our hands and seals this Twelfth day of Debr. ____
in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Nine
Sworn to before me
Geo Q. McIntosh
(unknown signature)

(signatories and seals)
Joshua Reynolds
Tho. Salmonds
P. Thornton
CJ Shamond
John Cantey
H.R. Cook

South Carolina
Kershaw District

I Geo. Q McIntosh Clerk of the Court of Kershaw District do hereby certify to all to whom it may concern that Joshua Reynolds Thomas Salmond P Thornton CJ Shamond John Cantey & Henry R Cook did this day appear before me & made oath all that is pertained in the foregoing affidavit & the (unsure) that Saml Boykins... together with James Cantey & James Chestnut (unsure) Samuel Boykins is dead? James Canty a member to the legislation & in Columbia? & James Chesnut is confined? at (unsure) and ofc? of the (unsure) of his seal. Given under my hand
Seal of Office this 12. Debr 1839

Geo Q. Mclintosh
Clk Common (unsure) Kershaw
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(unsure of the text crossed out on top)

Act 7 July 1838
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(stamp on the right side)

Pension Service
Office of
Administrative Assistant
Sep 14 1931
No. 1
Veterans Administration

Mr. William Mehn,
Pension, Branch,
Veterans Administration Bureau,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. Mehn:

We are trying to get a family history of my father's ancestry. We are informed that father's grandfather and his father, William b. Langley, and William Langley, Sr., served in the War and of the Revolution, their names being shown in the list of Revolutionary Soliders of the State of Virginia. We will therefore appreciate your supplying us with such information relative to their service as the records of the Pension Bureau may show.

Very truly yours,
Mary Langley Strieby (signature)
MaryLangley Strieby
(Mr. Fred W. Strieby)

4828 8 St NWst
Washington D.C.
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William Langley Senior d 1815
Lucy Langley m 1783
Col. Washington Cavalry
enl at Petersburg Va 1779 3 yr
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J. E. Heath
April 30. 1841

O.C.?
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Pension Office
April 30 1841

Sir,

The (unsure) of William Langley of S. Ca claims a pension for his services for three years in Col. Washingtons Cavalry of Virginia. Will you please so inform me of her allegation & surtained by the records in your office.

(unsure signature)

J. S. E. Heath Esq.

O.C.
July 7 1838
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F.C. Prioleau
May 6, 1841

O.C.
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Pension Office
May 5, 1841

Sir,

In answer to my letter in the (unsure) at Richmond Va. of which I advised you on the 30th alt? respecting the services of William Langley, I am informed that his name is not found on the army or revolutionary records in his office, nor is there any evidence of his military service.

The claim of his? under therefore, Mrs. Lucy Langley cannot be allowed which the work? satisfactory proof is produced of the services at its duration, which was probably is the militia of the state and not in the regular army.

(unsure signature)

F. C. Prioleau Esq
Charleston
S. Ca.

O.C.
July 7 1838
7787
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Mr. J A Woodward
(unsure) 45
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Pension Office
Feb 30 1845

Sir, 

In reply to your letter of the 18th (unsure) I have the honor to state that Lucy Langley widow of William Langley decd applied for a pension under the law of July 7, 1838 in the year 1841 and her papers are now in our files. My letter of the 5th of May 1841 to W.F.C. Prioleau, a copy of which is herewith enclosed, until I knew what proof was required. No evidence has since been produced to sustain the claim.

Hon? J. A. Woodward
(unsure)

7787 (unsure)
38 (unsure)
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(bottom left)
Hon. J.A. Woodward
(unsure)

(top right)
Feb 14, 45

(bottom right)
7787
Act July 7
Page 25

405
Pension Office
Febr 19 '45.

Sir
I have the honor to state in answer to the enquiry contained in your letter of the 11th instant that if Mrs Langley can prove by the best attainable evidence the actual service of her husband for not less than six months and establish the date of her marriage to him before the year 1794 and subsequently to said service she will be entitled to a pension in accordance with the amount of service so rendered not exceeding two years. The best attainable evidence is of course that which the records afford and should there be no record, of which the [illegible] satisfies by the certificate of the Officer in whose charge the revolutionary records are deposited, testimony of a lower order may be admitted. The date of the marriage is a point of essential importance in as much as it determines the kind of pension to which the claimant is entitled. You
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have now in your possession, as my former letter would indicate, a copy of the regulations which should be strictly complied with in all respects . The letter from your correspondent is herewith returned.

Feb 19 '45

Honble J. A. Woodward

HofR

7787
Act July 7
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J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Charleston SoCa 28th March 1841.

Dear Sir,

Permit me as the agent of Mrs. Lucy Langley to hand you enclosed her Declaration and the accompanying affidavits of services rendered by her late husband Mr. William Langley during the Revolutionary War, for the purpose of procuring [lost} pension.

At this distance of time, from death and accident, it is almost impossible to get proofs of services ?, + it has been with the greatest difficulty, that so much has been obtained.

I will only add that Mrs. Langley is very infirm + in bad circumstances + I believe her case, to be one which Congress had in view when passing the Pension Laws.

Please inform me, whether a Pension will be granted + address your letter " F. C. Prioleau, Charleston, SoCa."

With Respect
I am your obt. + Hbl Svt
F,C, Prioleau
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May 5 1841

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commr of pensions
War Dept
Washington
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Auditor Office
3 May 1841

Sir

The name of Wm Langley is not found on our army or revolutionary record, nor is there any evidence of his military services.

Very respectfully yours,
Jas E Heath
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Wa House Reprs
Feb 1st 1845

Sir:

Be so kind as to inform me whether papers have been filed in your office, to procure a pension for Lucy Langly widow of William Langly of ? District So Ca. I have just rec'd a letter stating that such papers have been filed in the office of the Secretary of War. But I have supposed (?) your office was ?.

Very respectfully
Your obt. Servt.

J. A Woodward

J.L. Edwards Esq
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House of Reprs.
Febr. 11 1845

Sir:

I send a letter addressed to Dr. Langly, containing an exemplification of testimony once taken in reference to the ? of his mother, Mrs. Lucy Langly, to a pension. I am requested to get your opinion ? ? ? testimony. It can be procured only by the party putting himself to very great in ??

I have the honor to be +  c. your obt. sevt.

J. L. Edwards Esq

J. A. Woodward
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THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

BY HIS EXCELLENCY
John P. Richardson
Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over the State aforesaid.

To all to Whom these Presents Shall Come

Know ye that Geo. Q. McIntosh Esq., whose signature + official seal appear to the annexed Instruments of Writing was at the time of signing the same + now is the Clerk of the Court of Common Pl. as for Kershaw District. And that David G. Taylor whose signature appears to the annexed Instrument of Writing is as at the time of signing the same + now is a Justice of the Peace for Edgefield District also that James E Caldwell whose signature appears thereto was and is a Justice of the ? for Fairfield District and that J B McCully whose signature likewise appears thereto, was at the time of signing, the same and now is a JM For Chester District in the State aforesaid

Therefore, All due Faith, credit and Authority is, and ought to be had and given to his Proceedings and Certificates as such.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and caused to be affixed the Seal of the State, in the City of Charleston + State aforesaid the Twentieth day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty one, and in the Sixty Fifth year of the Independence of the United States of America.

THE GOVERNOR

W. Laborde

Secretary of State.
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State of South Carolina: Kershaw District
To aid Mrs Lucy Langley to obtain a pension for the Revolutionary Services of her late Husband Mr William Langley, I Joseph Mickle of the State and District aforesaid, am induced to make the following statement. Near the close the year 1799, I became acquainted with Mr William Langley in the Town of Camden, and continued to reside in said town with him, until the spring of the year 1813; during which time, our contiguity of residence, and intimacy gave me often the opportunity of hearing him narrate the hardships, privations, and dangers he underwent during his services in the Revolutionary War, much of which is not now recollected. One circumstance in particular I will never forget while my memory holds its office; that was, his discription of him and his brother soldiers at the Siege of Savannah in Georgia, under disadvantageous circumstances. What impressed my mind forceably was, that a man of his Soldierly and fearless bearing, should speak of the general chill that pervaded the ranks on the receipt of the order to commence the battle; but said he, "the smell of gunpowder dispells those chills", or words to that import. I have heard him often speak of and relate the bloody scenes he witnessed in the different actions he was engaged in, and those relations were made without vanity or ostentation. It was realy interesting to be present at a meeting of him, and any of his old compeers in arms and hear them narate the scenes of their good and bad success in the struggle that
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gloriously resulted in American Independence, but all that I then knew of them are gone to reap their reward in a better world than this. Captain Benjamin Carter of the Revolutionary army (now some years dead) was Mr Langley's particular friend, recognizing him, and done him acts kindness as a Revolutionary Patriot. General Thomas Sumter always treated Mr Langley with respect, and I believe was the means of procuring him the office of Postmaster in Camden, on account of his Patriotic Services in the Revolutionary War.
The office of Ordinary of Kershaw District became vacant, Mr Langley offered to fill it; the Legislature of So. Carolina recognized him as a Revolutionary Patriot, and elected him triumphantly over an influential competitor.
I knew Mr Langley at a time when his Revolutionary Services might have been doubted or disputed, if there was doubt or dispute of it, but doubt or dispute was never dared.
I am as sure Mr William Langley was a Revolutionary Soldier, as I am that there are such cities as New York or Washington; neither of which I have yet seen.
I am not certain as to the time Mr Langely served in the Revolutionary army, but my impulsion now is that it was about five years. My impulsion now is, that he served in the Infantry, and Ca Wm Washington's Cavalry, but how long in either, I do not now recollect to have ever heard. Mr Langley was in mercantile business and was burnt out at the time of the great fire in Camden in 1812, which nearly involved his pecuniary affairs in ruin; and as well as I recollect, he died in 1815 in circumstances not much to be envied by the most indigent.
His Lady, Mrs Lucy Langley still survives, whose character
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So far as I know or ever heard, is above suspision.

Her long, pius, and exemplary life demonstrates that no considerations could induce her to deviate in the slightest degree from strict truth. She now resides in Fairfield District, not more than a days ride from the shot where she was married to Wm Langley, and that she was his lawful wife, has never yet been doubted. Of her intere dependence on her son for every necessary of life, I am pretty sure; and I am not less sure, that he is dependent on his practise as a Country Physician, to enable him to sustain her, and a considerable family.
To the facts & circumstances narrated on this paper, Joseph Mickle came before me, and swore 26th January 1841

Geo. Q McIntosh

Jos. Mickle
25 January 1841