Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31873, for William Murdoch, South Carolina
Page 1

( 2-1776)
SERVICE
S C
Murdoch, William
Murdock or
NUMBER
S. 31873.
CONTENTS
Page 2

12,254
Georgia
William Murdock 
of Franklin in the State of Geo
who was a pr: In & Con in the- commanded
by Captain Gillam of the Reg commanded
by Col. William in the S. C
line for 9 months
Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia
the rate of 32 Dollars 50 Cents per ann
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of April
1833
and sent to I. B.
Stanford, Carnesville, Geo
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 65.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 1625
$81.25
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk
E Vol 6 Page 97
Page 3

William Murdock
Georgia
Admit as private
from 1777
me 20 -
3. Car 12.50
$32.50
Capt Gilliam
Cd Williams SC
J B Stanford
X
Agent
Page 4

BRIEF in the case of William Murdock
County of Franklin in the State of Georgia
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In open Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 73
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
1776 In 1777 Substitute
1780. drafted
" voluntered
Duration of Service.
Years,, Months, Days.
3
3
3
-
9
Rank.
As a
Private 
Lit Horseman [crossed out]
Light Horse
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen.
Cap Gilham Col Williams
" " "
Col Henderson "
5. In what battles was he engaged? None mentioned
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Newberry S Carolina
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mentioned.
George Taylor
Examining Clerk.
Page 5

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act
of Congress passed 7 June 1832
State of Georgia
County of Franklin
Ga.
On this third day of September
in the year Eighteen Hundred and thirty two personally
appeared before the Inferior Court now sitting for ordinary
purposes for the County and State aforesaid William
Murdock a resident of Capt. Watsons District in
said County & State aged Seventy three years, who
being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth on
his oath make the following declaration in order
to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed
June 7. 1832
That he entered the service of the United States in
the Militia of South Carolina in the fall of the
year 1776 or 1777 at 96 District (now Newberry ["Cambridge" crossed out]) as a
substitute for his father Hamilton Murdock, who was
drafted for a three months service. He was placed
under Capt Robt Gillam in Col James William Regiment
 was a hirseman. From Newberry was marched to Kellotts station
on Reedy river & remained there to keep off the
Indians until his tour was out & was discharged
by Lieutenant Samuel Saxon, returned home
And was drafted at Newberry aforesaid about the month
of June 1780 under Capt Gillam aforesaid in
Col Williams Regiment marched to Stono to relieve
the other men there but met then returning home they
having been defeated & we returned back with them
to Newberry & he was discharged by Capt Gillam
for a three months Tour
His father moved higher up in the district of 96 (now
Laurens) and about six weeks after his discharge as
aforesaid he volunteered under Capt. Henderson
as a horse in Col Williams Regiment & was
marched to White Hall in Abbeville, and
Page 6

2
from thence against the Indians in Georgia, was
kept marching about without any regular Battle
until he was discharged by Capt Henderson for
three months service. Henley was not out
with them, but was under Lieut Christopher Hardy
Served nine month altogether the three first and
the three last as a Horseman finding his own horse
Does not know any person now living by whom he
could prove his service
1 Was born in Ireland 15 March 1759
2 Has a record of his age at home
3 When he entered the service he lived in Newberry Dist then 96
lived there until two years since when he came to Franklin County Georgia
4 First three months he was a substitute, the 2d three months
he was drafted, and the last three months he 
was a volunteer
5 Does not recollect the name of Regular officer, but
Genl Williamson had 300 Regular riflemen with him
6 Never received any pay & had one written discharge
from Capt Gillam, Thinks he also got the two others
from Capt Gillam & Lieut Hardy, but does not recollect
They are lost or mislaid
7 Is known to John Sandige a preacher of the Gospel
and to James Wilson who can testify to his character 
for veracity and to their belief of his having
served as a soldier of the Revolution
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension
or an annuity except the present and he declares
that his name is not on the Pension roll of any
agency in any State
we Murdock
Sworn to and subscribed
in open Court the day and
year first above written
Thomas King Clk
Wm Murdoch
Page 7

nformation as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
William Murdoch Ser File 31873
pensioned William Murdock
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
* Fall of 1776 or 1777
June 1777
6 wks later later
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
my
3 mos.
3 mos.
3 mons.
RANK.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Robt. Gillam
Robt. Gillam
Henderson
COLONEL.
James Williams 
William
Williams
STATE.
S.C.
* Substituted for his father Hamilton Murdoch
Battles engaged in, 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enlisted at 96 District where as afterwards. Newberry S.C
Date of application for pension, Sept 3, 1832. This material
Residence at date of application, Franklin Co Ga
Age at date of application, born Ireland Mch 15 1759
Remarks: No data as to family
Page 8

William Murdock
10.368
Page 9

3
We John Sandige a clergyman residing in the
County of Franklin County State of Georgia and
James Wilson - residing in the same County
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William
Murdock who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration; that we believe him to be seventy three
years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the
neighbourhood where he resides, to have been a
soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur
in that opinion -
Sworn & subscribed, the day and year aforesaid
Tho King  Clk
M.G.
John Sandidge
James Wilson his mark X
and the said Court do hereby declare their opinion
after the matter, and after putting the interrogatories
prescribed by the war Department, that the above
named applicant was a revolutionary soldier
and served as he states. And the Court further
Certifies, that it appears to them that John
Sandidge - who has signed the preceding certificate
is a clergyman resident in the County of Franklin
State of Georgia, and that James Wilson who has signed
the [word is crossed out] is a resident in the neighbourhood of the
said William, is a creditable person, and that their
statement is entitled to credit
Tho King Clk
William Turk J J C
Charles Jenkins J J C
Thomas Farmer J J C
Page 10

4
Thomas King Clerk of the Court of Ordinary, do
hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings
in the matter of the application of William Murdock for a
Pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand & seal of office this 11th day of Sept
1832
Tho King CCO
William Murdock
10.368
Page 11

31873
Revy INVALID.
No. 31,873
William Murdock
Pen Rev War
Act: June 7 32
Index: -- Vol. 8, Page 290
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1910 [illegible] 26. Hist to Mrs.
W. W. Holland
Page 12

Walpole, New Hampshire
Jun. 12, 1910
U.S. Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir: -
I have been
told that one of my
ancestors by the name of
William Murdock
served in the Revolutionary War
from South Carolina
Will you kindly tell
Page 13

me if there are any records
the Pension Office
showing his service, as
I am trying to make
out papers for the Daughters
American Revolution.
Any information for
can give me will be
greatly appreciated
Yours truly
Mrs. N. W. Holland
Walpole. New Hampshire.
Page 14

3 - 871.
RECORD DIVISION.
Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Briefed by Geo. M. Moore
Claim No. ["Claim No." crossed out] Jan 19 1910.
Certificate No.
Claimant
Soldier William Murdock.
Service S.C. Rev
Additional Service.
No claim, State records , 190
No claim, combination records , 190
REMARKS:
No W.J. Work as above except
S. F. 31873
R.F. 7504 N.C. Service
Chief Division
Page 15

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
William Murdock which require
further proof or explanation.
1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he
served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension
he is entitled? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal?
yes
Page 16

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
ing it?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? No
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For -
year - months, and --- days, I served as a - For -months
and days, I served as a -; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 17

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 of four months is too
indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objection
able. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must
prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of
the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the
regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate
must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate
must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass
attached to the certificate.
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
-> In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.