Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4200, for Joseph Mc Millen, South Carolina
Page 1

SERVICE
SC
McMillen, Joseph
NUMBER
S4200
CONTENTS
Carded
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Date of death not on A.B
19007
East Tennessee
Joseph McMillen
Knox Co in the State of Tennessee
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Anderson of the Regiment commanded
by Colonel Rickeiy the S. Carolina
line for Two years private
Inscribed on the Roll of East Tennessee
at the rate of 80 Dollars -- Cents per annum,
commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 26 day of July
1833 and Sent to Charles
McClung Knoxville
Arrears to the 4th of March 160.00
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept 40.00
$200.00
{Revolutionary Claim,
June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 9 Page 52
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14,279
Jos McMillen
from 1778 private
2 years $80.
5
Charles McClung
Knoxville
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14,279
BRIEF in the case of Joseph McMillen
of Knox Co in the State of Tenn
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? A Just. Peace
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily informity? yes
3. How old is he? 89
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
Winter of 77 or 78
Duration of Service,
Years Months Days.
 - 3 -
Rank.
As a
{drafted Militia
horseman}
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?
Gen.
Capt Anderson Col. Riker
The applicant States distinctly only the above term of service, but he
he was in service in the Revolution was 4 entire years
5. In what battles was he engaged?
Affair of the Juniper Spring
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service?
Abbeville Dist. S.C.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by rolls?
Tradition
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect?
The declaration is made before a Justice of the Peace
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case abovementioned.
N. C. Easton
Examining Clerk.
19 Feb. 1833
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The certificate to this
applicant will be
directed to
W. B. A. Ramsey
Knoxville
Tennessee
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State of Tennessee
Knox County 
This day personally appeared before me Benjamin McNutt - an acting Justice of the Peace for said County  Joseph McMillan a resident of said County 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 of the 4th of June 1832 - That he entered the revolutionary army of the United States as a drafted militia horseman in Abbeville District
South Carolina, that he was enrolled in a company commanded by Captain Robert Anderson, and Lieutenant John Tan - this company was in a Regiment under the command of Col. Andrew Pickens, and Major Bowie notorious for his taking snuff and for his cowardice - applicant states that he entered the army sometime in the winter of
1777 or 1778 as well as he now recollects, that he was drafted for a three months tour and marched from near Abbeville Courthouse across the Long Cane Creek and Little River under the command of the above mentioned officers to the attack of snow camp, afterwards called ninety six, which was at that time in possession of a party of tories - they fought the tories until they evacuated their camp and Col. Pickens took possession of it, and after the three months for which 
applicant has entered the service had expired, he returned home - applicant states that he cannot distinctly recollect when his terms of service in the several campaigns which he served commenced or how long he served in each campaign - he states that he was, in every campaign which he served, under the command of the said Col. Pickens, and
was attached to his Regiment of light horse - he recollects of being at different times under the command of the said Captain Anderson, Captain William Harris, and Captain Samuel Roseman - he states that he recollects distinctly of being in the service at the time of Gates defeat, although he was not in the battle - he recollects also that he was in the affair of the Juniper Spring, where two fines [?] were made upon the enemy and then the Americans retreated - he states
before this attack the Regiment had rendezvoused at Caldwell's Stone on the head of Long Cane Creek - applicant states that he was with Col. Pickens Regiment and attached to it, while stationed at Augusta under the command of Genl Williamson, also at Beach
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Island a few miles below - he recollects of marching with his said Regiment from Augusta to Campden [sic] and left Genl Williamson in command at Augusta - recollects that while at Augusta he was under the command of the said Captain Roseman and he recollects at that time a captain Lutt was in command in the continental army stationed there - applicant states that a part of his Regiment was stationed for sometime in the Stonefort on the Savannah river, and some time in the night the said Col. Richens with the balance of his Regiment came in to the Fort and ordered thirty seven of those who were stationed then, of whom applicant was one, to march forthwith to Kettle Creek, where they met with a considerable collection of tories, fought them, and took the ground, and killed Col Boyd their commander - applicant states that his Regiment took considerable booty here and brought it in to the Stone fort and sold it to the Georgians -  Applicant states that he marched with his said Regiment to Savannah at the time that place was unsuccessfully attacked by the combined French and American forces - that the believes that the said Williamson was in command there - applicant states that he marched with his said Regiment to S. Augustine, for the purpose of taking that place but returned without attacking it-- he thinks Genl Williamson was also there - applicant states that he was out in the said Regiment several tours against the Indians and tories - many of which he cannot particularly describe - he states that he was the whole time attached to and made a member of the Regiment of light horse commanded by the said Col. Pickens, and never was in the service under any other Colonel - applicant states that putting the whole of the time together which he has served in the Revolutionary war against the British and tories, he believes he has been in active service four entire years, but the lapse of many years has so far confused his recollection of states that he cannot be particular in regard to them-- applicant states that he was born in Ireland in 1843- that his Father had a record of his age and from that his minister gave him a certificate when he came to America - he states that he landed at Charleston sixty eight years ago, came up to Abbeville District S.C. where he continued to live during the whole war, and until sometime before the
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(2)
late war, when he moved to Know County, Tennessee, where he
resided two years, and then moved to Blount County, Tennessee, where
he lived fourteen years, when he moved to Monroe County Tennessee
to live with his step daughter where he lived seven years, when he again
removed to Knox County where he is now living - applicant states
that he never got a discharge from any officer for his services,
that he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no
person whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his
service - he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension
or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is
not on the pension roll of the agency of any state -
Joseph McMillen his mark X
Sworn to and subscribed before me
this 13th day of August 1832
Bn. McNutt
a Justice of the Peace for Knox County
We John Gibson and Joseph Lyon now in Knox County, Tennessee
do hereby certify that we formerly resided in Abbeville District
South Carolina in the neighbourhood where Joseph McMillan who has
sworn to and subscribed the above declaration formerly lived, that we
were well acquainted with the said Joseph McMillan while he lived there
that we believe he is eighty nine years old - that they have heard several
of the neighbors in Abbeville say, they knew the said Joseph McMillan
while he was in the Revolutionary war that he was reputed in that
neighbourhood and universally believed to have been a soldier of the Revolution, 
and that this fact never was disputed so far as they know, and
that they concur in this opinion
John Gibson
Joseph Lyon
Sworn to and subscribed before me
this 18th day of August 1832
Bn McNutt
a Justice of the peace for the County
State of Tennessee
know County 
I Benjamin McNutt an acting Justice of the 
Peace for said County do certify that after the investigation of the
matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war
department that in my opinion the above named applicant was
Revolutionary soldier and served as he states and I do further
Certify
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that I am well acquainted with John Gibson who has signed
the preceeding certificate and that he resides in Know County,
and is a credible person, and that his statement is entitled to full
credit - I also certify that Joseph Lyons ["although a stranger in this County and only seen by me at the time he signed" crossed out] who signed the
above certificate, appears to be a respectable man and is entitled
to credit - I also certify that there is no resident Clergyman
in the immediate neighbourhood of the said Joseph
McMillan, and that he has resided but a short time in the
neighbourhood where he now resides, and that he cannot,
from bodily infirmity ["attend" crossed out] conveniently attend the Court of
this County
Bn McNutt
Justice of the Peace for Knox Cty..
Joseph
4279
State of Tennessee
Knox County
I Charles McClung Clerk of the Court 
of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Knox County
do hereby certify that Benjamin
McNutt before whom the foregoing proceedings 
were taken was then and is now
an acting Justice of the Peace for sd. County,
& that his signatures and in his own proper
hand writing
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and official seal this 6th day of October 1832
Chas McClung
By his Depo
Wm. Swain
State of Tennessee
Knox County 
Personally appeared before me
Benjamin McNutt an acting Justice of the 
Peace for said County, Joseph McMillan who
signed and swore to the foregoing declaration
who being sworn according to law, doth on his
oath make the following additional declaration 
in order to obtain the provisions of an
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(3 )
of Congress passed June 7th 1832 that by reason
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory he
cannot swear positively to the precise length of
his service, but according to the best of his recollection 
he served two campaign at least in the company
commanded by Captain Anderson, one campaign
at least under Captain William Harris, and one
under the command of Captain Roseman - besides
these campaigns applicant states that he
performed many others - the length of his said
service he cannot distinctly recollect as stated -
but he states positively that he served as a
private in the revolutionary war not less
than two entire years, for which he claims
pension - he states that he has in his former
declaration detailed with as much particularity
as his recollection enables him, the several incidences
of his service for four years which he served in
the war
Joseph McMillan his mark X
Sworn to and subscribed before 
this 28th day of May 1833
Bn McNutt
a Justice of the peace for
Knox County
State of Tennessee
Knox County 
I Charles McClung Clerk of
the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for said
County do hereby certify that Benjamin McNutt
before whom the above declaration was sworn to was then
and still is an acting Justice of the Peace for County
and being well acquainted with the hand
writing of said Justice, I believe the
have signature purporting to be his
to be genuine - In testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my name and
official seal this 29th day of May 1833
Chas McClung
By his Dep Wm Swain [seal stamped on document]
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(8)
April 4, 1940.
Miss Helen Beckman
1228 4th Avenue North
Nashville, Tennessee.
BA-J/ILL
Joseph McMillen
S. 4200
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request
information in regard to Joseph McMillan or McMillan, who was a
pensioner of Knox County, Tennessee, in 1832, on account of
service in the Revolutionary War.
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on
file in pension claim, S. 4200, based upon service of Joseph
McMillen or McMillan in the Revolutionary War.
Joseph McMillen or McMillan was born in the year 1743
in Ireland; the names of his parents and the day of his birth were
not given. He landed in Charleston in the year 1764, went from there
to Abbeville District, South Carolina, and resided there during the
period of the Revolutionary War.
He enlisted in the winter of 1777-1778 and served on
different tours over a period of four years, amounting in all to at
least two years, as a light horseman under Captain Robert Anderson,
William Harris, Samuel Roseman and Colonel Andrew Pickens in the
South Carolina troops; during said service, he was in an engagement
at Kettle Creek, marched to Savannah, Augusta and St. Augustine,
was at Juniper Springs and on several tours against the Indians.
This soldier continued to reside in Abbeville District,
South Carolina, until sometime before "the late war" (probably the
War of 1812) when he moved to Knox County, Tennessee, and remained about
two years, then moved to Blount County, Tennessee, where he resided
fourteen years; he moved from there to Monroe County, Tennessee, to
live with his step-daughter and after some years returned to Knox
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County, Tennessee.
He was allowed pension on account of his service in the
Revolutionary War on his application executed August 13, 1838.
He resided then in Knox County, Tennessee. His name was borne
on the pension roll as Joseph McMillen,
This soldier did not give the name of his wife nor the
name of the step-daughter with whom he lived in Monroe County,
Tennessee. There are no further data pertaining to his family
in the papers on file in this claim.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension,
name of person paid and, possibly, the date of death of this
pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General
Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following data:
Joseph McMillen
Certificate #19007
Issued July 26, 1833
Rate $80 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
East Tennessee Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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1935 - Aug. 14 Hist to Joseph T. Williams
Jr. See letter in - George Dixon S8662 JLL
1940 - April 4. Hist. to Miss Helen Boeckman
JLL
Rev War
4200
INVALID.
File No. 4200
Joseph McMillen
Prv. S. C. line
Act: June 1732
Index: - Vol. A, Page 244
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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14. 279
Jos. McMiller
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(50)
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Joseph McMillen 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?
No
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?
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
Yes The J. P. has
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
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2
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?
No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
Yes
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?
Yes
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.
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(6)
8
{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 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
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 authenicating powers.
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
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.
-> 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.
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Nashville, Tennessee
March 8, 1940
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:
Will you kindly send me a copy of the application
for Revolutionary Pension of Joseph McMillan or (McMillan),
a resident of Knox County, Tennessee, who was pensioned
under the Act of 1832, age 91 years.
Thanking you for your courtesy, I am
Very truly yours,
Helen Beckman
Helen Boeckman
Miss Helen Boeckman,
1228 4th Ave. North,
Nashville, Tenn.
[stamp "RECEIVED MAR 11 1940 Mail SUB-DIV VETS ADM"]
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August 14, 1935,
Joseph V. Williams, Jr.
Hamilton National Bank Building
Chattanooga, Tennessee.
BA-J/ILL
George Dixon
S. 38063
Joseph McMillen
S. 4200
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the
Revolutionary War records of George Dixon and Joseph McMillen, both
pensioners of Tennessee.
The records of these two soldiers are furnished herein as
found in the papers on file in their claims for pension, based upon
service in the Revolutionary War.
GEORGE DIXON-S. 38662
George Dixon elisted [illegible] in Stafford county, Virginia, and
served as a private in Captain Howard's company, Colonel Buford's
3d Virginia regiment, was in the battle when the Americans were 
defeated by Colonel Tarleton in South Carolina, also served in Colonel
Hawes' Virginia regiment, was in several skirmishes and was discharged
in the fall of 1781, length of his service at least eighteen months.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November
24, 1819, at which time he resided in Hawking County, Tennessee. He
was then aged sixty-six years; the date and place of his birth and
names of his parents are not shown.
In 1820, the soldier's wife was aged about fifty-two years;
her name is not shown, nor the date and place of their marriage given.
The members of his family then living at home were given as follows:
Thomas, son, nineteen years; Daniel, son, sixteen years; Stephen, aged
twelve years; Evilina, aged nine years; Eliza, aged six years, and
George, aged five years.
--
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JOSEPH MCMILLEN - S.4200
Joseph McMillen was born in the year 1743, in Ireland, the day
of his birth and names of his parents are not shown. He landed in
Charleston in 1764, from there went to Abbeville District, South Carolina,
and resided in that districting the Revolutionary
War.
He enlisted in the winter of 1777-1778, served on different tours
over a period of four years, amounting in all to at least two years,
as a light herseman under Captains Robert Anderson, William Harris
and Samuel Roseman and Colonel Andrew Pickens in the South Carolina
troops; during this service he was in the engagement at Kettle Creek,
marched to Savannah and Augusta, was at Juniper Springs and was out
against the Indians.
Joseph McMillen resided in Abbeville District, South Carolina,
until "sometime before the late war" (possibly the War of 1812), moved
then to Knox County, Tennessee, from there moved to Blount County,
Tennessee, where he remained a number of years, thence to Monroe
County, Tennessee, from which county he moved to Knox County, Tennessee.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 13,
1832, at which time he resided in Knox County, Tennessee.
The soldier stated that he moved to Monroe County, Tennessee,
"to live with his step-daughter", but he did not give her name; he
did not state the name of his wife, for the date of his marriage.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant the Administrator.