Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 16,471, for Robert Mc Dowell, Georgia
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Ga.                                                           Number
N.C.               McDowell, Robert             S.16.471
S.C.
                                                                 carded
CONTENTS
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(9)
Wm Grisham, Dec 26/[54]
[Death cert]
Georgia 23.281
Robert McDowell (8)
DeKalb in the State of Ga
was a Priv. in the ----- commanded by
Captain ----- of the Regt. commanded by
Col. McDowell in the Ga S.C.
for 11 months -
Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia
at the rate of 36 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of Decr. 33 and sent [to] Wm Ezzard Decatur Ga 
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833-            91.65
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34    18.33
                                                           $109.98
{Revolutionary Claim, }
{Act June 7, 1832        }
Recorded by Nath Rice [Clk]
Book E Vol. Page 97
Page 3

Robert McDowell
Georgia
No. 17805
[Illegible]
P 339
[Illegible]
[Illegible]
&. 5.10.12.
Int 2.6.7
Apl. 13 33
Wm Ezzard
Decatur, Dekalb Co. Ga.
Page 4

(2)
BRIEF in the case of Robert McDowell
of Dekalb County in the State of Georgia
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 70 years
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
as well as recollects
In 1779 drafted
Vol.
Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
served all together
about 3 years
Rank.
As a
Private
    "
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen.
Capt. Parsons, Col. Chas. 
McDowell, Col. Thos. Sumpter
Col. Clarke & Shelby
Gen. Green, Genl. Morgan
5. In what battles was he engaged? North Packalet, Blackstocks, Siege of Augusta, 96, Cowpens
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? South Pacaulet District of 96 So. Ca.
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?
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Examining Clerk.
Page 5

Declaration in order to obtain his benefit
of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.

State of Georgia
DeKalb County
On this ninth day of Oct. 1833 personally
appeared in open court
before the Superior Court of the said county
of DeKalb now sitting Robert McDowell
a resident of said county and State
aged seventy one years, who being first
duly sworn according to law, doth on his
oath make the following declaration
in order to attain the benefit of the act
of Congress passed June the 7th, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United
States under the following named officers
and served as [illegible] stated, as well as he
recollects in the year 1779. He was Drafted
to go to the siege of Savannah, and after
having marched two days with the com-
pany--his horse got away & he was per-
mitted to return home, his place of residence.
At that time was on South [illegible] in
the District of 96 and State of South
Carolina.  Some time thereafter he entered
the service as a volunteer in the company 
of Captain Parsons and was at a battle on
Page 6

north [illegible] in what is now Spartanburg
District South Carolina. The americans at
that place was commanded by Col. Charles
McDowell and the enemy who was mostly
torries was commanded by Col.
Ambrose Mills.  He further states that
he was at the battle at a place called
Blekstocks on tiger river in the
Regiment of Colonel Thomas Sumpter (Genl)
had the command, and Col. Neal was
also in the engagement at this place. Genl.
Sumpter was wounded. The next engage-
ment which he was in. was in. was at the
Siege of Augusta in the company
of Capt Samuel Moore who was a volun-
teer captain under to command of
Col. Elijah Clark & Shelby-- He
was also in the battle at the Siege of
96 in the company of Capt. John Collins
when Genl. Green had the command at
this place he was wounded.  He was
afterwards at the Battle of the Cowpens
under the command of Col. McDowell, Genl.
Morgan had command of the Regulars
& had the chief command at this place.
This is the last battle which he was in
except a skirmish at bush river with
the torries.  He further states that he was
generally in the service in scouting parties
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until the surrender of Corn Wallis having
served all together about three years.
He further states that he has no documentary
evidence of his service-- and knows
no person in this State with whom he
was acquainted by whom he can prove
his services.  He hereby relinquishes every
claim whatever to a pension or annuity
except the present and declares that his
name is not in the pensions roll of the
agency of any State.
(signature of Robert McDowell)
Sworn to & subscribed
in open court this 9th day
of October 1832
( illegible signature)

Mr Luke Burnett residing in the county
of DeKalb and Thomas J. Golinghety residing
in the county of [illegible[ in said State
hereby certify that [illegible] am well acquainted
with Robert McDowell who has subscribed
& sworn to this [illegible] declaration that can
believe him to be seventy one years of
age that he is reported & believes in the
neighborhood where he now resides &
where he formerly resided in the State
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of South Carolina to have been a soldier
of the revolution, and that we concur in
that opinion.
Sworn to & subscribed     ( signature of Luke Barnett)
this day & year aforesaid.  (signature of T.J. Golightly)
(signature of W,Z, Colquitt)

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion
after the investigation of the matter &
after putting their interrogatories prescribed
by the war department that this above named
applicant was a revolutionary soldier
and lived as he states-- and the court
further certifies that it appears to them
that Luke Barnett who is a resident
of the said county of DeKalb &
who is a resident.
(signature of Thomas J Golightly)
of the county of [illegible]
credible persons & that their statement
is entitled to credit.
( signature of W Z Colquitt)
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of the county of Gwennett and
creditable persons & that their statement
is entitled to credit.
(signature of Wm Colquitt)

I, Charles Murphy Clerk of the Superior Court
in and for said County of DeKalb do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court in the Matter of
the application of Robert McDowell for a
pension and I do further certify that [smudged]
Colquitt whose name is subscribed to the foregoing
certificate was at the tie of signing the same
[illegible] presiding Judge of said Court and that his
signature annexed is his genuine signature in
testimony whereof I know hereunto set my hand and
affixed my seal of office this sixth day
..................sentence cut off......................................

(signature of Charles Murphy) clerk
Page 10

(10)
April 28, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/[F]CS om
Robert McDowell, S.16471
John Bomar, S.2383
Mrs. Arthur Shores
Spartanburg, R. #3
South Carolina
Dear Madam:
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 16471, based on the military service of Robert McDowell.
Robert McDowell was born August 6, 1761. The place of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown.
While living on South Pacolet River in Ninety-Six District, South Carolina, Robert McDowell served from sometime in 1780 until after the
surrender of Cornwallis, at various times amounting to at least eleven months in all, as private under Captain Parsons, Samuel Moore and John Collins, Colonels Charles McDowell, Elijah Clarke and Shelby, and General Thomas Sumter. He was in a battle on the North Pacolet River, in the battles of Black Stocks and Cowpens, was wounded in the siege of Augusta, was also in the siege of Ninety-Six and was in a skirmish with the Tories on the Bush River.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 9, 1832, at which time he was living in DeKalb County, Georgia.
It was not shown whether Robert McDowell was related to Colonel Charles McDowell noted above. The only reference given relative to the family of Robert McDowell was that a grandson (name not stated) was living in 1857.
*********************************************
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S.2383, based on the military service of John Bomar.
John Bomar was born the last day of July, 1757, in King and Queen County, Virginia. The names of his parents are not shown.
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While residing in Halifax County, Virginia, John Bomar volunteered and served two and one half months as private in Captain James Cobb's
company in Colonel William McDaniel's Virginia regiment. He then enlisted and served five months as private in Captains James Cobb's and Rogers' companies in Colonel Anthony Urby's Virginia regiment and was in the battle of Stono.
John Bomar moved about 1808 from Halifax County, Virginia, to that part of Hardin County which was later Hart County, Kentucky.
He was allowed pension on his application executed May 18, 1833, at which time he was living in Hart County, Kentucky, and he was then referred to as John Bomar, Senior.
In 1833 reference was made to a brother of John Bomar and he was then living in Halifax County, Virginia, but his name was not given.
The papers in this claim contain no further data relative to the family of John Bomar.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
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16.471
INVALID.
File No. 16,471
Robert McDowell
Pri Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index:--Vol. 1, Page 248
1939. Apr. 28. hist. to
Mrs. Arthur Sholes.
See letter in Rev. clm
John Bomar. S2383 M.C.S.
Page 13

Atlanta 2nd Dec 1857
Wm Graham Esq.
Dear Sir,
I write you for
the purpose of troubling you to inquire
whether [illegible] is now in Washington
a gentleman by the name of S.M.
Knight who has been acting as Gov-
ernment claim agent, by reason is
this man in the place by the 
name of Daniel Clowers who is a
son of Daniel Clowers who was a
Revolutionary Pensioner, authorised said
Knight by Power of Atty since (or some) year
or more since to endeavor to obtain
for said claim an increase of
Pension for the service of the said
Daniel Clowers his father, and I inclosed
to said Knight this Powr of Atty for said
Clower & I think also $3. as his
advance fee for making [illegible[
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&c. Mr. Clower afterwards received a letter stating that the power of attorney was received but the money was not. I then wrote to him stating it as my positive opinion & best recollection that I did put the $3. in the letter, but that if he would state that he took the letter from the Post office himself & it contained no money that I would again inclose him the $3. to which letter I have received no reply neither has Mr. Clower heard from him & does not therefore know whether he has done any thing towards investigating his claim or not. I will thank you to 
ascertain if there is such a man still there, and if so ascertain from him whether he has done any thing in relation to Mr. Clowers claim, or whether he is still waiting for the $3. Your attention to this matter at your earliest convenience will much oblige your friend 
 Wm. Ezzard
[Illegible]
Page 15

P.S. A grand son of old Robert McDowell who lived once near Decatur & drew a pension as a Revolutionary soldier came to see me the other day & brought with him the pension certificate issued to the old man in 1833 on the 18th day of Decr. and desired to know of me whether the old man's heirs were not entitled to some thing as increase of pension for [extra] services &c-- I could not inform him, but if you can have the time to make the investigation, or if you have not, if you can get some one to do it, & any thing can be obtained you can be paid for your services.
Yours Respectfully
William Ezzard
Page 16

Robt. McDowel
Page 17

(3)
BRIIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Robert Mc Dowell which require further proof or explanation.
1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
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? No.
#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?
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?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
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? No.
#
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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?
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No.
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?
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?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 2, 6, 7 not answered
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 19

(4)
3
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 in definite, 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 objectionable. 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 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.
Page 20

Daniel [Clower]
Ga [Illegible]
Robert McDowell
Ga [Act of 1832]
Page 21

City of Washington
Dec. 11 1887

Dear sir,
Enclosed I hand you a letter from Judge Ezzard
of Atlanta, Ga. making enquiries on business for other
persons, I have intended for several days to call and
ask in person for the information, but being engaged as
clerk in the Land office, and being unwilling to loose
time, have concluded to ask you to have the answers
made out and sent me at this place; or to Genl. Ezzard.
If it was known to me that the agent, of Mr. Clower,
had done nothing in the claim, I would be glad the
Bureau would correspond directly with Judge Ezzard, but
as the agent, Mr. Knight may have made progress or even
obtained the money if the claim has been allowed, I
could set as agent to collect from Mr. Knight if necessary
I will leave the matter to your direction, I could
be of no service, nor would I ask a fee, under
Page 22

these circumstances may I beg you will let me
know the result and that you will transmit the
answer to Genl. Ezzard thro' my care, or advise on
when my investigation shall have been made.

Very respectfully, your obt. sevt. (obedient servant)
William Grisham

Hon. George C. Whiting
Pension Department
Page 23

Georgia
DeKalb County
Personally appeared before me the under
signed a justice of the peace and
for said county Robert McDowell who being
duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason
of old age & the consequent laps 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 two months in the year 1780 He served as a vol-
unteer and private in the militia of South Carolina
during which term of service, he was in
two engagements [illegible] on north Pacaulet in
Spartanburg district and the other at
Blackstocks or Tiger river. In the same
year he served another town of two months
as a volunteer & private in the militia of
South Carolina during which time he was
at the Siege of Augusta, in the latter
part of the same year to wit 1780-- he served
a tour of three months as a volunteer & private
in the South Carolina militia during
this time of service he was at the Siege
of ninety six at which place he was
wounded after one month in the year
1781. He served as a private & volunteer
in the South Carolina militia during which
time he was in the battle of the cowpens
in the same year,  He served another tour
of three months as a volunteer & private in
the South Carolina militia--during the whole
of the above stated periods ha was in actual
Page 24

served in the army and belonged to volunteer compa-
nies called out by authority of the State of South
Carolina and that he was not engaged in any
civil pursuit during said terms of service.
He further deposeth & saith that the reason why
he did not produce this affidavit of a clergy
man to his original declaration there was
no clergy man residing in his neighborhood
& therefore none acquainted with him, whom he
could procure.  He further states that he has a
record of his age and was born on the 6th of
August, 1761.  He states that he never received
but one written discharge that he believes was
signed by Captain Parsons -- which was de-
stroyed by fire when his house was burnt.
He further states that he is known to Luke Bennett
Ruben Dawson, Stephen Turner &
David R. Turner in his present neighborhood
& who can testify as to his character
for veracity & their belief of his services
as a soldier of the Revolution & for his service
he claims a pension.
(signature of Robert McDowell)
Sworn to & subscribed
before me this 11th day
of November 1835.
(signature of John L [illegible]

Georgia
DeKalb County
I, Elzy B. Reynolds clerk of the 
Inferior Court in aforesaid county
do hereby certify that John L. Evans whose name
appears to his foregoing affidavit is an acting
Justice of the peace in aforesaid county and that
Page 25

this signature annexed is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
& affixed my seal this 11th day of November
1833.
(signature of E B Reynolds) clerk
Page 26

April 28, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS
Robert McDowell, S. 16471
John Bomar, S.2383
Mrs. Arthur Shores
Spartanburg, R. #3
South Carolina
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to
Revolutionary War soldiers, John Bomar, --- Finger Paul Kisler, Robert McDowell, Robert McMillen and Daniel or Dan White.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land made to the United States and based on the military service of soldiers in this war. A careful search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the services of the Robert McMillen and Daniel White described by you, or of any soldiers named Paul Kisler or ---- Finger,
You are furnished herewith, the records of the only John Bomar and Robert McDowell that are found in the Revolutionary War records of
this office.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 27

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
NAME McDowell, Thomas
GRADE Private
LINE Maryland
WARRANT NUMBERS 11479 and 12539
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED September 26, 1792
to --- not shown ---
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of “Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.
Page 28

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
NAME McDowell, Thomas
GRADE Private
LINE Maryland
WARRANT NUMBER 11539
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED September 26, 1792
to --- not shown ---
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of “Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.