Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 7,594, for William Nelson, South Carolina
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(3 - 1776)
SERVICE SC
Nelson, William
NUMBER R. 7.594

CONTENTS
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Wm Nelson
Declaration
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South Carolina
Spartanbugh District S.S.

On this 7 day of March 1833. personally appeared in open Court, to wit the Court of Sessions and Common Pleas held for the said Dist before the Judge of the said Court now sitting, William Nelson, a resident of the said District aged Seventy five years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. 

That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officer and served herein stated "I enter the service of the United States, at the Cherokee Ponds in South Carolina, under Command of Captain Hammond, as a draft for two months but cannot recollect the time-- We marched to the two sisters ferry on Savannah River when we remained until my time expired
some time near the close of the war. I enlisted in the Regular Army of the United States for and during the war in Capt. Headly's Company in the 2d Regiment under command of Gen. Green, and continued in this service until the end of the war but cannot recollect the term of service. I never was regularly discharged, having been furloughed for a while, and the troops disbanded before I again joined the army - I have no documentary evidence of my Service - and know of no one now living in the District or State who served with me. I do hereby relinquish every claim what[soever]
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[whatso]ever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declare that my name is not on the Pension Role of the agency of any State -- In answer to the questions put by the Court, I answer  1 & 2. I have no evidence or information of my age
3 I resided near the Cherokee Ponds when I enter the service, and have resided in South Carolina ever since the war
4 See within
5. See within
6. See within
7. I refer to the Record
and    and
to prove my character for truth and morality
[signed] William X. Nelson his mark

Sworn to & Subscribed the day aforesaid
R Gautt

We Gabriel Philip, a Clergyman resident in the District, Laurens formerly of Spartanburg, and James Ford and Stephen Sizemore, resident in Spartanburg District do hereby certify that we are  well acquainted with William Nelson who has Sworn to and Subscribed to the foregoing Declaration that we believe him to be seventy five years of age, that he is reputed and believed
in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and and we
concur in that opinion 
[signed]Gabriel Phillips
James Ford
Stephen X Sizemore his mark

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year afsd
Wm Tennant JP Ex off.
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and the said Court does hereby declare its opinion after the investigation of 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 that Gabriel Philips who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman now resident in Laurens Dist late of Spartanburg Dist and that Stephen Sizemore and James Ford who have signed the same are residents in said District, are credible persons and her statement intitled to
credit
R. Gautt
-
State of South Carolina
Spartanburg District ⎬
I Elisha Bomar Clerk of the Court of Sessions & Common Pleas in & for said District, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of William Nelson for a Pension.-

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office the 15th day of May 1833.-
E Bomar Clk
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No 26033
William Nelson Spartanburgh District South Carolina
7594
Deserted 13 Mar 83

Rejected see let to E Bomar Aug 15.33

E. Bomar Clks Office State Depart.
S. Carolina
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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
Sir
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will show what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: })
You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, showing the service of William Nelson Spartanburgh District South Carolina
Period when service was rendered
--
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years Months Days
Entered for & during the war & served to the end of the war

Rank of the claimant.
---

Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
Cap Hammond,
Cap Warly, G Green

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
75 years
Cherokee Ponds S. Carolina

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Traditionary Evidence, paper Correct

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 4. Indian Spies. As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance , make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. DECLARATION. In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. State, Territory District of County of On this ---day of --- personally appeared (a) before ----- A. B. a resident (b) of ----- in the county of ---- and State, Territory or District of ----- aged (c) --- 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 pension made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) ----, with ---- and served in the ---- (e) regiment of the ---- line, under the following named officers (Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) 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, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I -------------------- of the Court of ----------------------------- do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of --------------- for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ------- day of ------------------ & c. If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the ------------- and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ---------------- , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be -------- years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of 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 A.B. ------ who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ------- and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, -----------Clerk of the Court of ---------------- do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this --- of ---- & c. Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission ; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 1. Where and in what year were you born? 2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live? 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 6. To a Soldier Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure , taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. {a] the declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rules laid down for his guidance [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county were he resides. If he should fail to do so he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. [c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. [d] the declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served [e] Every Continental officer or soldier must give the name of the colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every clamant must state, 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 amount of pension he is entitled. 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 worn, deposes 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 persons mentioned below, and in the following grades: For --- years ---- months, and -----days, I served as a . For months and days, I served as a ----- for ----- months ----days, I served as a ----- and for such service I claim a pension." 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 that they served two years in the miliia, &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 shown 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 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, [f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. [g] The opinion of the Court is always required. [h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. [i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which in can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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. 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 papers 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 once, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. Proof of Service. [j] 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 credibly of the witnesses and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. the notes [a] to [i] are equally applicable to the cases of militia men, volunteers, and state troops The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. [k] This traditionary evidence is indispensible in militia cases [l] if a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration
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William Nelson
So Cal

Rejected. See let 12 August 1833 to E. Bomar
Spartanburg S.C.

let to Hon A H Chappell
June 25. 1844
act of June 1832

[right side]
Let to Hon J.A. Woodward
March 1st 47
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ocu key
#20.409
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William Nelson Pvt
S. Carolina
Evidence in sufficient Rev
Act 1838
South Carolina
no rec'din old Books or Rev claims

Mex War [illegible] file
No record  LLd Nov 2/50
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7094
P.O. William Nelson
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18 __
Discharged:  _____, 18 __
Application filed:  _____, 18 __

Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: ______

Attorney _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
______ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18
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Rejected
Ex'r. OLD WAR.
No. 20.409
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.

William Nelson
Pri
Capt Felex Warley
S.C. Line
Revy War

Died at [stamp] REJECTED]
1-0
_____ other claim
_____, 187 __  _____ Clerk

application filed: _____, 18 __
Attorney: _____
P.O. _____

Evidence insufficient
Act 1828
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House Reprs. Feb. 20 /47
Sir
I must beg your earliest possible attention to the contents of the accompanying letter of Mr. Grant
Very respectfully
J A Woodword

J.L. Edwards Esq.
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1689.
Revolutionary Claims
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
4 August 1829

William Nelson of the District of Spartanburg in the State of South Carolina has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled ""An act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the Revolution," approved the 15th of May, 1828. He states that he enlisted in the Continental line of the army of the Revolution, for and during the war, and continued until its termination , at which period he was a Private in captain _____ 's company, in the second regiment of the South Carolina line; and that he received a certificate for the reward of eighty dollars, provided by the resolve of the 15th of May, 1778; and further, that he was not on the 15th day of May, 1828, on the pension list of the United States, and that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing

The Third Auditor is requested to report how far the several statements are corroborated by the
records in his office.
By Order of the Secretary.
FA Dickins

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
5. August 1829
It further appears that William Nelson is not now on the pension list of my agency and has not been so since 3 March 1826

It further appears that William Nelson cannot be found among those of the South Carolina line to whom certificates for the gratuity of Eighty dollars was issued

Peter Hagner Aud
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Bounty Land Office
Augt 8th 1829
The name of William Nelson is not returned on the
Records of this Office, as entitled to Bounty Land, nor
has a Warrant ever issued in his name
Wm Gordon
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Declaration of William Nelson
Received 21 July 1829
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State of South Carolina
Spartanburgh Dist
For the purpose of obtaining the benefit of the act intitled an act for the relief of certain surviving officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution, approved on the 15th day of
May 1828. I, William Nelson, of the Dist of Spartanburg in the State of South Carolina, that I enlisted in the continental line of the Army of the Revolution for and during the war, and continued in its service until its termination, at which period I was a private in Capt Felix Bosley's company in the second Regiment of the South Carolina line. And I also declare
that I afterwards received certificate for the reward of Eighty dollars to which I was entitled under the Resolve of Congress passed the 15th May 1778. and I further declare that on the fifth day of May 1828 I was not on the pension List of the United States

Witness my hand this sixth day of July 1829 -
[signed] William X Nelson his mark

Before me William Trimmier Justice of the Peace in and for the District of Spartanburgh in the State of South Carolina personally appeared this, this day to wit the Ninth day of July 1829 Stephen Sizemore and Ephraim Sizemore of the said District who did severally make oath that William
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Nelson, by whom the forgoing Declaration was subscribed is generally reputed and believed to have been a soldier in the army of the Revolution in manner  as before stated.
[signed] Stephen X Sizemore his mark
Ephraim X Sizemore his mark

Sworn to & Subscribed before me 9th July 1829
Wm Trimmier J.P.

South Carolina
Spartanburg District
I Elisha Bomar Clerk of the Court of Sessions and Common Pleas for the District & State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that William Trimmier Esq. before whom the forgoing affidavits were sworn to was at that time a Justice of the peace for the said District and duly empower'd to administer oaths

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court this 9-day of July in the year 1829-
A. Bomar
Clk of the Court of Sessions & Common Pleas
Spartanburgh District
South Carolina
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The result of this application is requested to be directed to Wm Trimmier Esqr.
Spartanbugh S. Carolina-


Declaration of
William Nelson
Recd 21 July 1829