Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2535, Richard Elkins, S.C.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
S. C.

Elkins, Richard

NUMBER
S. 2535

Born in Va
CONTENTS

Carded
Page 2

7582
West Tennessee
Richard Elkins
of Bedford Co in the State of W Tenn
who was a private in the company commanded
by Captain Oliver of the Regt commanded
by Col Tate in the S. C.
line for 13 months  

Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee
at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of May
1833 and sent to James
McKisick   Shelbyvill 

Arrears to the 4th of March
86.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept
21.66
=
$108.32 

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832. 
Recorded by Daniel Boyd  Clerk,
Book E  Vol. 7  Page 77 

Order to pay & letter to Pensioned
4th April 1838.  do.  6 P.  Agt. 
May 21. 1838.  same, May
26. 1838. 
Paid at the Treasury under
the act of the 4 April 1838.
from 4 March 1837 to 4 Sept
1837. Agt Notified 28 July
1838.
Page 3

State of Tennessee
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an act
of Congress passed 7th June 1832.
On this 9th day of November in the year of our
lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty two.
Personally appeared in open Court before the worshipful
Samuel Phillips, John L. Null, and Jno B. Armstrong
Esquires gentlemen Justices of the peace in
and for said County appointed to hold the Court of
pleas and Quarter Sessions of Bedford County and
State aforesaid, now sitting, Richard Elkins aged
Seventy years Eleven months and thirty
days; 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 7th June 1832. 
That he entered the service of the United States under the
following named Officers, and served as herein stated
To Wit,  that he entered the service of the United States
in the County
of Marian and State of South Carolina
as a volunteer in a company of Volunteers under the
command of Captain Olliver and was attached to
Regiment commanded by Col Tate and Majr M.
Sabb, same time he thinks in the Spring or summer 
of the year 1780, and was mustered into service at
Orangeburg South Carolina, and was marched
from that place with a detachment under the command
of General Mirtrey to what was then called Purrysburg
in the last mentioned State;  and at that place he
says the Americans was attacked by the Brittish
under the command (as he was informed) of Genl Prevost
and that the Americans were compelled to retreat
from that place; to Charlestown, in the same State
Page 4

where he says he was kept until his term of three months
service expired;  when he was discharged he thinks in
writting, but is not certain. He further states that Shortly
after he returned home, he was drafted in the same
County (Marion) and was placed under the command
of Captain Aaron Little as Captain in a Regiment under
the command of Col Grissett and Majr Olliver,
who
were attached to the troops under the command of Genls
Lincoln as chief Commander and Genl Mutrey, McIntosh
Sumpter, and Genl Marian was there part of the time
at Monks corner where he says he was marched
to;  and where he says he saw Genl Woodford & Scott
of the Regular Army;  and from that place was marched
to what was called the Quarter house and remained
there for some time, and was then marched into the
City of Charlestown, and after serving a tour of
about four months, a month longer than his proper
time, and his captain having liberty to return home
with his men if he could pass the Brittish, which
at that time had surrounded the Town, by land and water  
but he says his captain passed the Brittish in a small
Scift up Ashly river in the night and was there
discharged. Deponant further says that in a short time
after he returned home, he was in company with some
of General Marians men, who was then stationed in
a Swamp near where he (said deponent) then lived, when he
was taken prisoner together with two of Genl Marians men
and marched to Nelsons ferry on Santee river where
the Brittish were conveying
prisoners across   that the
said were taken at Genl Gates defeat, and at that
place he made his escape from them, and went immediatly
Page 5

and joined Genl Marian and continued with him until
after the battle of Eutaw Springs, he says that on that day
he was in a detachment reserved as he was informed
to prevent the escape of the Enemy,  he says he thinks he
served with Genl Marian about six months or upward
and was then dismissed;  making a term of service in
the whole of xxxxx thirteen months and more, but
that he claims a pension for thirteen months only. 
He says that he has no documentary evidence 
and that
he knows of no person who can testify as to his service
whose testimony he can procure;  and that he hereby relinquishes
every claim whatever to a pension or anuity
whatever except the present and declares that his name
is not on the pension roll of any Agency in the United States. 

Interroggatories by the Court
Int. 1st  when and in what year were you born. 
Ans.  I was born in King George County in the State of
Virginia on the 9th day of December in the year
1761.  agreeable to my Fathers family record. 

Int. 2nd Have you any record of your age; & if so where is it 
Anr.  I have no record of my age in my possession at this time 

Int. 3rd  where were you living when called into service;
where have you lived since the Revolutionary war
and where do you now live 
Ans.  I was a citizen of Marian County in the State of
South Carolina when I entered the service of the
United States and remained there until the close of the
Revolution and from there I moved into Franklin County
by
State of North Carolina, and then I removed to
Lancaster County in the State of South Carolina
on hanging rock creek, where I remained until the
year 1812. when I removed to Bedford County in
the State of Tennessee where I have lived ever since and where
I now live.
Page 6

Int. 4th  How were you called into service; were you
drafted; were you a volunteer, or were you a substitute,
and if a substitute for whom. 
Anr.  I volunteered in the first place; and the next time
I was drafted and the last tour I was a volunteer under
General Marian. 

Int. 5th  Did you ever receive a discharge, and if so,
what has become of it.
Anr.  I think I did receive a discharge for my first tour
of duty, but what has become of it I cannot tell. 

State the names of some of the Regular officers that
were with the troops where you served; such continental
and militia Regiments as you can recollect; and the
general circumstances of your service.
Anr.  I recollect Genl Woodford, and Scott at Charlestown
And I recollery
and Gen Lincoln, I also saw a great many other officers but
do not recollect the names of any except Genl Pulaskie
of the light horse;  I do not recollect the names or number
of any Regiments either among the Regular or
militia at this time, and belive I have given the
most prominent history of the circumstances of my
service that I can at this period of my age.  in 
my declaration. 

State the names of person in your present neighborhood
who can testify as to your character for veracity
and their opinion of your services as a soldier of the
Revolution. 
Anr.  William Bowden, Hugh Davidson Esqr,  Joseph
Johnson, and several Clergyman but have not been
able to procure their attendance at court at this time. 
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, 
Richard Elkins  his X mark
Page 7

21916
Richard Elkins

from 1780   private
13 months
$43.33

James McKisick  CC
Bedford Co
T
Page 8

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
183

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 shew 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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim. 

A Statement, showing the service of Richard Elkins, Bedford Co T.
Period when the service was rendered.
Vol. '80
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years.  Months.  Days.
3 Months
about 4 months
about 6 months 
"in all 13 mos or more, but he claims for 13 mos only"
Rank of the claimant.
pr
pr
pr
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served.
Cap Oliver
Cap Little
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers.
Col Tate
Col Grissett
Gen Marion  
Battles in which the applicant was engaged.
(blank) 
Country through which he marched.
S. C.
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. 
70.11.30 
Marion S.C. 
Evidence by which the declaration is supported. 
Trady 

I am respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 9

                        2
REGULATION 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 in
stance, 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.
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
of
On this
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territor or
County of
day of
A.B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
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 provion made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)
and
---
served in the
(e) regiment of the
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.
A. B.
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.
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
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same)
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 applicacation of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this
day 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
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 10

                          3
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.
to a soldier? Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it givbecome
of it?
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
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 be
fore 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.
The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will for
low the rul
ined down for his guidance.
The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming to the rule.
The age of the claimant
invariably be mentioned.
The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
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 claimant 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
making an indivit 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
days, I served as arecollection
, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For years, months, and
-- Furmonths
and --
days, I served as a-
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 ind
ite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that 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 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 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.
The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
┃ The opinion of the Court is always required.
The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it 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 officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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 claimant's 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.
equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in
note applies to continental troops only.
┃ This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
W. L. Williams
Page 11

Rich. Elkins
Declaration
21910
Page 12

State of Tennessee
Bedford County Court 
November term 1832. 
On this 9th day of November in the year of our
Lord 1832 personally appeared in open Court William
Bowden a resident at this time of Bedford County in
the State of Tennessee who after being first Sworn agreeable
to law, deposeth and saith that he has been well
acquainted with Richard Elkins who has subscribed
and sworn to the foregoing declaration, for upwards of
thirty years a part of the time in Lancaster County
in the State of
South Carolina, where he was reputed
to have been a soldier of the revolution; and a man of
undoubted veracity; and that he has lived a near
neighbour to him in Bedford County for the last 18 or19
years where he now lives; and that he still retains his
former good name for piety and honesty; in his present
neighborhood;
Sworn to and subscribed in open court, the day and
year last aforesaid; 
William bowdon 
Jas McKisick  Clk 

This day being the ninth day of November 1832. 
Joseph Johnson personally appeared in open court, and
after being qualified according to law, deposeth and
saith, that he is now and has been for the last twenty years acquainted with the applicant Richard Elkins in South Carolina and in Bedford
Tennessee where he now resides, and a close neighbour for the last thirteen years with Richd Elkins; that he is reputed and 
believed in the neighborhood where he now lives; and
also in the State of South Carolina to have been a
soldier of the Revolution; and a man of undoubted
Page 13

Honesty and veracity; He further states that he
believes said Richard Elkins to be seventy years of
age and upwards; Sworn to and sworn to in open
Court the day and year aforesaid. 
Jas McKisick  Clk
Joseph Johnson 

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after
the investigation of the matter; and after putting the interroggatories 
prescribed by the war department that 
the above named applicant was a soldier of the Revolution
and served as he states and that they concur in that opinion; and that William Bowden and
Joseph Johnson (illegible) have signed the foregoing affidavit,
respecting the Character of said Applicant, are both
citizens of Bedford County and that their statements are
intitled to full faith and credit. 
J Neill
Samuel Phillips
Jesse B. Armstong 

I James McKisick Clerk of the Court of pleas and
quarter Sessions for Bedford County in the State of
Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the
original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of Richard Elkins for a Pension. 
In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and seal of
office at office in Shelbyville the
31st of December 1832  
Jas McKisick  Clk
Page 14

Rev War

2535
INVALID.
File No.  2535
Richard Elkins
Privt  Rev War

Act:  June 7, 1832
Index:  Vol. A,   Page 112
[Arrangement of 1870.}
Page 15

J L Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

(notes) May 26
Conr.
R Elkins
Tennessee

(stamped, Nashville T.  May 17)
Page 16

Union Bank of Tennessee
Nashville. 16th May 1838

J.L. Edwards Esq.

Dear Sir
The Pensioner Richard
Elkins whose claim was forwarded to you from this
office some time in March last for your permission
of his being paid and on the 4th April last you
directed the agent to pay his claim, died about
the 26th April in a few days of the Rec't of your letter,
there is due him a little upwards of one year
from the 4th March 1837 to the 26th April 1838.   
His widow is living and wishes to know
of you if she can be paid at Washington
City or at the Agency at Nashville on the 
production of the proper voucher.  I am Respectfully
Your Obt Srvt
John M Bass  Prest.
& Pension Agent
By S. Cantrell
Page 17

Union Bank of Tennessee
Nashville  24th March 1838

J. L Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir
at the request of Mr George
Hufman the attorney of Mr. Richard Elkins a
Revolutionary pensioner under the act of the
7th June 1832 and to whom there is one
year pension due to up to the 4th Instant. 
I herewith have sent you his Pension
Identity for your examination and sanction
of his payment. Please to return this claim
to M. Elkins the Pensioner with your instructions
to Davidsonville Post Office Coffee County Tenn. 
I am very Respectfully Sir
Your Obt. Srvt
John M Bass  Prest.
& Pension Agent
By S. Cantrall
Page 18

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office,
July 25. 1838. 

Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An
act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain
Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury
of the United States," The widow of Richard Elkins deceased a Pensioner on the Roll of the Nashville, Tenn Agency, at
the rate of forty three Dollars and thirty three Cents
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832 has
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1837 
to the 4th September 1837. 
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Present.