Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9286, John Brockinton, S.C.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
S.C.

Brockinton, John
or Brockington

NUMBER
S. 9286

carded
--------------------------------
CONTENTS
Page 2

5421 [or 6421?]
South Carolina
-------------------------
John Brockington
of Kershaw Dist. in the State of S. Carolina
who was a private Cavl. in the Company commanded 
by Captain [blank] of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Horry in the South Carolina
Militia for eleven months and
7 days -
----------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina
at the rate of 46 Dollars 80 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March,1831.
-----------------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of February
1833 and sent Hon James 
Blair HR
--------------------------------------
Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1832                            70.20
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March 1833     23.40
                                                                        93.60

{Revolutionary Claim, }
{Act June 7, 1832.       }

Recorded by Henry H. Sylvester Clerk,
Book D Vol. 8  Page 81


[written sideways on left side of page]
Let. Agt Augt 10 '35  His
" Pen. -- 27
J. J. Blair     20 July 36
Pension returned 
Let 17 Augt 1836 to the agt & to J. J. Blair.
Order to pay Oct. 19. 1836 -
Do  do 21 Sept 1837
Let to Hon. J. E. Holmes  Jan 9. 1841.


[at the bottom left and upside down]
Paid at the Treasury under 
the Act of the 6th April
1838, from 4 March 1838 to
4 March 1840.  Agt notified
16 March 1841
Order to pay 13th April 1841
Page 3

State of South Carolina
Kershaw District.  Ss.

On this twenty third day 
of October personally appeared in open court
before B J Earle Judge of Court of Common Pleas
now sitting John Brockington a resident citizen
of the District of Kershaw and State aforesaid,
aged about sixty eight years who being
first duly sworn according to Law, doth 
on his oath make the following declaration, 
in order to obtain the benefit of the act of 
Congress passed June 7th 1832.  that He
entered the service of the United States as a 
soldier during the War of Revolution, at 
the age of eighteen years, as a substitute
in the place of a Mr. Cuttins [Cuttino?] of Prince George
Winyah and State of South Carolina under
the command of Col. Peter Horry.  
Deponent does not remember the precise day
the month or years when he so entered the 
service but says it was sometime in the
Page 4

year prior to the vacation of Charleston
by the British and Deponent says to the 
best of his knowledge he served within two
or three weeks of a year, about which time,
peace being declared, he was discharged
by Col. Horry, and Deponent says, he being
a poor orphan boy having no settled home the
papers containing his discharge were carried
about with him in his pocket till they were
worn out - Deponent states that Col. Horry
was under the command of General Francis
Marion - This Deponent recollect
Major Benson who was killed in a surprize
by the British at Wambaw, near the residence 
of the widow Tiddyman - The names 
of the other officers are Capt. Gough 1st. Capt.
William Withers 2nd  Capt. Capt. Lanend 3d Cap
Capt. Fishburne 4th Capt. - Lieutenant Stevens
was 1st Lieutenant in the 2nd Company, to which 
company this Deponent was attached.
Deponent also recollects Adjutant Huggin
and the names of other officers this Deponent
does not more remember.
Page 5

[corner torn] -ponent States that during the time he was
in service being the most part of a year,
he was not engaged nor were the corps to which 
he was attached engaged in any battle or 
battles during the term of his service, except
the surprize before mentioned in which Major
Benson was killed at the Widow Tiddyman's 
Deponent says his services were exclusively confined
to the State of South Carolina.  that he 
was always during the period of his servitude
in active service attending to the necessary duties
of a Soldier reconnoitering the country at 
various points whithersoever the officers under
whose command Deponent served said proper
to direct. viz at Georgetown from thence to 
Santee and from thence to Haddrel's [Haddrell's]
point &c &c [?] - Deponent further says that 
he is very poor and needy, frail and 
infirm.  his health generally bad and his
constitution much impaired.  that his wife is
also of delicate health of feeble and infirm 
old age, and nothing to depend upon for their
support but his bodily labors which of late
have greatly failed him and this circumstance
Page 6

has induced him to endeavour to avail
himself of of the proffered aid of his co [edge torn]
in obtaining which he [illegible due to ink blot] sensibly feel
the truth of the maxim that republics are 
"not ungrateful".
Deponent hereby relinquishes every
claim 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 of the United States.

John Brockinton

Sworn to and Subscribed the day 
and year aforesaid.
B J Earle Presiding Judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas & Sessions
in open Court at the Courthouse in Kershaw.

We Thomas Berry a clergyman residing in 
the district of Kershaw and Pete Warren
residing in the same, hereby certify that we 
are well acquainted with John Brockington
who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration, that we believe him to be sixty
eight years of age, that he is reputed and 
believed in the neighborhood where he resides
to have been a soldier of the revolution & that 
we concur in that opinion.

Thomas Berry
[no signature for Pete Warren]

Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
B J Earle Predg. Judge
as aforesaid
Page 7

9286
Rev War
INVALID.
---------------
File No. 9286
John Brockington
Pri. Rev. War.
----------------
Act:  June 7th 1832.
Index: - Vol. 1,  Page 46
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 8

John Brockington, South Carolina
roll, Act June 7. 1832 at $46.80 pr ann.
Be pleased to say to what time 
he was last paid.

Pension Office
Jan 9. 1841

paid to 4 March
1838

SH
Page 9

John Brockington

(should unquestionably
be granted)

Admd.

Hon. J. Blair
Page 10

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
John Brockington which require
further proof or explanation.

I.  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?  [blank]

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 amount of pension
he is entitled?  yes

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  yes

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of 
June 7, 1832?  yes

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?  yes

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?  yes

X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed?  And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal?  yes
Page 11

XI.  Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to 
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary 
service?  yes

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not 
obtaining it?  [blank]

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?  [blank]

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?  yes
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?  No (But I can)
Has the proper officer certified to the official character ad signature of the magistrate as the 
regulations direct?  [blank]

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?  yes

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?  1, 2

-------------------------------------------------
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 12

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 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 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.

†QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In any 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 13

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 14

Planters & Mech's bank of So. Ca.
Charleston  11 Oct 1836

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington

Sir

I forward herewith voucher of John 
Brockington a Pensioner under Act 7
June 1832 upon which there is 
Eighteen months pay due under recent 
instructions from Second Comptroller
authority from you is necessary before 
payment can be made.

I am respectfully
your Obedt. Svt [obedient servant]
F. Lawrence
Pension Agt.
Page 15

Secretary's Office
Columbia So Ca.  24 June 1836.

I do hereby certify that I have made due & diligent
search for the name of John Brockington a Revolutionary 
soldier of this State and that his name is not to be found among
the accounts and vouchers for service in that war.  I further certify
that no Roll of Genl Marions Brigade is deposited in this office
nor is such Roll deposited so far as I know in believe in any of 
the public officers of this State.  That the information obtained by
by the soldiers of the Revolution are copies of their accounts for military
service performed, and settled, at the conclusion of that war.  The
original accounts being deposited in the Compt. Genls. office of 
this State (and which offices I have this day examined for the name 
of John Brockington.)  But the Roll of the Company, Regiment
Brigade or Division in which such service was rendered into 
found in that in any other public office in this State so far as 
I know or believe.
Given under my hand and seal of the State
at Columbia the 24th of June A.D. 1836.

B. H. Saxon
Secy. of State
Page 16

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
January 14th 1841.

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," John Brockington
a Pensioner on the Roll of the S. Carolina Agency, at 
the rate of Forty Six Dollars and 80 Cents
per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has 
been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1838
to the 4th March 1840.

Respectfully yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.


To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 17

Charleston  10 April 1841

Sir

I forward herewith for authority
to pay, voucher of John Brockington

I am very respectfully
Your Ob S [obedient servant]
A. Spears
Pen. Ag.



J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 18

John Brockington

FREE

[post mark]
CAMDEN
JUN 28
S.C.


J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington City


[written sideways on left side]
S.C.  July 5
Page 19

Office of the Clerk Court
Common Pleas  Kershaw Dist.
June 28th 1836.

J. L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions.

Sir

I received some 12 or
18 months ago notice from you that the pension of 
John Brockington would be suspended, for further
proof of his revolutionary services, and referring him 
at the same time to procure the necessary vouchers from 
the Secretary of States Office, where Rolls were 
to be found of the Companys & Regiments of the soldiers
of that War.  The old man is very infirm &
unable to attend personally to the transaction of business
but has through his friends procured the enclosed
papers, which have been sent me to be transmitted 
for your consideration.  It will appear from the 
enclosed certificate of the Secry. f State, that no Company
Rolls are deposited in any office of this State, and 
no evidence whatever is to be found for soldiers except
in the cases where they made application for payment of 
services that were due on the close of the war, many
of whom never demanded payment & others were previously
settled, consequently their names cannot appear.
There being no Rolls, nor regular lists
I trust the testimony he furnishes may be considered
sufficient to reinstate the pension, as I assuredly believe
the old gentleman was a patriot in the Revolution.-

Very respectfully
I am Your Obt. St. [obedient servant]
Jno. [John] J. Blair 
Clk
Page 20

Declaration 
of
John Brockington
for a Pension.
Page 21

application of John Brockington.

[edge torn] of the said Court at Georgetown do hereby declare their
opinion that the above named applicant
was a revolutionary soldier and 
served as he states - upon the subsequent
affidavits of Jas. Berry & of
Thos. [?] Harvey which are subjoined
at Georgetown in Georgetown
District - this 6th November 1832
in addition to the affidavits
made at Kershaw before Judge
Earle.

J S Richardson
Associate Judge


South Carolina
Georgetown District

Personally appeared James Berry
who being sworn saith that he is seventy two years
of age.  that he has known John Brockington
from his boyhood - that the said John Brockington
served during the Revolutionary War in the South Carolina Cavalry under Col. Horry and has throughout
life sustained an irreproachable character.

James Berry  X  his mark

Sworn to before me this
5th day Novr. 1832

D.A. Bokee
[title cut off by another piece of paper]


South Carolina
Georgetown District

Personally appeared William S
Harvey who being sworn, saith that his
Father was an officer in Marion's Brigade
during the Revolutionary War, and that he 
has often heard him and others speak of John
Page 22

[first half of page is a repeat from page 21]

South Carolina
Georgetown district

Personally appeared William S
Harvey, who being sworn, saith that his 
Father was an officer in Marion's Brigade
during the Revolutionary War and that he 
has often heard him and others speak of John 
Brockington as having been a private in Marion's 
Brigade - 

Wm S Harvey

Sworn to before me this 
5 Novr. 1832

B A Bokee
JQ

I am well acquainted with the hand [?] Jno Berry &
Mr. Jas. Berry  and know them to be worthy of the 
most entire credence - 

James Blair H.R.
Page 23

South Carolina
Kershaw District.

Office Clerk of the 
Court of Common Pleas

I John J Blair, Clerk of the 
Court of Common Pleas in and for the District &
State aforesaid, do hereby certify that John
Brockingham [Brockington] did at October Term 1832, held in 
the District aforesaid, appear in open Court, his 
Honor Baylis J. Earle Judge, presiding, and that 
the said Brockington did make Oath to his
declaration as hereunto annexed; and that Thomas
Berry , a clergyman did at the same time make 
Oath that he knew said Brockington and that 
he was a reputed Revolutionary soldier &c, as by 
affidavit also annexed; and that the same 
are the original proceedings of the said Court
in the matter of the application of said Brockington
for a Pension. - 
The said Clerk further certifies, that 
said Brockington, has since to wit; at Georgetown
District, obtained additional proof, as 
will appear from the annexed certificate under
the hand of his Honor John S. Richardson
who is a Presiding Judge in the Court of 
Common Pleas in the said State, and that the 
signature is his genuine signature. -
In Testimony whereof I have 
hereunto set my hand and Seal of 
office, this Twentieth day of November 
in the Year of our Lord, one thousand eight 
hundred Thirty two.

Jno. J. Blair.
C.C.P.S.
[seal]
Page 24

Aug. 8
SC
original 

[written sideways]

[post mark]
CHARLESTON
AUG 
2
S.C.

Geo. Wm. Crumpe, Esquire
Actg. Commissioner of Pensions
War Department
Washington City.
Page 25

Camden   2nd Aug. 1836

Sir

I herewith return the additional
evidence in the case of John
Brockington, with the certificates annexed
from under the hands of the officiating 
Justices, as to the credibility of the deponents
which heretofore was omitted & is transmitted in 
in conformity with your favour of the 19th Ulto.

I am very respectfully
Your Obt. Servant 
Jno. J. Blair



Geo. Wm. Crump Esqr.
War Department
City Washington
Page 26

State of South Carolina
Kershaw District

I Hall T. McGee, Judge 
of the Court of Ordinary, in and for the 
District and State aforesaid, do hereby
certify that the Reverend Thomas Berry
a Minister of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, whose deposition taken before me
and subscribed 28 June 1836 and hereunto 
annexed is a resident of Kershaw District
aforesaid; is a credible person, and 
full faith and credit is and ought to be 
given to his affidavit; and from his testimony
so given, the subscribing Magistrate
is of the opinion that the aforesaid
John Brockington was a Soldier in the 
War of the Revolution. - 

Given under my hand & 
Seal of Court this 25 July 1836
Hall T. McGee
Judge of the Court 
of Ordinary for 
Kershaw District

[seal at top of page?]
Page 27

South Carolina
Sumter District

I, C.W. Miller, a Justice
of the Peace, in & for the District
aforesaid do hereby certify that 
the gentlemen viz: Joseph B White
& Obediah Spears (whose affidavits
were taken before me on the 
6th day of June 1836, & hereunto 
annexed) are of undoubted 
credibility & that full faith & 
credit is & ought to be given
to their affidavits

Given under my hand & seal
this 1st day of August 1836
C. W. Miller J. P.   
[seal]
Page 28

                                                    6

Revd. Thomas Berry
or
Mr. John Brockington
Camden
S.C.

Mail
Page 29

South Carolina
Sumter District

Personally appeared before me 
Obediah Spears & made oath that he was 
acquainted with a certain Jack Brockington
who fought with him the said Obediah
under General Francis Marion in the war
of the revolution - that he was designated
by persons best acquainted with by
the name of Jack (not John) Brockington.

Obediah Spears

Sworn to before me 
June 6th 1836
C. W. Miller J.P.


Personally appeared before me at the 
time & place of the above affidavit,
Joseph B. White & made oath that 
for the last fifty years he had known
a certain Jack Brockington a resident
of this the said State  that he never knew 
any other person who might be supposed
to be the person alluded to in the above
affidavit except a certain John Brockington
whom his father convicted of being 
a tory in the revolution   that the said
John is now dead which precludes the 
idea of his having been the person
alluded to - that the said Jack
Brockington alluded to (if it 
be the same) lived in the same nighhbourhood
with the said John  - that they 
were within his (deponent's) knowledge
distinct persons  - that the the said 
Jack is now allive & is applying for 
his pension - that he the said deponent
Page 30

believes that the said Jack Brockington
alluded to in the foregoing affidavit
of Obediah Spears is the person
who lives in this State - & that he 
knows of no other Jack Brockington
excepting a son of the said John
whose age (being too young) would 
satisfy any mind that he could not
have fought in the revolution.

Joseph B. White

Sworn to before me 
June 6th 1836
C.W. Miller J. P.


South Carolina
Sumter District

I John M Darga Clerk
of the Court of Common Pleas for said
District certify that C. W. Miller is a 
Justice of the Peace of the said
District & that the above signatures
purporting to be his are genuine 
Witness my hand & the Seal of 
the said Court this 6th June
A. D. 1836. 

Jno. M. Dargan
C.. C. Ps
Page 31

State of South Carolina
Kershaw District

Before me, Hall T. McGee
Judge of the Court of Ordinary, for the District
& State aforesaid, personally appeared, in open Court
Thomas Berry, who being duly sworn on the holy
Evangelists of Almighty God, makes Oath that he now 
is, and has ever for the last Fifty or Fifty one years
been personally acquainted with John Brockington, 
(who lately was admitted on the Pension Rolls of the 
United States for Revolutionary Services; which pension
this deponent believes is suspended), that the said
Brockington was on the close of the Revolution & for
many years afterwards called Jack Brockington to 
designate him from another John Brockington, who 
was a Tory, and died upwards of thirty years ago.
that John Brockington the applicant for pension
was from the earliest recollection of him by this 
deponent, considered and bore the reputation by all the
neighborhood where he resided & was known, as a true
Whig, and bore arms in defence of our Country's liberties;
and this deponent verily believes that the services
were rendered by said Brockington to justly intitle 
him to pension under the laws of the United States 

Thomas Berry

Sworn to and subscribed before 
me this 28 June 1836 in 
witness whereof I have here 
unto set my hand and 
the Seal of the Court

Hall T. McGee
Judge of the Court
of Ordy. for K. Dis