Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 9242, for John Pursley, South Carolina
Page 1

S. C. Pursley, John W9242
Mary
Page 2

Payable to Jane, Mary,
Nancy, Gavin, Margaret
& Sarah Pursley, only
children.
Ref c.

South Carolina.  4432.
Mary Pursley, deceased
widow of
SC John Pursley
who died in the month May 1803.
of York in the State of S.C.
who was a priv. in the Co. commanded
by Captain Alison of the Reg commanded
by Col Brown in the Revolution
for 13 mo. 15 days. 

Inscribed on the Roll of Charleston
at the rate of 45 Dollars 00 Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of
March, 1831, to 21st April 1845 (or 1865), when
she died.

Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of Dec.
1846, & sent to A.S. Nollace,
Yorkville, S. Carolina 

Arrears to the 4th of _____ 
Semiannual allowance ending _____
Payable to children. 

[Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3.?]

Recorded by D. H. Wood, Clerk
Book C.  Vol. 1.  Page 188.
Page 3

673   16733
Mary Pursley decd
S.C.
Act 4 July 36
Married 1777
husband died 1803. May
(illegible) died 21st April 1845
Page 4

State of South Carolina
York District 
On this 9th day of April one thousand
Eight hundred & forty six 1846, personally appeared in open
Court, and before the Court of General Sessions and Common
Pleas now sitting in Yorkville for the District of York &
State aforesaid Mary Pursley, daughter of John Pursley deceased
a resident of the District and State aforesaid aged 56 years,
who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on
her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain
the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress
passed July 4th 1836, granting pensions to certain widows. 
That this declarant the aforesaid Mary Pursley in the
behalf of herself & the other heirs of said John Pursley decd
States, that the said John Pursley was a private Soldier in
the South Carolina Militia the heirs do understand and
as such he served the United States in the War of the
Revolution against the enemy for the term of nine or 12.
twelve months and that that the said John Pursley was
married to Mary Black in February Seventeen hundred and
Seventy Seven, 1777, and as husband and wife they lived
together till the death of said John Pursley who died in
the month of May 18 hundred & two, or 3, and that his widow Mary
departed this life on the twenty first day of April, Eighteen hundred
& forty five, 1845, not having intermarried after the
death of her said husband John Pursley dcd. 
She further declared that there does not exist any
Family Record showing Either the date of the Marriage
or the briths of the children of the aforesaid parties  
Sworn to, and subscribed on the day & year first above
written in open Court  
Mary Pursley (her X mark)
Edward Frost
Presiding Judge 

And the Court doth hereby certify, that it was shown in
Page 5

evidence to the satisfaction of the Court that John Pursley
named in the foregoing declaration died at his late residence
in York District South Carolina in the month of May,
eighteen hundred & two or 1803, and that his widow
Mary died in said District on the 21st day of April, Eightteen
hundred & forty five, 1845, having surviving the
following six children all of lawful age (illegible), Jane Pursley,
Mary Pursley Nancy Pursley, Gavin Pursley, Margaret Pursley,
and Sarah Pursley, who are the only surviving children of
said Mary Pursley decd.
And it was also shown in evidence that the
declarant May Pursley is a credible person & to be believed on oath  
Edward Frost
Presiding Judge. 

I Ja Keey Kendall, Clerk of the Court of General Sessions
and Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the
matter of the application of Mary Pursley for a pension  
In testimony whereof I have herein
Subscribed my name and affixed
my seal of Office
Ja. Kuykendall
Clk
Page 6

South Carolina [illegible due to overlay]
York [illegible due to overlay]
of [illegible due to overlay) who being
first duly [illegible our to overlay] sayeth that
he was known [illegible due to overlay]
John Pursley [illegible due to overlay]
to their [illegible due to overlay] the spring
of 1803 and [illegible due to overlay] spring
of 1845 [illegible due to overlay] lived in
near neighbor [illegible due to overlay] law John
[illegible] Sutton [illegible due to overlay] and
de[illegible] [illegible due to overlay] were born
the same [illegible due to overlay] Hundred
and eighty [illegible due to overlay] that she
[illegible] Pursley [illegible due to overlay] older that herself [illegible due to overlay]
She further [illegible due to overlay] her father in laws Bible in which he was [illegible] James Suttons age is recorded in the Hand writing of the said Jonathan [illegible] which
[illegible hereunto [illegible] and was always understood that John Pursley and his wife lived near [illegible] work(?) in said District before he [illegible] where his [illegible] now living and that [illegible] Mary Nancy Garvin Margaret and [illegible[ are the only surviving heirs of Mary Pursley [illegible]

Legible Section of Overlay Reads:

James Sutton Seventeen year and twenty Day of October 1799
Page 7

This page is not legible due to inserted cover of 
The New Testament
Page 8

South Carolina}
York Dist            } Apeared Mary Sutton wife
of James J Sutton Decd who being
First duly sworn according to law sayeth that
she has known Mary Pursley and her Husband
John Pursley from her earliest recollection up
to their deaths John Pursley died the spring
of 1803 and his widow Mary the spring
of 1845 she further says that she lived a
near neighbour to them never more than two Miles
distance and always heard her Fatherinlaw John
athan Sutton say that Jimmy Pursley and
deponents husband James Sutton were born
the same year in the seventeen Hundred
and eighty two (1782) and knows that she
Jenny Pursley had two Brothers older
than herself  Wm and James
she  further say that she has her Father
=in laws Bible in which her husband James
[illegible] age is recorded in the Hand
writing of the said Jonathan Sutton
which record is hereunto [illegible]and
always understood that John Pursley
and his wife lived near Hills work
in said District before he settled where
[illegible]now living and that Janey Mary
Nancy Garvin Margaret and [illegible]are the
only surviving heirs of Mary Pursley
Decd
Page 9

and [illegible] of lawful age sworn to and subscribed this 20th day of Nov 1846
Before me
A.S. Wallace  Magt
Mary Sutton
I the same Magistrate do herby certify that the witness Marry [sic] Suton [sic] is well known to me and that her statements are entitled to full Faith and credit. I do Further certify I do Further certify [sic] that the record hereunto appended was taken out in My presen [sic]
A.S. Wallace, Magt.
Page 10

South Carolina
York District
Personally appeared Mcbasland(?) Wallace a resident of said District aged seventy three years past who being first duly sworn saith that he was well acquainted with John and Mary Pursley whose heirs are now applicants for a pension from the spring of seventeen hundred and ninety three unto the death of the said May and John Pursley. John Pursley died the spring of 1803 and his widow Mary the spring of 1845. He further says at the time he became acquainted with he said John and Mary Pursley their family were all born but Margaret and Sarah to wit William and James, Jenny, Mary, John, Nancy, Garvin and the two first mentioned who were twins and born shortly after he became acquainted with the said John and Mary Pursley and further that William oldest son of John and Mary Pursley from appearance was a boy of fourteen or fifteen years of age [illegible] spring of seventeen hundred and ninety three and has often heard James [illegible] and his sister say they saw John and Mary Pursley going to and coming from Col [illegible] the day they were married which he [illegible] understood was before the reduction of Charleston and that Jenny Pursley their oldest daughter was their child as stated above. This [illegible] further says they he was also well acquainted with Jonathan Sutton esq deceased who lived a close neighbor to John and Mary Pursley and believes the Register appended to the deposition of Mary Sutton widow of James Sutton to be the handwriting of the said Jonathan Sutton. That is the record James, John and
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Alexander who were his only children b his first wife. He further says that the said John and Mary Pursley lived after they were married  as he deposeth has always understood near Col Hills Iron works in said District in time of the war of the Revolution from which place he moved and settled where his heirs are now living.

[illegible0 were subscribed this 23rd November 1846 before me 
[illegible] Brown Matt        McCasland Wallace

State of South Carolina
York District
I  do hereby certify that MaCasland Wallace whose name appears to the foregoing is a respectable man, I am personally acquainted with him, and that any statement made by him is entitled to full faith and credence
Given under my [illegible] this 23rd Nov 1846
[illegible] Brown Matt
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Payment to be made at Charleston by J.C. Cochran Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of S. Carolina
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book C. Vol. 1. Page   by
D.H. Wood  Clerk
Page 13

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that, in conformity with the 3d section of the law of the United States, of the 4th of July, 1836, Mary Pursley, decd late of South Carolina window of John Pursley who was a Private in the Revolution and died in May 1803 is entitled to receive Forty Four dollars and Sixty Six cents per annum during the time she may remain unmarried, commencing on the 4h March[?] 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September, and [illegible] of 21st April 1845, when she died, payable to Jane, Mary, Nancy, Gavin, Margaret & Sarah Pursley, only [illegible].
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 14th day of Dec. one thousand eight hundred and forty Six.
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned.
Commissioner of Pensions.
Duplicate.
Page 14

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File N0. 9242
Mary Pursley
Did. of
John Pursley
Pvt. Rev. War
Act: July [illegible] 36, Sec 3d
Index: Vol. M, Page 144
[Arrangement of 1870}
Page 15

Yorkville, S.C.
26th Aug 1846
[Illegible] L Edwards

[Illegible] Enclosed is the evidence of William(?) {illegible] Elwes esq and James Huart (?) proving the marriage and service of John Pursley in the war of the revolution. You will please report this claim to me(?) at your [illegible] as the heirs have requested [illegible] forward the evidence as they have understood Mr Beths (?) their agent is sick. Mr B has sent me your letter in an [illegible] to [illegible] he sent your last [illegible] in answer to your inquiry why those claims have not been prosecuted sooner. [illegible] is this we did not know that she (?) never draw arrears due their parents if they had failed to apply during their lifetime our lawyers paid no attention to the subject and there was sent one copy of the pension laws in the district owned by J.A. Brown (?) Esq, York District was famous in the days of the revolution for the devotion of her citizens to the cause of liberty hence the number of claims, in other states, particularly the northern, and middle states, have all been prosecuted long since. and the claimants in possession of their money. We only claim ours now, without interest. I hope therefore that our rights will not be denies because we have not known and asserted them in as much haste as other partitioners of the union have done
Page 16

especially York District whose citizens on the day set by Col. [illegible] for them to come and take protection at William[illegible] in said district. they met him not as he had enforced to take the oak leaf as a badge of their submission. Surprised, routed, and defeated that officer gave liberty for that time being to their suffering [illegible] [illegible] had not Mr Bettis made known to our citizens our rights we doubtless (?) would still be ignorant of our rights. I hope from the kindness shown us from your department and remembering that almost all that fought in the ranks of their country have unbuckled the harness and are now [illegible] and the consequent [illegible] of memory of the living occasioned by age and infirmity you will give all the in[illegible] that the spirit of the law will afford under(?) [illegible]  because  this long letter and answer as soon convenient to me at Yorkville
Very respectfully yours
A.J. Wallace
J K Edwards
Comm of Pension
Page 17

State of South Carolina
York District
On this 10th day  of April, 1846 personally appeared before me A.S. Wallace one of the acting Magistrate in and for said District, Robert Wilson, a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, a resident of the District and State aforesaid, and made oath, in [illegible], that he in the days of the Revolution intimately acquainted with John Pursley who died many years ago, in York District, also with his wife Mary late deceased whose heirs are now applying for a pension due to the said Mary Pursley [illegible], on account of the Revolutionary services of her said husband the aforementioned John Pursley deceased.
    That this depo[illegible the said Robert Wilson served a tour of duty in the early part of the war in Charleston in company with said John Pursley, who was a private in Cape Alisons Company, Col Browns Regt of the Militia. Thus they left Chester District, S. Carolina and went to the City of Charleston to defend said city against the British whom it had reported had made their appearance before that place. But on reaching Charleston they learned that the surprise was made by some Pirate Ships instead the British and they returned to their homes.
     This depo{illegible] further sates on his oaths, that in the summer of 1780, he was again in the service with the aforesaid John Pursley who was under Capt Alison and Col Hills (?) or [illegible] Regt. Sumpters Brigade. That on this occasion they were in service some four or five months during which time they was in the Battles of Hanging Rock and Rocky Mount.
      Depo[Illegible]) also states on his oath, that the aforesaid Mary Pursley was the wife of the said John Pursley in wartime, that depo[illegible] was frequently at the house of said John Pursley during the war, and knows of his own personal knowledge that said Pursley was married two or three years before their service together in the summer of 1780.

Sworn to and Subscribed on the day and year Before Me
A.S. Wallace, Magt             Robert Wilson
Page 18

I do hereby certify that the affiants Robert Wilson above names is a man of good character and sound mins and his testimony entitled to full credit.
A.S. Wallace, Magt

South Carolina
York District
I James Kugkindal Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for York District andState aforesaid do hereby certify that A.S. Wallace Esq is an acting Magistrate in for said District and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof I have herewith subscribed my name, and affixed my seal of office, at office in Yorkville this 15th day of April, A.D. 1846
Ja Kugkendal
Page 19

State of South Carolina
York District
Personally peered before me A.S. Wallace, one of the acting Magistrates in for for said District, Wm. McElwee(?), a resident of the District and State aforesaid aged 84 years, and made oath in [illegible] form of Law, that he was during the days of the Revolution intimately acquainted with John Pursley and wife Mary both citizens of York District but now dead. This deponent for [illegible] makes oath that he lived in these [illegible] neighborhood at the time of their marriage (and at these [illegible]) which took [illegible] seventeen hundred and seventy [illegible] 1777. This deponent further makes oath that to his own personal knowledge the said John Pursley was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, that after the action(?) Charleston in May 1780, deponent joined General Sumter on the east side the Catawber River and then found the aforesaid John Pursley in service under Capt. Hills or Neats(?) Regiment, that soon after deponents joining the Army they had an engagement with the enemy at Rocky mount after which deponent left the Army leaving the said John Pursley in service, and that he believes said John Pursley was out in the Army when called for from this time [illegible] the war ended.
Sworn to and subscribed this 27 July, 1846, Before me 
A.S. Wallace, Magt         Wm McElwee(?)
Page 20

South Carolina
York District
I do hereby certify that Wm McElwee(?) who has this day sworn and subscribed the foregoing affidavit is gentlemen, whose statements are entitled to to full faith and credit.
Given under My hand and and seal this 27th of July, 1846.
A.S. Wallace, Magt

South Carolina
York District
I, James Kugkendal Clerk of the Court of [illegible] and Pleas, do hereby certify that A.S. Wallace whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit is and was at the date thereof an acting Magistrate for said District and that the signature to the signature purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal for office for the said District. July 31st 1846
Ja. Kugkendal
Page 21

No 6733
Mary Pursley decd
widow of John
SC
Act 4 July 1836

Aonw  13 mo  to 15  05 per
$45 pr an

from 4 March 1831 to 21st
April 1845, the day of
her death, payable to
Jane Pursley, Mary Pursley,
Nancy Pursley, Gavin Pursley
, Margaret Pursley
and Sarah Pursley only
surviving Children of Mary
Pursley acc
A S Wallace
Yorkville S.C.
Page 22

Comptroller Genl's Office
Columbia S.C. June 8th 1846.

Book T
Indent 605

Issued the 3rd June 1785 to John Pursley__
for twenty pounds 49 31/2 D sterling for
Militia Duty pr apl audited.
Pvit £20:4 3½ D __Liet £1:8:3 D.___
____________

Book T
Account 605 

John Pursley His ape of duty in the militia
as private before & since the reduction
of Charleston amounting to £20:4:3½ D Ster.g
____________

Book H
Indent 214.

Issued the 3rd August 1784 to Miss Mary
& John Pursley for Twelve pounds 80  11 1/2
D Sterling for supplies for Continental
use in 1781 pr apl audited.  ____
[illegible] £12:8:11 1/2. D Liet £0:17: 4 D.__
____________

I certify the above to be a true copy from the Recor=
=ds in this office

For Comptroller Genl
J. Aug. Black

[very light, hard to read and transcribe,  hand written math calculations at the bottom of the page]
Page 23

6726
Mary Pursley decd
S.C.

Let to Hon. J. Graham
14th May '40
to A S Wallace Sept 23 '46
same Nov. 12. 1846.



Act 4th. July 1836.
Page 24


Yorkville S.C
28th of Oct 1846

Dear Sir

Enclosed is the [illegible] evidence
in the case of Mary Pursley which will be
I hope be satisfactory to show that Pursley and
his wife were living to gether in time of
the war her youngest children are fifty
odd years of age  I was born and raised
within three sites of Mary Pursley and
always understood she was married
in time of the war
Pleas  Examine and report this claim to
me  as soon as convenient Mrs Pursley when
she died was said to be 94 years of age
her oldest children are near seventy I word
strickly judging from appearance
Pleas inform me what disposition
you have made of Eliza Martins
and Rebecca Forkis (or Forke) Claims


Very Respectfully your
A S Wallace


J L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of
Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 25

 J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of 
Pensions
Washington  D C.
Page 26


Yorkville S. Carolina
25th of Nov 1846

Dear Sir

In reply to yours of the 12 inst
I send you the Affadavit of McCasland
Wallace and Mary Sutton proving the
ages of John and Mary Pursleys chil
=dren with the record of the ages of Jonathan
sutons  children in his own
hand writing as it regards the Marriage

I hope this with the Indent for supplies
forwarded in my last will be satisfactory
to show that they were Married at the
time stated by Wm McElwee who swore
he was at the [illegible]

John Pursley is the only man of that
Name of Record and you have his account
in full that is you have all it says
about him
Pleas report the claim to me
at as early a day as convenient

Very Respectfully your
A. J. Wallace

The certificate of [illegible]
J A Black is herewith
enclosed


J L Edwards Esq
Com of Pensions
Washinton 
D.C
Page 27



Payment to be made
at Charleston
by Jno C Cochran
Agent for paying pension= 
ers, in the Agency of
South Carolina 

Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book C. Votume 1
Page 188 by
D H Wood, Clerk.
Page 28

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Revolutionary Claims.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 4th July 1836, Mary Pursley,
deceased, who was the widow
of John Pursley, a private in
the Revolution, late from South 
Carolina was entitled to a
pension at the rate of Forty
four dollars and Sixty Six cents,
 per annum, commencing 4th March
1831, and ending 21st April, Eighteen
hundred and Forty five, when she 
died; and the amount is
payable to Jane, Mary, Nancy,
Gavin, Margaret and Sarah
Pursley only surviving children

Given at the Ward Office of the United States
this Fourteenth day of December
one thousand eight hundred and forty= six

Secretary of War.

SEAL

Examined and
Countersigned.


Commissioner of Pensions.

[hand written note]

should have been $45. ---
instead of $44 66/100. ---
Page 29


I understand that Wm McElwee
Esq and Mr James Stewart 
are offered as evidence to the
Marriage of John and Mary
Pursley whose heirs are now appli
=cants for a Pension due Mary
Pursley now deceased __ I do
hereby certify that the said
Wm McElwee Esq. & James
Stewart are both citizens
of York District So Carolina
of high standing and
unblemished character
and are entitled to the
fullest faith & Credit
James A Black

21st Nov 1846,
Page 30

South Carolina
York District ⎬ Personally appeared
Before me A S Wallace one of the acting
Magistrates in and for said district
James Stuart as resident of the District
and State aforesaid aged 79 years past and
made oath in due form of law that he
was in the days of the revolution as well
as, since well acquainted with John Pursley
a citizen of York District and with
his wife Mary also after their marriage
and well recollects seeing them pass his
Fathers House on their way to Col
Wm Bratton to get married and saw
them return home the same day and
will recollects it was one or two years
before the fall of Charlestown
this deponent further states that he was
intimately acquainted with John Pursley
from the Marriage and that the said
John Pursley lived within the distance
of three miles at the time of death which
took place many years ago & knows that
his wife Mary the Mother of the present
claimant remained a widow from the
death of the said John Pursley
untill her death which took place the last of Apl
Page 31

[illegible] eighteen Hundred and forth five (1845)
sworn to and subscribed this 25th of Aug
1846
Before me
A. S. Wallace (Magt)
James Stewart

South Carolina
York District 

I do hereby certify that
James Stuart who has this day sworn
to and subscribed the foregoing aff
=davit is a gentleman of high char
=acter and sound mind and his
statements entitled to full faith
and credit

Given under my hand and
seal this 25th of Aug 1846
A.S. Wallace Mag


South Carolina ⎬ 
York District 
I, Jas Kuykendall Clerk of
the Court of Common Pleas do hereby
certify that A L Wallace whose signature appears
to the above is a Magistrate duly qualified
and that the foregoing signature purporting
to be his genuine And I do further Certify
that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited
at this office that Mary Pursley widow of John
Pursley a Revolutionary soldier deceased, died
at her residence in the District on the 21st day
of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred & forty five (1845) whose heirs
Page 32

are [illegible] applicants for pension
 
Given under my hand &
Seal of office a York
Court House on the 25th
day of August 1840
Jas Kuykendal
C,C,CPLS