Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31904, for Abram Peavy, Virginia
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SERVICE                                                                         NUMBER

Va.                            Peavy, Abram                                   S.31904

CONTENTS
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Georgia 30901

Abram Peavy
of Taliaferro in the State of Georgia
who was a Private in the Company commanded
by Captain Stewart of the Rgt. commanded
by Col. Stuart in the Virginia
line for 15 months.


Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia
at the rate of 50 Dollars 00 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of Sept.
1836 and sent A.H. Stephens 
Crawfordville Geo

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1836                    $275.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending  [illegible] '37    25.00
                                                                       $300.00

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk,
Book 8 Vol. 6  Page 100
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33.799
Abram Peavy
Georgia
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June7, 1832.

State of Georgia
County of Taliaferro  S.S.
On this Eighteenth day of July in the year Eighteen Hundred and thirty six personally appeared in our open Court, before the Superior Court of said Cunty now sitting Abram Peavy a resident of said County and state aged about seventy seven years to the best of his belief 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 7-1832- that he entered the service of the United Stated under the following named officers and served as here in stated.
   I Abram Peavy do most solemnly State that I entered the service of the United States in the war of the Revolution in the latter part of the year that declaration of independence was made or early in the year after the precise time I do not now recollect in the State of Georgia - that I volunteered and served constantly for the term of six months under Captain John Stuart in said State.  One Col. name was also John Stuart.  We were immediately moved from Richmond County to the Western part of Wilkes County for the purpose of protecting the frontier from the attacks of the Indians.  Our company was for the greater portion of the time stationed or garrisoned at Fort Phillips on Little River which was considered an important point.  We had during this term of service no general battle with the Indians - nor do I recollect that at any time we lost any of our men killed - we suffered much from inclement of weather and want of provisions - about twelve
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months from our return home after the termination of service above stated (the date or year I do not recollect, as I never could read or write and never paid much attention to such things) there was what was called a Florida draft - one draft for men to go to Florida to St Augustine.  The draft was for a term of (3) three months Service and I was drafted - and was marched immediately away - in Captain David Sherill's Company - our first Lieutenant's name was Aaron Grix - and we were in this expedition commanded by Gen. Williamson - we went to within about twelve miles of a place called St. John's and during the campaign had but one engagement and that was with some Creek Indians in which we lost one man killed - and a man named Clarke (who was afterwards Gen Clarke) was wounded.  This term of service was for (3) three months as above stated - after which I again returned home to Richmond County.  Where I remained some time I do not recollect how long - but it was until then was a call for men to go to Savannah to defend that place from the British when I again volunteered in Col. Lews Regiment and in the Company of Captain Thomas Espy for (3) months and hasted to Savannah and was then at its siege.  It was Gen. McIntosh, I think that commanded our forces at that time after which term of service and the British taking possession of the County we had to take escape over the mountains when I remained for some time - how long I do not recollect - but upon my return home to Richmond County I did not stay long until I again volunteered in Col. James Jacksons' Regiment of "light horse" for (3) months and was marched to the low country of Georgia near Ogeechee River on Col. Jackson's plantation when were attached
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by a party of British - commanded by whom I do not recollect - our forces had to relocate this Col. Samuel Jackson was afterwards Gov. of the State of Georgia - and after being discharged from this team I did not enter the service again, but again returned home to Richmond County when I remained until peace was made - the total amount of the time I was in regular constant service being fifteen months - them months of which was when drafted - the other being all volunteer service - Besides this I was often in small volunteer companies called "rangers" formed for the purpose of scouring the country and protecting it from the frequent inroads of the tom's but of which kind of service though it seemed as essential to the country I have made no mention as it would be impossible to connect and embody it in the regular order of its occurrence nor have I any documentary evidence that I know of which I can establish the service above stated, nor do I know of any living witness that can testify to the same.  I do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a Pension or annuity except the resent and I do declare that my name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any state.
And in answer to the questions propounded by the Court according to the requisition of the department he says - 
To the first question - I was born in North Carolina - near Hillsboro - I think it was called Orange county - I do not know in shat year I was born - but I know I was between sixteen + seventeen years old when declaration of Independance was made.  My father moved from North Carolina to Georgia when they said I was fourteen years old.
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To sec. He says that he has now no record of his age.  To the third, He says I was living in the County of Richmond in this State - when called into service that he combined to live then after the war for some years - that he then moved to Wilkes County - and now lives in Taliaferro County Georgia.  To the fourth He says - That he was drafted for one term of three months - all the other service was volunteer service - To fifth, He says - I knew Gen. Williamson and Gen, McIntosh - Col. Jackson, and Col. Few.  To sixth - He says He did get discharges he thinks in all cases.  he knows he did in some - but that as he could not read them they were soon mislaid and lost - he recollected Col. Jas. Jackson gave him one.  To the seventh he refused to answer.
 S. Anderson.   Wm Zinar Farmer
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
Abram his X mark Peavy
We David S. Anderson a justice of the peace and a resident of said County of Taliaferro and Unal T. Farmer being also a resident of said County do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Abram Peavy who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be at least seventy-seven years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood when he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in the opinion. 
David S. Anderson J.P.
Will Farmer
Sworn to and subscribed the day + year above written.
And I Garrett Andrews Judge of said Court do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories subscribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states - And I do further certify that it appears to me that S. Anderson who has signed the preceding certificate is a justice
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of the peace in + for said county of Taliaferro and that Unal Farmer who has also signed the same is a resident in said County of Taliaferro - is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Garrett Andrews
 I.J.C.N.C, Geo a
I Chesley Briston Clerk of the Superior Court of Taliaferro County Georgia do hereby certify that the foregoing (on the first sheet, continued on this half sheet attached by wafers and tape) contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Abram Peavy for a pension.
[On the left side of the page is taped an item that is not identifiable.]
In testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand and affixed the seal of my office. this Eighteenth day of July Eighteen Hundred and thirty six.
Chesley Briston - Clerk
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Georgia
Taliaferro County
Personally before the Inferior Court of said county now sitting Abram Peavy a Revolutionary Soldier, who by way of amendment to his former Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress of 7 June 1832 upon oath saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory, he can not swear positively as to his precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below - For six months a volunteer at Fort Philips - three months in the Florida Campaign - drafted service - three months on a tour to Savannah Volunteer service - and three months under Jackson - as stated in his former declaration.  And he further saith by way of explanation that he was engaged in various other tours of service - of shorter duration which he did not mention in as much as he can to not state the precise number of weeks and days and He was advised that it would not avail to say "about" any term of time - And by way of establishing this he would refer to the oath of Thomas McCormick herewith sent - proving the service of this [illegible] on tour in Barke County not mentioned in his declaration because he could not recollect the precise aught of time - He was also engaged in a term of service under Col. Benjamin Few, through the County of the Altamaha river, which He did not mention for the same reason - also at a Battle of Augusta under Capt. Dooly.  But the terms of service stated by this Deponent, he knew and recollected, and thinks he
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can not be mistaken - in the length in the length of the service - though he may be in this kind.  And he says the reason he has never before applied for his pension is that he did not know how to proceed or much about the thing anyhow.  That he is without learning - and lives in the corner of the County - and from great age and decrepitude he seldom goes from home, and no person interesting him self in his behalf or making known to this deponent how he was to proceed - the matter had remained without any application until the last summer.
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the 21 day of Nov. 1836.
Attest
Quinca O'Neal Clk.
Abram his X mark Peavy
And we the Justices of said Court state that we do believe from the appearance of the applicant and general notoriety that his statements are true.
Given under our hand this 21-Nov. 1836
William Dardin J.
Buford Bird J.
Silvester Lucket J.
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Georgia
Taliaferro County
Personally appeared before me Garrett Gatlin a justice of the peace in + for said county, John B. Jackson who after being duly sworn upon oath saith that he has known Abram Peavy for sixty three years - that he knows that said Peavy was engaged in the War of the Revolution but whether a militia man or enlisted soldier He can not state - or what was the length of his service he can not state.  But this He knows when he was a small boy, he was riding a horse of his aunt's he then said Peavy pushed the horse - and he the said Peavy was known always as a Revolutionary Soldier - and an honorable and indefatigable one - And this deponent further stated that said Peavy is without learning - that he is now very decrepit.  But he has always been of good character and fair standing - and unquestioned veracity.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 21 Nov. 1836.
Jn. B Jackson
Garrett Gatlin J.P.
And I Garrett Gatlin Justice of the Peace aforesaid do hereby State + Certify that I have been acquainted with Mr John B. Jackson the above affiant since my early recollections + know him to be a man of good standing and man of Religion and unquestioned veracity.
Given under my hand 21st Nov. 1836
Garrett Gatlin J.P.
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Georgia
Taliaferro county
Personally appeared before me Garrett Gatlin a justice of the Peace in + for said county Thomas Mc. Cormick who upon oath saith that he had - for a long time been acquainted with Abram Peavy - that he knew him during the Revolutionary War - And that he knows that he was a soldier in said War - but as to the aught of any particular term of service this deponent does not recollect - This deponent and the said Abram not being in the same command - but he recollects of seeing said Peavy frequently during said war.  And once particularly when this deponent was going to Buke jail - under Lut. McAfee.  He the said Peavy being in Capt. Espy's Company.  And this deponent further states that he has known said Peavy ever since - and that he has always been known and considered as a ["soldier of the" is crossed out] Revolutionay soldier.  And a man of truth - though one of but limited learning.  Sworn to and subscribed before me this 21 Nov. 1836.
Garrett Gatlin J.P.
Thomas his X mark McCormick
And I Garrett Gatlin Justice of the Peade aforesaid do hereby State + Certify that I have been acquainted with Mr. Thomas McCormick for a considerable time + know him to be a man of veracity, unquestionably,
Garrett Gatlin J.P.
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Georgia
Taliaferro County
I William G Moody Deputy Sheriff of said County do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with Abram Peavy ever since my recollection - he was intimate in my fathers family - and was always known and received as an Honorable Revolutionary Soldier and I do moreover state to the department that I do verily believe that his statement is entitled to credit and belief.  Given under my hand this 21 - day Nov. 1836.
WG Moddy
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Georgia Taliaferro county
I Abner Darden a Representative of said county in the Legislature of said State so hereby state that I am acquainted with Abram Peavy - and should have no hesitation in giving credence and belief to whatever he would seriously assert and Solemnly affirm.  He is a man of Great age - of limited education - and [clean] in his habits - and above all in needy circumstances - given under my hand this 21 - Nov, 1836.
Abner Darden

Georgia
Taliaferro County
I Quinca O'Neal Clerk of the Inferior court of said County do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in said court Given under my hand and seal of said Court this 21st day of November 1836.
Quinca O'Neal Clk.
[There is attached a seal.]
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[Envelope on left side]
Original July 27
Geo.
[There is a round stamp on the left corner of the envelope.]
[On right corner of envelope.]
Free


To 
James L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
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Crawfordville Georgia
July 19th 1836-
To J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Dear Sir
Inclosed within you have forwarded the declaration of Henry 
Stewart and Abram Peavy applicants for pensions for Revolutionary Soldier.  The papers I believe are properly made out and authenticated according to the requisitions of the War Department.  Mr. Peavy is not acquainted with any minister of the Gospel - he is old and leaves home but seldom - and lives in the immediate neighborhood of any clergyman.  I thought the certificate of the Justice of the Peace and the other gentleman would be sufficient.
In the case of Mr. Stewart I thought it might be as well to send the affidavit of Mr. Finley as it was confirmation of his statement - though from distance and inability it was impossible to get his attendance at court - as the effort was made. - If any defect be discovered however, it can be rectified by its being made known [illegible].  With the papers you will find a power of attorney from both the applicants [illegible] to my management the conduct of their cases.
Yours Respectfully
Alexander H. Stephens
of Crawfordville Georgia
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Abram Peavy
Georgia

Suspended
let 16 Aug 1836.
A. H. Stephens
Adm. 15 mo. $50 per ann.


Act 7 June '32
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31904
Revy INVALID.

File No. 31,904
Abram Peavy
Div Rev War


Act June 7th '32
Index:-Vol. 2, Page 319

[Arrangement of 1870.]
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Abram Peavy
Geo.
amend
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Crawfordville Georgia
Nov. 22,1836.
Dear Sir
Inclosed you have the amended declaration of Mr. Peavy - his first application was sent on you recollect in August or July.  The old man seemed positive as to the length of the periods of his service as stated - though he is not so certain as to the kind of his service - and I would also state that in his amended declaration he is correct in saying that he was advised to omit various short periods of service when he could not state it more precisely than by the word "about" - as I knew the Department could not act upon anything so vague and indefinite + And that is the reason it was not advised to send on the affidavit inclosed of McCormick and Jackson with the first application+ - in as much as they ascertained no specific term of service - & And I would again candidly state that I have no doubt the old man has stated the exact truth in accounting for not having made earlier application.  It was by accident his case was mentioned to me - upon which I went to see him - and inquired the facts.  And was satisfied in my own mind, from his appearance and the opinion of his neighbors - that he was properly deserving and entitled to be placed among the beneficiaries of the Nation.  Any number of certificates of the most respectable character can to be obtained to establish general notoriety and General belief &.  But I particularly refer to the oath of Mr. Jackson, who has always known him and to the certificates of Mr. Moody and Abner Darden - herewith sent.  Mr. Moody says he has known him as a Revolutionary Soldier - &
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I am aware of the very scrupulous caution exercised and necessarily too, by the Department in receiving such applications - But from what seems to be this opinion of those long acquainted with Mr. Peavy - and from what I know of his very needy circumstances.  If the Department can consistently grant unto him some small allowance, I am fully persuaded that it will be thankfully received and not improvidently bestowed.  And if the old maxim that "it is better for ninety nine guilty persons to go free rather than that one innocent person should be punished" be a correct principle, when applied to criminal jurisprudence, It seems to me that a wholesome and charitable application of its consequences might be made with bestowment of favours, and the rewarding of the virtuous brave.  The case is respectfully submitted - hoping that it may receive a kind and favourable reception.  And if the Department can not ful satisfied with the proof of the entire service as stated, according to the precision established we will be satisfied with any thing that may be granted - hoping however that all allowance possible may be made for age - loss of memory - want of early education - lapse of time &.
Respectfully
A. H. Stephens
S.B.  I refer you to Gen. Glascock and Col. Wm. C. Dawson delegates to Congress from this State - for the character of the parties making the statements enclosed &  Particularly Mr. Dawson is personally acquainted with most of them.  A. H. S.
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To
Samuel L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
D.C.
Washington City