Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11085, John Wallis, S.C.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
S. C.

Wallis, John

NUMBER 
R. 11085

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

State of South Carolina
York District

On this 17th day of October 1832
personally appeared in open court before 
His Honor Wm D Martin an associate Judge
of the State aforesaid, now sitting, John 
Wallace a resident of the state and district
aforesaid, aged sixty nine years, who being
duly sworn doth on his oath make the 
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit
of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
1st Inter. - Ans. The Applicant was born in 
Carlisle, Pennsylvania, came to this district
when three years old as he is informed
and believes, and has resided 
here ever since - except for sixteen years
when he resided in Rutherford N.C.
which was about the year 1794 to 1810.
2nd Ans.  Has no record of his age in his 
possession - once had but is now lost.
3rd Ans.  The answer to this interrogatory is 
given above
4th Ans.  Was a volunteer on each occasion.
5th Ans.  My first service was under the 
command of Capt. Saml. Moore and 
Leut. Wm Beard, we proceeded towards Ninety 
Six in search of Tory Cunningham, but
came up with him on Saluda River
when Capt. Moore leaving us on this 
side of the river and taking with him
a few men proceeded across, and was 
surprised by Cunningham and killed.
I assisted in burying him - I returned
home and immediately volunteered until
under the comand of Genl. Henderson
Col. Bratton & Capt. Joseph Smith
Page 3

and proceeded to the four hole Bridge
and lay there three months - returned home
a very short time - turned out again
under the command of Capt John
Wallace, who scoured this and Chester
district to suppress the tories -
this continued during this summer -
The Applicant feels confident that the 
whole length of term of his services
should be estimated at Two years
Ans.  The applicant never received a 
written discharge -
Ans.  He refers for his character for 
veracity and their belief of his services
as a soldier of the revolution to 
the Revd. John Rooker & Mr. Joseph Carrol
The applicant relinquishes every
claim whatever 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 - 

John Wallis  X  his mark

Sworn and subscribed the year
and day above written 
in open Court

A McWhorter
C.C.C.Pls
Page 4

We, the Revd. John Rooker & Joseph Carrol
residing in the State and district aforesaid
hereby certify that we are well acquainted
with John Wallace, the Applicant, that
we believe him to be sixty nine years of
age - that he is reputed and believed in 
his neighborhood to have been a soldier
of the Revolution and that we concur in 
that opinion.

J Rooker
Joseph Carrol

Sworn & subscribed in the day &
year above written

A McWhorter

I, William D Martin, Judge as aforesaid
hereby declare my 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.
I further certify that it appears that the Revd. John
Rooker & Joseph Carrol are residents
of the district and state aforesaid and 
are credible persons and that their statement 
is entitled to credit - & it further appears
to my satisfaction that Joseph [should be John] Rooker is 
a clergyman of said District.
Given under my hand this 
17th October 1832

Wm. D. Martin
Presiding Judge

I Andrew McWhorter Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application 
of John Wallis for a pension.  In Testimony whereof I 
have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this 24th day
of October in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight
Hundred and thirty two and in the fifty seventh year of
the Independence of the United States of America.
Page 5

South Carolina
York District

Personally appeared David Patton
before me and made oath that he served with
the within named declarant John Wallace at the fore
holes for three months and knows that the said
John Wallace served said tour of duty

David Patton

Sworn to before me 
June 14th 1833

J M Ross JQ


South Carolina
York District

I J M Ross a justice of the Quorum do 
hereby certify that the above named David Patton 
is a man of good character and entitled to due
faith and credit
June 14th 1833
J M Ross JQ  [seal]


[written sideways in middle of page]
John Wallace
Applicant
for a pension


The State of South Carolina
York District

Personally appeared John Wallace
the within applicant before me and made oath that the first 
service mentioned in his declaration under the command of Capt.
Saml. Moore against the Tory Cunningham was performed the fall 
of 17[illegible because of ink blot]  that this service continued for two months at least
and he believes now that the second service mentioned
in his declaration as being under the command of Genl.
Henderson was in 1780 and continued for three months,
that the third service mentioned in his declaration as under
Capt. John Wallace was in the summer  of 1782 and continued 
for three months at least, that in all these tours
of duty he acted as a private militia soldier, that 
he has no documentary evidence of any of his services nor can
he prove them by any witness now living except his service
at the four holes which he can prove by David Patton

J Wallis

Sworn to before me 
June 14th 1833

J M Ross JQ


State of South Carolina
York District

I Andrew McWhorter Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for 
the District aforesaid do certify that J M Ross whose certificate 
and attestations appear above is & was at the time of Attesting and 
Certifying an acting Justice of the Quorum for the District aforesaid
and full faith & credit is due & ought to be given to his Official
Acts as such & do further Certify that David Patton whose
Signature appears above is a man of veracity & entitled to credit
Given under my hand & Seal of Office at York Court House
June 14th 1833. -

A McWhorter
C.C.C.Pls
Page 6

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.

REJECTED

11,085
P. O.  [blank]
John Wallis
Service:  [blank]
Enlisted:  [blank date]
Discharged:  [blank date]
Application filed:  [blank date]
Alleges:  [blank]
Re-enlisted:  [blank]
Attorney:  [blank]
P.O.  [blank]

[blank] Recognized.    [blank] Contract.
Page 7

South Carolina
--------------
John Wallis
Rejected

See let to A McWhorton [should be McWhorter]
York C.H.
So. Ca.

Let to Ho. James Rogers
H.R.  May 31. 1836.
Jas. Kuykendal  March 16 1848

Act:  7 June 1832
Page 8

I HEREBY certify, that the accompanying pages numbered from 
one to four inclusive, are truly copied from the originals in 
the Office of the Commissioner of Pensions, Department of War.

J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.

BE IT REMEMBERED, That JAMES L. EDWARDS, who has signed
the foregoing certificate, is Commissioner of Pensions; and that to his attestations
full faith and credit are and ought to 
be given.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto 
subscribed my name, and caused the seal of 
the Department to be affixed, on this thirty-
first day of May
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and thirty-six.

C. A. Harris
Acting Secretary of War.

[seal]
Page 9

Washington   July 4th 1838

George W. Williams Esqr.

Sir

I have just received the within copy of old W
Wallace declaration and enclose it.  it has been made out some time back [?] 
has been lying in the office till I would call for it, and has just adjoined 
in great [?] confusion [?] in haste

yours respectfully
James Rogers
Page 10

34413
John Wallis
[illegible]
2
3
Reject
- Rejected -
See let to 
A W Whorton
4.3.13.14
York C.H.
So. Ca.
P - 232
Page 11

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 Wallis which require
further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?  [blank]

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  [blank]

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?  No

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 amout of pension 
he is entitled?  No

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

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

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?  [blank]

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?  [blank]

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?  [blank]
Page 12

2

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?  [blank]

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?  No

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?  No
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?  [blank]
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and 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?  [blank]

XVI.  ‡Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct?  [blank]

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? [blank] And, 
if not, which of them is not so answered?  [blank]

------------------------------------
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 13

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 14

State of South Carolina
York District

On this 17th day of October 1832
personally appeared in open court before His Honor
Wm D. Martin an associate Judge of the State aforesaid
now sitting, John Wallace [Wallis] a resident of 
the State and district aforesaid, aged sixty nine
years who being duly sworn, doth on his oath make
the following declaration in order to obtain 
the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 
7th 1832  
1st Interr.  Ans  The Applicant was 
born in Carlisle Pennsylvania came to this district
when three years old as he is informed and 
believes and has resided here ever since - 
except for sixteen years when he resided in Rutherford
NC which was from about the year 1794 to 
1810.
2nd Ans  Has no record of his age in his 
possession - once had it but is now lost -
3rd Ans  The answer to this interrogatory is given above
4th Ans  Was a volunteer on each occasion
5th Ans  My first service was under the command 
of Capt. Saml. Moore and Leut Wm Beard we
proceeded towards Ninety Six in search of Tory
Cunningham but came up with him on Saluda
River when Capt. Moore leaving us on this side
of the river and taking with him a few men
proceeded across and was surprised by Cunningham
and killed - I assisted in burying him - I returned
home and immediately volunteered under the 
command of Genl. Henderson Col Bratton & Capt. 
Joseph Smith and proceeded to the four hole
Bridge and lay there three months - returned
home a very short time turned out again under 
the command of Capt. John Wallace who scoured
this and Chester district to suppress the tories -
this continued during this summer - The Applicant
feels confident that the whole length of the term
Page 15

2.

of his seveses should be estimated at Two years
6th Ans  The applicant never recieved a written 
discharge
7th Ans  He refers for his character for veracity
and their belief of his services as a 
soldier of the revolution to the Revd John
Rooker & Mr Joseph Carrol
The applicant relinquishes every claim
whatever 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

John Wallis  X  his mark

Sworn and subscribed the year and 
day above written 
in open court

A M Whorton
C.C.C.Pls

We the Revd John Rooker & Joseph Carrol residing in the 
State and district aforesaid hereby certify that we
are well acquainted with John Wallace, [Wallis] the applicant.
that we believe him to be sixty nine years
of age - that he is reputed and believed in his 
neighborhood to have been a Soldier of the Revolution
and that we concur in that opinion

J Rooker
Joseph Carral

Sworn & subscribed in the day & year above written

A M Whorton QU

I William D. Martin, Judge as aforesaid hereby
declare my 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.  I further certify that it appears that 
the Revd. John Rooker & Joseph Carrol are residents
of the district and State aforesaid and are
credible persons and that their statement
Page 16

3
is entitled to credit - & it further appears to my
satisfaction that Joseph Rooker [should be John] is a clergyman
of said District
Given under my hand this 17th October 1832

Wm D. Martin
Presiding Judge

I Andrew M Whorton Clerk of the Courts of
Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing 
contains the original proceedings of the said Court
in the matter of the application of John Wallis for a 
pension.  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto 
set my hand and seal of office this 24th day of 
October in the year of our Lord one Thousand
eight Hundred and thirty two and in the fifty
seventh year of the Independence of the United
States of America

A M Whorton
C.C.C.Pls
[seal]


South Carolina
York District

Personally appeared David Patton before 
me and made oath that he served with 
the within named declarant John Wallace at the four
holes for three months and knows that the said John Wallace
served said tour of duty

David Patton

Sworn to before me
June 14th 1833

J M Ross QU


South Carolina
York District

I J. M. Ross a Justice of the Quorum do 
hereby certify that the above named David Patton is a 
man of good character and entitled to due faith and 
credit   June 14th 1833

J M Ross QU [seal]


The State of South Carolina
York District

Personally appeared John Wallace
the within applicant before me and made oath that the first
service mentioned in his declaration under the command of Capt 
Samuel Moore against the tory Cunningham was performed
the fall of 1780  that this service continued for two months
Page 17

4

at least and he believes more, that the second service
mentioned in his declaration as being under the 
command of Genl. Henderson was in 1782 and continued
for three months, that the third service mentioned in 
his declaration as under Capt. John Wallace was in 
the summer of 1782 and continued for three months
at least, that in all these tours of duty he acted as a 
private militia soldier, that he has no documentary evidence
of any of his services nor can he prove them by any witness
now living except his service at the four holes which
he can prove by David Patton

J Wallis

Sworn to before me 
June 14th 1833

J M Ross QU


State of South Carolina
York District

I Andrew M Whorton Clerk of the 
Court of Common Pleas for the District
aforesaid do certify that J M Ross whose certificate
and attestations appear above is & was at the 
time of attesting and certifying an acting Justice
of the Quorum for the District aforesaid and 
full faith & credit is due & ought to be given to 
his official acts as such & do further certify
that David Patton whose signature appears above
is a man of veracity & entitled to credit
Given under my hand & seal of office at York
Court House June 14th 1833

A M Whorton
C.C.C. Pls
[seal]
Page 18

South Carolina
York District

Personally appeared John Wallace [Wallis]
in open court before me Benjamin
Chambers, Judge of the Court of Ordinary for York
District, who being sworn according to law, doth
make the following amendment tohis declaration
for a Pension, made before Hon W D Martin 17
Oct 132 & now on file in the War department, in 
order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
passed June 7th 1832, in relation to pensions &c.
The deponent says that the two months
service first mentioned in his declaration, was 
in the performance of military duty strictly - that
he was regularly mustered into service & marched
from post to post, in search of the enemy, always
ready & prepared to give him battle - The deponent
says, that of all the other periods of service mentioned
in his said declaration, he has to say the same -
He was regularly mustered into service - under
the command of regularly appointed & commissioned
officers and the army of which he was in
private.  on all occasions cooperated with the other
forces in South Carolina, in defeating the enemy
Deponent further says that it was considered
highly important, in the time when he was in 
service, to keep forces marching from post to post &
from station to station to keep in check & when practicall
give battle to the tories - Deponent says that 
his declaration is wrong where he is made to say
that he was a volunteer in all the periods of his 
service - he was drafted regularly for the two
first periods mentioned  

John Wallis

Sworn to & subscribed
in open court January 3d 1838.

Benjm. Chambers QU
Page 19

South Carolina
York District

I James Kuykendal Clerk of the 
Court of Common Pleas for York
district, hereby certify that Benjamin Chambers
before whom the foregoing declaration was made
is & was at the time of making the same, the
Judge of the Court of Ordinary for York 
district - & that all his official acts as such are
entitled to full faith & credit - that the signature 
purporting to be his is genuine - and that
he has no public seal of office - In testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed
the seal of office at office in Yorkville on
2d day of March 1838

Ja Kuykendal
C.C.C.Pls

[no seal seen]
Page 20

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

NAME   Wallis, Joseph  GRADE  Private  LINE  Connecticut

WARRANT NUMBER  6650  ACREAGE  100  ISSUED  Jan. 20, 1797
to - not shown -


* The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are
registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent
dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.
Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.