Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 17998, David Hamilton, S.C.
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( 3-1776 ) SERVICE S.C. Hamilton, David NUMBER S. 17998 carded
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23.802 South Carolina David Hamilton of Pickens  in the  State of Do Car  who was a pri in the  __ commanded by Captain __  in the Regt. commanded by Sumter in the So Ca line for 2 years ( Regt Com Cert  ) Inscribed on the  Roll of Sol Carolina at the rate of 80 Dollars __ Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. Certificate of Pension issue the 8 day of Apl. '34  and sent -  J Grisham Falls P.O. So . Ca.  Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 $ 240 Semi-anl. allowance ending  4 Sept  $ 40 ( total  $280 ) { Revolutionary Claim Act June 7 , 1832 } Recorded by N. Rice Clerk Book E Vol. 6 Page 69
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Let. Agt. June 16 '35 J Grisham  Sept 10 '35 payt sus'd
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[ State of South Carolina Pickens District ] On this twentieth day of November  in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and  thirty two personally  appeared  before me James Osborn  a Justice of the Quorum for the  .. ( illegible )  and State aforesaid  David Hamilton  a resident of Pickens District aged eighty two 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 the 7th 1832 .That he was enlisted as a regular soldier  and that he entered the service of the United States under  Col. Heal  who was under Genl Williamson  at that time, his Captain was by the name of Kirkpatrick. they were  Militia officers, he entered the service  under the above named officers in the year seventeen hundred and  seventy five and continued with them about twelve months was in pursuit of the unfriendly  Indians  at different times , but never engaged in a general battle - he was then  removed or rather volunteered with Captain  Jamison  who was under Genl. Sumpter and continued with  General Sumpter
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until the close of the war. He  was traded from  Capt. Jamison's company  to Capt.  John Kirkpatrick's company  he was during the whole of the war  engaged in the services off the United States but  moved out of the State of South Carolina  , he was engaged in the  battle of Rockey Mount , and at the battle at the Hanging Rock, and at Blackstocks  on Tyger River, where General Sumpter received a wound and in many other skirmishes  & small parties regiments , he was also in the battle at Sharbrooks (?) plantation   where Gen Sumpter and Mario was present - at the Hanging Rock he received a bullet through his clothing  in a small skirmish  he was knocked down  with  Gen . and injured his head considerably , he was taken prison.... two horses and thirty  prisoners taken from  him  one horse he obtained  ... ( illegible ) he never got.  neither  did he ever get the money back.  In answers to the interrogatories proposed by the War Department  he makes the following statement.
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He was born in the year  1750 - he was born in Scotland  & came to the United States when a child.  He has a record of his age at his house in a family Bible. He lived in the State of South Carolina  and District of York at the time he entered into  service. He has been living since the Revolution in the District of Pendleton  So. Carolina and now lives in the District of Pickens So. Carolina. He volunteered into the service . He was mostly under General Sumpter  the general circumstances  have already been given above. He never received a discharge. He has many neighbors who can testify as to his good character for veracity  and good behavior. He does not know of but two persons living  who could testify  as to his service  John Craig  & Thomas Hamilton . Sworn to  & subscribed the day & year  aforesaid before me  James Osborn ( signed ) J.Q. .  David Hamilton ( signed ) We Charles Durham  a clergyman residing in the  District of Pickens and Thomas G. Boggs residing in the  District of Pickens hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Hamilton who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration , that we believe him to be eighty two years of age, the his is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution  and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed  the date & year aforesaid before me James Osborn ( signed ) J.Q.  Charles Durham ( his mark X ) Thomas G. Boggs ( signed )
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I the said Justice of the Q.U.  do hereby declare that  after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories  prescribed by the Ear department that  the  above named applicant was a   Revolutionary soldier and served as he states , and I further certify that Charles Durham  who has signed  the preceding certificate  is a clergy man resident in  the District of Pickens  , Thomas G. Boggs  who has also signed ... ( illegible ) is a resident in the District of Pickens and are credible persona s and that their statement is entitled to credit. And I further certify that  Daviid Hamilton  from bodily infirmity   I believe to be unable to attend in open Court  for the purpose of obtaining a pension . Given under my hand  this 20th day of November  1832. James Osborn ( signed )    [ The State of South Carolina Pickens District ] Personally appeared John  Craig  before me  William L. Keith  ...( illegible )  of  the Court and  by virtue of office Justice of the Quorum  who  after being duly sworn  saith on his oath that he is well acquainted with   David Hamilton who is about to make application for a pension under the act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832, and    lived with him for five or six years  and was with him in several battles in the Revolutionary war. Sworn to the 3rd day of December .. ( illegible )  before  William L . Keith  ( signed ) CC & Ex-of. Qu John Craig ( signed )  [ South Carolina Pickens  District ] I  William L . Keith  clerk of the Court  of Sessions  and Common  Pleas for the District and State  aforesaid do certify that James Osborn  whose  signature  appears to the within affidavits  purporting to be his  is genuine and he is an acting Justice of the Quorum for  said District duly qualified  and commissioned  and  that due faith and credit are due him in all his official acts  as such. Given under my hand and seal of the Court at office at Pickens Court House the  27 day of December  18 __ ( illegible )  William L. Keith ( signed / sealed ) C.C.G.S. & C.C. P.
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[ State of Georgia Hall County ] Know all men by these presents that I Samuel  Fraser of the County of Hall and State of  aforesaid  and son in law and heir at law of David Hamilton , ( a pensioner )   late of Pickens District South Carolina deceased hereby constitute  and appoint Joseph Sturges  Esq.  formerly of Georgia ( now of Washington City D.C )  my tree and lawful attorney  and agent to prosecute the claims of David Hamilton  for any amount of Revolutionary pension or increase of pension  that may be due and hereby authorize said  Agent to  examine all the papers and documents in relation to said claim, on file in the departments at  Washington  City and to receive  the certificate  which may be issued for said claim, and to appoint one or more substitutes  under him for the purposes  herein expressed, and to do all things  that I might or could do were  I personally present. Hereby ratifying  and confirming  all that my said attorney  and   Agent  shall lawfully do int he premises. Witness my hand  and seal this  12th day of May  A.D. 1852. Signed and sealed in presence of  Joseph A Fraser ( signed ) James Roberts ( signed ) J.C.  Samuel Fraser ( signed ) [ state of Georgia Hall County ] ss. On this the 12th day of May A.D.  1852  before me , a Justice of the Inferior Court  in and for the  County aforesaid personally appeared Samuel Fraser  and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney  to be his act and deed, for the purposes  therein  mentioned. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand  the day and year aforesaid .  James Roberts ( signed ) J.I.C.
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Power of atty  of Saml Fraser  will the court inform me  as to this disposition of the case. Joseph Hays  Ex ___ Jos. Sturgess  Atty  July 1852
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[ State of Georgia Hall County  ] I  William Sitton  clerk of the Superior Court in  & for the Count and State aforesaid  do hereby certify that James Roberts , whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing   power of attorney  is  & was at the date thereof  a Justice of the Inferior Court  in  & for the said County and State duly  commissioned and qualified , and that all his acts as such are entitled to full faith and credit. Given under my hand and seal of office at Gainesville on this 15th day of May A.D.  1852. William Sitton ( signed / sealed ) Clerk
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17.998 INVALID  File No  17998 David Hamilton  Pri Rev War Act June 7th  32 Index: - Vol. 1 Page 166 ( Arrangement of 1870 )
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Falls S.C.  26 Nov. 1833  Dear Sir, I now enclose you the application of David Hamilton , he is certainly  one of the most deserving of the remnant of the old war. Yours truly  Joseph Grisham ( signed )   James L. Edwards Esq.
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Falls  5th August ... ( illegible ) James L Edwards Esquire Commissioner of Pensions   Dear Sir, I now return the application of  my old friend David Hamilton  , he i now old palsied & unable to  attend tohis business . I am truly sorry that his papers were not sufficiently   explicit  before , but it is  right to exact a rigid compliance  with the Law & I hope you will not require more than what is right. We are bad off for want of a representative who will interest himself for these care worn soldiers/ The papers in the cases of Zaph Tanney  & Francis Gilles are supplied by Mr. Davis,  are they  in your office ?  these poor old men have solicited me to attend to  their cases. I am dear sir with great respect your obt. servant . Joseph Grisham ( signed )
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of                                  David Hamilton                                                               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 here sides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? 

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?  No
                                                                  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  No

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?  No.    No
                  

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
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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? 

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? 

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? 

Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 

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? 

XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? 
                                                   1/3
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? Yes
                                                          ________________________________
                                                                     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.
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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 pension 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 embolied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either 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 a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the 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 oflicer, 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.

He served in the year 1776 Not less mo - days
under Capts-                 1777  ---       mo  - days
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David Hamilton  Lieut.   & private  Affidavit of  John Craig .
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[ The State of South Carolina ] Before the undersigned  a Justice of the   Quorum for the  District of Pickens  personally appeared John Craig  a person to me well known  worthy of all credit for truth  and honesty   And made oath that the two or three last years of  the  War of the Revolution  he was nearly all the time out on duty as a  soldier and that he does  well know that  there were many men who had volunteered in the service of their country   who were very little at home for the two or three  last years of the war. The fact is that the good Whigs were not safe at home in the  upper part of the State of South Carolina  . And of the small army of such it  could be said  there was many  out constantly on duty  , on such duty as the officers directed. sometimes e=sent on scouts for or five a company  sometimes half a company   & as a battalion  in this manner they were out in the service  all the time except  sometimes in going home for clothes or to get a fresh horse or some such business  . Among  those best known  to this deponent as  Good Whigs ,and  true was David  Hamilton Esquire  who was much with this deponent  in the said War   and  toward the close was a Lieutenant. However extraordinary  it may appear  it is not the less true that David Hamilton   & William Hillhouse and several others of his companions of York District and that section of the Country  were
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for several of the last years of the war  of the Revolution . David Hamilton  Esquire is old and his memory  so much impaired that he does not recollect  many occurrences and which made such  strong impression  upon the mind of this deponent that he does not now believe he can ever  forget them.  Sworn to  the  3rd Nov 1833  before  Nathan Boon ( signed  / sealed ) J Q John Craig ( his mark )  I William L. Keith Clerk of the  Court of r Pickens District in the  State of South Caroline  do hereby certify  that Nathan Boon  whose signature appears to the  foregoing affidavit is a Magistrate as above stated, and that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine.  Given under my hand and seal of office at Pickens Court House  this __ day of October in the year of our Lord  one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.  William L. Keith ( signed ) Clerk of  Court for Pickens District
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[ State of South Carolina Pickens District ] Personally appeared  before me the undersigned a Justice of the  peace David Hamilton , 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. In the year 1776  he served under Capt. Kirkpatrick , who was .. I( illegible )   Col. Neal & Col. Neal  was under Gen. Williamson not less than 2 months in an expedition  against the Cherokee Indians . The most service he did was in the year  he thinks of 1779  under Gen. Lincoln , Col. Neal Capt. Kirkpatrick no less than 4 months . In the year 1780  He served under Gen. Sumpter , Col . ... ( illegible )  Capt. Jamison not less that 12 months. He was in the battle of Hanging  Rock  & Rocky Mount. In the year 1781  he thinks he served the whole year under Fen. Sumpter , Col. Moffett  & Capt. Jamison  &  Capt.. .. ( illegible )  not less that  12 months. In the year 1782  He served under Gen . Sumpter , Col. Bratton & Capt. Wood  as 1st Lieutenant and .. ( illegible ) wood not less than 5 months. In all he served as a private not less that 2 years... ( illegible )  and as a first Lieutenant  5 months, to the best of his  recollection  & belief his memory being greatly  impaired, and this deponent further saith that during  the year 1780  and 81  he was not  employed in any civil pursuit  in any way whatever  and that during the said term he was  employed in active service and was in several
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skirmishes besides those above  stated and he further saith  that he is of  opinion  that General S.B. Earle  , Doct. John  Robinson ,  Col F. N. Garvin , Rev Charles Durham  , Rev.  John Cobb  , James Osborn Esq., Col Joseph Grisham will all certify   that I am a man  of good moral character  and a man the is to be relied on on his oath  or word. Sworn to  and subscribed  before me this 1st August 1833 . David Hamilton ( signed ) F N Garvin ( signed )  [ South Carolina Pickens District ] I F. N. Garvin  a Justice of the peace in  and for the District of Pickens do hereby certify that  David Hamilton is a man to me well known  and has been for  20 years and is a man that is always since my acquaintance supported a good character  and is a man of truth  and probity  and  has always been believed to have been a revolutionary soldier and true  Whig. F N Garvin ( signed ) J.P. [ The State of South Carolina Pickens District ]  I , William L . Keith clerk of the Court for the  District aforesaid  do certify  that  Frederick N Garvin  Esquire is an acting Justice of the peace for said District  duly appointed, sworn  &  acting  & that  all due faith is  and ought to be given  to his testimonial. Given under my hand  & seal  of the Court  5th August  1833. Wm. L. Keith ( signed ) Clerk
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[ South Carolina Pickens District ] We the undersigned  citizens of said Dist. do hereby certify that we are acquainted with David Hamilton  who has made  application for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7th  1832. , and that he sustained a good character  both for veracity and honesty and that he is  reputed and believed to have been a revolutionary soldier. and a good Whig. James Osborn ( signed ) JP Andrw. Hamilton ( signed ) W. Holland ( signed )  T. G. Boggs ( signed ) William Boggs ( signed ) John Odell ( signed ) Joseph Grisham  ( signed ) [ The State of South Carolina Pickens District ] I William L. Keith  clerk of the Court of General Sessions and  Common Pleas do certify that the  persons whose names  appears to the above certificate is citizens of Pickens  District and men of as much respectability  as any men that resides in said District . Given under my hand  and seal of the  Court at office at Pickens Court House  the 3rd day of December 1832 /  William L. Keith ( signed / sealed ) CCP.
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David Hamilton  application for  pension  30.338  Return answer to  Joseph Grisham  Falls Post office  Pickens District S.C.
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[The State of South Carolina Pickens District ]  Before me personally came  David Hamilton  and made oath  that  to amend  and explain his application  for a pension  under the act of Congress of 7th June 1832. That  in June 1776  he turned out a volunteer under  Col. Neal  That .. ( illegible )  at that time about two months , the next service he did he was called out to the  Stono expedition he turned out in March  before the fall of Charleston,  he then  served four months . The next service he did was called into service under Genl. Sumpter and was with him during the time the British  remained in possession of Charleston and continued in the service until the close of the war, and about  four months before the close of the war he was  appointed Lieutenant  & served  as a Lieutenant  till the close of the war and was acting as Lieut. at the battle at  Shumates  . He further declares that he did  served during the war five months as a Lieut.  & he believes three years as private , he cannot recollect dates by occasion  of the  loss of memory . He was a private about three .. (illegible )    First Lieutenant  five months  and he further swears that he doth hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & that he is not on the pension  list of any State or the agency of any State.
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This deponent further saith that he has the evidence of John Craig a living witness , who was with him  for several years  and who served often in the same company  and who , through the war for six years  , was much of  their time in the service . This deponent  is  infirm and  bad recollection   but few of the persons who served with him are now living  and that generally at a distance.  Sworn to  5 May  1833 . before Bailey  Barton ( signed ) Q.U. David Hamilton ( signed ) [ The State of South Carolina Pickens District ]  Before me personally  came John Craig  who made oath , that he was for upwards of there years  in the service of the United States as a volunteer  etc. This deponent saith that he was in several battles with the said  David Hamilton  at the Battles of Rocky Mount, Hanging Rock , Blackstocks, besides several  skirmishes  and the said D. Hamilton  was his Lieut. at the  Battle of the Shumates. This deponent  knows that the said David Hamilton  was a brave soldier  & has  always supported a good moral character This deponent  was acquainted with  the said Hamilton before the war & all  the time since - about  sixty years past. Sworn to  6th May  1833 before Bailey Barton  ( signed ) J. Q.  John Craig (his mark )  I certify that  John Craig is a  credible person and respectable citizen of  this  District . 6th May  1833. Bailey Barton ( signed ) J.Q.
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The State of South Carolina  I William L. Keith Clerk of the Court for Pickens District  and the State aforesaid  do hereby certify that  Bailey Barton  Esquire  whose signature appears to the foregoing affidavit  is a Magistrate duly appointed & now acting  .. ( illegible )  said District , that the  signature is his proper hand writing , and that all due faith  & credit  is and ought to be given to his attestations as such. Given under my hand  & seal of the Court  this sixth day of May  1833 . William L. Keith ( signed / sealed ) C.C.G.S. & C.C.P.
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[ State of South Carolina Pickens District ] On this the  8th day of October  1833 personally  appeared before the  Honorable  John S. Richardson one of the  associate Judges of the said State  presiding at ta Court of Sessions  and  Common Pleas  at Pickens Court House for Pickens District  David Hamilton  a resident of the State and District aforesaid aged  84 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 a volunteer in the month of June  1776 under  Capt. Kirkpatrick of  Col. Neal's Regiment and served three months  he then in the year 1779   volunteered  under Col. Neal and served three months   was in the Battle at Hanging rock  he then in the latter part of  the same year volunteered under  Capt. Barnet and General Sumpter  was in the Battle at Blackstock and served six months he then in the year 1780  he believes in the month of May  volunteered under Col. Williams and served from that time continuously  until October 1781  under different  officers during which time he acted or served  as Lieutenant  namely the last  five months of his service under Capt. Woods and Col. Bratton  and that the company to which  he belonged  was divided and he was and took command  of one half the company  and was with  General Sumpter  and General Marion in Battle at Shubricks (?) where they  took a great many  prisoners and the enemy's baggage wagons  . He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and he declares that his name is not
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on the pension roll of any agency in any State. and that he is the same David Hamilton  that made application last October and that he cannot state with precision ( from the loss of memory occasioned by old age and bodily infirmities ) the particular times of his entering and having the services at length , but has endeavored to come near doing so as possible. This declarant saith that he was born  in Scotland on the 3rd day of January  1750 , he saith  that he has a record of his age in  a family Bible at home. He lived in York District South Carolina  when he entered the service and that he moved from  York to Pendleton District  now Pickens to the same place  where he now lives and has lived for near forty  years and that  entered the service a volunteer and done all his service a volunteer , he was a short time under General  Green, General Lincoln , he was in the battles of Rocky Mount , Hanging Rock, Blackstocks, on Tyger River and  General Sumpter  was there wounded and he was in the  Battle at Shubricks he received no discharges in writing  nor no commission while he acted as an officer. He is well known to  General Earle, Col Joseph Grisham. Col. John Hunter, Dr.. John Robretson and Col. F.N. Garvin who can testify to the veracity  of his testimony as well as the  of my being a revolutionary soldier. Sworn in open Court and subscribed the day and year aforesaid  in open Court before William L. Keith ( signed ) C.C.  David Hamilton  ( signed )
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And the Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier  and served as he states.  I William L. Keith  clerk of the Court of  Pickens District do hereby  certify that  the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of David Hamilton for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 8th day of October 1833.   We Charles Durham  a clergyman  residing in the  District of Pickens  and Joseph Grisham  residing in the same  place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with David Hamilton  who has subscribed and  sworn to the above declaration , that we believe him to be  84 years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid  in open Court before  William L. Keith ( signed ) C.C.  Charles Durham ( his mark X )  Joseph Grisham ( signed )  And the said Court  do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that   the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier  and served as he states, And the Court  further certifies that   it appears to them that  ____ who has signed the preceding certificate  is a clergyman residing in the  District of Pickens and that Joseph  Grisham
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who has also signed the same is also a  resident in the District of Pickens and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.  J S Richardson ( signed ) Pres. Judge  I, William L. Keith  clerk of the  Court of Pickens District  do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceeding s of the said Court  in the matter of the application of David Hamilton for a pension . In testimony whereof  I have hereunto set my hand and  seal of office this 8th day of October 1833. William L. Keith ( signed ) Clerk of  Court for Pickens District. ( vertical on page ) ( David Hamilton  Lieut. & private ) ( return answer to Col. Jas. Grisham  Falls , S.C. )