Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,300, Francis Whelchel, S.C.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
S. C.
Whelchel, Francis
Welchel or _____ 
Judah or Judith 

NUMBER
R. 11.300 

CONTENTS
Sons residence Ga. in 1854
Page 2

State of Georgia
Hall County 
Know all men By these presents that I John Whelchel Claimant to a Pension for Services performed by my father Francis Whelchel in the War of the revolution that I hereby constitute and appoint John L Edwards of Washington City DC my true and lawfull attorney for me and in my name to investigate all papers on file in the Pension office and else where, touching my claim as the Son of Francis Whelchel, and to introduce any new evidence or testimony that he may deem necesary for the recovery of said Claim hereby rattifying are conferring all that my said attorney may lawfully do in [illegible] of these presents, Witness my hand and seal this the 16 day of November 1854 
John Whelchel 
Attest
Jacob Eberhart JP
W C Cole  Notary Public
 
Signed Seald and Deliverd in presents of these witnesses in testimony where of I hither to set my hand and affix my seal of office this 16 day of November 1854
W.C. Cole  Notary Public
Page 3

February 24, 1937

John Whelchel, W. 6498
Francis Whelchel, R. 11300
BA-J/MLB

Mrs. S. T. Dowda
2646 South Seventh
Abilene, Texas

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Dr. John Whelchel who was wounded at the battle of Cowpens, and whose widow Abigail Davis Whelchel, received pension under No. W. 6498, and of Francis Whelchel, 2nd, who was also in the battle of Cowpens and other battles, and whose wife was Judith Davis, a sister of Abigail.
Their records are as follow:
JOHN WHELCHEL
W. 6498
The data herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, W. 6498, based upon service in the Revolutionary War of John Whelchel.
John Whelchel (whose surname appears, also, as Whitsal and Weitzel) was born October 11, 1756, in Albemarle County, Virginia; was the son of Francis Whelchel, Senior, and of German descent; the name of his mother is not shown.
While a resident of Union District, South Carolina, John Whelchel enlisted May 25, 1777, served as private in Captain James Stein's company, Colonel John Thomas' South Carolina regiment, and aided in destroying several Cherokee Indian towns, length of service, three months ten days. He enlisted March 1, 1778, and served three months ten days as private in Captain James Terrell's company, Colonel William Wofford's South Carolina regiment. He enlisted April 1, 1779, and served three and one half months as private in Captain James Terrell's company, Colonel Brandon's South Carolina regiment. He next volunteered, served as private in Captain John Thompson's company, Colonel Andrew Neel's South Carolina regiment, was in the battle of Rocky Mount and an engagement at the mouth of Fishing Creek and was discharged after having served three months. He went to Rowan
Page 4

County, North Carolina, where he enlisted and served as private in Captain John Thompson's company, Colonel Williams' South Carolina regiment, was in the battle of Kings Mountain and Black Stocks after which he joined Captain Whitesides' company, Major Singleton's Battalion, and was discharged after having served a tour of four months twenty days. He enlisted, served as a private in Captain John Thompson's company, Colonel Brandon's South Carolina regiment, was in the battle of Cowpens, about twenty-nine miles from his home, was severely wounded in that battle by four cuts on his head and three or four stabs, length of this tour three months. Soon after recovery from his wounds, he enlisted in Captain Robert Montgomery's company, Colonel Brandon's South Carolina regiment, was in the battle of Eutaw Springs and was discharged in 1781 after having served on this tour three months.
John Whelchel's brothers, Davis, William and Francis Whelchel, Junior, served as his comrades during the Revolution and his father was employed in attending the sick. After the war, John Whelchel was known as Doctor John Whelchel and was eminent in curing cancer.
John Whelchel while living in Union District, South Carolina, was pensioned in 1823 by the State of South Carolina and drew pension to the time of his death.
The soldier was allowed pension, also, by the United States, on his application executed September 3, 1832, at which time he was living in Hall County, Georgia. He died there March 14, 1837.
John Whelchel married July 15, 1784, in Union District, South Carolina, Abigail Davis who was born June 10, 1754; the place of birth and names of her parents are not shown.
Soldier's widow, Abigail Whelchel, was allowed pension on her application executed April 6, 1844, while a resident of Gilmer County, Georgia. In 1848, she was a resident of Cherokee County, Georgia. She died October 17, 1851.
The following names of children of the soldier, John Whelchel, and his wife, Abigail, are shown in the claim:
Samuel Whelchel, born May 14, 1785
John " " October 27, 1787
Francis " " May 21, 1790
William " " May 6, 1793
Judith " " June 18, 1797
In 1856, the only children named above still surviving were John and Francis Whelchel, and Judith who was then the wife of McAdams, all of
-2-
Page 5

whom were then living in Hall County, Georgia; the given name of Judith McAdam's husband was not stated.
In 1823, reference was made to one Captain John Whelchel, of Union District, South Carolina, with no explanation of his rank or other details given. In 1845, one Francis Whelchel, aged sixty-two years, was living in Hall County, Georgia. In 1848, one John Whelchel witnessed the signature by mark of Abigail Whelchel, soldier's widow, in Cherokee County, Georgia, and in 1856, one Davis Whelchel, Senior, was living in Hall County, Georgia. The relationship of none of the above-named to soldier's family was shown.

FRANCIS WHELCHEL
R. 11300
The records of this office show that Juda or Judith, widow of Francis Whelchel, of Georgia, applied for pension on account of her husband's services as a soldier of Colonel Brandon's South Carolina regiment, War of the Revolution, and that she died sometime prior to 1853 in Georgia.
This claim was not allowed owing to lack of proof of military service of six months as required by the pension laws.
Francis Whelchel and his wife, Juda or Judith, had children but the only name designated as such was that of John Whelchel who, in 1854, was a resident of Hall County, Georgia. There are no further data on file as the papers in the claim were sent July 8, 1856, to the Honorable Caleb Brown, House of Representatives, and were never returned.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
- 3 -
Page 6

No. 7924 
Juda Welchel dec 
widow of Francis 
Ga 
W.M. Varnum  May 27/ 53 
Same Aug 17/ 53 
Same Sept. 16 / 55
Howell Cobb   May 15 1856
Hon Jacob Brown   July 8 1856
for papers or chairman of pension committee
11300 
Act July 4 1836
Page 7

Jacob Broom
M. C.

Mr J. Minot 
Com of Pensions 
Washington City 
D.C. 

[sideways]
July 8 1856 
papers sent to Hon Caleb Brown from Penn 
Chairman of Committe on Rev pensions
Triplett 
Hy 12
Page 8

I hereby certify that I lost or mislaid the Bible on Family Record of Francis & Juda Welchel in examining said Declaration   
W. M. Varnum
Page 9

Jan. 19, 1853
Appl. of Judah
Welchel wid: of
Francis.
Ga
Act: 4 July 1836 

Declaration for a Pension under Act 7th July 1838
Page 10

Declaration
a Pension under
Act 7th July 1838 

January 19 1853 
Appl. of Judah Welchel wid: of 
Francis. 
Ga. 
Act: 4 July 1836.
Page 11

Francis Whelchel for Rev Pension act 1832
Georgia suspended file
Ins '36
Papers
Commissioner 2[illegible] 
Nov. 27 / 54
Page 12

REJECTED     Revy 
11300 
P.O.  Geo. 
Juda Welchel, or 
Whelchel   widow of Frances 
Papers Sent to Hon Jacob Brown
July 8, 1856 & not 
found Augt 1883 
Enlisted: _____
Discharged: _______ 
Application filed: ____
Alleges: _____ 
Re-enlisted:
no record on printed
list of 1852. of this
claim being suspended
or rejected   
Attorney: 
P. O. _______ 
______ Recognized.  _______ Co 
_____ Cert. of Dis.     Searched for _____
Page 13

1883 Jany 30. Hon J.H. Evens
that papers are on file of Congress - sent July 8, 1856 to Chairman Revy pensions 
1909 Feby 4 Hist. to Sarah O. Meaders.  V.L.M. 
1909 Feby 20 Sarah O. Meaders as there is no service specified in the declaration There is no proof of Service in this Bur.  V.L.M. 
1910 Sept. 26 Hon. David E. Finley same as above letter of Feby 4, 1909. 
(Letter of inquiry in wid. File no. 6498 Abigail wid. of John Whelchel)  V.L.M. 
1914 Jan. 30. Hist to Mrs. R. E. Park, letter in W. File 6498 John Whelchel 
1925 Feb. 6. Hist. to Hon Thos. M Bell
1925 Dec. 31 - Hist. to Miss Mary Jefferies - Her letter in cl. of John M. Leak, S. 1550. MMME 
1928, July 6, Hist to Hon. W.F. Stevenson, See corresp. in cl. of John Whelchel, W. 6498, M E. E. 
1936. Nov 11 - Informed Miss Mary Jefferies that [illegible] just on Dec 31/25 with the record of Francis Whelchel.  R11300. 
1937, Feb. 24. Hist to Mrs. S.T. Dowda - MLB
Page 14

November 11, 1936
BA-J/EEL
Miss Mary Jefferies
119 Race Street
Gaffney, South Carolina

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Captain John Lusk, of South Carolina, North Carolina or Tennessee, who was buried in Gaffney, South Carolina, and the record of Francis Welchel, surgeon in the Revolutionary War from South Carolina.
There is no claim for pension on file based upon the service of the John Lusk, described by you, nor for service of the surgeon, Francis Welchel, noted above.
This same report in regard to John Lusk was furnished you December 31, 1925 and on that date the record of the only soldier named Francis Welchel or Whelchel, found on the Revolutionary War records of this office, was furnished you as found in pension claim, R.11900, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Page 15

Rev.&1812 Wars Section   MMHF

December 31, 1925

Miss Mary Jefferies
Gaffney, South Carolina

Madam;
I have to advise you that from the records of this Bureau it appears that Juda or Judith, the widow of Francis Whelchel of Georgia, applied for pension (R.11300) on account of her husband's services as a soldier of Colonel Brandon's South Carolina Regiment, War of the Revolution.
They had children, the only name on record being that of John Whelchel, a resident of Hall County, Georgia in 1854.
This claim was not allowed owing to lack of proof of mil. ser. of six months as required by the pension laws. There are no further data on file as the papers in the claim were sent July 8, 1856, to the Honorable Caleb Brown, House of Representatives, and were never returned.
This Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolution unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made on account of his services and a careful search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the services of Samuel Welchel, or of John Lusk
Page 16

and Robert Elmore as described by you, or of Frank Welchel. The only similar name being that of the above noted Francis Whelchel.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 17

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
February 6, 1925.

Honorable Thomas M. Bell,
House of Representatives.

My dear Mr. Bell:
In response to your letter of the fourth instant, I have the honor to advise you that this Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolution unless a claim for pension or bounty land has been made on account of his services and a careful search of the records fails to show such a claim on file for Francis or Frances Whelchel, Senior, or for any soldiers named Whelchel under any spelling of the name, other than those herewith furnished.
It appears that Juda or Judith, the widow of Francis Whelchel of Georgia, applied for pension (R.11300) on account of her husband's services as a soldier of Colonel Brandon's South Carolina Regiment, War of the Revolution.
They had children, the only name of record being that of John Whelchel, a resident of Hall County, Georgia, in 1854.
This claim was not allowed owing to lack of proof of
Page 18

six months military service as required by the pension laws, and there is no further data on file as the papers in the claim were sent on July 8, 1856, to the Honorable Caleb Brown, House of Representatives, who never returned
them.
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R.11388, it appears that Nancy (born January 21, 1762) the widow of Davis Whelchel, applied for pension March 8, 1844, while living in Bates County, Missouri.
It is alleged in her claim that while said Davis Whelchel was residing on Broad River in Ninety-Six District, South Carolina, he enlisted and served at various times from 1775 to the close of the Revolution as a private, ranger, Lieutenant and Major, under Captains McMullen, Nathaniel Jeffres, Nimrod Terrell, John Thompson and William Whitesides, and Colonels John Neel, Thomas, William Fair, John Miller, James Steen and Brandon in the South Carolina Troops.
Her claim was not allowed as she failed to furnish proof of six months military service as required by the pension laws.
He married in Ninety Six Dist., South Carolina,
Page 19

March 28, 1771 or 1776, Nancy Barns and he died in September 1833 in Hamilton or Madison County, Indiana.
She died October 6, 1846, in Bates County, Missouri, at the home of her daughter, Keziah, who had married her first cousin, William Whelchel.
Davis and Nancy Whelchel had twelve children, the only name stated other than Keziah, was a daughter, Eda Torrance, aged forty years in 1845 and a resident of Cedar County, Missouri.
From the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W.6498, it appears that Doctor John Whelchel, the son of Francis Whelchel, Senior, was born October 11, 1756, in Albemarle County, Virginia, and resided in Union District, South Carolina, when he enlisted and served as a private in the South Carolina Troops as follows:
From May 25, 1777, in Captain James Steen's Company, Colonel John Thomas' Regiment, aided in destroying the Cherokee towns, three months and ten days.
From March 1, 1778, in Captain James Terrell's Company, Colonel William Wofford's Regiment, three months and ten days.
From April 1, 1780, Captain James Terrell's Company,
Page 20

Colonel Brandon's Regiment, three and one half months.
From July 1780, Captain John Thompson's Company, Colonel Andrew Neel's Regiment, was in the battle of Rocky Mount, served three months.
Soon after in Captain John Thompson's Company under Colonel Williams, was in the battles of Kings Mountain and Blackstocks, after which he joined Captain Whitesides' Company, Major Singleton's Battalion, served four months and twenty days.
From December 1780, Captain John Thompson's Company, Colonel Brandon's Regiment, was severely wounded in the battle of Cowpens by four cuts on the head and three or four stabs, served three months.
Soon after his recovery, in Captain Robert Montgomery's Company, Colonel Brandon's Regiment, was in the battle of Eutaw Springs, served three months.
His brothers, Davis, William and Francis Whelchel, were among his comrades and their father was employed in attending the sick.
John Whelchel was allowed pension on his application executed September 3, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Hall County, Georgia.
Page 21

He married in Union District, South Carolina, July 15, 1784, Abigail Davis, born June 10, 1764. He died March 14, 1837, in Hall County, Georgia, and she was allowed pension on her application executed April 6, 1844, while a resident of Gilmore County, Georgia. She died October 17, 1851.
Children.
Samuel born May 14, 1785.
John " October 27, 1787.
Francis " May 2, 1790.
William " May 6, 1793.
Judith " June 18, 1797, married McAdams.
Very truly yours,
Acting Commissioner.
Page 22

[stamp]  RECEIVED OCT 30 1936 MAIL SUB_DIV. VETS ADM READER 5

Gaffney, S.C.
Oct. 28, 1936.

Secretary of the U.S.
War Department
Washington, D.C. 
Department of Pensions. 

Dear Sirs, 
Please give me the information; is the name of Captain John Lusk on the pension list? I do not know if from South Carolina, North Carolina or Tennessee. He is buried in the "Jefferies cemetery seven miles east from Gaffney S.C.
I also wish to know if Francis
Page 23

Welchel (Doctor) surgeon in the Revolutionary War from Union or Pinckney District South Carolina or Ninety-six Disct. is on the Pension list? He served at Battle of Cowpens, descendants say. 
I shall appreciate this information very much. 
Respectfully
Miss Mary Jefferies
119 Race St.  Gaffney, S.C.

P.S. 
I am a member of Daniel Morgan Chapter D.A.R.
Page 24

[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE A FEB 13 1909
Dahlonega
Feb 10th 1909
Is the data you have, proof that Francis Whelchel served in the Revolutionary War, without giving specified service.
I know several persons living who remember seeing the scars on John & Francis Whelchel recieved in the War of the Revolution.
Please let me hear from you again,
Mrs Sarah O. Meaders
Dahlonega,
Lumpkin, Co
Ga
Page 25

Texas Division
United Daughters of the Confederacy

President
Mrs. C.C. Cameron
410 East Fifth, Dallas

1st Vice President
Mrs. T.B. Herbert
4809 Sherman St., Houston

2nd Vice President
Mrs. J.K. Beretta
404 West French Place, San Antonio

3rd Vice President
Mrs. G.A. Gray
807 North Main, Belton

Recording Secretary
Mrs. S.T. Dowda
2646 South Seventh, Abilene

Corresponding Secretary
Miss Willa Stephenson
334 West Twelfth, Dallas

Treasurer
Mrs. B.A. Hastings
Columbus

Regent Texas Confederate Museum
Mrs. Forrest H. Farley
Box 522, Hutto

Historian
Mrs. I.B. McFarland
1313 Castle Court, Houston

Registrar
Mrs. J.D. Harvey
1221 Marshall Lane, Austin

Custodian
Mrs. Joe Rowe
309 West Tenth, Austin

Recorder of Crosses
Mrs. R.C. Ledford
Box 1063, Sweetwater

Poet Laureate
Mrs. A.L. Ridings
315 Belden Avenue, Sherman

Chaplain
Mrs. W.W. Turner
Webster

Regent Texas Room Confederate Museum Richmond, VA.
Mrs. Oscar Barthold
602 South Waco, Weatherford


Abilene, Texas.
Jan. 27, 1937.

Bureau of Pensions, Interior Dept.,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs,
Will it be possible for me to have a copy of the pension paper of Mrs. Abigail Davis, Widow of Dr. John Whelchel, Revolutionary soldier who was wounded at Cowpens in South Carolina? The Pension was No. 6498, allowed April 6, 1844.
Mrs. Davis was the sister of the wife of Francis Whelchel II, who was also in the battle of Cowpens, Blackstock, King's Mountain, Eutah Springs, etc., etc., and I wish very much to learn the names of the parents of Abigail and Judith Davis, both of whom married Whelchel men.
If I may not have a copy of this pension paper, can you tell my a way by which I may get this data from it?
I shall be very grateful for any assistance you may render me, or any advice you may give.

Very truly yours,
Mrs. S.T. Dowda
Page 26

Hon Jacob Broom
Ho Reps
Page 27

Copied 

Pension Office
July 8 1856 

Sir
The papers in the case of Juda Welchel decd. Widow of Francis of Georgia are herewith enclosed. 
The evidence is satisfactory to show the marriage to have occurred before January 1794. The only difficulty is as to the service for which a pension is claimed. 
A Francis Whelchel Junr. did serve 375 days as a soldier of Cavalry in South Carolina during the War of the Revolution. The only question to be settled is, was this Francis Whelchel Junr. the husband of Juda   where children are asking arrears of pension alleged to have been due her at her death? 
There is no direct testimony on & intending to connect the soldier of the record with the alleged widow for where services this claim is set up. But there is on file in the office
Page 28

of the Comptroller of S Carolina an original order for his pay for services, signed by Francis Whelchel Jun and, a facsimile of that order with the signature has been forwarded to this office (see paper marked A.) Several private papers bearing the signature of Francis Whelchel Senr. have also been sent that the real signatures of her husband might be compared with the facsimile of the soldiers signature. (see papers marked B. C. & D) 
It can not be denied that there is some general resemblance between the facsimile & the signatures, but it has not been deemed sufficiently clear to justify an allowance upon affiant on similarity between the handwriting. 
If it had been clear to this office that the Francis Whelchel who signed the order on paper A and the Frances Whelchel whose signatures appear upon papers B C & D were the same man, a pension would have been allowed the children at the rate of $51.35 a year, running from 4 March 1836 to 4 Mch 1841 under 
(over)
Page 29

the act of July 7 1838. 

Hon Jacob Broom
Chrm. Com Rev Pensions
H of Reps
Page 30

Hon Howell Cobb 
Ho Reps
Page 31

Pen. Off.  May 15/56 

Sir
The additional evidence presented by you in the case of Judah Welchel, decd. widow of Francis, has been carefully examined in connection with the paper previously filed. 
This evidence does not satisfactorily show that the marriage took place before the termination of the pension certificate by the Comptroller Genl. of South Carolina, which would be necessary to bring the case within the act of July 4, 1836, under which the claim is asserted. It would seem from the proof, that the marriage took place as late at any rate, on Jany 1781, and the only proof furnished of the date of the certified service simply indicates that it was performed "before and after the fall of Charleston" which event occured on the 20th of May 1780. But another difficulty in the case, of which Mr Varnum was informed by letter from this office dated September 15, 1855, (a copy of which is herewith enclosed) has not been attempted to obviated. The claim is, consequently further suspended for additional evidence upon the points indicated   
I have the honor 
& c

Hon Howell Cobb
Ho Reps
Page 32

W. M. Varnum 
May 27 / 53
Page 33

476 
Pension Office
May 27 1853

Sir
The application of Juda Welchel decd widow of Francis of Ga has been examined and filed under the Act July 4 1836.
There are several insuperable objections to the admission of this case in its present condition. No attempt has been made, by any kind of testimony, to show that a single days service was ever performed by Francis Welchel, claims can not be admitted upon the mere filing of a Declaration. this admitted by the parties & by yourself that a family Record of the marriage and the births of children was in existence when this claim was preparing. Before the date of that event will be admitted, your affidavit must be filed, stating the circumstances of its loss, and the contents must be satisfactorily proved. 
W. M. Varnum Esq 
Dahlonega, Lumpkin Co. Ga
Page 34

Pension Office
Sept. 15, 1855 
Sir:
I have carefully examined the additional evidence submitted by you in support of 
the claim assured in right of Judith Welchel, dec who was the widow of Francis, and ye are assured that it has, not satisfied me that her husband was the soldier of Brandons Regiment, & when [illegible] an Indent for L 53 12 s 10 1/4 was issued and receipted for by John Henderson on the 29th of June 1786. In the remittance of the writing in the [illegible] similar to the [illegible] in the old papers [illegible] too [illegible] to a conclusion, and especially of there is no [illegible] under the case not he served a single day. If the claim is further prosecuted some direct evidence must be presented to
Page 35

[illegible] the [illegible] a cause written.

W M. Varnum Esq
Dahlonega, Geo.

[sideways]
W M Varnum
Sept 15/53