Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2,281, William Beard, S. C.
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SERVICE SC
Beard, William
NUMBER S.2981
carded
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32461
Tennessee Pulaski
William Beard decd of Lincoln Co
in the State of Tennesee
who was a private in the Company Commanded by Captain [John] Irwin
of the Regt commanded by Col _
in the SC. Militia
for 2 years
Inscribed on the roll of Pulaski at
the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum to commence on 4th day of March, 1831 & Endg June 1847
Certificate of Pension issued the 23d day of April 1851 and sent to T. Lumpkin Esq Present
Incd from $53.22
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
recorded by HR Weightman Clerk
Book C. Vol. 7 Page 82
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832
State of Tennessee, Lincoln County
On the Sixth day of April 1846, personally appeared in open court before the county court now sitting William Beard, a resident of said County and State aged Eighty Six years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth his oath make the following declaration, in order to
obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832:
Ans. 1: I was born in Carlisle town in the State of Pennsylvania in the month of July in the year 1860 [1760] I have forgotten on what day of the month.
Ans. 2: I have no record of my age here. I had a record in the state of Alabama, but my wife died there, and I came off and left everything the last time I heard of it, it was in
possession of my brother but he is now dead, and I cannot tell what has become of it.
Ans. 3: When I entered the service, I was living about four miles from the town of '96 in district of 96 in the State of South Carolina. Since the Revolutionary War I have lived at a great many places: first at home near 96 in South Carolina, I then removed to Tiger [Tyger] River in the same State, from thence I went to Georgia, from thence back to South Carolina, from thence to Blount County Alabama, and from thence to Lincoln County, State of Tennessee where I have lived for the last six years - I cannot recollect how long I lived at each place.
Ans. 4: I volunteered to serve under Captain John Irwin (my mother's brother) 
Ans. 5: I served under Captain John Irwin as a Guard at Whitehall and went from thence to '96 guarding a parcel of Tories. I saw Lieutenant Earls [Samuel Earle] a regular officer at the block house in Whitehall. I knew Lt. Earls very well. I then went home and shortly afterwards volunteered with our whole company under Captain Irwin a second time and went to Whitehall, at which place
half of Captain Irwin and half of Captain [Francis] Logan's company were joined together and made one company. I fell to Logan and went to Florida
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 under him and remained there from three to five months (I can not recollect the precise time) and fought the Brittish, Tories and Indians between St. John's and St. Mary's Rivers; we lost a great many men (one thousand I think). We were commanded by Generals [Andrew] Williamson  and [Andrew] Pickens, Col. [Thomas] Brandon and Major Purbas [John Purvis] : - Major Purbas never showed himself. Williamson was highest in Command but Col. Brandon had the honor of the battle. The enemy were under Colonel Brown I think. After the battle at St. John's [River] I returned to 96 and got under my old Captain (Irwin) again and
started to Georgia after the Indians and Tories along with Major Cunningham—we caught up with them and got back all the property, but they had killed a great many of the people. Cunningham and his company stayed in Georgia and we returned to the 96. I left that place and went to Tiger [Tyger] River and was at the battle of Blackstocks where Sumpter [BG Thomas Sumter] fought [Colonel Banastre] Tarleton, I was not under any officer there, but fell in and fought it out. Sumpter  whipt and run Tarleton three quarters of a mile but our powder ran out. I then returned to 96 and under my old Captain (Irwin), I fought the battle at that place. General Green [Nathanael
Greene], General Pickins and Colonel [Henry "Light Horse Harry"] Lee were at that battle. I did not like General Greene but Colonel Lee was a regular officer and I liked him very much.
After the battle at 96 we all dispersed and Rowden [Rawdon] came and burnt the place and carried his men off to Charleston after that we had nobody to fight but Indians until peace was made at the battle at Little York. I cannot recollect the country marched over I went to a great many places. I know of no person now living by whom I can prove my services. I could prove by my brothers ( Robert who lives in Giles County and Francis who lives in this county
both in Tennessee) that I went out but they don't know anything about the fighting—I proved enough to satisfy them all in Columbia, South Carolina but my old companies are gone.
Ans. 6: I never acquired a discharge, our Captain paraded us and said boys you are dismissed!
He hereby 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 except that of state of South Carolina.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open court.
William Beard, x his mark
S/ Henry Kelso, Clerk
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We Davis Smith and Daniel Farrar both at this time acting Justices
of the Peace for Lincoln County Tennessee residing in said County and John Robinson, Wormly R. Bruce, Constant Smith & Stephen M Emmons residing in the same hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with William Beard who has subscribed and sworn to the above
declaration: that we believe him to be Eighty six 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 that opinion
s/ Davis Smith 
Daniel Farrar
John Robison
W. K. Bruce
Constant Smith
SM Emmons
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court.
s/ Henry Kelso clerk

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 Davis Smith and Daniel Farrar who have signed the preceding certificate are acting Justices of the peace resident in the County of Lincoln and that John Robinson Wormly R. Bruce Constant Smith & Stephen M Emmons who have signed the same are residents of said County and are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit and also that the interlinations and corrections were made before signing the same
I Henry Kelso Clerk of the County Court of monthly sessions do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said County Court for Lincoln County in the matter of the application of William Beard for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at office in Fayetteville this 6th day of
April 1846 s/ Henry Miles Clerk
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Amended declaration of William Beard in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace for Lincoln County State of Tennessee William Beard 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 grade: For five years and six months or more and I served as a private all the time and for such service I claim a pension.
 William Beard, X his mark
Subscribed & Sworn to before me this 6th day of April 1846.
S/ Woodroof Parks
Justice of the Peace for Lincoln County
37,240
State of Tennessee Lincoln County ⎬ I Henry Kelso Clerk of the County Court of said Lincoln County hereby certify that Woodroof Parkes whose
name appears to the above certificate is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said Lincoln County duly commissioned and quallified as such and all his official acts are entitled to full faith and credit. In testamony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office at office in Fayetteville Lincoln County Tennessee this 6th day of April 1846.
s/ Henry Kelso Clerk

State of Tennessee
I William B Rhea Chairman of the County Court of Lincoln County hereby certify that Henry Kelso whose name appears to the foregoing certificate is now and was at the end of the foregoing certificates Clerk of the County Court of said County duly elected & qualified as such and
his attestation is in due form of law Given under my hand & seal the 15th April 1846
W B Rhea Chairman
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State of Georgia Lumpkin County
Be it known that before me Patrick Connor a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized by law to administer oaths personally appeared James A. Beard a son of William Beard deceased, who was a Pensioner of the United States
on the Tennessee Roll at the rate of fifty three dollars & twenty two cents per annum ($53, 22 cts) and after being duly sworn according to law states that from the statements
of his deceased Father William Beard that he did not draw as large a Pension as he was intitled to under the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832 that he has frequently heard his Father speak of serving a number of
years in the Revolutionary War as much as three years or more he is pretty well satisfied He therefore makes this Declaration for the purpose of getting said Pension increased from 53 dollars & 22 cents per ann to 80 dollars from the 4th day of March 1831 to the 4th day of June 1847 it being the day of his death and that a certificate of the increase of Pension be issued in his James A. Beards name as his Father the said William Beard died leaving no widow nor children except deponent
s/ James A Beard
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 25th day of January 1851
s/ P. O'Conner, J.Peace
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State of Georgia Lumpkin County ⎬ I Allen Barnes Clerk of the Inferior Court of said County holden at Dahlonega Georgia in and for said County do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court that William Beard was a Pensioner of the United States on the Tennessee Roll at the rate of fifty three dollars & 22 cents per annum was a resident of the County of Lincoln in the State of Tennessee and died in the County
of Lincoln in the State of Tennessee in the year 1847 on the 4th day of June that he left no widow and that he died leaving only one child James A. Beard. In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this the 25th day of January 1851
s/ Allen Barnes C.I.C
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State of Georgia Lumpkin County ⎬ Know all men by these presents that
James A. Beard a citizen of Union
County State of Georgia do hereby constitute and appoint Thomas Lumpkin of Washington City my true and lawful Attorney for me and in my name to examine my deceased Father William Beards Declaration and proof on file in the Pension
Office and see if he was allowed all that was due him as a Revolutionary soldier in South Carolina under Capt John Erwin (Irvin), Maj or Col Pickens & Genl. Williamson. my Father made proof and drew a pension from the State of South Carolina and a few years before he died he made out
a Declaration in Lincoln County State of Tennessee and was allowed by the Commr of Pensions as I have been informed 56 dollars per annum 24 dollars less than he ought to have drawn as he served in the Rev. war
4 or 5 years as we frequently heard my Father say.  I therefore appoint the above named Thomas Lumpkin my attorney to get allowed me any balance that may be due me as the only living child of William Beard decease from 4th March 1831 up to
his death which occurred on the 4th day of June 1847. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney may lawfully do by virtue of these present. s/ James A Beard
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of s/ John W. Grady
P. O'Conner J P
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£5.17.for duty in 1779 & 1783 No Ga 3/1784
£41 for duty for Infy 1778 & May 1783
£9.12.6¾ for duty in 1781 & 1782
118 days Militia duty term not stated £59-
£26.10 Militia duty 1780 & 1782
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[numerals in mathematical figures]
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[stamp] CHARLESTON SC MAY 20
Honble GW Jones HR
Washington City DC
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Honble GW Jones 
Charleston 19th May 1846
Dear Sir
In replying to yours of the 10th Inst I have to regret that it is not in my power to furnish you with the specific information which the Commissioner of Pension requires in the case of William Beard.
It is impossible at this time to ascertain with certainty, what was the particular evidence which was before the Committee who reported in favor of Mr Beard at the Legislative session of 1832 when he was placed on the Pension Roll of this State.
Legislature in similar cases, that the Testimony as regarded actual military
Services and identity of person was of the most undoubted character.
Although I cannot say positive that the Indents stated in the Certificate dated Columbia 4th July 1846, were all issued to the same Individual I have no hesitation in declaring my belief that they were granted to the same person, and that person the Individual whose name is now on the Pension list Roll of South Carolina
Among the applicants to this State for relief. The name of William Beard occurs but once this circumstance taken in connection with the fact that separate Indents were granted to the same individuals, for Military services other during the war of the Revolution and at different periods of time, makes a very strong case in favor of the present applicant. Mr Beard was long and very favorably known in South Carolina. his declarations I consider as entitled to great respect and with the collateral testimony furnished by the Certificate from Columbia, should in my opinion, be satisfactory to the Commissioner at Washington. Trusting that you will yet succeed in establishing the claim of the old veteran.
I Remain Respectfully & Truly Yours
s/ W Laval
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Washington D.C
Nov. 29th '50
Sir Having filed my authority to examine into the papers of William Beard of Tennessee under the act of 7th June, 1832, and having duly examined the same, I find that he was pensioned at the rate of $53.22 per
Ann, when he should have received
a full pension, say $80 per Ann.
The certificate found with the papers
of the Comptroller of S. Carolina, shows that  he was paid for service the aggregate sum of £142, which clearly entitles him to more than two years service for which I now ask an increase of his pension
I have the honor to be
Sir, Very respy
Your Obt Servt
Th Lumpkin

Col JL. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
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Wm Beard decd
Adm 2 yrs pri
Incd to $80 per annum, dedg former payts at $53.22 per annum comg
4 March 1831 & Endg 4 June 1847, payable to
James A Beard, only Survg child
Pulaski
T. Lumpkin
Present
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Washington DC
Feb 3, 1851
Sir
I have the honor to enclose herewith  the declaration of James A Beard
heir of William Beard late of Tenn a pensioner act of 7th June 1832, claiming arrears of pension say the difference between the amounts of $53.22, what he received and a full
pension, which you will find upon
examination of his papers he was
justly entitled to. My letter of a former date will shew you that I have examined the papers in his case and I am well and assured that upon examination of the case, upon its real merits you will concur with me in the belief that he was so entitled.
I have the honor to be sir, Very respy
Your obt svt
Commr of Pension
Th Lumpkin

Hon J. E. Heath
Commr of Pensions
Page 17

I desire to see the papers in
the case of Wm Beard
The. Lumpkin
Mr Cole
March 11 1851
Col Lumpkin
Page 18

Pension Office
March 11. 1851.
Sir
In reply to your communication claiming an increase of the pension of William Beard who was inserted on the Tennessee Roll under the act of June 7, 1832, at the rate of $53.22
per annum, you are informed that the claim was adjusted after a very careful examination of the Indents referred to by you, and that they
established only 15 months 29 days service.
very Respectfully
Your obt svt
FS. Evans
for Com of Pension
Thomas Lumpkin Esq
Present.
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Rev War 2981 INVALID
File No. 2981
William Beard
Privt Rev War
Act: June 7" 1832
Index: -- Vol. A Page 26
Arrangement of 1870
Page 20

Wm Beard
Adm Mar 20 1844
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Ho of Reps March 6. 1844
J. L. Edwards Esqr.
Comr of Pensions
Sir
Sometime since I addressed your making enquiry as to William Beard
You informed me that there was no such name on the pension roll in your
office I have since learned that his name is on the pension roll of South Carolina and was last paid in 1838.
To enable him to draw the amount now due him there I am informed that it will be necessary for him to satisfy the officer there that he has not been pensioner by the United States. 
In the mean or intermediate time. Will you be to good as to send me a certificate of the evidence that he has not received a pension from the U.S.
And also to inform me if he can be transferred from South Carolina
to this Government. He now lives in Tennessee and cannot draw his pension in S.C. without being present every time and as he is now very old
and infirm it is almost impossible for him to attend in person besides the expenses of travelling so far would consume the most if not as all his 
pension in giong after it.
Yours G. W. Jones
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[stamp] COLUMBIA SC DEC 11
FREE

Honble G W Jones
Washington City
Dist Col
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Columbia S.C Decr 13th 1845
Dear Sir
In reply to yours of the 6th I send you
the following certificate in the case of William Beard
I do hereby Certify that William Beard is enrolled on the Pension list of the State of South Carolina. That he
was placed there in the year 1832 by order of the Legislature of this State. The consideration being for Militia services rendered by him during the Revolutionary War. The rate pr annum $60- and that the last payment was to 1st March 1844-
W Laval
Comp Genl
GW Jones Esq
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State of Tennessee Lincoln County ⎬ Personally appeared before me
Davis Smith a Justice of the Peace in and for the County & State aforesaid John Robinson with whom I am 
personally acquainted and made oath in due form of law that William Beard whose name appears upon the pension roll of South Carolina
is now living and residing at his house in said County and State, that he knows him to be the same
William Beard from the fact that in
the year 1844 he accompanied said William Beard from the house of deponent in the County and State aforesaid to the State of South Carolina and was present when he en
his pension in that year-
s/ John Robison
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 13th day of January 1846
s/ Davis Smith
Justice of the
Peace for Lincoln Count
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District of Columbia County of Washington  I George W. Jones of Representation from the State of Tennessee in the Congress of the United States hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Davis Smith Esq before whom the within affidavit was sworn to and know
him to be a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Lincoln and State of Tennessee and that the signature thereto purporting to be his is genuine. I also certify that I am personally well acquainted with
John Robison the within affiant and know him to be reputable and creditable man whose statements are
entitled to full faith and credit-
Given under my hand this 27th day of January 1846
s/ GW Jones
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William Beard
Private S.C. Militia
15 mo. 29 days
$53.22 per ann
commence 4 March 1831.
Act 7 June 32
Pulaski Tennessee Roll
Cert to the Honble GW. Jones
House of Rep
Page 27

Pension Office, January 29. 1846
Sir I herewith return the papers of William Beard, who, it appears, was pensioned by the State of South Carolina in 1832. It is not in our power to place his name on the United States Pension Roll, under the act of 1804 respecting the transfer of S. Carolina Pensioners, because that act applies to those only who were pensioners at the time it was passed, and the act of 1838, which allows
the transfer from other States, makes a similar provision. If Beard can prove six months service, or more, he may obtain a pension under the act of
June 7, 1832.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully
Your Obt Srvt
J L Edwards
Hon. G. W. Jones
House of Representatives.
Page 28

Honble GW Jones
Page 29

Washington April 26 1846
To the Honble G W Jones
My dear Sir
In replying to your enquiries respecting the Indents issued by South Carolina in 1784 and 1785
to William Beard-- I feel no hesitancy in expressing the opinion that the several Indents stated in the
Certificate dated Columbia 4th July 1846, were issued to the same Individual. This opinion is predicated
on my knowledge of the fact that other Individuals did receive Indents at different periods, for military
services rendered during the Revolutionary War, according
as they were enabled to procure the necessary vouchers and testimonials from the different commanders under whom they served - I am further confirmed in my opinion respecting this case from the fact that no application has been made to the Legislature of South Carolina
based on the Certificate of service referred to but from one person of that name I am also apprised of the fact that the Wm Beard in question is not now nor has he been for several years a resident of South Carolina,
my long service in the Comptroller Generals Office of the State enable me to make this statement with a certainty of its being Correct.
with Great Respect
I am Yours truly
W Laval
late & now acting Comt Genl
Page 30

Repo
Let T. Lumpkin
March 11/51
to same March 22/51
Increase to 2 years. See paper within
for death & heirs

Tennessee
William Beard
of Lincoln Co. in the State of Tennessee who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Irwin of the regt commanded by _
in the S. Carolina militia for
15 months & 29 days
2461
Inscribed on the Roll of Pulaski
at the rate of 53 Dollars 22 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27th day of May, 1846, and sent to Hon G. W. Jones House of Representatives
Arrears to the 4th of March 1846 798.30
Semi-anl allowance ending 6 Sep. 26.21 = $824.51
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by D Brown, Clerk,
Book E 2. Vol. 7 Page 82
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[stamp] COLUMBIA SC FEB 4 FREE
The Honble GW Jones
Washington DC
Page 32

Comptroller Genls Office
Columbia S. Car. Febry 4/46
Book I Indt 589
Issued the 3d Decbr. 1784 to Mr William Beard for five pounds
Seventeen shillings and one penny ½ penny sterlg for Militia Duty in 1779 & 1783 to Capt Irvins pay bill & acct audited. Princl £5.17.1½

Acct 589. Wm Beard
His acct of Eighty Two days duty as a Private on foot in militia from July 1779 to May 1783 pr Capt John Irvin
Pay Bill performed alternately 10/ £41

Book O Indt 256 Issued the 12th April 1785 to Mr. William Beard for nine
pounds twelve shillings and six pence three farthings Sterlg pay due him in the militia 1781 & 1782 pr acct audited Princl £9.12.6¾ Int £0.13.5

Acct 256. Wm Beard
His acct of One Hundred and Eighteen days militia duty @ 10 pr day Cert £59 = Sterlg £8.8.4

Book W. Indt 358 Issued the 12 Augt 1785 to Wm Beard for Twenty Six
pounds ten shillings for Militia Duty, also for provision in 1780 & 1782 pr acct audited & passd by Commiss
PL £26.10. Int £1.17.1

Acct 358. Wm Beard
His acct recd & passd for £26.10.
Duty pr Anderson's return - £142.0.0
Provisions Supplies &c  "0.43.10
= "186.10  Sterlg £026.10
I certify the above to be a true copy from the Records in this Office
For Comptroller Gen.
Laval
Page 33

Dear Sir
I have made diligent search
for the evidence you require but
am unable to discover any thing
further than what appears on the
first page - I hope it may be
sufficient. We can find nothing
of the Original certificates, these
may be in possession of the
Clerk of the House Representatives
Thos W Glover who is not in Columbia perhaps if you were to address
me Glover at Orangeburg Court House So Car he might put you
in the way or furnish you with
the Evidence.
yours respectfully
Jos A Blach
Page 34

Apr 23/17
Cole
Page 35

State of Georgia Lumpkin County ⎬ We the undersigned Justices
of the Inferior Court for said County do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been established
before us, that William Beard was a Revolutionary Pensioner on the Tennessee roll at the rate of Fifty
three Dollars and twenty two cents per annum, and that he died on the fourth day of June Eighteen hundred and forty Seven (1847) leaving
no widdow and only one child, namely
James A Heard
Given under our hands and
official signature this 18th day of April 1851
Enos Burns QU
James Bryan JIC
Wm. Burt JIC

State of Georgia Lumpkin County ⎬ I Allen Barnes Clerk of the Inferiour Court, do hereby certify that Enos Barnes, James Bryan and William Burt are acting Justices of the Inferior Court of said County, duly commissioned and qualified and that there signatures to the foregoing certificate are genuine and in there usual handwriting given under my hand and seal of office this 10th
day of April 1857.
Allen James CIC