Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31774, for William Jenkins, South Carolina
Page 1

Service: 
SC

Jenkins, William

Number S 31774
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[left side]
Letter to Pension Agt Oct 23rd 1833
To Arkansas from 4. September 1837 27 April 1838
-
let 15 Dec 38 Sam'l Moore

[right side]
Arkansas. 26.389

William Jenkins of Jackson Co. in the State of Ark  who was a S. Lt. Capt in the Comp commanded by Captain Jenkins of the Regt commanded by for Col [illegible] in the S. Carolina
line for 
6 mo sgt 30
6 mo Lt  80
3 mo Capt 60  170 00

Inscribed on the Roll of Al at the rate of 170 Dollars -- Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of June 1834 and Sent to Hon. C C Clay HR

Arrears to the 4th of April ?? 510.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 85.00
$595.00

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by J. J. Sprague Clerk
Book C Vol. 8 Page 4

Death not on AB
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30. 611
William Jenkins
Alabama
.
Return
.
Admd
6 Mo. Serg 30.
6 mo Lint 80
3 mo Capt 60
$170 per annum

Hon. C. C. Clay
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21st April 1834

Sir

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7 1832 has been examined an the papers are herewith returned.  The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form.  On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed before a pension can be allowed.  The nows and the regulations will sh ow what is necessary to be done.  Those point to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim. 

A statement, showing the service of William Jenkins

Period which service was rendered
1780

Duration of the claimants service

?  months

Rank of the claimant
Sarg?

3 mos Lieut
3 mos lieut
3 mos Cap

Names and rank of the field of officers under whom he served:
Cap Jenkins
Col. ???

Age at presenta nd place of abode when he entered the service
?? Years

York County
So Ca

Proof by which the declaration is supported

Tranditionare and Documentary

I am respectfully 
Your obedient servant
James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

the court has not certified the ???? to be credible ???
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[form]
2 
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832. The following regulations have been adopted: This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law: 1. The Regular Troops. 2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers. 3. Persons employed in the Naval service. 4. Indian Spies. As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance , make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record. DECLARATION. In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832. State, Territory District of County of On this ---day of --- personally appeared (a) before ----- A. B. a resident (b) of ----- in the county of ---- and State, Territory or District of ----- aged (c) --- 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 pension made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) ----, with ---- and served in the ---- (e) regiment of the ---- line, under the following named officers (Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he enered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.] He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. I -------------------- of the Court of ----------------------------- do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of --------------- for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ------- day of ------------------ & c. If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out. Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz: (k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the ------------- and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ---------------- , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be -------- 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 and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. [And then will follow the certificate of the Court.] 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 A.B. ------ who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C.D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ------- and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. I, -----------Clerk of the Court of ---------------- do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this --- of ---- & c. Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission ; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction. If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

[handwritten]
It is believe that the applicant is in an error as to the length of actual service performed by him. It must also be shewn that he was commissioned as a Captains, and should be exhibited. Proof of his services as Sargent is required
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[form continued]
3 
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted ; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case. The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia. 1. Where and in what year were you born? 2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it? 3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war , and where do you now live? 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom? 5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 6. To a Soldier Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution. The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant. The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates. The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject. Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature. No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure , taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter. {a] the declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rules laid down for his guidance [b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county were he resides. If he should fail to do so he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule. [c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned. [d] the declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served [e] Every Continental officer or soldier must give the name of the colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every clamant must state, 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 amount of pension he is entitled. 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 worn, deposes 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 persons mentioned below, and in the following grades: For --- years ---- months, and -----days, I served as a . For months and days, I served as a ----- for ----- months ----days, I served as a ----- and for such service I claim a pension." 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 that they served two years in the miliia, &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 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, [f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable. [g] The opinion of the Court is always required. [h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. [i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which in can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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. 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 papers 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 once, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. Proof of Service. [j] 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 credibly of the witnesses and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. the notes [a] to [i] are equally applicable to the cases of militia men, volunteers, and state troops The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only. [k] This traditionary evidence is indispensible in militia cases [l] if a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration

[handwritten]
more satisfactory & direct proof of his services as a commissioned officer
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30.64

Hon. C.C. Clay
Page 8


State of Alabama ⎬ On the 14th day of
Jackson County ⎬ August A.D. 1832
personally appeared before the Judge of the County Court. William Jenkins, a resident of said State and County, in the Seventy first year of his age, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832
That he volunteered with Captain Thomas Jenkins and entered the service of the United States under the
following named officers, Colonel William Bratton, Captain Thomas Jenkins, thinks it was in the spring of 1780 that he volunteered; he then resided in York County South Carolina; the army embodied on the east side of the Cottauba River, from where he lived. And on the first evening after he arrived
the Camp he was appointed a Sergeant, In a short time they were informed, that about one hundred & fifty tories, and about thirty Dragoons of the British
army, had assembled near the residence of Colonel William Bratton, that Col. Bratton & Capt Jenkins with about one hundred men, him being one of
that number, started and traveled all night and about day discovered the main guard & fired upon them who retreated they advanced to the mouth of
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Lane, where an engagement took place with the dragoons, in which one of them, to wit Capt
Hook was killed, the balance then fled - he some time after that engagement joined the army under the
command of General Sumpter,
was not engaged in any other battle during that campaign. after he had served something like two or three months his uncle Thomas Jenkins who was his captain himself, John Henry, James Meeks & Ezekeal Eandlae [?] went back to the neighbourhood in which they lived (apprehending no immediate danger) to ascertain how many they could get to gain the
Army, & stayed all night, and about day light they were attacked by about twenty five tories who took them prisoners, and conveyed them to ninety six Jail, then in the possession of the British. he was then confined in close Jail for about nine weeks. he was in delicate health & remained at
home for some time not now recollected, but during that time he was occasionally engaged with other
Whigs, against scouting parties of tories. He was then appointed Lieutenant, and procured a
Company of men, their being no Captain he marched them to Orangeburg, and served two
three months tours as a Lieutenants. He was then promoted to a captain, and served as Captain one three months tour, still remaining at Orangeburg. from there he went home-- and was engaged in
scouting parties after the Tories but did not enter the Regular Army any more-
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commission as Lieutenant is hereto annexed, but his Commission as Captain has been, & now is lost. He believes he served as a Sergent not less than six or seven months, he never received and discharge- 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 -. William Jenkins
{The day + date above [illegible]}

Questions by the Court. Where & in what year were you born- Answer I was born in Meriland on Clear Creek but no dot know what County - I was born in the year 1762 - Have you any record of your age, and if so where is it. I have a record of my age, which I took from my Father's record- Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? I was living in South Carolina York County- when called into service, I have lived since the Revolution in york, until the War was over, I about ten years afterwards, in Pendleton District. We about twenty years, in Rutherford County Tennessee, about one year in Franklin County Tennessee, something like seven or eight years. I then came to Jackson County Alabama, where I have lived ever since. How were you called into service. I was a volunteer- the names of the officers under whom I served & the circumstances of
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my service are stated correctly in the above Declaration, as well as I can now recollect.- Did you ever recieve a commission & if so by whom was it signed, & what became of it. I recieved a Lieutentant Commission which is hereto annexed, and also a Captains commission which was signed by Governor RutledgeI believe, though I am not certain- I have lost it. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for varacity, and their belief of your services, as a soldier of the Revolution. I am known by James Doren Sr & James Doren Jr, Thomas Russell, James Russell, James Loller, James Kesier Sr, Will D. Gains & others all of whom can testify to my character for varacity &c. 

James Russel being duly sworn saith
I have been acquainted with WM Jenkins this above applicant almost all my life (say thirty or fourty years) he has always borne the character of a revolutionary soldier as well as that of an honest respectable member of the community in which he has lived, and I about have no hesitancy in giving full credit to all his statements in whatever respect they might be given.
Page 12

Thomas Russell a witness being duly sworn saith, I have been acquainted with William Jenkins, the above applicant for a pension, for forty or fifty years. I have conversed Will Jenkins, who served with honor in the revolution War that has character has always knew that of a revolutionary soldier and officer as well as this of an honest upright member of society, and that full credit may be given to his statements, Thomas Russell

Sworn to the open court
R B Clayton clerk
Silas Parsons a witness being duly sworn saith I have been acquainted with William Jenkins (the above applicant for a pension) for ten or twelve years, he has borne the character of a revolutionary soldier, and I have no hesitations in saying that he has supported as fair a character for honesty and morality since my acquaintance with him as my citizen with whom I am acquainted Silias Parsons

Sworn to the open court
R B Clayton clerk
State of Alabama Jackson County I Thompson Rector Judge of the County Court for said county, do hereby certify that I am acquainted with William Jenkins the above applicant for a pension, as well as the witnesses who have declared above, and that I was present when the above declaration was sworn to, and I believe that the above declaration to be correct and that the witnesses are credible persons; That William
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S Compton was the Judge of the County Court at the time of the filing the same, who has
since resigned
Thompson M Rector
Judge of the County Court


State of Alabama 
Jackson County  ⎬ 
I Richard S Clayton Clerk of the County Court in & for said County do hereby certify the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application
of Wm Jenkins for a pension, and In testimony whereof I have hereby set my hand and affixed my private seal there being no seal of office this 3d day of April 1834
R B Clayton Clerk

The above is the genuine signature of Richard B Clayton, who is clerk of the County Court of Jackson County Ala. He has no seal of office, so far as I know or believe

The Declaration is in the proper handwriting of Thompson M. Rector, who is Judge of sd
Court and his signature is genuine. The whole document is genuine

I also know Thomas Russel & Silas Parsons the witnesses who have testified, personally, as well in by character - and have no hesitation in saying they on both men of unquestionable credibility
C C Clay M. C.
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31774
Revy INVALID.
File No. 31.774
William Jenkins
Capt Rev War
Act: June 7 32"
Index: --Vol. 2 Page 209
(Arrangement of 1870.)
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Application for a transfer
County of Pike State of Arkansas 
On this the 24th day of January 1838 before me the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in said County Personally appeared William Jenkins who on his oath declared that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain Jenkins under him I served as a Sergeant after that I served as a Lieutenant and then as a Captain in the regiment commanded by Colonel Bratton in the service of the United States that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Alabama from whence he has totally removed that he now resides in the State of Arkansas where he intends and wishes his pension to be there payable
in future the following are his reasons for removing from Alabama to. Arkansas.

The removal of my son to this State with whom I wished to spend the remnant of my days is the principal reason or cause of my removal
Sworn to and subscribed before me
William Jenkins [signature]

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
John Hughes, J. P

State of Arkansas
Pike County
Personally appeared Hiram Kezzia before me John Hughes a Justice of the peace and being duly sworn saith that the William Jenkins whose name is found in the above affidavit is the Identical person who was known in Jackson County Alabama as a pensioner and that he has a knowledge of his having made the necessary proof before the proper authority and of his having drawn money from the pension agent at Decatur for some time past sworn and subscribed before me this 24 day of January 1838
John Hughes, J. P.    Hiram Kizzia  [signatures]
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State of Arkansas
Pike County

I do hereby certify that Hiram Kizzia who appears as a witness to establish the Identity of William
Jenkins a revolutionary Pensioner Is a man of respectability and undoubted veracity so far
as My knowledge extends given under my hand this 24th day of January 1838
John Hughes, J. P.

State of Arkansas
County of Pike ⎬
I David L. Dickson Clerk and Ex officio Recorder and Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for the County and State aforesaid Do hereby certify that John Hughes is a Legal authorized magistrate in the County of Pike and State aforesaid and his act purporting to be as Justice of the peace are genuine 
as the same stands upon fill of Record in my

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand as Clerk and affix the seal of office this 24th day of January AD 1838 and of the independence of the United States the 62nd year
David Dickson clk of Pike Co.
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South Carolina. By his Excellency John Rutledge, Esq; Governor
and Commander in Chief of the said State.

To William Jenkins [illegible]
I Reposing special Trust and Confidence in your courage and Good Conduct, and in your Fidelity and Attachment to the United States of America, have commissioned and appointed, and by
these Presents do commission and appoint you the said " William Jenkins to be a [illegible] in Captains Collins company [illegible lines]
you are to lead train, muster and exercise, according to military Discipline. And you are to follow and observe all such orders and Instructions as you shall, from Time to  Time, receive from me or the Commander in Chief for the Time being, or any of your superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, pursuant to the Laws of this State, 

And all inferior Officers, and others belonging to the said Company are hereby required, and commanded to obey you as their Lieut
This Commission to continue during pleasure.

Given under my Hand and seal at the high hills frontier this 1 day of November A.D. 1782 and in  the sixth Year of the Independence of America,
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South Carolina. By his Excellency John Rutledge, Esq; Governor
and Commander in Chief of the said State.

To William Jenkins [illegible]
I Reposing special Trust and Confidence in your courage and Good Conduct, and in your Fidelity and Attachment to the United States of America, have commissioned and appointed, and by
these Presents do commission and appoint you the said " William Jenkins to be a [illegible] in Captains Collins company [illegible lines]
you are to lead train, muster and exercise, according to military Discipline. And you are to follow and observe all such orders and Instructions as you shall, from Time to Time, receive from me or the Commander in Chief for the Time being, or any of your superior Officers, according to the Rules and Discipline of War, pursuant to the Laws of this State,

And all inferior Officers, and others belonging to the said Company are hereby required, and commanded to obey you as their Lieut
This Commission to continue during pleasure.

Given under my Hand and seal at the high hills frontier this 1 day of November A.D. 1782 and in the sixth Year of the Independence of America,
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[envelope]
FREE

J.L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City DC

[sideways]
Wm Evans April 26
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Transfer of the Bank of the State of Alabama Decatur Apr 10 1838

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions

Dear Sir,
Yours of the 23rd Ult is at hand

The last payment made to William Jenkins a pensioner under act 7 Jun 1832 at the rate of $170 payment was made on the 4th September 1837
the September 1837

Very Respectfully
H Green  Pension agt
For S O Nelson Clerk
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Pension Agency Office
Little Rock, Ark
10 Feb. 1838.

Sir,
I enclose you herewith the Application of William Jenkins, late of Alabama, for a transfer of
his pension to this office.

Respectfully,
Yr obt sert
Mr. E S Woodring Agt

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Com'r of Pensions,
Washington City