Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10,729, Hugh Gaston, S.C.
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S.C.   Gaston, Hugh   S.10.729

Born Pa. or N.J. carded
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Date of death not
on A.B.

30. 546
Alabama'
Hugh Gaston
Wilcox Co, in the State of Alabama
[illegible] was a private in the Company commanded by 
Captain Kershaw of the regt commanded by
Col Thompson in the S.C. militia for six months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Alabama
at the rate of 20 Dollars    Cents  per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of April
1836 - and sent to [illegible]
F.S Lyon.[illegible]

Arrears to the 4th of March 1836      $100.
[illegible] allowance ending 4 Sept.       10
                                                           $110
Revolutionary Claim
[illegible] June 7, 1832
Recorded by Wm S Allison        C
Book E.2 Vol. 8 Page 98
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Page 1
Declaration of Hugh Gaston
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7th June A.D. 1832.

The State of Alabama
Wilcox County [illegible] On this 25 day of [crossed out text] April A.D. 1834. personally appeared before me Samuel Pitts a justice of the peace in and for said County
Hugh Gaston a resident of the County and State aforesaid (he being unable to attend Court by reason of bodily infirmity) aged eighty three years who being first duty   duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by this act of Congress passed June 7 AD. 1832 that he entered the service sometime in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy five, that he enlisted for the period of six months, in a Company of Rangers commanded by Capt. Kershaw in Col. Thompson's regiment. He took the State oath and served until he was discharged - during his service as an enlisted soldier he was at a battle at a place called Reedy River, at this place the Tories were defeated and many taken prisoners and carried to Charleston, South Carolina and from thence to Sullivan's Island when he was employed in guarding them until he was discharged. This excursion against the Tories is commonly known
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by the name of the Snowy Campaign - He afterwards served in the militia in the years (1776) (1777) for various periods of time until the close of the revolution, first under the Command of Capt. William Gaston and afterwards under the Command of Capt. McClure. While in the militia he served for the space of one. sometimes two months at a time when the emergency of the times required it. Under the command of Capt. Gaston he was stationed for a short time within ten miles of Charleston, thence he was marched to Purysburg near the Savannah river where he was discharged while under the command of Capt. McClure he was at an engagement with the Tories at Mobley's meeting house, where the tories were defeated. Afterwards at Monks Corner they were surprised by the enemy and compelled to retreat. They retreated up the Santee river where they were reinforced by a party of men from North Carolina. He was at battle at James Williamson's plantation near the soth{south} fork of fishing creek where the Tories and British were defeated. Col. Lacy was commander at this place. He was also at a battle of Rocky Mount where General Sumpter was highest in command. He further states that the discharge he received was a verbal one and and that he has no documentary evidence of his service and that he knows of no person whose evidence he can procure, who can Testify to his services. When called into service he resided in Chester District in the State
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State of South Carolina. He hereby relinquishes  every claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity except the pension and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency in any state. 
Interrogations proposed by Court to Hugh Gaston and answers thereto Where and in what year were you born? I was born as I believe in the state of Pennsylvania or New Jersey March 12, 1751 2nd Have you any record of your age and if so where is it? 
A. I had a record of my age in my father's Bible, but the BIble is not now in existence.
3rd Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary war and where do you now live?
A When called into service I was living in Chester District in the state of South Carolina after the revolution I resided in Chester District So. Can. About nine years since I left South Carolina and removed to Wilcox County in the state of Alabama where I now live.
4th How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom?
A. At first I enlisted for the period of six months, after the expiration of that time I served at various times in the militia in all amounting to about four months as I believe 5th State the names of arms of the regular officers
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who were with the [illegible] where you served such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your services?
A. I know Col. Thompson and General Sumpter. I also remember Capt. Gaston & McClure and Col. Lacy. many of the names of indi-viduals of the revolution have faded from my memory. I was at the battle of Rudy river in the Snowy Campaign & at Mobley Meeting house, I was at the surprise at Monk's Corner and at an engagement at Williamson's, plantation also at Rocky Mount and for fur-ther particular I refer to the preceding dec-laration -
6th, Did you ever recive a discharge from ser-vice, and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it?
A. I received a verbal discharge from Col. Thompson. I never [illegible] a written discharge
7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can Testify as to your character for veracity & their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution?
A. I know Thomas S. Witherspoon a minister of the Gospel and Samuel S. Gamble said Witherspoon resides in Monroe County and Gamble resides in my neighborhood
[illegible] to & subscribed to
before me this 25 APril 1834 Hugh Gaston
[illegible] Petty [illegible]
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Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and 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 notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points 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 compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
Statement, showing the Service of Hugh Gaston
Period when the service was [illegible]┃Duration of the [illegible] service.┃Years.┃Months.┃Days. ┃Rank of the claimant.┃Name and rank of the Field of-ficers under whom he served.┃Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.┃Proof by which the declaration is supported.
1775┃6  [illegible] 4 months,┃P. P.┃Capt. Cashaw Col. Thompson Captain Gaston
Capt. McClure.┃8:3 S.C.┃

I am, respectfully,
your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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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, Bostmen, &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 claim-ing the benefit of this law as officers, noncommissioned officers, mucicians 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, or District of
On this
day of
County of
A. B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before
of
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)
served in the
(e) regiment of the
with and
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 entered 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.
A. B.
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.
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
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same)
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
who has
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 days 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.
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
X
day 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
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person 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 at-tempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-pected. 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 giv-en, and what has become of it?
    {To an Officer, {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by when 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 test, tify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied is the declaration, and they are requested to Anne their opinions for the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can de 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 traditional 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 inquiry 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 of 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 pre-cure, 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 fol-low the rules laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign in sufficient reason for not confurming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariable 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 for the claim cannot be had. Every claimant 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 buy 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 tot he 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 fur 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 treats 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 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 serve was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent au-thority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[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 it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has so pub-lic 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 no written on the same sheet of paper which con-tains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of taps or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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 services by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time for the claimant's 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 wit-nesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from [a] to [I] are all 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 traditionally evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, The declarant must state the feet.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be writes, and seat to the War Department, with the declaraties.
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Mrc Hugh Gaston [illegible]
Certificate
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Fishing creek Church
Chester District [illegible]
That the bearers Mr Hugh Gaston, Layelder and Mrs Martha Gaston his wife have spent the greatest part of their life in this district and twenty three years in this congregation that they have conducted themselves with sobriety, honesty & [illegible] - free from any public scandal or ground of church censure known to us - that they have been admitted to a participation for all the privileges to which professed Christians are entitled - that Mr Gaston has long exercised the office of a day elder in the presbyterian church [illegible] in-tegrity & fidelity, and as they have signified their wish to be dismissed from us that they may settle in the State of Alabama & connect them-selves with some religious Society there, they are hereby dismissed & they are recommended as Adobe stated - Certified by order of [illegible]
this 11th day of Dec. 1823
John B Davies S.D.M
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June 27, 1932.
Ba-J/ILL
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Hugh Gaston
S. 10729
Mrs. Frank Richardson
Route #2, Richardson Road
Montgomery, Alabama.

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter requesting information relative to Hugh Gaston, a Revolutionary War soldier.
The data furnished herein are obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 10729, based upon the service of Hugh Gaston in that war. 
Hugh Gaston was born March 12, 1751 in "the state of Penn-sylvania or New Jersey".
While a resident of Chester District, South Carolina, he enlisted sometime in 1775, served six months as private in Captain Kershaw's Company of Rangers, Colonel Thompson's South Carolina Regiment, was in the battle of Reedy River and in the "Snowy Com-paign"; later, he served on various tours during the war, amounting in all to about four months, part of the time in Captain William Gaston's Company (no relationship to the soldier stated), stationed near Charleston, after that in Captain McClure's Company and was in the battles of Monk's Corner, Mobley's Meeting House, Williamson's Plantation and Rocky Mount.
After his service, he resided in Chester District, South Carolina and sometime between December, 1825 and 1826, moved to Wilcox County Alabama.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 25, 1834, at which time he resided in Wilcox County, Alabama.
In December, 1823, it was stated that the soldier and his wife, Mrs. Martha Gaston, had resided in Chester District, South Carolina, most of their lives, and they had been members of the
1.
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congregation of Fishing Creek Church (Presbyterian) in said county for twenty-three years.
There is no reference to children.
A search of the Revolutionary War records of this office fails to show a claim for pension on file based upon the service of Patrick Brewer in that war.
Very truly yours,
A. D. MILLER,
Assistant to Administrator.
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Six months has would
only amount to $20 a
year during the life of
Mr Gaston Commencing on
the 4th March 18[illegible] -
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War Department
Pension Office
Feb. 29. 1896
Sir,
I herewith enclose the letters to you re-specting the case of Hugh Gaston. He alleges in his declaration on file to have enlisted for six months in 1775 to subdue a party of the tories. That service was as a militia man, and the militia did not serve so long as six months under one engagement. He also alleges service as a militia man in South Carolina at different periods during the revolutionary war, but has not specified the duration of each tour of actual service, as the regulations require. He will be allowed a pension for six months
actual service, on the evidence now filed, should you so intimate to this office. Enclosed are the papers with a brief,
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Yours Obt. Servt.
J L Edwards

Hon. F. S. Lyon
House of Representations
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See if more than 6 mo.
pension can be allowed
Hugh Gaston. If so, inform Hon. F. S.
Lyon, H.R. [illegible]
the certificate: but in 
any case, let a certifi-
cate [illegible] & [illegible]
Mr. Lyon H.R
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War Depte
Pension Office
Jan. 15. 1836
SSir
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Route #2, Richardson Road,
Montgomery, Alabama,
May 17, 1932.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:-
Kindly forward me the following pension records;Revolutionary War.
Hugh Gaston, Revolutionary soldier of South Carolina or Virginia. Live in Sumter and Wilcox counties,Alabama. Died in the latter county. Milly Brewer, wife of the Revolutionary soldier,Patrick Brewer, who served in North Carolina and who died in Wilkes or Franklin County, Georgia in 1800 
Milly Brewer died in Franklin County, Georgia, in 1853.
Very truly yours,
Mrs. Frank Richardson
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[illegible left page]
10.2739
INVALID>
File No. 10, 729
Hugh Gaston
[illegible] War

Act: June 7th 1832
Index:-Vol. [illegible], Page 138
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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The Deposition of Peter Kelly taken in proof of the revolutionary service of Hugh Gaston 
The State of Alabama
Wilcox County
Personally appeared before the undersigned a Justice of the [illegible] in and for said County. Peter Kelly aged eight-three years, a revolutionary soldier & pensioner who being duly sworn deposes & says that he is well acquainted with Hugh Gaston (who now claims a pension under the Act. June A.D. 1832) and that he served under the commander Col. Thompson in the years 1775 and 1776 and that he was present at the excursion against the Toris at Rudy River and throughout the whole of the Snowy Campaign. He knows that when Hugh Gaston enlisted for the period of six months in a company of Rangers commanded by Cap. [illegible] in Col. Thompson regiment - and that Mr. Gaston was at Rudy River at the taking of the Tories and that the prisoners were carried to Sullivan's Island where the said Gaston was employ-ed in guarding them. He knows that when the period of Mr. Gaston's enlistment expired he was discharged & returned home.
Sworn & subscribed before me
November 21st A.D. 1834
Sam Filly [illegible]
[illegible]
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The State of Alabama
[Illegible] County
Personally appeared before me Samuel Pitts a Jus-tice of the Peace in and for said county Hugh Gaston who being unable to attend and appear before a court of Record in said County by reason of bodily infirmity and who after being duly sworn according law, or oath, makes the following addition and amendment to this original decla-ration (herewith annexed) in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress [illegible] June 4th A.D. 1832. [illegible] That he enlisted for the period of six months in Col Thompsons regiment under the command of Capt Cashaw. During this period he was at the battle at Reedy river against [illegible] the Tories, the battle commenced early in the morning and lasted but a few minutes - the Tories fled & many were taken prisoners, who were taken to Charleston & thence to Sullivan's Island. This campaign was performed in the Dead of winter in the latter part of the year 1775 or the first part of the year 1776. (this deponent is unable to state the precise time) but he is positive that the expedition was called the Snow-y Campaign. After guarding the Tories at Sullivans island for some time the term of his elistment
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expired & he was discharged & returned home
While engaged in the Militia under Capt
Gaston he was stationed at the ten mile
house near Charleston, from thence he
was marched to Parysburg near the Sam
vannah river & encamped there some considerable
time in watching the movements
of the enemy. He was there discharged
afterwards he was called out in the militia
under the command of Capt McClure
when he was at the battle at Mobley's meeting
house where the tories were defeated, the battle
was fought at break of day & lasted a short time
several negroes were killed & some tories were
taken prisoners. after the battle the militia
returned home
He was afterwards called out to defend
& guard provisions stored at Monks corner
where Captn McClure with the militia were
surprised by the enemy's horsemen &
compelled to retreat up the Santee river where
they were reinforced by a party of men from
North Carolina- afterwards hearing of the
fall of Charleston the returned home-
He was afterwards at the battle at James
Williamson's plantation
the night previous
to the battle they encamped at Clem branch
when they crossed the Catawba river and
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attacked the united forces of the British & Tories about day break. the action continued but a few minutes. Capt. Hook a British officer was killed. several of enemy were killed & some taken prisoners. afterward he was at the battle of Rocky mounts. the battle commenced early in the morning & continued upwards of three hours. Tories & British took shelter in a large log house where they defended themselves from the attack of the friends of liberty under the command of Gen. Sumpter. This [illegible] further says that he was not engaged in any regular civil pursuit during the revolution, but was ready at a moments warning to take the field when the emergency of the times required his service. 
By reason of old age he is unable to state the dates of the event, but he is satisfied that facts set forth above are substantially correct.
Sworn & subscribed before     Hugh Gaston
me Nov. 13. 1834
Sam Pitts [illegible]
This and the four proceeding pages contain all the additional evidence that can be obtained in proof of the revolutionary service of Hugh Gaston - Sam Pitts -
Page 24

The State of Alabama / Duncan Smith Wilcox County / Clerk of the County Court of the County of Wilcox aforesaid hereby certify that Samuel Pitts [illegible] whose signature appears to the foregoing certificate is & was on the 13th day of November A.D. 1834 an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Wilcox aforesaid and as such Justice due faith and credit should be given to his Official act of that state
[illegible] under my hand and seal of Off[illegible] at Offiel at [illegible] C.H. this [illegible] day of May A.D. 1835 
D.[illegible].Smith CLK
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Page 3
The State of Alabama
Wilcox County
We Thomas S. Witherspoon & a clergyman residing in Monroe County in the state aforesaid and Samuel S. Gamble residing in Wilcox County in the state aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Hugh Gaston who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding declaration. that we believe him to be eight-three 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 subscribed before me this 25th April A.D. 1834
Sam Pitts J.P.
Thomas Witherspoon
Samuel S Gamble

The State of Alabama
Wilcox County
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid Hugh Gaston who being duly sworn deposes & says that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below 
viz: For six months I served as [illegible] soldier & for four months I served in the militia and for such service I claim a [illegible]
Sworn & subscribed to before
me April [illegible] 1874
Sam Pitts J.P.
Hugh Gaston
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Page 4
And the said Justice of the Peace does hereby declare his opinion that the said Hugh Gaston is unable to appear at Court as the law requires by reason of bodily infirmity. And also the said Justice after the investigation of the Claim of the said Hugh Gaston for a pension, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department is fully convinced that the said Hugh Gaston was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the said Justice further certifies that it appears to him that Thomas S. Witherspoon who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County of Monroe, in the State of Alabama, and that Samuel S. Gamble who had also signed the same, is a resident in the County of Wilcox in said State and that they are credible persons and their statement is entitled to credit. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal April 25, 1834
Sam Pitts J.P.

The State of Alabama
Wilcox County
Duncan C Smith Clerk of the County do certify that Samuel Pitts whose Certificate appears above was at the time of [illegible] the same and now is [illegible] acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly, [illegible] qualified at the law directs and as such due [illegible] here [illegible] & ought to [illegible] to all his Official acts Given [illegible] my hand & seal of office, at office this the 19th day of August A.D. 1834 and 59th Year of American Independence
[illegible]
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31.926
Hugh Gaston
Alabama

admitted
for six worth
$20