Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8456, for William Prewit, Virginia
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
Va.
Prewit, Willaim
or Prewitt
Ellender
NUMBER
R. 8456
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[handwritten]

State of North Carolina}
Cleavland County}
Court of pleas and quarter Sessions
August Session
1847. On this 17th day of August 1847 personally
appeared Thomas Prewitt in open Court now sitting
and after 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 July 7th 1838, entitled
an Act granting half pay and pensions to certain
widows: that he is the son and one of the Heirs at law of
Ellender Prewitt who was the widow of William Prewitt
who was a private soldier of the Virginia Continental line
of the Infantry; and as such served the United States
against the common enemy in the war of the Revolution
for the term of Eighteen months in Capt. Aurthers
Company as he has been informed; and this Deponent further
Declars [sic] from Information, that William Prewitt and
Ellender Prewitt his father and Mother was married
sumtime [sic] in the year 1789 and that his father William
Prewitt Died on the 17th day of August 1820 and that
Ellender Prewitt his mother, was not married to the
aforesaid William Prewitt, his father prior to his
leaving the service; but the Marriage took place previous
to the first of January 1794 Viz. at the time
above stated; and this Deponant [sic] further declares that his
Mother the aforesaid Ellender Prewitt Died on the 12th
Day of March 1844. and he further saith that the
following is the names of all the surviving Children
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[handwritten]

of the aforesaid Ellender Prewitt living on the 7th of July
1838; viz,
Rebech Miles Elizabeth Carrell John Pruitt
Sarah Williams Martha Lucadoo, William Prewitt
and Thomas Prewitt. 
The presant [sic] Deponant [sic] that
his father William Prewitt was a resident  
of Bedford County in the State of Virginia at the
time of his service in the Revolutionary war and that
his Mother the aforesaid Ellender Prewitt was also
a resident of said Bedford County, and was
married to the said William Prewitt in the said County
of Bedford at the time afore mentioned
Sworn to and subscribed. The Day and Date
above written - Thomas his X mark Prewit
Sworn to in open Court
before me Richard Champion Clk
August 17th 1847-

State of North Carolina}  Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
Cleaveland [sic] County}
August Sessions 1847
I Richard Champion Clerk of the Court of Pleas &
Quarter Sessions for Cleaveland [sic] County, certify that the Declaration of Thomas Prewitt was taken in open Court and that it was shown to the
satisfaction of the Court that Elenor [sic] Prewit is the widow of William
Prewit and that she died as set forth in the declaration and
that the children therein named is the children of the said
Elenor Prewit
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand & affixed the seal of said Court of office
this 27th day August 1847 Richd Champion Clk
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[illegible]
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[handwritten]

Liberty, Bedford County Va.
December 25th 1847
Mr. Thomas Prewit
Dear Sir,
I have examined the records of
Bedford County Court, and can find no record
evidenced of the marriage of William Prewit
and Ellender Walker.
Very Respectfully
Yr. Obt. Servt
Jno R. Steptoe Clk
of Bedford County Court

State of North Carolina}
Cleavland [sic] County}
personally appeared Willis
Johnson before me W. M. Gold
one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for said County
and after being first duly sworn according to law saith
on his oath, that from the Record of his age now in his
possession taken from the Record made by his father Drawn
off by himself, that he was born on the Seventeenth Day
of February one thousand Seven hundred and Eighty six and that
was raised up with and was intimatley [sic] and well acquainted with
the children of William and Ellender Prewit, and that 
he well knows that Rebecah Prewit now Rebecah Miles Elizabeth
Prewit now Elizabeth Carrell and John Prewit war [sic] all older
than he was, and was grown up to man and Woman
before he was, and this Deponant [sic] further saith, that he
has often heard William Prewit spoken off [sic], as having been
a soldier of the Revolution, and he further saith that he was
present at the Death and Bearral [sic] of Ellender Prewit, widow
of William Prewit and from having refferance [sic] to dates, their
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State of North Carolina  
Charland County
I, W. M. Gold, the magistrate before whom the foregoing affidavit of William Johnson was made do herby certify I have been well acquainted with the said Johnson for many years and that he is a man of good character whose veracity cannot be disputed. 
January the 14th 1848
W. M. Gold
State of North Carolina 
I, Richard Champion, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Cleaveland County, certify that William M. Gold is an acting Justice of the Peace for said County, and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court of Office at Office, this 28th day of January 1848.
Richard Champion, Clerk
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Washington June 5, 1852
James E Heath, Esq.
Sir,
Enclosed you will find Power of Attorney in the case of William Pruitt who was an applicant for a pension under the act of 7 June 1832 from North Carolina.
I wish to have the privilege of examining the papers now on the files of your office in support of this claim.
Very Respectfully,
Son of George C. Ames
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Stock Hill, GA
Oct 10th 1853
L. P. Waldo, Esq.
Dear Sir,
Enclosed I send you the claim of William Prewitt to pension for the services of William Prewitt deceased who was  Revolutionary Soldier of the State of North Carolina.
Please examine and let me hear from you soon.

I am, sir, very Respectfully your obedient servant,
W. R. Query
H. H. Walker

L. P. Waldo, Esq.
Washington City
D.C.
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William Prewitt
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Swanston North Carolina,
July 12th 1848
Some five months since I forwarded a pension Claim in favour of the Heirs of Ellender Prewit widow of William Prewitt and have heard nothing from said Claim since.
Shortly afterwards & forwarded as other plan in favour of Amy Hastin widow of William Hasten and have had no answer. Those Claimants are solicitous to hear from an examination of said claims. 
I am truly desirous that the pension claim of Nancy Miller, widow of David Miller, could be taken and be examined that the testimony of Robert McCormick and the statements of David Miller himself is certainly reconcilable from the fact that it is well known that Capt. Martin and Col. Polk both rendered nearly all of their service in South Carolina. She is certainly intitled to sum equivalent for the ten months service so satisfactory proven by Mr. McCormick who is a man of high standing as regards Reputation. It would give satisfaction if she was allowed only half of what she is intitled to, we would solicit your attention to this matter.
I am your Respectfully,
James Roberts

Mr. J. L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Washington City
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Washington April 27. 1834
Hon L. P. Waldo
Sir,
You will find herewith several affidavits in support of the application of Ellender Prewitt, wife of William of North Carolina. 
This testimony shows that Mrs. Prewitt’s husband enjoyed the reputations, long previously to the [Illegible] in the Virginia Continental line and also from the ages of her children that the marriage must have latter place prior to 1794.
Very Respectfully Your Obedient Servant,
George C. Ames
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AUDITOR.
This is to Certify, That it appears from a List in this office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Continental Line, during the Revolutionary War, as settled their Accounts, and received Certificates for the balance of their Full Pay, according to an Act of Assembly, passed the November Session 1781, that a Certificate issued on the 12th day of February 1782, in the name of William Prewitt as a soldier of Infantry for $36,000, which Certificate appears to have been delivered to himself and was given for services prior to the 1st January 1782.
Given under my hand at the Auditor's Office, Richmond, this 8th day of February 1847.
James E. Heath

State of North Carolina 
Rutherford County
Personally came Job Walker before me, A. B Long - One of the Acting Justices of the peace in and for said County and after being first duly sworn according to law that he was intimately acquainted with William Prewitt in the days of the Revolutionary War, who was a Resident of Bedford County of the State of Virginia that he knew the said William Prewitt be Drafted, and go into the service of the United States for the term of six months in Capt. James Arthur’s Company. That his father John Walker and the said William Prewit was in the service together, that after they stayed in the service about three months. His father John Walker and William Prewitt, came home on [furlough?] and stayed at home about two weeks, and went back and after about the lapse of three months he saw the said William Prewitt return home; and this Deponent further saith he lived in Bedford County in the same Neighborhood of the said William Prewitt before and after the Revolutionary war and that about the year 1783 or 1784, the said William Prewit married Ellender Walker and that he and William and his wife moved sometime afterwards to North Carolina in the County of Rutherford and that William Prewitt and Ellender his wife lived together from the time above stated as husband and wife until William Prewitt’s death which was to the best of his recollection about the year 1820 or 1821 and this Deponent further saith that the Children of the said William Prewitt and Ellender his wife
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are well known by him, and that their names are as follows;-- Rebecah Miles, Elizabeth Carrell, John Prewitt, Sarah Williams, Martha Luckdoo, William Prewitt and Thomas Prewitt. 
And that Ellender Prewitt, the Widow of William Prewitt, died on the 12th day of March 1844 to the best of his recollection and this Deponent further saith that from the statements of his father to him that he is about 76 years of Age.
John Walker
Sworn to and subscribed this 13th Day of January 1848 before me.
A. B. Long, Justice of the Peace

Rutherford County
The Justice of the
peace before whom the foregoing Affidavit of John Walker was made do hereby certify that I have been acquainted for some time with John Walker. The Deponent who has sworn and subscribed the foregoing Affidavit by his mark, that he is a man of truth as far as I know and good Character. 
Jan 13th, 1848
A. B Long, Justice of the Peace
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State of North Carolina
I, G. W. Logan, Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of Rutherford certify that A. B. Long whose name appears to the within certificate was an acting Justice of the Peace for said County at the time of signing the same that his signature is given his official acts entitled to full faith and credit.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court at Office and subscribed my name this 26th January 1848
G. W. Logan
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State of Georgia
County of Union 
On this 13th day of January A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four. Personally appeared before me the under signed a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid Joseph Clements and Hannah Clements, residents of the County of Union and State of Georgia, who being duly sworn according to law deposeth and saith each for his and herself that they were well acquainted with William Prewitt, Revolutionary Soldier for the space of five or six years. That said William Rust was always by the community said to be a Revolutionary Soldier and that they have often heard said William Prewitt say that he was in the War of the Revolution and that he entered the service in the State of North Carolina, and the Witnesses further state that the said William Prewitt was the only person of that name they ever heard of being in the Revolution from the State of North Carolina, and they still further State. That Ellender Prest was always by the said William Prewitt treated as and is by the Witnesses believed to be the identical widow of said William Prewitt deceased. 
That witnesses were acquainted with William and Ellender Prewitt above named for the space of five or six years and that they always lived together as husband and wife and that they never heard anything to the contrary, and that William Prewitt who now claims as son and Heir of said Revolutionary Soldier was always by him treated as and is by the Witnesses believed to be the Son and Heir of the above named William Prewitt and Ellender his wife, who are now dead and  that they were residents of North Carolina.
Joseph Clements
Hannah Clements
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State of Georgia
Union County 
I hereby certify that Jesse Lavasken and Jason E. Chastain Esquire before whom the foregoing Affidavit was made are and were at the time of the signing thereof acting Justices of thePeace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn. And that their signatures thereto appears to me to be genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of my Office this 7th day of March A.D. 1854.
Thomas M. Hughes
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William Prewitt
Claim to Pension
Revolutionary War
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State of Georgia
County of Union 
Be it known that before me Jason C. Chastain a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Union and State aforesaid personally appeared William Prewitt aged 60 years a set of the County of Union and State of Georgia who being cautioned and the sworn in due form of law that he is the son and Heir of William Prewitt deceased who was a Revolutionary Soldier of the State of North Carolina. That he was in the Battle of Guilford.
That he died on or about the 15th day of August A.D. 1827. That his Mother named Elender Prewitt died on or about the 8th day of March A.D. 1845 that they were married on or about the 8th day of June in the year 1783 and that they were residents of the County of Rutherford in the State of North Carolina and that they resided there 30 years and that there are four other Children of the said William Prewitt deceased as follows: Rebecca, John, Sarah and Martha Prewitt.
And the said William Prewitt furthermore [Illegible]. 
By These Presents irrevocably constitutes appoint and fully empowers William R. Perry and Henry H. Walker of the County of Union and State of Georgia, his true and lawful Attorneys for him to demand and receive from the Government of the United States all his rights in any manner of claim for Pension arrears of Pension or land as Son and Heir of William Frank deceased who died leaving the same undrawn, as in right of law custom or equity he is or may be entitled.
In testimony whereof he has this 6th day of August A.D. 1852 hereunto signed his name and affixed his seal.
Williams Prewitt
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Sworn Subscribed and acknowledged before me on this 6th day of August 1853. And I hereby Certify that William Prewitt is a man of veracity and that I am not interested in this application.
Jason G. Chastain
At this same time and place personally appeared before Mr. Jason G. Chastain of the County and State aforesaid, two credible and disinterested Witness named Joseph Clements and Hannah Clements who being sworn by me in due form of law deposeth and saith each for themselves. That they were acquainted with William Prewitt deceased that he was always by the community be lived to be a Revolutionary Soldier of the State of North Carolina, and that William Prewitt Junior was always by him treated as and is by the Witnesses believed to be the son and Heir of said William Prewitt deceased who was a Soldier of the Revolution
Joseph Clements
Hannah Clements
Sworn & Subscribed before me this 6th day of August 1853. And I hereby Certify that Joseph Clements are credible and disinterested witnesses and that I am not interested in the prosecution of this application.
J. C. Chastain, Justice of the Peace
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State of North Carolina
County of Cleveland
BE IT KNOWN, That on this 24th day of May A. D., eighteen hundred and fifty before the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Thomas Prewitt, a resident of Cleaveland County in said County, and made oath according to law that he is the Son of William Prewitt, who made application for a Pension under Act of 7th June 1832.
And that he has been informed that the said Pension ought to be allowed; that he is directly interested as a claimant in said Pension, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my Agent may use in prosecuting said claim.
Thomas Prewitt
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid, before me.
Franklin Oates


I, Franklin Oates, Justice of the Peace, in and for said County do hereby certify that Thomas Prewitt, who executed the foregoing paper is a respectable resident of this County, and is, I believe, directly interested in said claim as therein set forth.
Franklin Oates, Justice of the Peace

I, Silas William, Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Franklin Oates before whom the foregoing papers were executed, was, at the date of the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and the name thereunto subscribed, is his signature.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and
of 25th day of May A. D. 1852
Silas Williams, Clerk
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I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Thomas Prewitt as above, that he is an agree and respectable citizen of this County, and that full faith and credit may be given to his statements upon them or otherwise.
Given under my hand and seal January 11th 1854.
Martin McIntire
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State of North Carolina
County of Cleaveland
On this 18 day of February 1856 personally appeared before me the undersigned, one of the Acting Justices of the Peace within and for said County, Young Hughes, aged 67 years, who after being duly sworn according to law, maketh Oath and Sayeth, that he was well acquainted with William Prewitt (late of this County, but who died in an adjoining County, a Soldier of the Revolutionary War from the State of Virginia - that he became acquainted with him about the year 1810 and knew him until his death; and has frequently heard him speak of his services in the Revolutionary War, long before the passage of any pension laws, by which he might be benefited.
That the said William Prewitt always stated that he came from Virginia, and that he was recognized by all who knew him as a Soldier of the Revolution. That when he came to this County, he brought a wife and family of children along with him, one of whom now living,
Thomas Prewitt, the youngest child of the aforesaid William
Prewitt and Ellender Prewitt his widow (but now dead) [Illegible] must be a man from his (this deponent) his appearance, his own statements, and from on recollection, about 54, 55 years of age.
Also, that this deponent knew seven other children of the aforesaid William and Ellender Prewitt who were older than the aforesaid Thomas that the oldest, Rebecca, from the best of this deponents recollection, and his long intimacy with the family of the aforesaid William Privett, must be about 19 or 20 years old years of age. That Thomas Prewitt is the
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Youngest child of the aforesaid Ellender Prewitt deceased & who was the widow of the aforesaid Soldier.
Young Hughes
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year first  written. And I certify I have no interest in the result of the case, and am not concerned in its prosecution.
William H. Cabaniss
I hereby Certify, that I am personally acquainted with Young Hughes as above; that he is an aged respectable Citizen of this County; and a man of strict truth and full faith and credit may be given to his statement upon oath or otherwise.
Given under my hand and seal. this 18 day of February 1834.
William H. Cabaniss
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State of North Carolina
County of Cleavland
On this 17 day of April one thousand eight hundred and fifty four, personally appeared before me, one of the acting Justices of the peace within and for said County, Lewis Justice aged 65 years who after being duly sworn according to law, maketh oath and sayeth, that he became acquainted with one William Prewitt in the year 1815 from the State of Virginia, and that he has heard him frequently and repeatedly speak of his services in the Revolutionary War before the passage of any pension laws by which he might be benefited. That he was well known as a Soldier of the Revolution and entered that reputation in the neighborhood when he, the said Prewitt, that this deponent heard the aforesaid Private say, that he was paid off for his services in said was in continental  money or a depreciated currency, that was of no benefit to him. 
This deponent further sayeth, that the aforesaid William Prewitt always stated, that he came from Virginia; and that when he came to this County for when this deponent became acquired with him, he had a wife and family of children, one of her own living, Thomas Prewitt the Child of William and Ellender Prewitt must be from his appearance and his own statements about 50 or 55 years of age.
And this deponent has been informed, that there were seven other children older than the aforesaid Thomas Prewitt, Son of William and Ellender Prewitt that Rebecca the oldest of said Children, must be 70 years of age.
This deponent sayeth not. And further
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Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written. And I further Certify that I have no interest in the result of the Case and not concerned in its prosecution.
J. P. Elliott, Justice of the Peace

I hereby Certify that I am personally acquainted with Lewis Justice; that he is an aged and respectable citizen County; and that full faith and credit may into his statements upon oath or otherwise.
Given under my hand and seal April 17. 1854.
J. P. Elliott, Justice of the Peace
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State of North Carolina
County of Cleveland
On this 23 day of January 1854 personally appeared before me the undersigned, one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for said County, James Bridge aged 83 years, who, after being duly sworn according to law, maketh Oath and sayeth that he became acquainted with one William Prewitt about the year 1798 from the State of Virginia, and that he heard him frequently and repeatedly speak of his service in the revolutionary some long before the passage of any pension law by which he expected to be benefited. That he was recognized as a Soldier of the Revolution, and sustained that reputation. That this deponent heard him often speak of how he was paid for his Services in said war that the aforesaid Prewitt always state, that he receive Continental Money or depreciated Currency for his services; that was of no benefit to the aforesaid Prewitt.
This deponent further sayeth, that William Prewitt, the aforesaid soldier, always stated, that he came from Virginia, and that this deponent knew when he (Prewitt) came to this County, he brought a wife and family of children along with him that one of them, Thomas Price now living, the youngest child of the aforesaid William Price and Ellender Pratt his widow, must be a man from his appearance and his own statement about the age of 64 years; and that this deponent knows that. 
[Illegible]
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I hereby certify, that I am personally acquainted with James Bridges as above, that he is an aged and respectable citizen of this County; and that full faith and credit may be given to his statements upon oath or other.
Given under my hand and seal this 23 day of June 1854.
William H. Cabaniss 

State of North Carolina
Cleaveland County 
I, Silas Williams, Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County & State aforesaid hereby Certify that William H. Cabaniss, Martin McEntire and J. P. Elliott whose names appears to the foregoing Affidavit are and were acting Justices of the Peace in and for said County at the time of signing the same duly commission of and qualified that the signatures purporting to be theirs [are] genuine.
Hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of office 21st day of April 1853.
S. Williams, Clerk