Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 33068, for William Mc Ghee, North Carolina
Page 1

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

(3 - 1776)

SERVICE
N.C.

McGhee, William

Number
S33068

Contents
[illegible initials]
Page 2

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

Illinois 26.143 

William McGhee 
Jackson Co. in the State of Ill 
who was a pvt [private] in the company commanded by Captain Pond of the Regt. commanded by Col Wade in the N C line for 2 yrs pr $80.00

 Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois -- at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 15th day of March and Sent to M.S. Covell, Bloomington Co. Ill.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 240.00 
Semi-anl. [annual] allowance ending 
4 Sep. 40.00

$280.00 

{Revolutionary Claim,} 
{Act June 7, 1832.} 

Recorded by J. T. Sprague Clerk, 
Book 6 - Vol. 8 Page 63
Page 3

State of Illinois} 
County of McLean} Ss
On this fifth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three [1833] personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the County Commissioners Court of the County and State aforesaid now sitting William McGhee a resident of the said County aged about Seventy One or Two does not precisely recollect -- who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th A.D. 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States about the time of the battle of Eutaw Springs [September 8, 1781] does not recollect the year but thinks in 1777-8 and served as follows To wit 
He volunteered under Capt. Pond [Samuel Pond] in Col. Wade's [Thomas Wade's] Regt. [Regiment] in the Brigade commanded by Brig. Genl Rutherford [General Griffith Rutherford] some time [sometime] in the fall season -- he lived in Mecklenburg County North Carolina about Twelve miles from the Town of Charlotte was out in this tour about three months in pursuit of British and Tories near Shoe heel Swamp Gum Swamp & Raft Swamp -- was discharged by his Captain and returned home. - In a few days after was drafted in the same service under the same officers. This tour went down as low as Drowning Creek was in a skirmish with the British and Tories loss on our side of seven or eight men does not recollect the loss of the enemy lost his horse in this engagement for which he never has recd [received] any pay valued at $50 was out about three months discharged by his Captain and returned home. Two or three weeks after thinks in the spring of 1778-9 he
Page 4

volunteered in a company commanded by Capt. Bracken [William Brackin] in Col. Lofton's [William Lofton's] Regiment under the same General as before was stationed at Wilmington a short time was in a skirmish at Wilmington was out this tour he thinks a little over three months, was discharged by his Captain and returned home. – “Sometime in the fall of 1779 - 80 -- cannot remember the dates as distinctly he volunteered in a company commanded by Capt. Smith [David Smith] in the Regt [Regiment] commanded by Col. Shepard [William Shepherd of Wilkes County] under the command of General Greene [Nathanael Greene] on the Continental Service was stationed at Richmond old Court House in the County of Surry he served in this company Eighteen months thinks more but cannot recollect until near the close of the war” he thinks Col. Lewis commanded some time was constantly ranging & when called upon was sometimes in Rowan, Montgomery & other Counties was on Pedee [Pee Dee River] securing the County was constantly upon hard service was always under the command of the Regular officers recd [received] a discharge from service by his Captain cannot recollect things very distinctly as he never expected to draw a pension -- does not know what has become of his discharges has no records of his age nor documentary testimony nor no witnesses who can testify as to his services depends upon the rolls of the war department may be mistaken as to time but recollects his officers distinctly -- he was born in Louisa County upon James River Virginia he thinks in the year 1761, 2 is not certain he lived in the County of Mecklenburg NC till he was about forty-five years of age he then moved to Christian County Kentucky where he lived
Page 5

Eight years from thence removed to White County Illinois where he lived Eleven years thence to this County where he now resides he recollects General Davidson [William Lee Davidson] who was killed [February 1, 1781] at Catawba River also Col. Childs -- General Polk and some others -- can refer to William Owendorff and James Allen who can testify as to his character for truth and veracity and their belief as to the services as a soldier of the revolution. --
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. 
Sworn & subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
[Signed] William McGhee
before me this fifth day of June A.D. 1833 
In testimony whereof I here set my hand and private seal there being no official seal yet provided Pr {seal} Isaac Baker, Clk [Clerk] of County Comr [Commissioner] Court

Questions propounded by the Court 
1st Where and in what year were you born? 
Ans: In Louisa County State of Virginia in the year 1761-2 is not certain 
[2nd] Have you any record of your age and if so where is it? 
Ans: None, and have only kept my age by memory 
[3rd] Where were you living when called into service? Where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live? 
Ans: When called into service I lived in Mecklenburg [County] North Carolina from thence I removed to the State of Tennessee from thence to the State of Kentucky and from thence to the State of Illinois where I now reside. 
[4th] How were you called into service; were you drafted; did
Page 6

you volunteer or were you a substitute, and if a substitute, for whom? 
Ans: I volunteered in the North Carolina Militia in Captain Ponds Company in Col. Wade's Regiment and served about three months 2nd was drafted and served under the same officers about three months and thirdly volunteered under Capt. Bracken and Col. Lofton's Regiment 4th volunteered under Capt. Smith belonging to the Continental service where and I served about eighteen months 
[5th] State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served, such as Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service. 
Ans: Captain Ponds of the Militia Col. Childs of Militia -- Col. Shepherd a Continental officer and General Greene -- and while in service I was in a battle at Wilmington North Carolina under Col. Childs and General Rutherford. 
[6th] Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? 
Ans: I had a discharge from Capt. Pond, from Col. Childs from General Rutherford and from Capt. Smith but have lost them 
[7th] State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can testify as to your character for truth and veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier in the revolution. 
Ans: I refer you to James Allen and Wm Orondorff 

Sworn and subscribed to before this 5th day of June 1833 
In testimony whereof I here set my hand and private seal there being no official seal yet provided.
{Seal} --- Isaac Baker Clk [Clerk] of County Commissioners Court 

We James Allen and William Orendorff residents of the County of McLean Illinois hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William McGhee who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy two 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        James Allin 
William Orendorff
Page 7

24.439 
William McGhee 
McLean Co Ill. 

Adm 2 years 
$80 -

M. S. Covell 
Bloomington CC McLean County
Page 8

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

WAR DEPARTMENT
PENSION OFFICE

29 April [1833?]

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 show what is necessary to be done these points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (these:}). 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 McGhee
[column headings: Period when the service rendered. Duration of the claimant’s service. Years. Months. Days. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service, Proof by which the declaration is supported.]

20 “abt’ 3 [months] Private Capt. Ponds Col. Wade 71 years Traditionary Mecklenburg North Carolina = a Clergyman
a abt. 3 [months] “ [Private] same officers
a little over “ 3 [months] “ [Private] Capt. Brackin Col. Loftin 
1 [year] 6 (horse) “ [Private] Capt. Smith Col Shepard

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,

J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions

It is inconsistent with the history of the revolution to have served 18 months continuously in the Militia - the claimant is again referred to note S. Nov. 26. 1833-
Page 9

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, or District of} ss.
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 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)    , 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 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. 
[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. 
1               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     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 bis 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
Page 10

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.} {To an Officer.} Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? 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 trans nit 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 rule 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 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 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. ln a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of 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 to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:-For    year    months, and     days, I served as a    . For     months and    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 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 service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; 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 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 in 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 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 in 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 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 witnesses, and the official character and signatures 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 to [illegible] note (j) applies to continental troops only. 
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable 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.
Page 11

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

Rev. and 1812 
Wars Section 
EEL 

August 26, 1930 

Mrs. J. F. Lentz 
201 S. Grove Street 
Marshall, Texas 

Dear Madam: 

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.33068, that William McGhee was born in 1761 or 1762, in Louisa County, Virginia. 

While residing in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, about twelve miles from the town of Charlotte, he enlisted in the fall of 1777 or 1778, and served on various tours at different times until 1781, about two years and three months in all, as a private under Captains Pond, Bracken, Smith, Armstrong and James Shepard, Colonels Wade, Lofton, Shepard and Lewis in the North Carolina Troops and was in the battles of Wilmington and Guilford. 

After the Revolution, he continued to live in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, until he was about forty-five years of age, then moved to Tennessee, thence to Christian County, Kentucky, where he resided eight years, thence to White County, Illinois, where he lived for eleven years and thence to McLean County, Illinois. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed June 5, 1833, while living in McLean County, Illinois. 

It is not stated that soldier was ever married. [written on the side] Date of death not on AB] 

The above is the history of the only soldier named each not William McGhee, searched under all spellings, of North Carolina, found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau and said records fail to show a claim for pension on file on account of the services of John McGee, under any spelling of the surname, of North Carolina. 

Very truly yours 

E. W. MORGAN 
Acting Commissioner.
Page 12

[typed form, with handwritten responses]

[left side] to 320 Tenn. 33068

Revy INVALID

File No. 33,068

William McGhee
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7th, 1832
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 263

[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right side] Mch [March] 30, 1897 – History Mrs. J. W. Maddin – N. Vine St. Nashville-
1913 July 28 Hist. to Milo Caster Letter in S. F. 32106 Ebenezer Barnes
1915 May 14 – Mrs. Elizabeth McG. Breazeale.
1930-Aug 26 – Hist. to Mrs. J. F. Lentz - EEL
Page 13

State of Illinois} 
County of McLean} SS 

On this Seventh day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four [1834] personally appeared before me the undersigned Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for the County and State aforesaid William McGhee a resident of said County who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following statement in order to amend his declaration before the County Commissioners Court as is found in the accompanying papers and documents herewith transmitted To wit -- "Sometime in the fall of 1779-80 cannot remember the dates distinctly he volunteered in a company commanded by Capt. Smith in the Regiment commanded by Col. Shepard under the command of General Greene in the Continental service was stationed at Richmond old Court House in the County of Surry he served in this Company Eighteen months, thirteen months which service he cannot positively designate but knows that he was not under the same officers Eighteen months at any
Page 14

one time but remembers he volunteered first in Capt. Smith's company and was about four months with him ranging in Surry County Rowan County &c then he recollects of joining Captain Armstrong's [Abel Armstrong's] Company as a volunteer thinks he served under him three or four months ranging same as before and then under the same Captain joined Genl. Greene at Salisbury in Rowan County when he served about five months more when he was discharged he then joined a company commanded by Captain James Shepard [James Shepherd] as a volunteer served under him some three or four months was discharged - also under Genl. Greene he was at the battle of Guilford old fields [March 15, 1781] was out in all during the war nearly three years served under various officers had discharges from all except one tour he was quite young at that time and has lost all his discharges. He cannot recollect all his services as he is now old and never thought he should apply for a pension says he thinks he could prove part of his service but it would put him to great deal of trouble he wants a decision upon his claim and will be satisfied let the same be what
Page 15

it may [be], he is getting old and does not expect to enjoy it long but needs it much and further he saith not. 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of said Court at Bloomington this 17th day of February 1834 
M. L. Covell, Clk [Clerk] CC
Page 16

State of Illinois}
Secretary’s Office} To Wit
 
I A. P. Field Secretary of State for the State aforesaid do hereby certify that Isaac Baker is now Clerk of the County Commissioners Court in and for the County of McLean and State aforesaid as appears to me from his Bond being filed in my office as of [illegible] also that David Wheeler is now an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified to office and that full faith and credit are due all their official acts as such. 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of State to be affixed at Vandalia this sixth day of November A.D. 1823 
A P Field Sec. of State
Page 17

Subscribed and sworn
Page 18

Sworn and subscribed to before me this fifth day of June AD 1833 In testimony whereof I here set my hand and private seal there being no official seal yet provided {Seal} Isaac Baker Clk [Clerk] of County Comr [Commissioner] Court 

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion of 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 James Allen and William Orondorff who have signed the foregoing certificate are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit- 

I Isaac Baker Clerk of the County Commissioners Court of McLean County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of William McGhee for a pension -- In testimony whereof I have set my hand and private seal there being no official seal yet provided Bloomington June 5th AD. 1833 
{seal} Isaac Baker Clerk of County Comr [Commissioner] Court
Page 19

State of Illinois} 
McLean County}
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said County William McGhee who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his services but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grade, for three months, I served in the first tour, in the 2nd tour three months – in the 3rd tour three months, in the 4th eighteen months. In all of which tours I served as a private, making in all two years and three months actual service, and for such services I claim a pension. 
[Signed] William McGhee 
Subscribed and sworn to before me this fifth day of June A.D. 1833 
David Wheeler, JP

[written upside down] Subscribed and sworn
Page 20

Bloomington Ill} 
Feby 22 1834. 

Free 

Maj. J. L. Edwards 
Commissioner of Pensions
 Washington D.C. 

Return claim under the late act of 1832 .

[vertical text] March 15 Illinois Ret.d [Returned]
Page 21

Bloomington Feby 22 1834
 
Maj. J. L. Edward, 

Sir enclosed I again send you the papers of Mr. Wm McGhee he has attempted an Amendment to his declaration in order to account for his Eighteen months service as stated at first he says it was a misunderstanding and hopes it will not effect his claim the old man is very poor but I have not the least doubt but he is perfectly honest and am perfectly convinced he is justly entitled to a much larger Amount than any other claimant in this County I hope his case will be acted upon as soon as possible I have the honor to be 
Very Respy. [Respectfully] Yours 
M.L. Covell
Page 22

[circular stamp] PENSIONS U.S. OFFICE
FEB 25 1897

Chief of Pension Bureau 
Washington D.C.

Can you give me the Revolutionary record of David Downs Capt [Captain] of Burralls Conn. State Regiment 19th Jany [January] 1776 Taken prisoner at "The Cedars " 19th May 1776. Can you give me any other information of him? 

Col. William Downs mentioned in Ramsays Annals of Tenn. Can you give me any Record of him? Can you give me the record of any other Downs? 
I have been late to write to you-- I know not if you give this information at all or if you do it - for a price - Please let me know 

My address is Mrs. J. W. Maddin 
220 N. Vine St. 
Nashville Tenn [Tennessee]

Feb 19th,
Is there Record of solder of the Rev by name William McGhee? 

[stamp] OLD WAR & NAVY FEB 27 1897 FILES
Page 23

Rev Sec

Box 1 
Mt Olive. N.C. 
May 11 - 1915 

Bureau of Pensions 
Dept of the Interior –

On the morning of April 21st I visited the Bureau of Pensions and was shown the pension papers of William McGhee of Va. for N.C who died [Illegible] also the papers of Thos. McGhee of N.C. 
I was, at the time not at all sure they were my
Page 24

McGhee for whom I had searched, but on my return home, and after examining my records – I find that the William McGee is the one wanted to supply a missing link and have been so sorry I did not copy those papers in Washington. The lady Clerk was most kind and gracious in assisting me and I wish I knew her address would write
Page 25

direct to her - Will you kindly mail me all data obtainable in regard to William McGee please? Especially this. Where and when he was born &c. Where and when he died? Who did he marry? When " " " [did he marry]? - Names and birth date of his children. 
Address of any descendant to whom this data has been previously sent. Also data in regard to Thos McGhee please send.
 I will gladly pay the price of
Page 26

any stenographical work connected with this should there be charges for same.
Now these records are on file - for I examined them two weeks ago and regret greatly that I did not make copies at the time. Hoping to receive an early reply with data. 
Yours Truly 
Mrs. Elizabeth McGhee 
Breazeale Mt. Olive, N.C. 

cfo Bank of Mt. Olive
Page 27

Rev
Page 28

[typed form with handwritten responses]

J. FREDERIC LENTZ
A. P. S. 7825 
201 So. Grove St. 

MARSHALL, TEXAS, 
July 30th 1930 

Bureau of Pensions 
Washington, D.C. 

Gentlemen: 
Can you supply with information concerning the military service of John or William McGee of Guilford Co., N.C. in the America 
Respectfully 
Mrs. J. F. Lentz

[stamp] Pension Office US A Aug 4 1930
Page 29

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services. Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States. 

O. W. & N. DIV. REVOLUTIONARY. 

L.W.B.
I.17392.
I.33063.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS. WASHINGTON, D. C. 
March 30, 1897 

Madam:-
Replying to your request for information concerning the military records of David and William Downs and William McGhee, soldiers of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that a very careful search has been made and from the data given the name of William Downs has not been found upon the Revolutionary war pension records on file in this Bureau 

David Downs made an application on February 14th, 1833, at which time he was 72 years of age and residing at Waterbury, Conn., and his pension was allowed for thirteen months and nineteen days' actual service as a private in the Conn. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Osborn. Place of his enlistment not stated 

William McGhee made an application on June 5, 1833, at which time he was 71 years of age and residing in McLean County, Ills., and his pension was allowed for two years' actual service as a private in the N. C. troops, Revolutionary war; a part of the time he served under Capt. Pond and Col. Wade. He enlisted in Mecklenburg Co. N. C. 
Very respectfully, 
Commissioner.
Mrs. J. W. Maddin, 
Nashville, Tenn. 
220 N. Vine St.
Page 30

[typed form with handwritten responses]

RECORD DIVISION. 3 - 525.  
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 
BUREAU OF PENSIONS. Washington, D. C. 19__ 
S.F. 33068 

In reply to your request of ___ received ___ for a statement of the military history of William McGhee a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. 
1778 or 1779 

LENGTH OF SERVICE. 
Served at Various times 2 years & 3 mos. 

RANK, 
Pvt.

OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. 
CAPTAIN. 
Pond
Bracken
Smith
Armstrong
Jas. Shepard

COLONEL. 
Wade 
Lofton 
Shepard
Lewis

STATE.
N. C.

Battles engaged in, Feb. 1, 1781- Wilmington & Guilford 

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Mecklenburg Co N. C. 

Date of application for pension, June 5, 1833. His cl was al [claim was allowed]

Residence at date of application, McLean Co., Ill. 

Age at date of application, b in 1761 or 1762 in Louisa Co. Va. 

Remarks: No data as to family 
For date of last payment of pension &c 

Very respectfully, 
Commissioner.
6-2856