Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 10661, John Townsend, S.C.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
S.C.
Townsend, John

NUMBER
R10661

Born in S.C.
CONTENTS
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Declaration of John Townsend in
order to obtain the benefit of the act
of Congress passed June 7th 1832
The State of Alabama )
County of Coosa ) SS
On this the Twenty fifth day of Octr
1844 personally appeared before me Ebenezer Pond
Judge of the County Court of said County the same
being a Court of Record John Townsend
a resident of the County and State aforesaid
aged eighty two years and ten months who
being first sworn duly according to law
doth on his oath make the following oath
and declaration in order to obtain the
benefit of the act of Congress passed June
7th 1832 That he entered the service of the
United States under the following named
officers and served as herein stated at
the time he entered the service he resided
in Camden District of the State of South Carolina
that he has now no means by
which to determine the precise period
of time when he first entered that service
but believes to the best of his recollection
that it was in the month of November Seventeen 
hundred and Seventy seven
this was as a privet[private] footman under Captain
Richard Sadler whose commander was Col.
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Thomas Neil of Camden District in command
of a Militia Regiment. This tour continued
about seven weeks the object of it was to
to put down the Cherokee Indians who
were plundering and devastating the country.
Our direction was to the mouth of Tugular
River and I returned to the settlement same
rout[route]. During this short campaign nothing of interest occured[occurred]. In this tour he was a Volunteer. After this was as a volunteer under Captain Richard Sadler whose
commander was Colonel Andrew Neil.
This tour continued about two months
and the object of it was to guard Orangeburg 
against the British and Tories-
Nothing of interest occured[occurred] during this campaign. After this he was a volunteer
under Captain William Hanna whose
commander was Colonel William Bratton.
This four continued about four or five weeks. During this tour he was at the Siege of Fort Thompson on Santee River from thence to Congaree and there joined in the sieging of that fort from thence he returned to Camden District South Carolina his residence. After this he was volunteer under Col Edward Lacy of Camden District
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in command of a Militia Regiment
this tour continued about three weeks
and the object of it was to put down
the Tories who were plundering and
devastating the country our direction
lay down Sandy River towards the
Congaree and we returned back to our
own settlement by the way of Wainsborough[Winnsboro?].
During this campaign there
was ^nothing of^ interest occured further than the
killing of one Tory who refused to be
taken and capturing of several others
who were suspected but were discharged
upon the pledge of remaining at home
and having no intercours[intercourse] with the enemy.
In this tour he served as a privet[private] horseman
This applicant further states that he is
quite certain that he had one discharge
and is of belief more than the one: that
he had one from Capt Richard Sadler
and that he could now show them but
for the burning of his house in Madison
County Alabama. Which circumstances
places it entirely beyond the reach
of this deponant[deponent] to state what were
these dates how many & who they
were all from the from. Officers
properly authorised[authorized] to grant them
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4.
From this period of time untill the evacuation of Charleston by the British in 1782 and the final close of the war he was occasionall engaged in scouting parties and though his services was not arduous but was always ready to answer to his countrys call and help his hors[horse?] for that express purpose. That during this period of time above mentioned he was engaged in no civil pursuit except what attention he could give his domestic matters during the intervals of service. The applicant further states under oath that he now lives in a newly settled country remote from the scenes of his service and he is not able to say whether a solitary witness to his service excepting his own brother who was in action  with him in a campaign under Col Edward Lacy and several scouting parties. He hopes that no man who knows him will doubt his veracity or his standing as a man of truth and does not believe any man can be found who will doubt. Among those who know me will I doubt not vouch for my truthfulness and their believe in my services as a soldier of the Revolution
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5
I would mention the names of the Hon
James E Belser Hon Wm L. Yancy Hon E Pond
Col H Rose, Col Abel Hagerty and Wm Kennady
all living near me some of whom have
known me for forty years. The applicant
farther States on oath that he was born
in Camden District South Carolina on
the 26th day of December 1761. This is the
information from his parents, but there
is no record of his age existing. The family
Bible which contained it having been
taken by the Tories during the Revolution
on an occasion when they plundered
his Fathers house, he lived in Camden
District South Carolina when he went
into the service of the United States he afterwards 
abut[about] 1783 moved to Wilks[Wilkes] County
Georgia and remained there ten or eleven
years from there he moved to Abbeville
County South Carolina and remained there 
about four years from thence he moved to
East Tennessee Knox County and lived there
ten or eleven years. From thence to Wain[Wayne]
County Kentucky remained there four or
five years. From thence to Madison County
Alabama and remained there one year
from thence to Limestone County Ala. and
lived there one year from thence to
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6.
Madison County Alabama and remained
there two years and again moved to Limestone 
County Ala. remained there about
one year from thence to Franklin County
same state, Ala and remained there about
three years from thence to Hamilton
County Illinois and remained there
about one year thence to Franklin
County Alabama precise time not recollected 
thence to Marion County Ala
and remained there but a short period
of time from thence to Montgomery
County Ala and remained thereon
year from thence to Coosa County Ala
present residence.
The applicant farther on oath states that by
reason of old age the consequent loss of
memory cannot precisely swear as to the
precise length of his service yet according to
the best of his recollection he served
not less than the periods before mentioned
in this declaration for which he
claims a pension and in conclusion
hereby relinquishes every claim whatever
to a pension or annuity except
the present and declairs[declares] that his name
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is not on the pension roll of the agency
of any state. Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
before me Ebenezer Pond, J.c.c.c.c. )

John his mark [hand written X] Townsend
mark

We Daniel Rowe a Clergyman residing in
the County aforesaid and Peter Parker
residing in the same hereby certify that
are well acquainted with John Townsend
had sworn subscribed to the above
declaration that we believe him to be
nearly ninety years of age that he
is respected and believed in the neighbourhood
where he resides to have been a
soldier of the Revolution and that we
concur in that opinion - October 25th 1844
Sworn to and subscribed the day
and year aforesaid
before me
Ebenzer Pond Jc.c.c.cc.
Daniel Rowe
Peter Parker

And the said Ebenezer and Judge as aforesaid
rely declare his opinion after the investigation of
the matter set forth in the foregoing seven pages
of the letter paper and after putting the
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Intergations[interrogations] prescribed by the war Department
that the above named applicant was a Revolution
Soldier And served as he states And he further
certifies that it  appears to him that Daniel Rowe
who has signed the preceding certificate is a
Clergyman Resident in the County of Coosa and that
Peter Parker who has signed the same, is a resident
In same County and is a credible person, and that
their Statement is  entitled to full credit, and that the
applicant from bodily infirmity cannot attend
the court. 
Given under my hand this 25th day
of October A.D. 1844.
Ebenezer Pond Judge

I Joseph B. Cleaveland Clerk of the County Court
of Coosa County do herby certify that Ebenezer
Pond when named appears to the last foregoing
certificate is Judge of the County Court of Coosa
County. That said court is a court of Record
and that the signature thereto annexed is his own
and genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand [obscured by affixed seal] office this 26th day of
October Eighteen hundred and forty four
J. B. Cleveland Clerk

[affixed seal]
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Mrs. W.R. Eckhardt, Jr.,
5317 Montrose Boulevard,
Houston, Texas.
June 22, 1939.
XXXX
BA-J/CC
John Townsend
R. 10661
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary and 1812 War records of Henry, John and Eli Townsend, of Georgia or South Carolina, some of whom
received land in Georgia.
There are no claims for pension on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War or War of 1812 of a Henry of Eli Townsend of Georgia or South Carolina. Land which was granted
within the territorial limits of Georgia would not have been granted by the United States, hence, this office has no record of the grants.
If Eli Townsend ever used the given name Elijah, Elias, etc., another search of the records will be made under those names, if you will furnish as much as possible of the following data in regard to him: approximate dates of birth and death, place of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of wife or widow.
The data which follow were obtained from pension claim, R. 10661, based upon service of John Townsend in the Revolutionary War, and is the only record of a John Townsend of South Carolina or Georgia found in the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 pension files of this office. 
John Townsend was born December 26, 1761, in Camden District, South Carolina, names of his parents are not shown.
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About 1783, John Townsend moved to Wilkes County, Georgia, and remained there ten or eleven years, he then resided about four years in Abbeville  County, South Carolina; ten or eleven years in Knox County, East Tennessee; four or five years in Wayne County, Kentucky; one year in Madison County, Alabama; one year in Limestone County, Alabama; two years in Madison County, Alabama, about one year in Limestone County, Alabama; about three years in Franklin County, Alabama, about one year in Hamilton County, Illinois;Franklin County, Alabama, time not stated;  a short period in Marion County, Alabama; one year in Montgomery County, Alabama, and then moved to Coosa County, Alabama.

On October 25, 1844, while a resident of Coosa County, Alabama, John Townsend applied for pension, and stated that while a resident of Camden District, South, Carolina, he volunteered about November, 1777, and served as private at various times until 1782, in Captains Richard Sadler's and William Hanna's companies, Colonels Thomas Neil's, Andrew Neil's, William Bratton's and Edward Lacy's South Carolina regiments, and was at the siege of Fort Thompson and the seige of Fort Congeree.

His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension laws.

Soldier stated that a brother served with him, but did not state the brother's name. No further family data are shown.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
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1939 - June 22, Hist to Mrs. W.R. Eckhardt Jr.

10,661
P.O. John Townsend
Service:
Enlisted: , 18
Discharged: ,18
REJECTED
1852 list of rejected & suspended claims, shows cause of suspension:  for further proof of service the records at Raleigh must be inspected
Application filed: , 18
Alleges: , 18
Re-enlisted: 
Attorney:
P.O.: 
Recognized.
Contract
Cert. of Dis. 
Searched for , 18
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Pension Office 
Juli 18 1848
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that the papers of the Case of John Townsend and Samuel Townsend have been received and placed upon our files under the act of 7 June 1832.
John Townsend has not specified in conformity with the regulations as much as 1 mo.  service specified 4 times amounting to 5 mo and 10 days and states that he was frequently out afterwards and held himself in readiness to go when called upon until he conclusion of the war.
Samuel Townsend sets forth 4 times amounting to 8 mo. 3 days, and states also that he was out frequently from 1782 to the conclusion of the war.
No proof in support of either one of these claims has been produced. If they served in the North Carolina  Militia as stated by them evidence thereof should be found with the records at the Comptrollers office at
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Raleigh
Unless they can show to the
satisfaction of this Department that they ^each of them^ rendered
as much as 6 mo.  service the claim to pensions
cannot be admitted
for
Hon S. W Harris
Feb 18  '48

Hon Sampson W. Harris
House of Rep.
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No 25. 190
John Townsend
Ala
106.61
this letter concerns Samuel
Let  to Hon J E Belser June 20 '44

Act 7 June 1832
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No 25. 190
John Townsend
Ala
act 7 June 1832
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3317 Montrose Rod
Houston Texas

Mr. A.D. Hiller
Pension Division
Washington, D.C.

[stamp] RECEIVED APR 27 1939  

Dear Sir,
Kindly check your Revolutionary
pension records for Henry Townsend
whose name appears on Georgia's Roster of
the Rev. pages 172, 252, 278, 393. Georgia
records show that he had certificate as
refugee soldier, Elijah Clarke Col. which
means colonial service in Georgia. He is

[hand written note across diagonal of letter] most of Ga. Rev & 1812
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also referred to in Ga. records as "Rev: Henry
Townsend". On Sept 2,1784, we are told regarding
him, Petitioner owns bounty in Washington Co. Va.
also owns headrights of 550 acres in Washington Co.
for self, wife, five(5) Children and one negress coming
from Camden Dist. South Carolina.
Family records say he fought in the Rev.
under Francis Marion in S.C. and was an
"officer" (called "Major") either under Marion in the
Rev. or later on the staff of Andrew Jackson in
the War of 1812. Kindly check his Rev. and War 1812
record and do the record of Captain John Townsend
who appears on the Tax digest for 1803, Jackson
County Georgia. "Capt. John Townsend's  District" in
which Henry Sr. and Henry Jr., Eli Thomas, and
William Townsend also appear. Samuel was also
a son of Henry, Sr.
Henry Townsend was granted
287 ½  acres, Washington Co or  Richland Co: Surrey 588
.
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Oct 18, 1844. He appears on 1785 tax digest of Wilkes Co.
Washington records were all destroyed by Sherman during the
[hand written notation inserted here]none of Ga. Rev & 1812

Civil War. Capt. John Townsend was either also from
Camden, S.C. or from  Prince George or Worchester Co, Md. 
If there are no available pension records of Henry
or Capt. John, please check them for Eli Townsend.

Many thanks,
Ora Link Eckhardt
(Mrs. W.R. Eckhardt, Jr.)
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5380
John Townsend
5. 13. 16
Jno Beach
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5380
BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of [Signature] John Townsend [Illegible] [Print] which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?

V. Has he mentioned 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? [Handwritten] -No-

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with regulations?

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
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XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and other respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? [Handwritten] No

XIV. ^If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper office under his seal of office?

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?

XVI. ^Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? [Handwritten] No-

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?


EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly 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 ___ years ____ months and ____ days, I served as a ____. For ___ months and ____ days, I served as a ____; and for such service I claim a pension."
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature
of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end 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.

[hand written] The regulations require that claimant should produce the best testimony in his power. It does not appear, from the papers that he has made much exertion to prove each term of service.