Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 334, James Ayres, S. C. Va.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
S.C.
Va.
Ayres, James
Son of Daniel Ayres
NUMBER
R. 334
CONTENTS
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James Ayres
32161

Return answer to Col. Joseph Grisham at Falls Post Office [illegible] District [illegible] SC
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th of June 1832.
State of South Carolina
District of Pickens SS.
On this sixth day of October 1834 personally appeared, before the Honorable A. P. Butler Esquire one of the associate Judges of the said State in open Court at Pickens Court House. James Ayres resident in the District and State aforesaid aged Seventy three 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 when he was twelve years of age as well as he recollected his Father Enlisted him in what was called the Minute service, called to guard the frontiers of Georgia, his Enlistment was as he believes for 18 months he served out his Tour Eighteen months under Capt. William Ayres - Col. John Stewart and was discharged by them. He is certain that he did serve at this time not less than eighteen months and was employed most of the time on the frontiers of Georgia & South Carolina against the Indian and was discharged in Augusta Ga. in the year 1775 as well as he recollects. Soon after his return home to Kershaw he turned out Volunteer under Capt. William Nettles under Col. John Marshall was marched towards Savannah in the lower part of South Carolina and was discharged at Granby at the end of his tour he is positive he served at this time not less than two months - Afterwards in the year 1778 he went from Kershaw County S.C. where he then lived into Henry County Virginia where he had moved from and on Smiths River said County He enlisted with James Kelly and was taken to Brunswick C.H. N.C. there the recruits were formed into companies. He was under Capt. James Dunkin of the 4th Virgina (he believes) Regiment commanded by William Drennon from there went to Headquarters at Hico where we joined the main army under the command of General Nathaniel Green marched to Petersburg and to Norfolk or near it the British had possession of the Towne & after remaining some time there the army left Norfolk and was divided-- and he went with
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General Green to the South, was with Genl. Green and under Col. Drennon at the Battle at Eutaw the Term of his enlistment having expired he was discharged at Cheraw S.C. about the time of the Battle at the Cowpens by Col. Drennon and Genl. Green. He then returned home to Kershaw County - and afterwards turned out Volunteer in Kershaw County under Capt. Gleason Col. John Marshall and General Marion and was with those officers at the Battle at Orangeburg S.C. and served this time not less than one month. 
He served his first Tour Enlisted 1 year 6 months
He served his second. Volunteer 2 months
He served the third Enlisted 1 year 6 mo.
He served the fourth Volunteer 1 mo.
---
He says he served not less than 3 years 3 months
All his services were done as a private. He does not know of a single living witness who can testify to his said services or any past having had for many year remote in the mountains [illegible in black bar] claim whatever to a pension or an annuity in the presents, and he declares, that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State.
And he makes the following answers to the interrogatories put by the Court by directions of the War Department.-
1st. Was born in Cumberland County Virginia on the 6th January 1761
2d. He has a record in his Bible at home taken from his Fathers Family Bible
3. He was living in Kershaw County S.C. when he entered the service - when he was very young his Father moved to Henry County Va. He was about 4 years old when his Father moved into Kershaw County S.C. where he lived at the time be entered the service when he enlisted in Virginia he was on a visit to see his friends there. He lived in Kershaw till 1792 he moved into Greenville S.C. lived there 6 years moved to Buncomb N.C. lived there 6 years moved to Greenville lived there one year in 1805 and he moved to Pendleton now Pickens and has lived in the same District ever since
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4. He enlisted twice - volunteer twice.
5. He recollects Genl Green, Col. Drennon Capt. James Dunkin
6. He got only two discharges, one signed as well as he recollects by Capt. Ayres and Col. Stewart One by Col. Drennon and Genl. Greene. he has lost his discharges he did not suppose they would ever be of any value to him therefore he took little care of them
7. He believes all who know him would testify to his veracity, but he names Col. Joseph Grisham. Col Jeptha Norton, Col. David McKinney, Col. Jesse McKinney, Major James McKinney, John Holden Esquire.
James Ayres
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in Open Court
William L Keith C.C. Presiding Judge

We Robert Gaines a Clergyman residing in the District of Pickens and Bailey Burton residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Ayres who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we [illegible in black strip] years of age; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and we concur in that opinion.
Robert Gaines
Bailey Barton
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court before
William L Keith C.C.

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 Robert Gaines who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman, resident in the District of Pickens and that Bailey Barton who has also signed the same is a resident in the same District and a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
A. P. Butler
Presiding Judge
Oct 6th 1832
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I William L. Keith, Clerk of the Court of Pickens District do hereby certify that the foregoing, contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of James Ayres for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this sixth day of October in the year of one Lord 1834 & 59 year of American Independence.
William L. Keith
Clerk of the Court
Pickens District
S.C.
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James Ayres
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The State of South Carolina
Before the undersigned one of the Justices assigned to keep the Peace in and for Pickens District in the State aforesaid James Ayres of the District of Pickens and made Oath as the Law directly and deposeth and saith. That from old age and consequent loss of memory - there may be some inaccuracies in dates in his Original Declaration, and the one which does being reflected on the age at which he entered the service might have been Fourteen years he way small and his Father Enlisted him the deponent and took him with him in the service as stated in the Declaration This deponent further deposeth, that he did Enlist in Virginia as Stated in his declaration. He joined the Company at Brunswick in North Carolina, and from there marched to Headquarters near Hillsboro, and then was marched to Peterburg Va. from there to Norfolk & from there returned into N.C. The army was then divided & his division marched into S.C. under Genl. Greene. This deponent does know & well recollect that he did the said services. The precise dates he does not pretend to give at this late period. He also further states that he does not know whether he was in the Virginia, North Carolina or South Carolina line. He enlisted in Virginia in
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He enlisted in Virginia did the most of the services in the Carolinas. He has lately by accident found out One of his companions in the War of the Revolution of whom he heard nothing for ten years until the 18th Instant when the Benjamin O'Bannon who resides in Habersham County in Georgia, but within half a Mile of Tugaloo River which is the State Boundry came to this deponent to testify for him & who was well, long and intimately acquainted with deponent from the time he was a small Boy or lad. - This deponent is too poor to seek for testimony and has no relative able to assist him. This deponent saith he was with the Army the greater part of the time from the time of his first enlistment by his Father to the close of the War.
Sworn to and subscribed the 20th day of December 1834
James Ayres
Before me
Nathan Boon J L (seal)
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I William L. Keith Clerk of the Court for Pickens District in the State of South Carolina, do hereby certify, That Nathan Boon Esquire whose signature appears to the foregoing affidavit is a Magistrate as he has stated and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the Court at Pickens C.H. this 20th day of December Anno Domini 1834.
William L Keith
Clerk of the Court
Pickens District
S.C.
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James Ayres
Testimony of Benj. O'Bannon
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The State of South Carolina
Personally appeared Before the undersigned, one of the Justices assigned to keep the Peace for the District of Pickens in the state aforesaid Benjamin O'Bannon of Habersham County, Georgia, who lives within half a mile of the State & District Live who after being duly Sworn as the Law directs doth depose and say - That he lived in the District of Kershaw in the State of S. Carolina during the war of the Revolution that James Ayres now resident in Pickens District S.C. lived near him. They lived for many years from four to seven miles of each other. This Deponent was well acquainted with the Father of the said James Ayres, (Daniel Ayres) who was a good Whig and who was much in the service. Deponent was at the House of the said Daniel Ayres the morning that he and his son James Ayres left home. Mrs. Ayres the Mother of the said James was in great distress blaming her Husband for Enlisting and taking her son a lad or Boy not over Fourteen years of age as he believes as he was quite small about a good size to send to Mill - The said
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Daniel Ayres was much in the army and did his duty well. The said James Ayres was much in the army with the Patriots, struggling for Liberty The said James Ayres lived so near that when at home deponent knew and when out was informed, of the duties & times. He has no hesitation in saying the said James Ayres was a good soldier did his duty faithfully. Had the character of any honest man. Man of the strictest varacity - and one of the best Soldiers in that part of the Country. This deponent was with the said Ayres one tour about one month under Capt. William Nettles of Col. John Marshalls Regiment- They were both in the same service on another tour under Col William Richardson deponent was in Capt. Watsons Compy. and the said James Ayres was under Capt. William Deason. The said James Ayres was with Deponent at the Battle at Eutaw Springs. We were long and intimately acquainted this deponent & this deponent believes the said James
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Ayres was in the service of the United States the greater part of the time from the year 1775 to the close of the war. This deponent well knowing the varacity of the said James Ayres and that he was acquainted with him & his services he called on him to testify for him and it affords him pleasure in certifying for the said James Ayres, that he is deserving of the Bounty and aid provided by his country.
Benja. O'Brannon his mark X
Sworn to and subscribed this 20th day of December 1834
Before me
Nathan Boon J C (seal)

I certify that I have no doubt but that the above named Benjamin O'Bannon is a credible person & worthy of confidence
Nathan Boon J C (seal)

I William L. Keith Clerk of the Court of Pickens District in the State of South Carolina, Do hereby certify, That Nathan Boon Esquire whose signature appears above is a Magistrate as he has stated, and that the signature above purporting to be his are Genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of the Court at Pickens C.H. this 20th day of December Anno Domini 1834.
William L. Keith
Clerk of the Court
Pickens District
S. Carolina
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334
P.O.
James Ayre
Service:
REJECTED
Enlisted:
Discharged:
Application filed:
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized. Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for
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334
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State of North Carolina
Macon County Feb 21st 1855
This day Robert Ashley of the County and State aforesaid personally appeared before me one of the acting Justices of the peace in and for sd. County and made oath in due form of law that he was personally knowing of James Ayres now of Pickens District S.C. Applicant for a pention. enlisting as a Regular Soldier under Capt. Wm. Ayres all under the command of Col John Steward to guard the frontiers of Georgia, in a tower of one year and six months the sd. witness also states that he was personally knowing to the sd. Applicant being a Regular Soldier in Gen. Greens Army Landcaster County South Carolina in an other Eighteen months tower under Capt. Wm. Dunkin and Col. Wm. Drennon and after his tower with Gen. Green he was knowing to sd. Appliant Volunteered his service in the Militia under Capt. Wm. Deeson further deponent sayeth not-
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and date above
Robert Ashley (seal)
Jno. Zachary JP (seal)

I have had some 3 or 4 years acquaintance with Robert Ashley. I know not one word neither of my own knowledge nor Neighbourhood report different from that of an honest upright man of truth. I believe to be his general Carrector [character] given under my hand and seal
Jno. Zachary JP (seal)
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No. Carolina
Macon County
I John Patham clerk of the court for Cou. & greater sessions do hereby certify that John Zechy is an acting Justice of the peace for this County & all his official acts are entitled to due faith & credit as such.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed the seal of office this 24th day of March 1835
John Patham Clk


Ashley
Affidavit
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Jas. Ayres
SC
addl.
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Falls
Pickens District S.C.
22d Decem. 1834

Dear Sir,
By accident my old friend James Ayres met with one of his companions during the Revolutionary War. Ayres is too poor to hunt others & altho. Mr. O'Bannon lives not over 25 miles from him neither till very recently knew where the other had moved to.
O'Bannon appears to be a man of uncommon Candour. Some of my near neighbours are acquainted with him. They say he is a man of Excellent character.
I hope he has been able to testify enough, with the Explanation of Ayres to enable you to place Ayres on the Roll.
With acknowledgements for your prompt attention. and assurance of the Highest respect I remain your obt. Humble Servt.
Joseph Grisham

James L. Edwards Comm. Pens.