Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S 39336, Robert Cowley, S.C.
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( 3-1776 ) SERVICE S.C. Cowley, Robert NUMBER S. 39336
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19699 South Carolina Robert Cowley  of  Chester Dist. in the State of South Carolina  who was a private in the company commanded by  Captain Duff  of the regiment commanded by  Colonel Sumpter  in the  South Carolina  line, for the term of 18 months from January 1776 to June 1777. Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina at the rate of 8 Dollars per month , to commence  on the 6th day of December 1826 . Certificate of Pension issued  the 30th day of Dec 1826  and sent to  J. Rosborough Esq. Chester C.H. S. Carolina/ Arrears to 4th of __ Semi-anl. all'ce  ending 4 Mar 1827  $ 23.74  {Revolutionary Claim , Acts March 18, 1818  and May 1, 1820. }
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Robert Cowley - Priv. Col. Sumpter's  So. Carolina   Regt. 1776  5 Mar. 1818  Roll  The .. ( illegible ) of the Judges  as to the advanced evidence ... ( illegible ) of applicant & the seal of the Court must accompany each .. ( illegible ) declaration.  Adm  Complied with  Admitted
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.. ( missing ) Carolina Robert Cowley of Chester District  in the State aforesaid being solemnly sworn  declareth  that in the year 1776  he enlisted as a common soldier  for fifteen months  in the  sixth South Carolina regiment of the army of the Revolution. Col. Thomas Sumpter , Capt James Duff,  that he did duty  with that regiment  until the expiration of his enlistment and was regularly  discharged on the first day of June 1777  and that  the annexed is a part of his discharge the signature  to which has been torn off and lost by  accident . The declaration  further states that he is informed and believes that this Regiment was place by the constituted authorities on the continental establishment  and clothes paid  & subsisted by the United States . The declarant further saith that he is a native of the United States that he has always  heretofore and still resides therein  and that from his  reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his Country for support.  Robert Cowley ( his mark X ) Sworn to  & subscribed 4th Nov. 1818 . David Johnson ( signed )  [ South Carolina ] I David Johnson  one of the  associate Judges of the said State do hereby certify  that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Robert Cowley did  serve in the  Revolutionary  war as stated in the foregoing declaration  against the common enemy  for the time  therein mentioned on the continental establishment  &  that he needs the   assistance of his Country for support. Given under my hand  &  the seal of the  Court of Common Pleas of the said State at Union Court House the 6 Sept. 1819 . David Johnson ( signed )
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Robert Cowley 14.839 March 1820 not entitled Hon J. McCreary H Reps 5 Jan. '21
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[ State of South Carolina Chester District ] On this fourth day of November  1820 personally appeared  in open Court  being a Court of Record  for the said District Robert Cowley aged sixty six years resident in South Carolina in said District who being first duly sworn  according to law doth on his oath declares that he  served in the Revolutionary war  as follows viz. In Col. Sumpter's  Regiment  & in Capt. Duff's  Company  and the date of his original declaration is 23rd  day of September 1819  and the number of his pension certificate is 14839 , and I do  solemnly  swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818  and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or any manner disposed of my property  or any part thereof  with intent to thereby  so to diminish  it as to bring myself  within the provisions of an act of Congress  entitled " an act to provide for certain  persons engaged in the land  and naval service of the United States in the  Revolutionary war " passed on the 18th day of March 1818  , and that  I have not  nor has any person in trust for me any property  or security  contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed . Schedule of Property . 1 tract of 150 acres of land $ 220 , One Horse $100 , One Mare $ 35 , One colt $ 20 , 3 cows & calves and 4 yearlings $ 40 , 3 sheep $ 4.50 , 14 or 15 hogs $ 15, 2 pots, 2 ovens & a skillet $ 7. ( total $451.50 ) carried over
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Amount brought over $ 451.50 2 tables  $1 , Knives & forks  $2, Pewter plates , dishes etc. $5, Earthen ware  Do  $5 , Chairs $ 3, 2 Plows $2 , 3 Hoes  $ 1.50 , Truck Waggon $ 32 , 200 bushels of corn  $ 60, 3 stacks fodder  $ 10 , 17 geese $3 , 2 ducks & chickens  $ 2, 3 axes and one mattock $ 4 ( total $ 528 )  My occupation is that of a farmer . I am not able to pursue it  well being very old my family consist of myself, and my wife, who is fifty two or three years old, two sons one will be twenty one years old on the 14th of next March the other is nine years  old , four daughters of age sufficient to support themselves. Sworn to and declared on the fourth day of November 1820 before. David Johnson ( signed ) presiding Judge  Robert Cowley ( his mark X )    I John Rosborough  clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the  Schedule  thereto annexed  are truly copied from the record of the said Court and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the  said Court that the total amount in value of the property  exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is five hundred and fifty eight dollars . In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court  on  this 25th day of Nov. 1820 . J. Rosborough ( signed / sealed ) C.C.Ps
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit  of the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832.  [ State of South Carolina Chester District ] SS. On this  the 4th day of May 1846 personally appeared  Robert Cowley  a resident of Chester District in the  State of South Carolina aged ninety six  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 the 7th  June 1832. That he enlisted  in the regular State Troops under Colonel Sumpter , Major Henderson  & Capt. Duff . We were called the .. Regiment of Riflemen . we done our first duty at Charleston  & on Sullivan's Island opposite  Charleston , where we fought the Battle of Fort Moultrie. Then called Fort Sullivan on the 20th June 1776 . We then went to  the Cherokee Nation against the Indians & fought  the battle of what was called the half moon  or horse shoe, we closed our tour of eighteen months service in guarding the frontiers from the Indians, when I received  my regular discharge, which discharge I sent to  Washington City  when I applied for a pension under the acts of 18th March 1818 & 1st May 1820. He further states that he was promised a portion of Land as a part of his Bounty  when he enlisted but he never  received any , & he now hopes  the proper department  will examine is claims and award him  what is due. He further states that after the end of
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his eighteen month enlistment he went into the Militia service as a substitute for David Aiken under Col. Winn , Major Bonds & Capt. Frost  & performed a tour of three months  duty  in the neighborhood of Charleston , after this he was drafted  & served a tour of six months duty under the command of Colonel Winn  & Capt. Turner he rendered this service in the  States of South Carolina & Georgia & in Florida against the Indians. The next tour of duty he performed as a substitute for John Gallaher a tour of six months under Colonel Brown & Capt. Robins . This service was also rendered mostly in Florida. He was then drafted  & went into service he thinks under Captain Feamster. They went down the  country  & met the Governor  & is guard, who told them that Charleston  was taken & they come home. The balance of his services  was done as a volunteer under General  Sumpter during which term of service which lasted twelve months he was in the Battle of Fish Dam on Broad River - in the Battle of Blackstocks  & the Battle of Cowpens which took place in January  1781  & soon after which his services ended. This deponent further states that he is informed that  although  he draws a pension under the acts of 1818 & 1820 as above stated. , he is entitled to an increase of pension under the act of 7 June 1832 - That the reason  that he did not apply for this increase sooner is that he had no knowledge of his being entitled to it until informed of it a very short time ago by
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a friend  & neighbor. This deponent further states that he is now  ninety six years of age or nearly so , that he lives thirteen miles from Chester Court House, the nearest place  to him where any Court of Record is holden , that by reason of his general age & consequent bodily infirmity he cannot  leave is own home & therefore  as the only practicable mode makes this  declaration before a Magistrate - That the  facts stated are to the best of his memory  which by reason of his  great age  is liable to err, but he has at least  tried to state the truth. Sworn to  & subscribed before me the day & year above written  . Robert Cowley ( his mark X ) Littleton Hill ( signed ) Magistrate   I , Littleton Hill one of the Magistrates assigned to keep the peace in and for the said District of Chester  do certify that the above declaration  was this day duly sworn to  & subscribed before me  by Robert Cowley . That the said Robert Cowley  is regarded by all who know him as a man of truth  & that the said affidavit is entitled to full faith & credit. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand  this the 4th day of May 1846. Littleton Hill ( signed ) Magistrate for Chester District
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I, John Rosborough  Clerk of the Court of Chester District  do certify that Littleton Hill  whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit of Robert Cowley   & the accompanying certificate is a Magistrate as therein stated & that the foregoing signature  purporting to be his is genuine. in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand  & seal of office this fifth day of May  1846. J Rosborough ( signed )  clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Chester District
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COWLEY,ROBERT  (S.C.) S- 39336
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This is to certify that Robert Cowley  Duff Company in the sixth South .. ( missing ) commanded by Col. Thos. Sumter , Tim .. ( missing ) by act of Convention is this day  .. ( missing ) .. fore, discharge from said regt.  Ge.. ( missing ) this 8th day of June 1777.  { stamp } [ THE NATIONAL ARCHHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES ]
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39336 Revy INVALID File No. 39336  Robert Cowley Pri. Rev War Act : 18" March 18 "  Index : - Vol. G Page 93 [ Arrangement of 1870. ]
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39364 Revy INVALID File No. 39,364 Robert Cowley  Pri Rev War Act 18" March 18 Index : - Vol. G Page 94 [ Arrangement of 1870 . ] Consolidated with  S. 39336
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( left page ) 14,839 South Carolina  Robert Cowley  of Chester Dist. in the State of South Carolina who was a private in the regiment commanded by  Colonel Sumpter of the Couth Carolina line for the term of  ___ . inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina at the rate of 8 Dollars per month  to commence on the 4th of November 1818  . Certificate of Pension issued the  23rd of Sep. 1819  and  sent to David Johnson  Esq. Union C.H. S. Carolina . Arrears to 4th of Sep 1819  $ 80.26Semi-anl all'ce ending  4 Mar 1820  $ 48 ( total $ 128.26 ) 10 mo  211/30 { Revolutionary Claim Act 18th March , 1818 } Discontinued  ( right page ) ( vertical on page ) ( Let. to  D. Wallace July 10, 1846 . Notification sent the  5 Jany 1821 to J. McCrea H. Reps ... )
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[ State of South Carolina ... ester Dist ] Personally appeared  Hugh  Knox  Esq before me James Anderson  one of the Justices on and for said District  being duly sworn  agreeable to same affirm and sayeth upon his oath that he the deponent was an enlisted soldier  in Captain William Brown's  Company and  Sixth Regiment of South Carolina commanded by  Colonel Thomas Sumter  and that this the deponent's certain knowledge  Robert Cowley  was a soldier in Capt. James Duff's Company  and the  Sixth Regiment of  South Carolina aforesaid from early in the month of May 1776  until in  June 1777 when the  soldiers of said Regiment were discharged  the term of their enlistment being then fully completed and ended. Hugh Knox ( signed )  Sworn before me this 5th day of Nov. 1818 . Jas. Anderson ( signed ) JQ ( sealed )
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Hugh Knox's affidavit in favor of Robert Cowley
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( post mark ) [ UNION S.C. MAY ]  PAID 30   1 O. Exep  J. L. Edwards  Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City  ( vertical note  (  May 13, 1846 Thos Cowley  & Rec'd Thomas Perry
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Union Court House 5th May 1846 Dear Sir , You have enclosed the declaration  & Pension Certificate of Robert Cowley asking for a Pension increase under the act of  1832. He refers to the evidence on file in the department to establish his claim. Any  communication upon the subject of the application may be made to me at your convenience . Should the application be unsuccessful , please return the enclosed Pension Certificate. Very Respectfully your obt servt. D. Wallace ( signed )  P.S. Thomas Perry  , serve in the ( Virginia Line ) ( underscored )  - his widow still alive . I am requested to enquire whether  or not the  Revolutionary Records afford sufficient evidence of his services to entitle  his widow to a pension . Will you have the kindness  to answer. I have the honor to  be etc., D.W.  Is Robert Cowley entitled to County Land ?
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Robert Cowley Admitted
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[ State of South Carolina Chester District ] Robert Cowley on the twenty seventh day of October 1826 personally appeared in open Court  being a Court of Record for the District aforesaid , resident in the said District  ages seventy three years, who being  first duly sworn , according to law , doth on his oath make the following declaration  in order to obtain the provision  made by the Act of Congress of the 18th of March 1818  , and the first of May  1820 . That the said Robert Cowley  enlisted for the term of eighteen months on the 1st  January 1776  in the  provincial service  in which service he remained until the declaration of independence , he was then transferred  over into the Continental  service commanded by Capt. Jas. Duff in Col. Tho. Sumpter's  Regiment  ( as my discharge in the office will show )  . That he thereby  relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present , that his name is not on the  Roll of any State except  South Carolina, and that the following are the reasons for not making earlier application for a pension. That he therefore had a sufficiency , But by  being  security to an  Administration Bond ( as the annexed certificate of the Ordinary  will show )  his estate both real  & personal has been swept from him , and he is now without anything for his support. Save one horse & cow, a few hogs, & some little household furniture. That he is a planter by occupation , & that he is now crippled in one of his wrists, so that he is not able to make a support , that he has a wife  & one child resident with him, his wife is by the name of Mary Cowley , his sons, Thomas J. Cowley , his wife is something like fifty years old ,his son about thirteen , his wife is unable to contribute in any degree to their support , his boy can plough  which is not sufficient for the support of the family , And in the pursuance of  the Act of 1st May  1820  I do solemnly swear  that I was a resident & citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of  March 1818, and that I have not since that time  by gift, sale , or in any manner , disposed of my property , or any part thereof  with intent thereby to so diminish  it as to bring myself  within the provisions of an Act of Congress  entitled  " An Act  to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval  service of the United States  in the Revolutionary War. "  passed  on 18th day of March  1818 , and that I have not, nor has any person  in trust for me , any property , or securities , contracts, or debts due to me nor have I any means other that what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed. That he had in his possession on the 18th  March 1818 . One tract of land containing about 250 acres which was sold by  the Sheriff of the District of Chester on the first Monday in February  eighteen hundred and twenty six, to William Cowley  for one hundred and five dollars the money appropriated to the bond which  he was security to  ( as the annexed certificate of the Sheriff will show )  . That  since the 18th March  1818 the following changes have been made in his property. One horse 16 years old $ 25. 00 , One cow  & two yearlings $ 14 , 12 head of  hogs  $ 24, one bed and furniture $ 25 ( total $ 88 ) Sworn to and subscribed in open Court .  Robert Cowley ( his mark X )
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I, John Kennedy Sheriff of Chester District do hereby certify that I did on the first Monday in February  1826  sell a plantation or tract of land  taken as the property of Robert Cowley . To Wm. Cowley  for the sum mentioned  in this petition & it was taken at the Suit of E. Lyles  Ordinary vs. James Caldwell , Moses Cowley & Robert Cowley  , the money appropriated to the bond which Robert Cowley  was security to . Given under my hand this 27th day of October 1826. John Kennedy ( signed ) S.C.D.  We whose name are hereunto subscribed do certify that we did truly appraise the following property.  ( viz ) One horse aged 16 years $ 25, one cow &  two yearlings $ 14, Twelve head of hogs $ 24 , One bed & furniture  $ 25 ( total $ 88 )  Appraised by us this 1st October .  John Cunningham ( signed ) Wm. Dudney ( signed )  I do hereby certify that James Caldwell petitioned for letters of administration of his Father's estate , which was granted him by me and that I took a bond from him , with Moses Cowley & Robert Cowley  as securities and that I instituted suit  on the bond against  principal and securities  and obtained judgement for the satisfaction of which the land of Robert Cowley was sold as certified by the Sheriff. Chester District this 27th day of October 1826 . E Lyles ( signed ) Ordy   I Daniel E. Huger one of the Judges of the Superior Courts of law of  the said State , do hereby certify that the schedule has been sworn to  in open Court  , and that I am of  opinion that the value of the property contained in the said schedule does not exceed  eighty eight dollars. Chester Court House.  Daniel E. Huger ( signed )   I John Rosborough  Clerk of the Court for the District of Chester do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule  thereto annexed  are truly copied from the records of the said Court , and I  do further certify that  it is the opinion of the said Court  that the total amount exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is eighty eight dollars . In testimony whereof I have  hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court  at office the sixth day of December  in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred  and twenty six. J Rosborough ( signed  )  CCPs
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

Name Cowling, John  Grade Private    Line Massachusetts
Warrant
Number 3958  Acreage 100  Issued Feb 25, 1791 
to Samuel Whiting 

*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are 

registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates.

Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800.

Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.