Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 45846, for William H Mathers, Georgia
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Service  Ga
Mathers, William H
Number S. 45846
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[left side of page is ripped and words may be missing]

Alabama [crossed out and replaced with Florida] 22.474

Wm. H. Mathers.
Monticello in the State of Florida
he was a Private in the [illegible] commanded
Captain McGuire of the Regt. commanded Col Gardner in the Georgia.
for two years

Inscribed in the Roll of Alabama
rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum
[illegible] on the 4th day of March, 1834.

Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of Nov.
1833 and sent to Wm. H. Mathers [illegible] Monticello. Florida.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833 ---         200
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34 --- 40
                                                                 $240

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by Wm. R. Palmer, Clerk
Book E, Vol. 8, Page [48 crossed out and replaced with 138]

Dead. See letter Feb. 1. 1836
[illegible]
Letter to A. J. Fisher, [illegible]
21 Feb -- 1842

Paid at the Treasury [illegible]
the [illegible] of 6th April 1838 [illegible]
4th Sept 1834 to 25 Aug 1835
[illegible] notified the 12th April
1842
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Territory of Florida In Superior Cout
Jefferson County May Term 1833

On this the 29th day of May 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Thomas Randall Judge of the Superior Court Middle District of Florida now sitting William H Mathers a resident of Said County and Territory Aged Seventy one years on the Second day of August last, who being 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 1832.

That he is a native of the City of Savannah in the State of Georgia and was born on the Second day of August 1761--was enrolled in the Militia in the month of September in the year 1777--and continued in the Service until the British took Savannah he thinks in the year 1778 the precise time of the capture of Savannah he cannot distinctly sate--prior to this time he was drafted and went on the Expedition against St. Augustine in East Florida.  The Company in which he served was commanded by
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Capt McCure, and after crossing the St. Marys river the Expedition was abandoned and he returned to Savannah after being in Service about four Months and after his return he continued in Service until the Capture of Charleston with Exception of a few months. he was altogether in Service in Georgia & South Caroline about four years during the revolutionary war with occational short intermusings.  he Served as a private under different Captains in the Regiments of Col. Gardwir & Col. Burgome & under Gen Lincoln during the Siege at Savannah & Charleston and untill the battle at Stoneferry in South Carolina, during his Service the following incidents are recollected -- the British fleet arrived at five fathom two miles below Savannah, landed and marched up to Brownington Hill, and from thence they went to Gov. Wrights Middle Plantation, one mile below Savannah--as well as I recollect in two or three days of the landing they moved on to Storm the Town -- The Continental Army commanded I think by Gen. Horne at that time and encamp-
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ed [encamped] at Govnr. Tabralls Fathers old field, about half war from Town to where the British headquarters were- The British army Marched around the Continentals and came on the back of the Town, where we the Militia with one brass piece were placed we gave them three wounds with Some Small army, spiked the Gun & made out retreat for this road leading up the river, our Continentals in full flight between us and the Town about one half of the Continentals were take prisoners as I understood afterwards, the ballance [sic] of them with the Militia made our retreat to Purusburgh in South Carolina, I do not recollect how long we remained there in camp before some of the Georgians with Myself were Marched off as a guard to the waggons [sic] that carried the powder, which was Saved from Savannah, to Prince Williams Parish, and deposited the powder in Sheldon Bulls Church, and remained there as a guard, how long I do not recollect. I there left the army for a Short time untill [sic] Gen Prevost Commander of the British Army Marched from Savannah towards Charlestown- we the Militia were then ordered to headquarters at Tulyfinner Hill, and Marched from there to Charleston
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under Col. Gardner and Bourguoine - Gen Provost did not appear before Charleston, but made his head quarters at Stoneferry - Gen Lincoln arriving somewhere in the neighborhood of Charleston, we were marched out and joined his army, head quarters at Summers plantation, I think that was the name, and there remained until the lice [underlined] had liked to have eaten us up, having by this time but one ragged suit, I was compelled to hunt and kill the lousy invaders every day or two & I am impressed to believe that two of my cousins, Smith and Patterson, carried scars perhaps to their graves - Some few Georgians with myself, through Col. Richard Whisley from Savannah, obtained a passport to return to our native State with the intention of joining  our people, but one of our member being sick we did not set out untill the morning of that bloody battle at Stoneferry when we returned to our different places of abode, and not long after the battle stated above -- was ordered into camp commanded by Capt John Hayward son of Mr. Thomas Hayward living at July furnace Hill, Scouting in that section of country lying between
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Bus Creek, hill, Eutaw, Purysburgh, and Savannah [illegible] Gen Lincolns army. Marched for Savannah to Join the French Army under Count Destang, who Jointly besiege the Town I was in Storm upon the Town and after the Slaughter, we Marched for the South State, and I remained at home at Coosawhatchee Bridge, till the Main British army came on and besieged Charleston- and placed under the command of Genl. Lackland Mackintosh, and at the fall of Charleston I was taken prisoner, the prisoners were Sent home on parole to their different Parishes, which was the limits of their paroles, & remained So till after the fall of Cornwallace. when the prisoners when the prisoners in our Section of the Country were ordered to take up arms in favor of the British & our old heads concluded best to do so rather then be sent to Charleston then in the possession of the British and we Should be forlorn- The Brittish then built a fort at Pocotalago, when we the prisoners with some British Dragoons and Some Tory Militia were cramed into
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the fort with one piece of cannon with a Stone in the fort, and to the best of my recollection Completely Surrounded by marsh about this time Sixty or Seventy of our people commanded by Col. Wm Hardin Came down from their places of retreat, when Two of the Principal officers of the fort were invited to dine at old Mr. Vanbibbers, who lived on the fork leading from the fort over the Salt Catchers but in sight of the fort, They the officers carried a Sergent and Six Dragoons as a guard, and put out their sentries while at dinner. Col Hardins men now rushed out of the woods, and took the whole party, Col Hardin then sent in a flag and demanded the fort, but he could never have taken it with the number under his command had it not been for us the prisoners being the most, the officers in the fort after Making the Second trial to see who would defend it, when the Second flag was sent, gave it up- The prisoners among the rest Myself, Joined Col Hardin, kept the Country and never again was beaten off
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at the time we Joined Col. Hardin the British army Said to be Six hundred Strong, from Charleston made their headquarters at Busbeeferry at Garretts Plantation, as was supposed to collect provisions for a Siege, as Lord Cornwallace had not Surrendered with the British army to Genl. Washington, during their remaining in that Section of the country Col. Hardins Camp where I was never Slept in a house but one night and part of another I think for at least Two Months, no doubt for lieu of a Surprise. Then the British moved for Charleston we ambuscaded them at Parkers ferry, Sixteen Strides from the road, Killed and wounded about one hundred. then we were ordered to the Siege of Browns fort at Augusta, and remained there untill the night before he Surrendered. and in consequence of the arrival of an Express of the burning, plundering, & killing in our Section of country, Col. Stafford who now commanded us was ordered down for the protection of the Inhabitants- after Some time I do not recollect how long, I was on the Great Oguchy & Joined Col. Bakers Camp in my native State Genl. Wayne
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had headquarters about five miles from Savannah, the British being about to Evacuate, and Wayne ordered out thru detachments to cut off the retreat of the Indians from the nation, I went on the Expedition during the rout I was Sent Express, and was fired on by about forty British Soldiers in ambushed, and on this rout My Sheepskin from under my Saddle was my bed, my cloths my only covering- I was in the battle at the Siege of Savannah, and in the battle at Parkers ferry and also in a Skirmish at Oatkaty River. My head was a target for a younger man fro the British Intrenchments at the Siege of Charleston, and raising my head from the Crop hole at the Siege of Augusta, at Browns fort My right hand man filling my place that Instant- rec'd the ball over his left Eye- at the Siege of Savannah I worked Sundays and every day, and Many other things, I cannot Say, but let this suffice to Entitle an old Revolutionary Soldier who Served about four years with occational [sic; occasional] ^ Short intermissions to the benefit of the act

All this I declare to be the truth
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without any intention or design of defrauding the Government, I will only Say that some minor circumstances may be misplaced as many years have Elapsed since I have passed through the service

The length of time I have Stated to be four years, with occasional short Intermissions, and I know of no living witness to prove the length of time or the Services performed, nor any documentary Evidence. Nor have I remaining any record Evidence of my age.

I do hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pention [sic] or annuity Except the present, and declare that my name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State, or Territory

Sworn to and Subscribed the day & year aforesaid 

I do further declare that when called into the service I was living in Savannah Geo Since the Revolutionary war living three and some years in South Carolina. afterwards returned to Georgia, where I resided until the year 1822 when I removed to Florida & am now living in Jefferson Cy of that Territory.

I further state that I do not recollect to have  received a regular discharge in writing from  the Service.

Finally I refer to Adam Wyrick a Clergyman and George G Warner, as persons to whom I am known in my present neighborhood. & who can testify in my behalf.

Sworn to and subscribed in open court WH Mathers WClk }  S/W. H. Mathers
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In the Superior Court May Term 1833  May the 29th

We Adam Wirick a Preacher of the Gospel residing in Jefferson County and Territory of Florida and George V. Warner residing in the Same place here by certify that we are well acquainted with William H Mathers 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.--

Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid }
in open court
S/Adam Wirick
S/WA Mathers W Clk
S/Geo. V. Warner-
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And I Thomas Randall Judge of the Superior court for the counties of Jefferson & Madison Middle District of Florida, do hereby declare my 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 me that Adam Wyrick who has signed the preceding certificate is a Preacher of the Gospel resiging in this county, and that George Y Warner who has signed the same is a resident of the same place and is credible persons, and that their Statement is Entitled to Credit this 29th day of May 1833

S/Thomas Randall
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I William H Mathers P Clerk of the Superior court for the counties of Jefferson & Madison Middle District of Florida do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William H Mathers for a pension

In Testimony where of I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed the Seal of court this 29th day of May 1833

S/WH Mathers P Clk
Supr. Court
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
Feb'y 24th, 1842.

Sir:
Under the date of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States". The Execr. of Wm. H. Mathers, decd., a Pensioner on the Roll of the Tallahassee Fl. Agency, at the rate of Eighty Dollars ["and ____ Cents" crossed out] per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1834. to the 25th August 1835~

Respectfully, yours,
S/Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
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[oval mail stamp partially reading:
"TALLAHASSEE" rest illegible]
Jan 29


Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
War Department
Washington City.
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Pension Agency, Central Bank of Florida:
Tallahassee   Jany. 16. 1836

Hon. J L Edwards
Commissr of Pensions.

Sir,
Application has been made to me by Sarah Mathers widow of William H Mathers decd. a pensioner, under Act of June 7 1832, for the arrears of pension due her husband up to the of his decease. W Mathers died Aug 25 1835, having nearly a year's pension due hum as you will perceive by my semi-annual report furnished you.

As your instructions to me do not provide for such a case, and I know not what has been the practice under the Act of Congress, I must ask you to instruct me on the subject, whether her claim is to be allowed, or not, and if allowed be pleased to furnish me with the proper form of voucher I should take.

I am 
Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Sr. [obedient servant]
S/A. Thompson, Clerk
for Benjn. Chains
Pred of Pensn. Agent
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INVALID.
Revy ["WIDOW" crossed out]
______________
File No. 45.846
Wm. H. Mathers
______________
Georgia

Act 7 June 1832
Index:  Vol 3,   Page 308

[intentional brackets as printed]
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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22.474
["27.322." crossed out]

William H. Mathers
Florida

Adm 2 years $80

Page 48. [underlined]


Wm. H. Mathers Jr.
Monticello 
Florida.
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I Joseph M White a citizen & resident of Jefferson County Delegate in Congress do hereby certify that William H Mathers resides in the county of Jefferson has the appearance of being seventy one years old is reputed & generally believed to have been in the revolutionary war, & is a man of strict integrity & unreproachable character & is in every respect worthy of credit-

S/Jos. M. White