Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 21675, for William Mc Master, South Carolina
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
S.C.
McMaster, William
NUMBER
R.21675
?
CONTENTS
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No 37.984.
William McMaster
Alabama
GA AP
Butler
Act 7 June 1832
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(6)
Declaration, and statement in order to obtain the benefit of the
Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. in favour of the heirs of
William McMaster deceased,
The State of Alabama
County of Macon SS.
On this 24th day of April AD 1850. In person came before me W.B. Owsley a Justice of the peace in and for said County-Susannah J Thornton. Wife of Sandford Thornton of the County of Macon and State of Alabama who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that her and her sister Martha B. Thornton wife of Jonathan Thornton of the County of Russel and said State, are the only children raised by William McMaster late of Abbeville District in the State of South Carolina deceased and that affiant in behalf of herself and sister and as the legal and proper heirs of their Father now make application to the Government of the United States for a Pension for the services rendered by the said William McMaster in the defence of his country during the revolutionary struggle for Liberty affiant here states upon information, which she verily believes to be true she having received the same from her Father William McMaster, who was at all times regarded and esteemed by his neighbors and acquaintances to be a man of strict truth and which statements were general accredited in the neighbourhood in which he resided. That her Father William McMaster was born in Ireland - that he came to this country with his parents at the age of thirteen years - that he entered the War as a volunteer at the age of sixteen years, and remained in the service of the Country of his adoption, during the nearly the whole of the seven years that the same continued - that he served as a private for himself and not as substitute for another-- during a part of the time he served on foot but the most of the time with the light horse Companies, during the time he thus served he resided in the State of South Carolina, Abbeville
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District his residence was near the Savanna River about twenty miles south of Abbeville Court House the nearest towns to the same were Vienna and Petersburg, at which residence he died about the year 1824. That he served as a volunteer principally in said State of South Carolina from about the commencement to nearly the close of the war- was in Eleven General engagements besides skirmishes she cannot at this late period state the several battles, or the order in which they occurred, or who commanded at each but agreeable to her recollection a portion of which was forcibly impressed upon her mind by the relation of her Father and seems now at times to be fresh upon her memory. She states that he was in the following engagements. The Battle of Kings Mountain and under the command of Col. Williamson some of the other officers were Cleveland Sevier & Sheby- a British officer Ferguson was killed at this engagement Ranging Rock. She thinks was under command of Col Sumpter Black Stocks - Sumpters Command. Kettle Creek Siege of Augusta Eutaw Springs Ninety six was under the command of Col Pickens, she recollects having learned from her Father that he went over from Carolina to Augusta under the command of Col Pickens to aid at the siege of Augusta where [illegible] commanded the British - at Beaufort she thinks her father was under Sumpter her recollection is that he was also in the Battle at Cowpens and Briar Creek - and in the engagement near Cambridge not far from Ninety six - in which her father was wounded by a gun shot in the left hip - in this engagement the Americans were defeated - her father though wounded made his escape from the British - but was taken Prisoner next day near Rosse's Mills - by the British officer Cunningham and was taken by the British to Ninety six and put in charge of Col Cruger
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(7)
who commanded the Garrison at Ninety six where he was treated by the British surgeon - and subsequently returned to his mother upon Freedom the year the war ended - affiant also recollects that her Father was for some time under the command of Col. Mcleall and Col Anderson - she has often learned from him that he lost all his property or nearly so while engaged in the service of his country and that he never received one cent for the property lost - or due [illegible] as a Pension or annuity in any way whatever neither had he made any application for a pension she has some recollection of hearing that he received from the Government of Carolina some promise of payment or paper showing that the Government was due him specifying a small portion of his services but for which he had not realize any thing - at this late period affiant is unable to producing living witnesses as to the services remained by her Father - she now states that she is fully convinced that her father remained valuable service to the Country, that in the rendition of that service he was remained a cripple for life and neither him or his children have received therefore any peculiar consideration - She admits that she has thought for some year of making application for a pension on account of the services rendered by him said when she first thought of doing so she believes she could have produced living witnesses who would have attested to the truth of most of this statement she was however there as she admits in better circumstances pecuniarily than at this time, owing to misfortune or other causes not necessary here to reiterate she now finds herself and husband at an advanced age - poore and surrounded by a large family of children who from their poverty - they are residing without the means at hand to
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improve their minds in that manner - which the children of a republic like now should be improved. She feels assured that were her Father in life - and to make the statement and showing - which she here presents that he would receive from the Government full compensation for all his services. She admits the only record proof which she is enabled to produce is from the Comptrollers office of the State of South Carolina which is forwarded herewith. She at the same time would suggest that from the imperfect state of the records of Carolina - upon the sharing which she here presents - this application will not be limited and judged of alone by that small sharing of service under Col Anderson. She further suggests that as Justice has been meted out to her Father - that his services should not go unrewarded - and even at this late period - that his children who are now in a situation which requires aid - may receive the same benefits which would have been confirmed upon him were he in life - with full confidence in the merits of her application - affiant [illegible] to add any thing further save the hope that the application may meet with that favor - which its merits demand.
Susannah T Thornton
Sworn to and subscribed before me the 24th day of April 1850-
W. B. Owsley JP
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(8)
The State of Alabama
Macon County
On this 24th day of Aprtil AD 1850 in person came before me W.B. Owsley a Justice of the Peace in & for said County Dozier Thornton who after being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is well acquainted with Susannah T Thornton and Martha B Thornton the applicants for a Pension for the services of their Father, William McMaster - late of Abbeville District and State of South Carolina deceased - that he was also well acquainted with the Father of said Susannah T. & Martha B. - was also acquainted with them when they lived with their Father William McMaster - and before their marriages and her certifies them of the Children of William McMaster - who died in Abbeville District South Carolina - and as the only children raised by him that he was for many years well acquainted with the said Mc Master and states that from his first acquaintance with him he was ever esteemed and regard as a revolutionary solder - as having spent most of seven years in defence of his County - and as having been wounded by a Gun that wound in the hip which remained him a cripple for the balance of his life - that said Master was also generally esteemed and regarded as a man of strict truth. In fact by those who were well acquainted with him - he was believed to be one of that number who had lost sight of his own individual interest - and that the same was merged in his love of County - affiant further states he never heard it - for the first time questioned - but what said McMaster was engaged as set forth in this foregoing application of nearly five pages - in defence of American liberty, and
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that he had not received any compensation for his lines - affiant further states that he is informed as to the Statement he made and affirmed by Susannah T. Thornton and at this late period he can say that he has often remind from said McMaster details of some of the trying services therein referred to.
Dozier Thornton
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 24th day of April AD 1850.
W.B. Owsley JP

State of Alabama
Macon County
Before me W.B. Owsley a Justice of the Peace in & for said County in person appeared Willis B. Jones (a Minister of the Gospel) & Wesley Williams & being duly sworn deposeth and sayeth they have been for years and are now well acquainted with Dozier Thornton & Susanah, T. Thornton the persons who made the above and foregoing affidavits and that they are persons of Good Charicter and possessing a high sense of Honor and is Generally regarded of strict truth in fact beyond suspision
W.B. Jones
Wesley Williams
Sworn to and subscribed before me the 24th day of April 1850 -
W.B. Owsley J.P.
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(9)
The State of Alabama
Macon County
I Lewis Alexander Clerk of the County Court in and for said County do hereby certify that W. B. Owsley, whose name appears to the foregoing affidavits by Susannah T Thornton, Dozier Thornton, W.B. Jones, Wesley Williams, and to the accompanying affidavit of Walter Nunnelee and W.B Jones and Wesley Williams, is and was at the time an acting Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and qualified that the same is his signature and by the proper officer and full faith and credit are due and ought to be given to all his official acts as such. I do further certify that W. B. Jones is an ordained Minister of the Gospel in good standing having charge of Churches and that Dozier Thornton, Wesley Williams and Walter Nunnelee are men of undoubted moral character and fair standing.
Given under my hand and seal of Office this seventh day of May In the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred and fifty.
Lewis Alexander Clerk
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( 3 -- 223. )
No. 21.675 Revy
,Ex'r REJECTED
OLD WAR INVALID.
William McMasters of SC
P.O. Pri, Cole Pickens S.C
Service:
Enlisted:,18.
Discharged:, 18.
Application filed:, 18.
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
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William McMasters
Alabama
Rejected
let 10th June 1851 Hon A. P. Butler
P. Clayton Dec 12 / 51
(died in 1824)
before passage of Act 7 June 32

Act 7 June 1832
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(10)
Pension Office
July 12th 1852
Sir,
In compliance with the request contained in your note of the 10th ins.t I have the honor to inclose you the papers filed in this office, in support of the claim of Mrs. Thornton, to a pension, under the act of 7th June 1832, in right of her father Wm. McMasters decd. late of Alabama.
Very respty
Your obt. St
J F C Triplett
for Commissioner

Hon John S. Millson,
Ch. man: Comr. Revy. Pensions
H. of Reps.


Kirby
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(2)
Comptroller Genl's Office
Columbia S. C. Feby 18th 1850.

N. 220 Book P
Issued the fifteenth day of April 1785 to Mr William Master for Forty three Pounds eighteen Sillings & six pence, thru farthings sterling for Militia duty done since the reduction of Charleston & for Sundries lost in militia in 1781 for balance as pr. account audited
Principal L 43:18:6 3/4 No 36- annual interest L 3:1:5

No 220 No 36 Book P
Mr Willm McMaster his accot. of militia Duty as private pr. Col Anderson's return done alternately before& since the reduction of Charlestown and for Sundries lost in militia in 1781 the whole amotg. to Stg. L 50:14:3¼ State So. Carolina Dr. to Wm. McMaster for duty done pr. Col. Anderson's return 7 tours viz.
L92 80.1 12 32 11 46 34 = L 307:10 1/2
2 saddles, gun & Bridle lost in Dec. 1781 L 27
1 saddle & bridle & gun lost by Jho. McMaster 20.10
47.10
Crry L 335.1.1
Stg L 50:14:3¼
Recd. full satisfaction for the written in an Indent No.
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220.P. (signed) Wm McMaster

I do hereby certify the foregoing to be a true copy taken from the Records of this Office
For Comptroller Genl
James A. Black
(No Seal of Office)

As to "Anderson's Return" See 4th Vol. Statutes at Large of South Carolina page 718
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(5)
The State of Alabama Macon County
Personally came before me William B Owsley a Justice of the peace for said County Walter Nunnelee who being sworn says that he has been acquainted with Mrs Susannah T Thornton wife of Sanford Thornton of the County and State aforesaid since the year eighteen hundred and sixteen, that she was then Susannah T McMaster reputed daughter of William McMaster late of Abbeville District in the State of South Carolina that he has seen her in company with the said William McMaster and his conduct towards her in presence of affiant was at all times that of a father to his daughter and this affiant never heard it questioned on doubted but that she was his daughter. This affiant afterwards learnt of her intermarriage with the said Sanford Thornton with whom she has lived many years. Affiant is now acquainted with her and knows her to be the same woman. Affiant states that his acquaintance with the said William McMaster was limited though he has seen him frequently and thinks he was always understood to have been a soldier in the war of the American Revolution both by common report and his own statements and also that he had been wounded in said service. Affiant knows of his own knowledge that he showed lameness in walking said to have been produced from a gun shot wound in some battle in time of said war Affiant never heard the truth or veracity of said William McMaster questioned by any of his acquaintances but on the contrary thinks and believes that he was a man of undoubted integrity
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and always so considered.
Walter Nunnelee
Sworn to and subscribed before me this twenty second day of April eighteen hundred & fifty.
W.B. Owsley J.P.

The State of Alabama
Macon County
Before me W.B. Owsley a Justice of the Peace in & for said County in person came Willis B. Jones (a Minister of the Gospel) and Wesley Williams & after being duly sworn deposeth and saith that they have been for years and are now well acquainted with Walter Nunnelee the person who made the above & foregoing affidavit and that he is a man of good Caracter possessing a high sense of Honor and is generally regarded of strict truth in fact beyond suspision,
WB Jones
Wesley Williams
Sworn to & Subscribed before me the 24th day of April 1850
W.B. Owsley J.P.
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(1)
Georgia Muscogee County
Personally came before me Oliver Taggart who being duly sworn deposeth & saith on oath that he knew William McMaster of Abbeville District South Carolina and that the said McMaster was a crippled, & it is the impression & belief of deponent that the said McMaster received his wounds in the Defence of his County in the Revolutionary War & that it was the opinion of the Public in said Dist.
Oliver Taggart
Sworn to & Subscribed before me the 17 day of Oct 1849
Jno. J. McKendree J P

State of Georgia
Muscogee County
I Isaac Mitchell Clerk of the Inferior Court of said County do hereby certify That John J McKendree whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit and is thereunto subscribed in and was at the time of subscribing the same a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn. Given under my hand and seal of office This 17 day of October 1849
Isaac Mitchell Clk I.C.
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State of Georgia
Muscogee County
I Thomas A Brannon one of the Justices of the Inferior Court of said County do hereby certify that Isaac Mitchell whose attestation as to the foregoing certificate is and was at the date thereof Clerk of said Court and that his attestation is in due form
Witness my hand and Official signature 17 Oct 1849
T. A. Brannon J. I. C

[sideways print]
affidavit of Oliver Taggart
McMaster heirs
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(4)
The State of Alabama
Russell County
Before me James A Scarborough - a Justice of the peace in and for said County came William N. Richardson of Glenville Barbour County who after being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he is acquainted with Susannah T. Thornton wife of Sandford Thornton of Macon County and with Martha B. Thornton wife of Johnathan Thornton of Russell County & was acquainted with William McMaster the father of said Susannah T. & Martha B. & with the family of said William McMaster of Abbeville District in the State of South Carolina. That deponent was the family physician of said William McMaster for many years and was acquainted with him from about the year 1811 untill he died in Abbeville district about the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty four. Deponent further saith that the said Susannah T. and Martha B. were the only children as he believes raised by William McMaster and they were generally respected and believed to be his children and said deponent believes them to be his children and further saith that William McMaster was a man of good moral character and enjoyed the confidence of his neighbors and acquaintances, and he was generally understood and believed to be a revolutionary soldier. In fact this was never disputed so far as affiant ever heard and that he received while in defence of his country a severe wound.
William N Richardson
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the Fifteenth day of April 1850
James A Scarborough
a Justice of the peace
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The State of Alabama
Russell County
I Simon O'Neal Clerk of the County Court in and for the County & State aforesaid do hereby certify that James A. Scarborough whose name appears to the within affidavits is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the Peace for said County duly commissioned & qualified, that the signatures annexed thereto are his genuine signatures and that full faith & credit are due and ought to be given to his official acts as such.
Given under my hand & official Seal of Crawford this 16th day of April 1850
Simon O'Neal clk
C.C.R.C.

The State of Alabama
Russell County
I Alfred P. Reed Judge of the County Court for said County. Do hereby certify that Simon Oneal whose name appears the above certificate is and was at the time of signing the same Clerk of the County Court for Russell County, & that the above signature is genuine
Given under my hand at office this 16th day of April A.D. 1850
Alfred P Reed Judge
C. C. R. C.
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The State of Alabama
Russell County
Before me James A Scarborough a Justice of the peace in and for said County in person came J. P. W. Brown (a minister of the Gospel) and Martin H Day after being duly sworn deposeth and syith that they have been for years and are now well acquainted with Dr William N. Richardson the person who made the annext and foregoing affidavit and that he is a man of good charactor possessing a high sense of Honor and is generally regarded of strict truth in fact beyond suspicion.
J.P.W. Brown
M. H. Day
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the fifteenth day of April 1850
James A Scarborough
a Justice of the Peace
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I do Certify that I was well acquainted with William McMaster a Revolutionary Character of Abbeville District, South Carolina, I often heard my Father and Mother talk of him, as such that he was wounded in the service, and I felt the Bullet Lodged in his groin said to be received in the Revolutionary war, McMaster said so, My Father Isaac Mathews said so, that my Father was present when McMaster received It and waited on him when wounded William M. Master was married to a Miss Townes, and they had two daughters, I think their names was Martha and Susannah they both married two Brothers by the names of Thornton, and moved to the State of Alabama. I believe them to be the true representatives of William McMaster, according to the Laws of the United States they are entitled to their Fathers pension-
Certifyed By Joseph Calhoun Mathews of Abbeville District, South Carolina
Elder of the Presbyterian Church at Hopewell
13th April 1850 Abbeville District
South Carolina-
Mrs. Susannah T. Thornton,
and Sister
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41
Division of Veterans' Administration Archives
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME McMasters, Alexander GRADE Private LINE New York
(McMaster)
pencil notation only
WARRANT NUMBER 7514 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Oct. 15, 1789
to James Reynolds assignee
*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.