Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 32,245, John Files, S.C.
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S.C.
Files, John
S.32,245
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Illinois.19.682
John Files.-
of Wayne Co in the State of Illinois. -
who was a Private in the Co. -  commanded by Captain Anderson of the Reg.t  - commanded by Col. Pickens on the South Carolina line for two years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois. - at the rate of 80. Dollars 00. Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14. day of Aug.1883 and set to officer T. Page, Carmi, Ills.
Arrears to the 4th of March. 1833. 160.--
Semi-amt. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833 -40.-
$200.-
{Revolutionary Claim,
 Act June 7, 1832}
Recorded by [Signature: Joseph 4. Palmer] Clerk,
Book [illegible] Vol.8 page 56.
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18072. 19682
John Files, of Wayne County, Illinois.
Return 5
Adm. 2 years $80.
[strikethrough: James Looch, Clk. Wayne County, Illinois.]
Wm T. Page Carni White County Illinois
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Brief in the case of John Files,
of Wayn County in the State of Illinois.
(Act 7th June, 1832)
1.  Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? A Court.
2.  If befor a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3.  How old is he? 72 years.
4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
[column headings: Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of the General and Field Officers under whom he served.]
1. Enlisted in 1776. Years, Months, Days about 7. As a Private. General Williamson, Col. Pickens, Major Reed, Capt. Robt. Anderson.
2.  Enlisted 1777. Years 1, 2 Months, 33 Days. As a Private. Col. Pickens, Capt., Robt. Breather.
3. [illegible] 1777
4. [illegible] 1780. Not stated. Private. Capt. Norwood.

5.  In what battles was he engaged? Ram Creek, Geo.
6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service? District of Ninety-six, S.C.
7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary.
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct.
Certify (bold) that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[Signature, W. B. Turner, Examining Clerk.]

incidental numbers on bottom left: 
8.15
12
13
3.15
[illegible]
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John Files
Wayne County
18012
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Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832-
State of Illinois
Wayne County
On this 30th day of August 1832 personally appears in open court, before the Hon. William Milton Judge of the Wayne Circuit Court being a court of Record now sitting John Files a resident of said County & State aged 72 years who being first duly sworn according to law, both on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he entered into service of the United States in the militia under the following named officers as here stated General Andrew Williamson, Colonel Andrew Pickens, Major Reed, Captain Robert Anderson, 1st Lieutenant John Moores, 2nd Lt William Riley, on the 2- of July 1776
That he was a volunteer & resided in the District of Ninety Six that he marched to Fort Independent in the same district & State of South Carolina remained there three weeks where he was detached on to the line of the frontiers, continued there until about the middle of September or first of October when he reached to Fort Laurens, never arrived there until the last of February 1777. Commander at the Fort, Benjamin Lutt Captain in the Regular
That soon after about the last of March same year he cotised in the State Service under the same General, Colonel Alaford, Captain William Baskins, 1st Lieutenant James Baskins, 2nd Lieut. Williams Harris and was stationed on a block house on the lines between Saluda & Savannah rivers fourteen months during the period had a battle on the 14th of February 1778 at the mouth of bask creek in Georgia we were defeated at that engagement, this about 30 miles from Laurens Fort. That the Block House above was the Head Quarters of the forces that managed on the frontiers-
That under the same officers in August or September after he volunteered in the militia, & marched against the Cherokee Nation the Indians had deserted the towne. Killed one Indian & burnt 26 townes & cut down all their cows grass 33 days and were then discharged.
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That under Captain Robert Anderson entered the service as a volunteer on the 10th of March 1780 & marched to a beach Island where Colonel Pickens took command of us & remained there until sometime in May, when he [illegible] congancies to Cowden where they enemy drove us back to the congancies served there three months and fifteen days
That under Colonel Samual McCall, Major John Cunningham, Colonel Clark commanded the Georgia troops, and entered [illegible] times in October 0 after and marched to Augusta Georgia where there was a battle with some British soldiers & Indians in which we were defeated on the 14th of October continued to fight for four days.  That at this time the country was continually overrun with the evening area the Lovics.  That from Augusta Georgia we went through Geo & South Carolina near the lines of North Carolina at the North Pacolet & joined Captain Major Parsons, that he remained with him managing until the following spring when General Greene and Colonel Lee, Colonel Washington & General Moryam came from North Carolina with the main army to South Carolina and about the 1st of March 1781.  We went as a guard of some prisoners who had been taken in a battle at Hogskin Mill and let them at the Town House on Holston in the State of Virginia, That he then returned to South Carolina on the frontiers between Saluda and Savannah rivers and [strike through: again] joined Captain [strikethough: Major Parsons] William Baksins. & remained with him until the following June when he joined Captain Robert Weathers [inserted: Lieutenant Francis Carlile] 2st Lieutenant John Caldwell [strikethrough: 2d Lieutenant Josephy Mc Clasky] and was with him three months and was one of his spies and managed between the Saluda & the Savannah rivers. Then joined Captain William Baskin 1st Lieutenant John Files his father 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin Lawrence managed with him in the same district three months, Then joined Captain John Norwood, 1st Lieutenant Benjamin Lawrence acted in that capacity & several times month ranging in the same district. Then joined Captain William Baskins, 1st Lieutenant Benjamin Lawrence and
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continued to range in the same district with Capt Bakin until peace was declared.
That he has no documentary evidence and know of no persons whose testimony he can perceive to testify to his services.
That he was born in Augusta County Virginia 31 March 1760. That he has no record of this age. That he resided in the District of Ninety Six  when first called into service & that he resided there until the year 1804, he then removed to Warblers County [insert: Kentucyk resided there] five years, he then removed to Ohio County same State called Davis County, he resided there thru teen years, that he then removed to White County State of Illinois & resided there five years that he removed to this county where he has since resided.  That on his first tour he was a volunteer that on the record he enlisted in the State troops, that at all times after he was a volunteer.  That on his 3 tour Benjamin Lute, Major Boues also a Major were all the regular officers that he now remembers.
That he has no recollection of ever receiving a written discharge except when he was enlisted & served [inserted: 14 months] he received a discharge from Capt William Baskins which was burnt in his brothers house in the year 1802. as he now thinks, That David [W] McLein and Enoch Beach are persons living in his present neighborhood and who can testify as to his character for veracity & then belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to assertions or accuruicty except the present, and declared that his name is not on pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to subscribed the day and year aforesaid
[signature: Samuel Leech Clerk]
We David W. McLein a clergyman, residing in the County of Wayne & State of Illinois and Enoch Beach residing in the same County thereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Files who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy two years of age; that he is reputed  and believed in the neighboured where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed the day &  year aforesaid
[Signatures: Samuel Leech Clerk
David w. McKein
Enoch Beach]
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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion afte the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories described 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 David W. McLien who has signed the proceeding certificate, is a clergyman, resident of the County of Wayne and that Enoch Beach who had also signed the same, is a resident in the same County and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
[Signature: Wm Wison]
I Samuel Leech Clerk of the Wayne Circuit Court do hereby certify that the forgoing contained the original proceedings of said court in the matters of the application of John Files for a pension.
In testimony whereby I have hereunto [insert: set] my [illegible: name?] and seal of office this thirtieth day of August in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
[Signature: Samuel Leech Clerk of Wayne Circuit Court-]
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---
In reply to your request of ____, received____
for a statement of the military history of John Files
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [strikethough:(or his widow's)] application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S.F 32,245
TABLE:
Column Headings: DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED [Subheads: CAPTAIN. COLONEL.]. SERVICE
July 2,1776. 8 mo. 15 day Pri[vate]. Robt. Anderson. Andrew Pickens. S.C.
Mch 1777. 1 yr 3 mo 3 da. Wm. Baskins.
Mch 10, 1780. 3 mo. 15 days. Robt. Anderson. Pickens.
Oct 1780. 1 yr 6 mos. [check mark]. James McCall. William Baskins [check mark]. Robt. Weathers. John Norwood. [check mark].

Battles engaged in. ____[check mark].
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Ninety six District S.C.
Date of application for pension, Aug 30, 1832, his cl_was and 
Residence at date of application, Wayne Co, Ills.
Age at date of application, B. Mch 31, 1760 in Augusta Co, Va.
Remarks: There is no data relative to family

Respectfully,
5 -- 2856
Commissioner,
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32245
Revy INVALID.
File No. 32,2243

John Files
Pri Rev War
●
Act: June 7th 32nd
Index: -- Vol. 2, Page 138
[Arrangement of 1870.}
-
Dec 12 98
Miss Garmer
[strikethrough: Mrs] Pers Burean

1917 July 16 Mrs. Jayne B. Kerr advised this John Files the only one burnt not the subject of her inquiry. AW
---
1917, Aug. 10 History to Mrs. Jayne B. Kerr. F.W.
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No 5.735
Mary Carichey, widow
of William
Mississippi
Del. to Hon. Jacob Thompson January 20thth 45
[illegible]  to the Hon. J. Thompson January 31 '43
" W. McMullen April 12 43
Same June 1. 1843,
Same Sept 2. "
Same June 25. '44
Hon T M. Tuckey July 26 '44
Act 4 July, 1836
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Files, 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 amout of pension he is entitled?  No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the 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 another 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?
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
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?
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 6.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a 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 recollelection
he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For___ year ____ ___ 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 each 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 [italicized: about three or four months] is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objection
able. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
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 he 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 certifcate of the certifying officer who authenticates 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 ends 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.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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5
State of Illinois
Wayne County 
Personally appeared before the undersigned a
Justice of the Peace in & for said County of Wayne John Files, 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 grade, In 1776 + 1777. I served eight months and fifteen days as a private
In 1777 & 1778. I served one year & two months as a private.
In 1778 ^ For one month & three days I served as a private. 
In 1780 For three months and fifteen days. I served as a private In 1780. 1781. & 1782, for one years and six months I served as a private. Making my whole service three
years nine months and three days during the Revolution.
any war and for such service I claim a pension.
Sworn and subscribed
this 27th day of June A.D.
1833
before me
[Signatures: Charles Woods [illegible]  l John Files]

State of Illinois
Wayne County

I Samuel Leech Clerk of the Wayne Circuit Court do hereby certify that Charles Woods whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate was at the time the same was made
an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and sworn in office and that due faith and credit is and of right ought to be given to all his acts as said.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of my said clerk
at Fairfield this 27 day of June 1833-
Samuel Leech Clerk
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State of Illinois
Wayne County
I Saml. Leech Clerk of the Wayne Circuit, hereby certify that the foregoing pages numbered 1. 2. 3. 4. + 5. contain the original and actualed
proceedings the matter of the application of John Files for a pension.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the Seal of
said Court at Fairfield this twenty seventh
day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
Samuel Leech Clerk
Address in answer hereto Wm L. Page at Carmi White Co. Illinois
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Marshall Ill. [Illinois]
Aug 3. 1917.
Dear Sir- I have just received a card from Mrs. E. S. Walker. Illinois State Historian-that the John Files Rev. soldier- you referred to in your letter of July 16. S.32,245, is the John Files whose record
I wish to get. Will you kindly send me this record? Thanking most cordially-
Jayne Bartlett Kerr
Marshall Ill,
[Note to left of signature: Your Ideas, Walter Burdick Chapter D.A.R.]
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[Letterhead Initial: K]
Rev. Sexton
Marshall, Ill [Illinois]
July 9 - 1917
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir, I have been referred to your
office for the from the Adj. general and also by Mrs. E. S. Walker of California as having the
Rev. war record of John Files born in England
and who was in Fisher's regiment New York Militia. His name
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is borne on a Receipt Roll dated Feb. 16-1786.
by the Treas. of the state of N. Y. He was a pensioner and is buried in Edwards Co. Illinois.
He had a son Thomas Elisha Files who fought in the War of 1812. Will you kindly send me the copy of his ^Rev. services and any family history you may have on record.
Also the 1812 record in Thomas Elisha Files.
Thanking you for any help you may
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be able to give me in getting my ancestry straightened out. I am most sincerely
(Mrs.) Jayne B. Kerr
Treas. [Treasurer} Walter Bendick Chapter
Marshall, Illinois.
[Postmarked July, 12 1917 [illegible: Fusion] Office]
[Note to left of letter and illegible: . . . July 1877:
Only one Rev. John Files S.32,245
This person S. C. Troops- born in . . . evidently not the person
. , , , who . . . Transfers . . . in England keep this letter]
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[Note: top right- Rev Sec N21]
Marshall Ill.
July 1917.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington D.C
Dear Sir, would you kindly give me
what information you can about John Files Rev. soldier buried in
Edwards Co. Ill. [Illinois] I have this from the Adj. Gen. office that he was a receipt roll of Feb 16, 1786. In Fisher's Reg. N.Y. Militia-Ros. now as having been paid Oct. 27, 1785 on certificate No.
37160-S10-D8.
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and for further information they refer
me to your office. If you
have not the desired information could you give me the names of any one else where
I might find more about his service and the dates of birth of his children. Also from the war record of Thomas Elisha Files who served in the war of 1812; would appreciate this record as I must to belong to
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Daughters of 1812. Thanking you in advance for this information. I am
Very Truly
(Mrs.) Jayne B. Kerr
Treas. [Treasurer] Walter Bendick Chapter
Marshall
Illinois.
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Mr. Boody;
Were you able to get that little date for me? It will be found on the case of John Files, #34.445
I think;  if you can get a copy of that portion of case where he the soldier, says he was in his father field, John Files, company + the names of the principal officers of his regiment it will answer all of purposes.  It will be necessary to have this information- this afternoon is why I trouble you again. Please have it officially signed
Respectfully
Miss Garner
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Rev. War Section.
July 18, 1817,
Mr. Jayne R. Kerr,
Marshall, Ills. [Illinois]
Madam:
In reply to your letters of the 4"" and "" instant, you are advised that the pension records of the War of 1812 fail to afford any information in regard to Thomas Elisha Files.
The only Revolutionary War pensioner named John Files, S. 32,245, a born in Virginia, served in the South Carolina Troops and lived in Illinois when he was allowed pension, it would not appear that he was the subject of your inquiry who was born in England and served in the New York Troops.
Very respectfully,
[Signature: [illegible:GMSatzy. . .]]  
Commissioner.
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W
Rev. War Section.
Mrs. Jayne R. Kerr,
Marshall, Ills.
Madam:
July 18, 1817.
In reply to your letters of the 4"" and "" instant, you are advised that the pension records of the War of 1813 fail to afford any information in regard to Thomas Elisha Files.
The only Revolutionary War pensioner named John Files, S. 32,245, was born in Virginia, served in the South Carolina Troops and lived in Illinois when he was allowed pension, it would not
appear that he was the use of your inquiry who was born in England and served in the New York Troops. 
Very respectfully,
[Signature: [illegible: -GMSatzy. . . ]}
Commissioner.