Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31888, for John Oliver, North Carolina
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NC
Oliver, John
S. 31888
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3782
Georgia
John Oliver Senr
of Clarke in the State of Georgia who was a Private in the compy. commanded by Captain Coffee of the Regt commanded by Col. Davis in the N. Car: line for 10 1/2 months from -

Inscribed on the Roll of Georgia at the rate of 35 Dollars ___ Cents per annum, to commence of the 4th day of March, 1931.

Certificate of Pension issued  the 2d day of Jany 1833 and sent to Hon. A.S. Clayton.  House of Reps

Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832                   52.50
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar: 33   17.50
                                    $70.00
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk,
Book D  Vol. 8  Page 140

Date of death not on AB
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10 1/2 mo
$35
Allowance
L.C.

John Oliver
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STATE OF GEORGIA, On this 22nd day of October personally appeared in Clarke County open Court, before Asbury Hull Senior presiding Judge of the Inferior Court of said County, now sitting, John Oliver Senr. a resident of ___ in the county of Clark and State aforesaid, aged 70 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 act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832.  That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated:
  He was drafted for three months 
in the month of June 1780 & marched under Capt. Searcy & joined the Army at Hillsboro under General Gates & at the expiration (or near it) of the draft we were sent home & I 
then volunteered under Capt. Joshua Coffee for two months which was to answer for a three months tour at the time the British lay in Charlotte in North Carolina then Deponent got his horse wounded in a skirmish with the British for he was a mounted volunteer; on the night of this skirmish deponent was commanded by Major Dixon.  After this he marched under Col. Philip Taylor & joined Col. Davy's volunteers at Salisbury & marched to Fifer's Mills where General Davidson joined us with some troops our time ended at the Waxhaw settlement & was discharged by order of General Smallwood & returned home & then volunteered under Capt. Thomas & 
acting as Second Lieut. at the high rock Ford 
of Haw River, a short time before the battle in March 1781 of Guilford   furnished a hard three months at Roanoke fishing for the Army -- deponent served altogether eleven months & a half.  He was born on James River Virginia, Chesterfield County in 1762 12 of January.  He has no other register of his birth than a piece of paper taken & kept from a Bible of the family which is now in Tennessee.  He resided in Granville N. C. till 1823 then moved to Edgefield District SC lived there two years & then moved to Clarke County, Georgia
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where he now resides.  He had written discharges but they are lost.  They were given 
by the captains under whom he served.  He is able to prove his service by Robert Hester. He has no documentary evidence & knows of no one else by whom it can be done within his power.  He will state the names of John W. Graves & Thomas Stanley who can testify as to Deponent's character for veracity & their belief of his service as a soldier of the revolution.  His name is upon no pension roll in the United States. 
                               John Oliver Sr.
Sworn to & subscribed in open court this 22nd of October 1832 
                   Robert Ligon Clerk
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Georgia
Clark County
Came into open Court Robert Hester who being duly sworn deposeth saith that he knows that John Oliver Senr the declarant in the foregoing Statement did serve several tours of duty in the revolutionary war.  He saw him in the Camps & saw him in the army a short time before the battle of Gilford (sic) & has no doubt that he served the tours to he has deposed in his declaration.
                       Robert X Hester
                          (X his mark)
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court this 22nd of October 1832

Sworn to in open Court this 22nd day of October 1832
        Robert Ligon Clerk

I certify that Robert Hester who has testified to his knowledge of John Oliver Sen. having served in the Revolutionary War is a man of strict truth & that he is entitled to full credit upon oath.  Washington City Dec. 29th 1832

A.S. Clayton Member 
of Congress from Georgia
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10 1/2 mos
$35
Allowance
L.C.

John Oliver

HE hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State
                    John Oliver Sr.

     We Thos Stanley, a Clergyman, residing in Athens and Jno W Graves residing in the same county hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with John Oliver Sen who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy years of age, that he is reputed and believed int he neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
                         Thomas W. Stanley
                          Jno. W. Graves
Robert Ligon Clerk

AND the said Court do hereby Certify and declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Thomas Stanley who has signed the preceding certificate, is a Clergyman, resident in the Town of Athens, and that John W. Graves who has also signed the same is a resident in the County of Clark, and is a credible person, that their statement is entitled to credit.
                           Asbury Hull, Sen. Judge

I Robert Ligon, Clerk of the interior Court of Clark County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Oliver Senr for a pension.
     IN testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this 22nd day of October in the year of our Lord, 1832.
(seal)
                                Robert Ligon Clerk
                                Int. Court Clarke County
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                            John Oliver - S.31888
                            BA-J/AWF

Mrs. James B. Butter 
651 E. Seventy Street
York, Nebraska

Dear Madam:
     Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of john Oliver of North Carolina.
     The record which follows was obtained from the papers on file in pension claim S.31888, based upon the service of John Oliver in the War of the Revolution.  This is the record of the only John Oliver who served with the North Carolina troops, found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
     John Oliver was born January 12, 1762 on the James River in Chesterfield County, Virginia.  The names of his parents are not stated.
     While residing in Granville County, North Carolina, he enlisted sometime in June, 1780, served three months in Captain Bartlett Searcy's North Carolina company and was in the battle of "Gates Defeat".  He served in the fall of 1780, two months in Captain Joshua coffee's Troop of Cavalry, under Colonels Philip Taylor and Davy, was in a skirmish with the British at Charlotte, where his horse was wounded.  He served in 1781, give and one-half months, a part of the time as second sergeant, in Captain Thomas' company.
     John Oliver moved from Granville County, North Carolina in 1823 to Edgefield District, South Carolina, where he lived two years and moved to Clarke County,
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Georgia.
     The soldier, John Oliver, was allowed pension on his application executed October 22, 1832, then living in Clarke County, Georgia.  He signed his application for pension, John Oliver, Sr.
     There are no data in this claim concerning his family.
    If you desire information relative to the last payment of pension, name and address pf (sic) person paid, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., and cite the following data:
John Oliver, Sr.
Certificate #3782
Issued January 2, 1833
Rate $35.00 per annum
To commence March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Georgia Agency.
                               Very truly yours

                                A.D. HILLER
                                Executive Assistant to
                                the Administrator
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31888
Revy
INVALID.
File No. 31,888
John Oliver
Pri Rev War

Act:  June 7 32
Index: --Vol. 8, Page 306

[Arrangement of 1870.]

(right panel)
1927 - Mch 8 Hist to Sadie Lee Oliver  AWF
1930- June 9 - Hist to Hon. Harry B. Howe
for R.B. Oliver - Letter in case of James Oliver S38269 - AWF/EEL
1934 - May 11 - Hist to Mrs. E.C. Norman EEL
1935 - Oct. 26 - "       "  Mrs. James B Butter
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Two objections
1st Has not mentioned with precision the length of time he served - He has stated a tour of three months, one of two which, at the time was to account for three & then a third tour which though not definitely specified to conclusion by saying his total service was eleven months & half.  He mentions 3 mo. service of his negro but this is mere matter of inducement.  2d Same objection of Ed Edwards - same
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John Oliver
return
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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 Oliver Sr which require further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II.  did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?  yes
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?  yes
V.  Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? No.
VI.  Has he given the names of the offers under whom he served in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Ct of June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the clerk given his certificate? yes
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? yes
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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 elative tohis revolutionary service?  yes
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?  has witness.
XIV.  If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?  No.SV.  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? yes
XVI.  Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And if not, which of them is not so answered?  (illegible)

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 recollection 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 he particular rank he held, as the law directions the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.

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 affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
     in every instance where the certificate 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.
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State of North Carolina
County of Granville
 Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions November Court A.D. 1832 
William Hunt, Shadrach Owens, James Downey & David Chandler all of this County of 
Granville & State aforesaid having been duly sworn according to law in a matter relating to the Revolutionary services of one John Oliver formerly a resident of the County & State of and now residing in the County of Clarke, State of Georgia depose and say, as follows (viz.) -- James Downey says that he served with said John Oliver a two months tour during the revolutionary war in a Troop of Cavalry -- said Oliver & this affiant finding their own horses which by an Army regulation at that time was considered equivalent to a three months tour -- They served this tour under Col. Philip Taylor – Major W Hunt & Capt. Coffee all of this County -- they marched on by way of Hillsboro -- Bell's Mill, Salisbury -- thence on to Phifer's Mills where they were stationed for some time -- thence marched through Charlotte and were engaged in reconnoitering for some time on the waters of the Catawba, the twelve mile Creek &c -- thence on to a place called the six mile Creek where they were discharged.  The only remarkable
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event which this affiant recollects with respect to said John Oliver except his general services in this tour was the fact of his having his horse shot by some of the British or Tories in a scouting party. David Chandler maketh oath that he served one tour of three months with the said John Oliver in the revolutionary war in the year 1780 and well recollects of being with him at Gates defeat near Camden in South Carolina.  This affiant served with him under one Capt. Bartlett all of this County. Shadrach Owen maketh oath that he also served with the said John Oliver in the said tour as mentioned by the said David Chandler and affirms in substance his statement. In addition to the above James Terry also maketh oath that he was well acquainted with the said John Oliver and served with him in the revolutionary war one tour of two months in a troop of Cavalry finding his own horse -- equivalent to a three months tour -- this was in the fall of 1780 under one Capt. Coffee -- was engaged with him in the skirmish near Polk's mill as he thinks in the County of Mecklenburg in this State in which said Oliver had his horse shot. And we all furthermore certify that we are well acquainted with the said John Oliver that 
we believe him to be seventy years of age or upwards -- that he is reputed
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and believed in the neighborhood where he
formerly resided to have been a soldier
of the revolutionary war - is of fair and upright character his statements entitled to credit and we concur in that opinion

Sworn to & subscribed in open Court this
Novr 1832

James Terry Senr
Jas Downey Senr
Shardrack Owen
David Chandler

And the Court do hereby certify that James
Downey Sr, James Terry Sr Shadrack Owen in
& David Chandler whose names are above assigned are residents of said County are credible persons and their statement entitled to credit.

M Sneed Ch. (seal)
R Bullock JP (seal)
W Hannaday JP (seal)

State of North Carolina
Granville County
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions November Term AD 1832

I Stephen K Sneed Clerk of the Court aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of application of John Oliver for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and seal of Office this the 6th day of November AD 1832

Step K Sneed Clk
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December 20 1832
Pension Office

of War
Department
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                       Washington City, Dec. 18th, 1832

Hon. Secy of War
Sir
     Permit me to lay before you the written voucher recd by me today by mail in support of the claim of John Oliver for a Pension which I had the honor of submitting to you yesterday among a number of others.
            I am with high consideration
            Your obt. sevt.
                       A.S. Clayton
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       Salem Geo.
                      8 Dec.                  Free

A.S. Clayton Esqr
Member H of R
U.S. Congress
Washington City, D.C.

Mail
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   Georgia Clarke County Dec. 7th 1832

Mr. A.S. Clayton Esqr
       Dear Sir  I have just recd an answer from North Carolina from some of the persons that served with me in the Revolutionary war.  I have thought proper to enclose the same to you that it may be lodged in the war department for inspection & I have no doubt but it will strengthen my declaration which you have taken for me.  Maj. Hunt's name is not attached owing to some particular business on the day of court.  You will please accept my thanks for your kindness to me & ever consider me your sincere friend & humble servant.
                    John Oliver Senr.
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                  Holden, Mo, Apr. 14, 1934
Veterans Administration
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,  Do you have any records of the service of Joel F. Elliott.  The last year of his life was spent in Kiddville, Ky, & he died there Sept. 23, 1873.  He was born Feb. 6, 1771.  My mother says he drew a pension from the government the last year of his life & she think it was for his service in the war of 1812.
     Do you have any record of the services of John Oliver
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of Granville or Orange Co., North Carolina.
     Thanking you in advance for any information you may send me I am,
                  Yours truly
                  Mrs. E.C. Norman
                  601 S. Olive St.
                  Holden, Mo.

P.S. Does the Revolutionary War pension claim S.8906 of George Oliver of Guilford Co., N. Carolina mention who his parents were?  he was allowed a pension on his application Nov. 3, 1832, at which time he was residing in Lincoln, N.C.
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MRS. JAMES B. BUTTER
651 EAST SEVENTH STREET
YORK, NEBRASKA

                   October 4, 1935

The Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir;--
    I wish very much to have a fwe (sic) facts concerning John Oliver who served in the Revolutionary War from North Carolina.
I do not know when or where, but if there were more than one such, soldier, I would appreciate having any data concerning both, or all, if you will be kind enough to give them to me.  I assure you that I shall greatly appreciate your courtesy.  Thanking you, I am

                   Very respectfully yours,
                   (Mrs. J.B.)  Anna R. Butter
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(letterhead)
THE STATE OF TEXAS
COLLEGE OF INDUSTRIAL ARTS
THE TEXAS STATE COLLEGE FOR WOMEN
Box 88
DENTON, TEXAS
                    January 17, 1927

The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
Do you have a record of any pension paid John Oliver of Granville County, Georgia for service rendered in the War of the Revolution?

If not, will you look for such record for John Oliver of Wake or Wayne County, North Carolina?  He may have been from any of these three counties.

Any information concerning pensions or land warrants will be appreciated.
            Very sincerely yours,
            Sadie Lee Oliver

(stamp)
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
F
JAN 20 1927
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(letterhead)
THE STATE OF TEXAS

COLLEGE OF INDUSTRIAL ARTS
THE TEXAS STATE COLLEGE FOR WOMEN
DENTON, TEXAS
March 10, 1927.

The Commissioner of Pensions,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:
     On January 17, I sent you a letter of enquiry concerning the pension of John Oliver.  No reply has been received.
     He enlisted in the War of the Revolution from Granville County, North Carolina. A copy of his will just received, written April 3, 1945, and recorded at Athens, Clarke County, Georgia, states that he was collecting a pension then.  May I have a copy of the record in your office concerning this pension?  If there were two John Olivers from Granville County, i would like to have both records.
     If there is a charge made for furnishing this record, kindly advise me as to the amount of same.
               Very sincerely yours,
               Sadie Lee Oliver

(stamp)
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
R
MAR 14 1927
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                    May 9, 1934
                    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Mrs. E. C. Norman
601 South Oliver Street
Holden, Missouri

Joel Elliott, S.C. 9356
John Oliver, S.31888
George Oliver, S.8906
BA-J/MLB

Dear Madam:
     Reference is made to your letter in which you request the records of Joel F. Elliott, a soldier of the War of 1812 who was born February 6, 1771, and spent the last years of his life in Kiddville, Kentucky; of John Oliver, of Granville or Orange County, North Carolina, a soldier of the Revolutionary War; and in which you ask if the names of the parents of George Oliver were mentioned in his Revolutionary War pension claim, S.8906.
     Revolutionary War and War of 1812 data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension made to the United States based upon military service of soldiers in those wars.
     A search of the records has been made and claims for pension found based upon the War of 1812 service of but one Joel Elliott (name not shown as Joel F.) and upon the Revolutionary War service of John Oliver, of Granville County, North Carolina.  Their records are furnished herewith.
     The papers on file in pension claim, S.8906, based upon the Revolutionary War service of George Oliver, have been examined and show that he was born in 1760 in Prince Edward County, Virginia, but the names of his parents are not stated.
                  Very truly yours

                   A.D. HILLER
                   Assistant to Administrator
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                   May 11, 1934
                   xxxxxxxxxxx

                             BA-J/EEL for AWF
                             John Oliver - S.31888

Mrs. E.C. Norman
601 South Oliver Street
Holden, Missouri

Dear Madam:
     The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.31888, based upon the military service of John Oliver in that war.
     John Oliver was born January 12, 1762, on the James River, in Chesterfield County, Virginia.  The names of his parents are not shown in the papers in the pension claim.
     While residing in Granville County, North Carolina, he enlisted and served with the North Carolina Troops, as follows:  from June, 1780, three months in Captain Bartlett Searcy's Company and was at the battle of Camden;  in the fall of 1780, two months in the cavalry under Captain Joshua coffee and Colonels Philip Taylor and Davy, and was in a skirmish with the British;  in 1781, five and one-half months, a part of the time as second sergeant in Captain Thomas' Company.
     John Oliver was allowed pension on his application executed October 22, 1832, while a resident of Clarke County, Georgia, having moved there from Edgefield District, South Carolina.  He signed his application for Pension, John Oliver, Senior.
     it is not stated that soldier was ever married.
                      Very truly yours

                       A.D. HILLER
                       Assistant to Administrator
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     From the papers in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.31888, it appears that one John Oliver, Sr. was born January 12, 1762, on the James River in Chesterfield County, Virginia.
      While residing in Granville County, North Carolina, he served in the North Carolina Troops, as follows:
     From June, 1780, three months in Captain Bartlett Searcy's Company, and was at the battle of Camden.
     In the fall of 1780, two months in the Cavalry, under Captain Joshua Coffee and Colonels Philip Taylor and Davy, and was in a skirmish with the British.
     In 1781, five and one half months, a part of the time a second sergeant in Captain Thomas' Company.
     He was allowed pension on his application executed October 22, 1832, while a resident of Clarke County, Georgia, having moved there from Edgefield District, South Carolina.
     It is not stated whether soldier was married.
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Rev. and 1813 (sic)
Wars Section.
                     March 8, 1937

Sadie Lee Oliver
Denton, Box 88
Texas

Madam:
     I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S.31888 it appears that one John Oliver, Sr. was born January 12, 1762 on the James River in chesterfield County, Virginia.
     While residing in Granville County, North Carolina, he served in the North Carolina Troops, as follows-
From June, 1780, three months in Captain Bartlett Searcy's Company, and was at the battle of Camden.
In the fall of 1780, two months in the Cavalry, under Captain Joshua Coffee and Colonels Philip Taylor and Davy, and was in a skirmish with the British.
In 1781, five and one half months, a part of
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the time a second sergeant in Captain Thomas' Company.
     He was allowed pension on his application executed October 22, 1832, while a resident of Clarke County, Georgia, having moved there from Edgefield District, South Carolina.
     It is not stated whether soldier was married.
                   Respectfully,

                    WINFIELD SCOTT
                    Commissioner.