Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6256, Thomas Townes, Va.
Page 1

(3 - 1776 )
SERVICE
Va.
Townes, Thomas
NUMBER
S. 6256
Carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

Thomas Townes S.C. 7. June 1832 $60
To what time last paid
Pension Office he does not appear to have been paid
30th April 1838
Page 3

(note: top left corner of left page is missing)
as of now 14 Dec 18 (torn paper)
and 16 April 183 (torn paper) 
Pen Agent -- same time
-------------------------
Tennessee No. 4 March
30 April 1838.- hotilce
Hon J.L. Williams, H. R.
--------------------
said at the Treasury [illegible]
the act of the 6th April
from 4 Sept 1838 to 4th
March 1839. Agt Notified
4 April 1840
-------------------------
See care
Henry So od
R. 117 85
Date of death
[illegible] 

East Tennessee 30.306
South Carolina
Thomas Townes
Anderson , in the State of S. Carolina
was a Private in the command 
by Captain                       of the Right commanded
by Col. Meredith in the Virginia
line for 18 months

Inscribed on the Roll of S. Carolina
at the rate of 60 Dollars Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 22d day of Dec.
1835 and sent to Hon. W. Thompson, H. R.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 35.                       270.00
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 March '36.    30.00
                                                                          $300.00
⎨ Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832 ⎬

Recorded by D. Brown     Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 6 Page 81
Page 4

W1012

Hon. J L Williams
HR
Page 5

State of Tennessee
Bradley County ⎬ On this Twentieth day of
March 1838, before me the subscriber a Justice
of the peace for the said County of Bradley appeared
Thomas Towns who on his oath declares
that he is the same person who formerly belonged
to [cross out] the company commanded by Captain
Samuel Shurben in the Regiment commanded
by Col. Samuel Merideth in the service
of the United States; that his name was placed
on the pension roll of the State of South Carolina
from whence he lately, towit, in the year 1835 re -
= moved; that he now resides in the State of Tennessee 
in the County of Bradly aforesaid, where
he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to
be payable in said State of Tennessee in future
The following are his reasons for removing from
Anderson District in South Carolina to Bradly County
aforesaid in the Eastern division of the State of
Tennessee. That his wife had departed this life
some years before his removal, his children had
all married and settled. That he had for some
years resided in said Anderson District with his
son John Towns, who removed himself and from
South Carolina in 1835 to Bradly County in the
State of Tennessee aforesaid and settled himself
there. That declarant being desirous of living
with his said son John Towns removed with him and
his family and settled with him as member of his family
in Bradly County aforesaid, where he expects to
continue his residence
Sworn to and subscribed before me ⎬ Thomas Towns
the day and year aforesaid
James W. Wilson
Justice of the Peace of Bradley County Sum
Page 6

State of Tennessee }
Bradly County viz   }
On this Twentieth day of March 1838 before me the subscriber a Justice of the peace of
said County of Bradly personally appeared David Westfield and James Booker who on
oath declare they are intimately acquainted with Thomas Towns
whose name is subscribed to the affidavit within that he is the same
and identical person described therein.
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year aforesaid } David Westfield
James Wilson                                                                                     } James Booker 
Justice of the office of Bradley }
County in the State of Tennessee }
I James Wilson Justice of the peace of the
County of Bradley in the State of Tennessee whose official
attestation and signature is annexed to the foregoing
affidavit of Thomas Town, and the above affidavit
of David Westfield & James Booker
certify that I am well acquainted with the said
David Westfield & James Booker and their general
characters that they are respectable persons and from my
acquaintance with them and with their general characters
I would unhesitatingly believe any statement they or
either of them would make on Oath, Witness my
hand & seal this 20th day of March 1838
James Wilson
Justice of the Peace of
Bradly County Tennessee 
State of Tennessee
I John He ------- Robison Clerk
of the County Court of Bradly County in the State
Page 7

of Tennessee aforesaid do certify that James Wilson
whose name and official attestation is attached to the foregoing affidavit of Thomas Towns and the affidavit of David
Westfield and James Booker in and to the certificate
appended thereto is and was at the time they severally bear
date an acting Justice of the peace of said County of Bradly
duly commissioned and qualified as such, and that his
signatures are in his own proper handwriting, and that
full faith credit are due to his official acts as such
Given under my hand & seal of office
at Office this 20 day of March 1838 and of American Independence
the sixty first
John H. Robertson
C.L.K

of Tennessee I Jesse Pre-   presiding
Justice of the County of Bradly in the State of Tennessee
aforesaid certify that John H Robison whose
signature is subscribed to the foregoing certificate is
and was at the time the same bears into Clerk of
of the County Court of said County of Bradley duly 
Commissioned and qualified as such and that his signature 
is in his own proper hand writing, and that
full faith & credit are due to his official acts as such
Given under my hand & seal this 20th day of
March- 1838.
Jesse Poe (line)
residing Justice of the peace
of Bradly County in
the State of Tennessee
Page 8

24236
Thomas Town
S. C.
Ret
Admit or private
18 Mo. $60

Hon
["J. F." crossed out] W. Thompson
["Janesville C.H." crossed out] S. C.
HoRep
Page 9

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
183

Sir,
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will show what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.

Statement, showing the service of Thomas Towns S.C.

Period when the service was rendered: Militia 1778 or 76 entered, enlisted 1776 again
Duration of the claimant's service: (in months) 3, 9, 3, 3
Rank of claimant: private
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served: 
Capt Sharon
Col Merideth
Capt Molton Colterton
Capt Coff
Capt Hae
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service: 
entered in Amelia, Va
now lives in Anderson D. C, 86
Proof by which the declaration is supported:
knows of no living witness to prove his service
Certificate of Clergyman and a Citizen

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 10

2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of County of } ss
.
On this ____ day of ____ personally appeared (a) before
 A.B. a resident (b) of _____  in the county of ______ and State, Territory or District
of _____ aged (c) ______ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) ______, with ______ and
served in the ______ (e) regiment of the ________ line, under the following named officers: 

[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of _______
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.                               A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
I _______  of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of ____________ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of ________ & c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, 
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the ________ and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ________ who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be ________
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 and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after 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 them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ______
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _______ Clerk of the Court of _______ do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____
for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this ___ day of ____ & c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission
; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
Page 11

3
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted
; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be ex-expected
All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and
there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his
case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of
service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war
, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. { To soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
     { To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and whathas become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, 
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper
county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure
, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
-----------
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will be
low the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides, he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language
as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. 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 art in the following were
"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."
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 about three of four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the milita, &e. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or place- 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. 
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case. 
[I] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal
of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the final character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

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
contains the affidavit, or other papers 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
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. 
[eligible symbol] The notes from [a] to [] are equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continued continental troops only. 
[k] This traditionary  evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. 
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 12

Anderson
––––––––
Declaration of
24236
Tho Townes a
Volunteer, & also
a Regular Soldier
In the Revolutionary War
Page 13

'-
The State of S. Carolina
Anderson District           } S S.

On this 4th day of March
(unable to read line)
A.D. 1833, personally appeared in open Court before the
Judges of the Court of Common Pleas & General Sessions, now sitting
Thomas Thones, a resident in the aforesaid State and District
aged Eighty two 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 under the command of Genl Stephens
Col Merideth, Capt Shurvin, [illegible] Ward N Winfrey 1st and 2nd [illegible]
and [illegible] Rial Ensign. He entered the service in a militia
company which was marched from Amelia County, Va to Portsmouth
when the company was stationed for three months in the year
1775 or 1776. The British had some forces on the Norfolk
side of the river, and in the defence of the Magazine
which was all we did there, some firing passed between us
& the enemy, from whom I received a shot which would wounded 
me in the right hip. The wound disabled me for a
few weeks, but was of no permanent injury. After this tour was
over he declares he entered the service as a regular
soldier & Enlisted under Capt John Motten for three
years, who was under the command of Col J. Moton. That he
was stationed at Portsmouth, where he remained for nine
months. Then hired a man (Robert Lawton) from Amelia
County, to take his place in the army, in order to return
home, his father's extreme illness & solicitations calling
for his aid and assistance. His father dying soon
after his arrival at home, he joined a volunteer company
raised by Capt James Cobb (1776) which rendezvoused at
Salsbury in North Carolina, to go with other Companies-
Page 14

against the British at Stone in South Carolina. A part of
the different companies were left at Salsbury, as a Guard
at that place among whom he was stationed, where he
served as one of that guard until after the Battle was
fought at Stone. then the companies, also the guard at
Salsbury was discharged and returned home - this was a
tour of three months. Again he volunteered
for three months under the command of Capt B. Wall
who raised a volunteer Company at Hallifax - Henry Townes, his brother
was his 1st Lieut. The company being organized it was immediately 
marched to Guilford Court House, where he was
engaged in a Battle under Genl Greene against Cornwallis
after this, he was discharged & returned home.
After this, he again volunteered and marched
with a company from Hallifax to Little York, where he
saw Cornwallis surrender his sword. after Cornwallis was
taken, he was discharged and was never more in the
service. Beside the nine months at Portsmouth as a
regular soldier, he considers & believes that he served as a
volunteer & as a mathaman in different companies
a term not less than nine months. Unaware of the
value or importance which some of his papers would
now have been, through the want of proper case &
much misfortune, he is not able now to produce
any of his old papers which might be of service, neither
does he know any one now living whose testimony he
can procure to prove the services he rendered his
country in the days of the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or
amuity, except the present and declares that his name
is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
In open Court
Van A Lawhon C. C.
Thomas Townes
Wc. William Mager & William Robertson
residing in the aforesaid State and District
do hereby certify that we are well acquainted
Page 15

with Thomas Townes, who has subscribed and sworn
to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
Eighty-two years of age; that he is reputed and
believed, in the neighbourhood where he resides, to have
been a soldier in the revolution, and that we concur
in that opinion. Sworn & Subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
In open Court
Van A Lawhon C. C.
William Magee
Wm Robertson S.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion
after 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
them that William Magee who signed proceeding
certificate is a Clergyman resident in the District
and that William Robertson Sr. who has also signed
the same is a resident in the same (eligible) is a credible
person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Josiah J. Evans
4. March 1833.       (unable to read the line)

S. Carolina 
Anderson Dist } S S. 
J. Van A. Lawler Cleark of the Court
of Gen Sessions & Common Pleas, do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said
Court, in the matter of the application of Thomas Townes
for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of Office this 4th day of March
1833. - 
Van A Lawhon C. C.
Page 16

August 22, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Thomas Townes-3.6256
BA-J/AWF

Miss Zella Armstrong
"The Lookout
Chattanooga, Tennessee

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Thomas Town or Townes, a Revolutionary War pensioner.

The data furnished herein were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 6256, based upon the Revolutionary War service of Thomas Townes. This is the record of the only soldier of that name found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office.

The date and place of birth of (letters/words are super imposed making it eligible)
not shown, nor are the names of his parents stated.

Thomas Townes entered the service in 1775 or 1776
and marched from Amelia County, Virginia to Portsmouth
in Captain Shurvin's or Samuel Shurben's company, and
served three months as a private. While in the defense
of the magazine at Portsmouth, he was wounded in the
right hip by a shot from the British, who were at Norfolk.
Afterward, date not stated, he enlisted for three
years under Captain John Molton and Colonel J. Morton,
was stationed at Portsmouth for nine months, then hired
a substitute from Amelia County, and he, Thomas Townes,
went home to his father, who was seriously ill and
needed his assistance. His father died soon after his
arrival at home, and he joined a volunteer company
raised by Captain James Cobb. The company rendezvoused 
at Salisbury, North Carolina, where the soldier, Thomas Townes, was stationed as a guard until
after the battle of Stono, when he was discharged,
having served three months. He volunteered, date not
Page 17

shown, at Halifax and served three months under Captain
B. Wall (his brother, Henry Townes, was first lieutenant
of the company), marched in the battle of Guilford Court
House. He again volunteered and marched with a company
from Halifax to "Little York" and was at the surrender
of Cornwallis, after which he was discharged, length
of this service and names of officers not stated. All
of his service was with the Virginia troops.

Thomas Townes was allowed pension on his application
executed March 4, 1833, at which time he was
aged eighty-two years and a resident of Anderson
District, South Carolina.

In 1835 the soldier, Thomas Townes, moved from
Anderson District to Bradley County, Tennessee. He
stated in 1838 that his wife (her name not given)
had died some years before 1835, and that his children
had all married. He did not give the names of any of
the children, except John, who in 1835 had moved with
his family from Anderson District, South Carolina to
Bradley County, Tennessee, and with whom the soldier
was then living.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 18

Amelia, Virginia.
Sept. 8, 1934.

Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Gentlemen:
Will you please send me a copy of application for
pension for services rendered during Rev. War, made
Mch. 4, 1833, by Thomas Townes who served with the
Virginia Militia? Thomas Townes was living in South Carolina
or Tennessee when he applied for pension.

I should like to have copy of everything you have
pertaining to this Tomas Townes.

Yours very truly,
Esther Cary McConnaughey
(Mrs. Joseph McConnaughey)
Page 19

Houston Tex
July 18, 1929

1776

Pension Dept
Washington D. C

My dear Sirs
Will you please send me the information
on pension Papers of only one Thomas Townes
of Amelia Co. Va. settled in Charlotte Co. Va. then
moved to S. C. 1793. Does he mention wifes name.
might have been Sally Wade.
children and so on and dates

Thanks very much,
Yours truly
Mrs. R. C. Rutledae
4400 wpm
Houston Texas
Page 20

Also do you have a
Pension of Jeremiah Peddy or any man
by name of Peddy in
Ga. (Heard Co) or in S.C.
Noteddy from Ga or sc
Page 21

1929 - Oct 8, Hist to Mrs.
R.C. Rutledge M.E.E.
1933, Aug 22 Hist to
Zella Armstrong Carry
1934. Sept 1-Hist (eligible)
Joseph McConnaughey as

Reohan
6256
Copy
INVALID.
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File No. 6256
Thomas Townes
Private Rev War
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Act: June 7, 1832
Index: -- Vol. M, Page 376
Arrangement of 70.
Page 22

PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY
THE LOOKOUT
MISS ZELLA ARMSTRONG, EDITOR
CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE

Please be kind enough to send me the revolutionary pension
record of Thomas Town or Townes only, who drew pension in 1840 in
Polk County, Tennessee. I do not know in which state he enlisted.

Yours very truly,
signature?
Miss Zella Armstrong,
Chattanooga Tenn
Page 23

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
[illegible]

October 8, 1929.

Mrs. R. C. Rutledge
4400 Yupon
Houston
Texas.

Dear Madam:

I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension
claim, S. 6256, it appears that Thomas Townes entered the service
in 1775 or 1776, in Captain Shurvin's or Samuel Shurben's
Company, Colonel Samuel Meredith's Regiment, marched from Amelia
County, Virginia to Portsmouth where he served for three months.
while in the defence of the magasine at Portsmouth, he was wounded
the right hip by a shot from the British who were at Norfolk.

Afterward, date not stated, he enlisted for three years under
Captain John Molten, Colonel J. Morton, was stationed at Portsmouth
for nine months, then hired a substitute from Amelia County,
Virginia, to take his place, and he, Thomas Townes, went home to
his father (name not given) who was seriously ill and needed his
assistance. His father dying soon after his arrival at home, he
joined a volunteer company raised by Captain James Cobb. The company
rendezvoused at Salisbury where the soldier, Thomas Townes,
Page 24

was stationed as a guard until after the battle of Stono when he
was discharged, having served three months.
He volunteered, date not shown, at Halifax for three months
under Captain B. Wall (his brother, Henry Townes, was First Lieutenant
of the company) marched to Guilford Court House and was in the
battle of Guilford.
He again volunteered, marched with a company from Halifax
to "Little York and was at the surrender of Cornwallis, after which
he was discharged. The length of this service and names of the officers
are not given.
All of the above service was with the Virginia Troops.
He was allowed pension on his application executed March 4,
1833, at which time he was aged eighty-two years and resided in Anderson
District, South Carolina.
In 1835 the soldier moved from Anderson District, South Carolina
to Bradley County, Tennessee. In 1838 he stated that his wife
(her name not given) had died some years before 1835, and that his
children had all married and settled, but did not give any names except
John who, in 1835, had moved with his family from Anderson District
, South Carolina, to Bradley County, Tennessee, and with whom
the soldier was then living. There are no further family data.
Page 25

The above noted is the only soldier named Thomas Townes
that is found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau,
and said records fail to afford any information in regard to
Jeremiah Peddy, or to any soldier surnamed Peddy of Georgia or

Very truly yours,

South Carolina.
EARL D. CHURCH
Commissioner.
Page 26

September 28, 1934
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Thomas Townes-S.6256
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. Joseph McConnaughey
Amelia
Virginia

Dear Madam:

The data which follow were obtained from the
papers on file in pension claim, S.6256, based upon the military service of Thomas Townes during the War of the Revolution.

The date and place of birth of this soldier
are not shown, nor are the names of his parents
given.

Thomas Townes enlisted in 1775 or 1776 and
marched from Amelia County, Virginia to Portsmouth in Captain Shurvin or Shurben's company, while in defense of the magazine at Portsmouth, he was wounded in the right hip by a shot from the British, who were in Norfolk, length of service three months.
He again enlisted, date not given, for three years under Captain John Nolton and Colonel J. Morton, was stationed at Portsmouth for nine months, then hired a substitute, and he, Thomas Townes, went home
to his father, who was seriously ill and needed his assistance. His father died soon after his arrival home, and Thomas Townes joined a volunteer company raised by Captain James Cobb; the company rendezvoused
at Salisbury, North Carolina, where he
was stationed as a guard until after the battle of
Stono, when he was discharged having served three months. He volunteered, date not shown, at Halifax, served three months under Captain B. Wall and was in the battle of Guilford Court House. He again volunteered and marched with a company from Halifax to Yorktown and was at the surrender of Cornwallis, after
Page 27

which he was discharged; length of this service and
names of officers not stated. All of his service was
with the Virginia troops.

The soldier, Thomas Townes, was allowed pension
on his application executed March 4, 1833, at which
time he was aged eighty-two years and a resident of
Anderson District, South Carolina.

The soldier moved in 1835 from Anderson District,
to Bradley County, Tennessee. He stated in 1838 that
his wife (her name not given) had died some years
before 1835, and that his children had all married.
He did not give the names of any of his children,
except John, who in 1835 had moved with his family
from Anderson District, South Carolina to Bradley
County, Tennessee, and with whom the soldier lived.

Henry Townes, brother of the soldier, Thomas
Townes, was first lieutenant in Captain B. Wall's
company at the time of the battle of Guilford Court
House.

There are no further data in this claim relative
to the family of Thomas Townes.

Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
Page 28

Plantey & Mechanis Bank
Charleston 21 April 1838

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Washington

Sir

I forward herewith for authority to pay
Voucher of Thomas Gill,
Thomas Towne's pension remains unpaid from 
4th March 1831

I am respectfully
Your Obser
Athens
Pension Agent
Page 29

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
Second Comptroller's Office,
March 24th 1840

Sir:
Under the act 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", Thomas Towns,
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Knoxville, Ten. Agency, at the rate of Sixty Dollars and ---- Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of Sept. 1838.
to the 4th March 1839

Respectfully, yours,
(eligible) E. Parris
Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 30

In the report the cant request
(eligible) soon as
information shall have been received
from the S. C. Agent the transfer
will be made