Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 6697, for William Mc Elheney, South Carolina
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
S. C.

McElheney, William
or McElhenney

NUMBER
R. 6697

Born in Va.
Page 2

State Alabama}
Macon County}

Personally before me John Hairston a Justice of the Peace for said County came Sarah Hairston who being sworn says she knew William McElhany and his wife Rebecca (whose maiden name was Rebecca Coleman) as far back as the year Seventeen hundred and ninety five that she always understood they were by all married in the State of Georgia sometime in the year Seventeen hundred & Eighty seven and they till their death lived together as man & wife - that the said William McElhany died in the year Eighteen hundred & forty and was reputed to be a soldier of the revolution and filed his application for pension therefore & his wife died the 15th April Eighteen hundred & fifty their [illegible] a family of many children while living man and wife    Sarah Hairston
Sworn to & subscribed before me this 30th day of September 1854

John Hairston J. P. {S S}
Page 3

Alabama}
Macon County}

I a Justice of the Peace in and for Said County do certify that Sarah Hairston who testifies in the foregoing affidafit is a person of good character for truth & veracity.  Witness my hand & seal this 30th day of September 1854.
John Hairston J. P. {seal}


Alabama}
Macon County}
I Lewis Alexander Judge of the Probate Court for said County do certify that John Hairston who signs the above is a Justice of the Peace for said County, that the signature above is genuine & full faith & credit is due to his attestation witness my hand & seal & seal of office this 30th day of September 1854
Lewis Alexander
Judge of Probate
{seal}
Page 4

[left edge of page]
Joseph Kellam Clerk


Wm McElheny
Georgia
32.197





[seal or something affixed to page]
Hon. R. H. Wilde
Page 5

State of Georgia} S.S.
Jasper County}

On this Fifteenth day of October Eighteen hundred and thirty four personally appeared before George W. Holland one of the Justices of the Superior Court of the County aforesaid - and which Court is a Court of Record - William McElheney a resident of said County and State - aged seventy five years - and who is so infirm as to be unable to appear in open Court - 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 volunteered in Chester District - South Carolina, in that part called [illegible] County - in the South Carolina Militia - in the company commanded by Captain Mills - and in the Regiment commanded by Col. Lacie - sometime in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy nine - and served with said Captain Mills a tour of duty of about three months or thereabouts - during this service he was engaged in a fight which took place at a place called Motley Martins[illegible] in Lancaster District - betwixt the Militia and a party of Tories - in this action Col. Pretton of another Regiment - commanded - That after the fall of Charleston - he cannot recollect the date - having lain for years upon a sick bed - and being much infirmed in memory - he volunteered again and under the same officers - and marched up to the Catawba River - when at Lands Ford - his regiment joined Col. Sumpters troops - and marched with them to Cord station - at Cores Mills - that he marched with Col. Sumpters forces to a place on the Catawba River - when the met the British and Sumpter was defeated - That they marched afterwards to join Col. Campbell at the place called the [illegible] and then marched to a place called Hanging Rock - and then fought the enemy at that place - this he thinks was in the summer or autumn - that he afterwards marched for Kings Mountain - and was there engaged in the battle at that place against the Tories commanded by Ferguson - he recollects Maj. Brown of the Regular army - that he was at Orangeburgh at the time news arrived of the capture of Lord Cornwallis army - and that he then returned home -
Page 6

The reason he never was drafted - was from a natural defect in the right arm and hand - he could perform carries - but was such a man as was exempted from duty - he was born in the County of Lunenburg, State of Virginia - if there ever was a record of his age - he never saw it - but from such upon parents - to wit - the war - his marriage &c .  he thinks it was in the year Seventeen hundred and fifty nine - he lived in Chester District at the time he volunteered - and after the war in Richland District.  then in Edgefield District - & then in Abbeville District - from which last mentioned place he removed in the year Eighteen hundred and twenty five to Georgia Jasper County - where he now lives - he never received any discharge from service - he refers to the certificate of [illegible] McElhenny & George Fill - soldiers of the Revolution - & who were acquainted with him at that time - and for further references as to his character for veracity &c he offers the certificate of Robert Brown - & Thomas Hairston & David L. Adams a clergyman - all of whom are acquainted with him at this time & for several years past - and reside in his neighborhood - he hereby relinquishes every claim 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 of the State of Georgia -
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
J. W. Holland J. J. C    William McElheney


Personally appeared before me, George W. Holland - a Justice of the Superior Court of Jasper County - Georgia - William McElheney - who being duly sworn - deposith & saith that by reason of old age & 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 that the period of Two years & six months from the beginning of the year seventeen hundred & seventy nine - as a volunteer - & for such service he claims a pension - Sworn to & subscribed this 15 day of October 1834.
G. W. Holland J. J. C.

William McElheney
Page 7

And the Judge of the said Court hereby declares his opinion - that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.            G. W. Holland J. J. C


I Robert Kellam, Clerk of the said Inferior Court of Jasper County, Georgia, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of George W. Holland who is one of the Judges of said Court - in the matter of the application of William McElheney for a pension.  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of  Office.  This 29th day of October 18 [seal covers rest of date].   Robert Kellam Clerk


We David L. Adams a clergyman residing in the County of Jasper & State of Georgia, and Robert Brown and Thomas Hairston residing in the same - hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William McElheney - who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy five 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 - this 29th day of October 1834.  David L. Adams  M J
                         Robert Brown
                         Thomas Hairston
Before me =
G W. Holland J. J. C


And the said George W. Holland, Judge of the said Court hereby declares his 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 him that David S. Adams who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County of Jasper - and is a credible person - and that Robert Brown and Thomas Hairston who have also signed the same are residents in said County - and are both credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit.
G W. Holland J. J. C
Page 8

Georgia}
Jasper County}
I Robert Kellam Clerk of the Court of Inferior Court of said County - do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of William McElheney for a pension.  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand seal of Office.  This 29th day of October 1834
Robert Kellam Clerk
[seal affixed to page]


Hon. R. H. Wilde


Wm McElheney
Georgia
32.197
Page 9

AWN


REJECTED

6697.

Wm McElheny
Page 10

Wm. McElheny

Ga sus 1852

From 
D T Baily


L P Waldo
Washington 
D C
Page 11

William McElheny

32.197

Georgia

6697

Suspended ~

December 5. 1834

Hon. R H. Wilde

H of Reps.

Hon. D. T. Baily June 22/54
same Feby 1 1835

D T Baily [illegible]
H of Reps.
Page 12

Comptroller Generals Office
Columbia So Ca June 19" 1854.

" No. 287 Book L}  Issued the 16th October 1784 to Mr William McElhenney for Ten Pounds twelve Shilling and Ten Pence farthing Sterling for 94 days Militia Duty in 1780 and 1782 as pr Account audited.
Principal Pounds Sterling 10.12.10 1/4   No 12
Annual Interest Pounds Sterling 0. 14. 10."

"No 287 Book L.  Mr Willm McElhany his Account of 94 days Militia Duty in 1780 & 1782.  Amotg to Pounds Sterling 10. 12. 10 1/2 Stg."

"State of So. Carolina Debtr to William McElhenney
Comment Sept the 26 1780} Forty Two days under Capt Mills Horsemen at 20/pr day.  Pounds Sterling 42. 0. 0,
Comment Febry 11. 1782}  Fifty two days under Capt Jas Ramsey at 12/6 pr day 32. 10. 0
Pounds Sterling 74. 10. 
Pounds Sterling 10. 12. 12 1/4

I do hereby empower Mr Stephen McElheney to receive an Indent for the amount of my Acct against the Publick of South Carolina and his receipt shall be a sufficient discharge from Gent
your very Hbl servt
"William McElhenney"
Page 13

June 8th 1785.
To the Treasurer of the State of So Carolina.} No 287.
Taken and Assigned before "John Dan J. P..  ,,

"Recd 16 Octo 84 from the Commr of the Treasy in an Indent No 287 Lib L for -- Pounds Sterling 10. 12. 10 1/4 in full Satisfactn for this Accot by virtue of an Order.
"Stephen M'Elheney"

I do hereby certify the foregoing to be a true Copy as taken from the Records of this Office.

For Comptroller Genl
P. S. Jacobs
Deputy.
(No seal of Office)
Page 14

H of Reps - Washington D C
Jany 29th 1854

L P Waldo Eqr

Sir you find the affidafits to required by your Buro to authorize the [illegible] of William McElhany who while in life filed his application for pension as revolutionary soldier then at the time of filing the same a citizen of Jasper Co Georgia - Will you act upon the question at the earliest day and allow me to hear from you
Respectfully D J Baily
Page 15

Richd. H. Wilde

5 Dec 1834.  O C

[illegible] he has not ever given any due by what the character of the law can be ascertained:  the claim therefor will remain suspended until these objections are removed.

I am



A. Vol. 34. P 482.
Page 16

Department of War
Pension Office
Decr 5th 1834 -

Sir

I have recd and examined the claims of J P. Harris and William McEleny:  the former I have admitted and will hand you the certificate of pension in a few days -
The papers in the latter case are placed on file.  The applicant alleges to have entered the service in So Ca 1779 for three months "or there abouts" --- "that after the fall of Charleston, he cannot recollect the [illegible] laid for years upon a sick bed - and being much impaired in memory" / he again volunteered, and was engaged in the battle of Kings Mountain -- that by reason of a lame arm he was not enrolled in the Militia - not able to
Page 17

a draft --
It will be readily perceived that a claimant so indefinite, can furnish no grounds for a favorable decision upon the claim --
The claimant has stated that in his first tour that he served about three months -- how near three months is not shown -- In his second tour he has not even given any due by what the character of the law can be ascertained:  the claim therefore will remain suspended until these objections are removed.

I am



[along left side of page]
Richd. H. Wilde
5 Decr 1834.  O C

[along right side of page]
P. Vol 34. P 482.


Hon Richard H Wilde
H R
Page 18

W. McElhenny
Geo.

Wilde

For  James L Edwards Esqr
Commr of Pensions
Pension Office.


Hon R H Wilde
Page 19

H. R.
2d Decr 1834

Sir

I beg leave to present the application of Wm McElhenny for a Pension.  This poor old man's condition, of which you will have some idea by the papers, is represented to me from [illegible].  I trust time will be no difficulty.  If there is I beg leave to add that the quarter for which the application comes [illegible].
The information made to me I fear so much the which ever to be too late, that in the want of any objection, I ask that it may be [illegible] to the Secy of War, with the [illegible] in your decision, he might perhaps [illegible].

Very Respectfully
your vt
R H Wilde

Jas L Edwards Eqr
Comr Pension
Page 20

P. S.
Please inform me of the fate of # James Harris's Petition, a Regular Soldier, sent a month ago from Jasper Co Geo - by [illegible], as soon as it is decided.



# Atth & Dcr 4th 1834
Page 21

South Carolina}
Chester District}
Stephen McElhenney appeared in open court before me Peter Myles Judge of the Court of Ordinary, of Said District who upon being duly Sworn Saith upon oath that he was well acquainted with William McElhenney, of the State of Georgia during the revolutionary War & Saith that Said William McElhenney then resided in craven county, Camden District in that part now called Chester District & further Saith that the Said William McElhenney was a Soldier of Said Revolution and a friend to his County the United States and was in the following Services he believes Said William McElhenney was Drafted but this deponent does not mind the date of the time nor the officers under whom Said William served but Knows that claimant marched to orangeburgh & believes he Served three months tour; after the fall of Charleston he Knows Said claimant William McElhenney was pretty constant in Service til the year 1782 and was under the Command of Capt. John Mills Col Lacy's Regiment and this deponent Saith that he Knows Said William McElhenney was at the Battle of Kings Mountain as this deponent was there with the Said William & this deponent Saith from the time Charleston fell to the time the Claimant quit Service was between one & two years                   Stephen McElhenney
Sworn to & Signed in open Court
the 28th Decr. 1833 before Peter Wylie J. C. O. C. D
Page 22

State of South Carolina}
Chester District}
[illegible] George Gill a Soldier of the revolution came into open court before me Peter Myles Judge of the court of ordinary for Said District who upon being duly Sworn Saith upon oath that he was well acquainted with William McElhenney who now resides in the State of Georgia and then resided in State of South Carolina int he past now Chester District and further Saith that he Knew William McElhenney to be a friend to his country the United States during the Revolutionary War and was one of those who suffered much [illegible] & privations during said War & further Saith he does not mind any particular service Done by Said McElhenney but Knows when the Enemy had possession of the country Said McElhenney had to consider himself from then as all others did that is now the [illegible] and believes him to have been in constant service of some and or other army scouting &c & further Saith he would refer for particulars to the written affidavit who was made by a Brother of Said McElhenney & a man of truth & veracity
Geo Gill

Sworn to & signed this 31st day of December 1833
Peter Wylie J C O C D


South Carolina}
Chester District}
I Peter Wylie Judge of the court of ordinary of said District do hereby certify that Stephen McElhenney & George Gill came into open Court before me & was qualified to the within & above & also I do certify that they are both men of credibility & were both soldiers of the revolution
Witness my hand & Seal of office this 13th day of January 1834
Peter Wylie
J C O C D
[seal affixed to page]