Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21767, Erasmus Gibson, Va.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Va
Gibson Erasmus
NUMBER
S. 21767
CONTENTS
[blank]
Page 2

23.266
South Carolina
Erasmus Gibson
of Oraugh. [Orangeburg] in the State of So Carolina
who was a for[illegible] in the [blank] 
commanded by Captain [blank] 
of the Regt commanded by
Col Henderson in the Va
line for 9 months-

Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina
the rate of 30 -- Dollars --- Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 14th day of Decr 33 and sent Hon. J. M. Felder H. R. [House of Representatives]

Arrears to the 4th of Sep 1833                  75
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar 34       15
[total]                                                       $90

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by N Rice Clerk,
Book E Vol. 6 Page 68-

Order to pay 11 Nov 1837.
Paid at the Treasury under
the act of the 6th April 1838
from 4th March 1838 to 4 Sept 1838
Agt. notified 7 Aug 1839
Page 3

The State of South Carolina
Orangeburgh [sic]District

On this 16th day of October eighteen hundred & thirty two, personally appeared in open Court, before Josiah J. Evans, one of the
Judges of the Court of Common pleas and
General Sessions of & for the district & State
aforesaid now sitting, Erasmus Gibson resident of the district & state aforesaid aged about seventy two who being 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 was with his whole militia company ordered into the service of the United States
ed, General Arnold was about to invade Virginia, that he was marched from New Kent County in Virginia the County of his birth, raising & residence, to Burrell ferry on the James river & afterwards to Williamsburg & Jamestown. In this service he continued three months, under General Nelson Colonel Henderson and Captain Banks.
after these three months services, he he volunteered under the same officers for six
months & served out that time. He then enlisted for the war under Captain Davenport, who was under the command of a Frenchman called General Weeden and General Washington was commander in chief.
Page 4

He continued in service under his said enlistment till after the surrender of Yorktown
by General Cornwallis and was wounded in the leg by a bayonet at or near Yorktown a short time before the surrender of that place. After the taking of Yorktown he this deponent received a written discharge & recommendation which have been burnt when his house was burnt a few years time He is
confident in these several tours of duty he served a full year & upwards. He removed some time after his discharge as aforesaid to North Carolina where he lived about three years, and has been a resident of the district & State of aforesaid for about forty seven years & he knows no one whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension
roll of the agency of any state
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Erasmus Gibson
X
his mark
J. Winningham, Clerk
Page 5

We Joseph Winningham a clergyman residing in said district and David Williamson hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Erasmus Gibson who has subscribed and sworn
to the above declaration that we believe him
to be seventy two years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution & that we concur in that opinion
[signature] J Winningham
[signature] David Williamson

Sworn to in open Court
Josiah J. Evans
[illegible] Judge

And the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion after the investigation of the matter
& 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 Joseph
Winningham who signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in said district and that David Williamson who has also signed the same is a resident in the said district
& is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Josiah J Evans
[illegible] Judge
Page 6

I Joseph Winningham Clerk of the Court of General Sessions & Common Pleas for Orangeburgh [sic] District and State aforesaid do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Erasmus Gibson for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 16th day of October 1832.
J Winningham

[seal]

Erasmus Gibson
declar.

Jan 18, 1833
Page 7

February 4, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS
Erasmus Gibson, S. 21767

Mrs. J. S. Plaxco
937 Hickman Road
Augusta, Georgia

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for information relative to Erasmus Gibson, a Revolutionary War soldier who was pensioned from Orangeburgh District, South Carolina,
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 21767, based on the military service of Erasmus Gibson.
He was born in New Kent County, Virginia. The date of his birth and the names of his parents are not shown.
While living in New Kent County, Virginia, he enlisted at the time General Arnold invaded Virginia and served nine months in Captain Banks company in Colonel Henderson's Virginia regiment. He enlisted in 1781 and
served six months in Captain Davenport's Virginia company and during the battle of Yorktown he received a bayonet wound in the leg.
Sometime after his discharge from service he moved to North Carolina where he lived about three years and about 1785 he moved to Orangeburgh District, South Carolina.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 16, 1832, at which time he was living in Orangeburgh District, South Carolina, and he then stated that he was about seventy-two years of age. In 1833 he stated that he was "between seventy-eight and seventy-nine years of age."
There are no data on file relative to the family of Erasmus Gibson.

Very truly yours


A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 8

Revolution

21767
INVALID.

File No. 21,767
Erasmus Gibson
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7"" 32
Index:--Vol. 2, Page 153
{Arrangement of 1870.]

1916 July 17 Hist. to Mrs. L. A. Madden
1917 Feb. 9 Hist. to R. H. Jones also data to apply to and for Tmb [tombstone]
1922 Dec. 12 Tombstone data to Q. M. General, U. S. A. AW 
1939 Feb. 4 Hist. to Mrs. J. S. Plaxco M.C.S.
Page 9

The State of South Carolina
Orangeburgh District.
In the Com. Pleas
Personally appeared in open court before the
Hon Brayles J. Earle, Judge of the said court
Erasmus Gibson who being duly sworn
deposeth & saith (in addition to his application
heretofore made for a pension} that he has no documentary evidence of his birth or age, but that from the information of his parents he was bound to a Taylors trade when he was ten years of age, & that he is from the information of his parents seventy eight years of age upwards, that is between seventy eight &
seventy nine years of age That in the last tour of service under Captain Davenport when he served at Yorktown & was wounded he served fully nine months.
Sworn to in open court this 22d October 1833
Erasmus Gibson
X
his mark

Sworn to in open Court
B. J. Carle
Presidg. Judge
Page 10

Planting & Mechanics Bank of So. Ca.
Charleston 4 November 1837

J.L. Edwards Esquire
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington 

Sir

I forward herewith you for your authority to pay, Voucher of Erasmus Gibson having 18 months due. 
I am very respectfully
Your Ob Serv.
A. Spears
pension Agent
Page 11

Admit as private
9 mo $30

Hon. John M. Thler
Page 12

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Erasmus Gibson 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? [blank]
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, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout [sic] of pension he is entitled?
No - Each tour of service should be seperately [sic] & particularly set forth as to period term grade line &c.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
Yes. names of Officers. There were no enlistments in Va for the war except in the Continental army
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
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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2
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?
yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [blank]
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?
yes
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?
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? [blank]
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? [blank]
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?
yes. Except No 2-

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 [blank] year [blank]months and  [blank] days, I served as a  [blank]. For  [blank] months [blank] days, I served as  [blank] and for such service I claim a pension."
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3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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 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 be 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 certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated 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 end 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.
Page 15

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
July 27th 1839-

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, Erasmus Gibson a Pensioner on the Roll of the South Carolina Agency, at the rate of Thirty Dollars and [crossed through] Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June, 1838, has been paid at this Department, from the 4th of March 1838,
to the 4th Sept. 1838,
Respectfully, yours,

Albion K. Parris
Comptroller
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Present.
Page 16

[postage stamp]
U. S. POSTAL CARD
IBE CENBT
1
1

[postmark]
AUGUSTA GA
JAN 6 1939
1030 PM

[stamp]
RECEIVED
JAN 9 1939
MAIL SUB DIV
VETS ADM
READER # 5

Pension Dept.
Washington
D. C.
Page 17

Augusta, Ga
Jan. 5, 1939

Pension Dept

Dear Sir:

Will you please send me the record & family data (if it contains any) of the Soldier Erasmus Gibson (Rev. War), who received a pension on roll 1840 of the Continental Establishment from Orangeburgh District South Carolina.
Information wanted for Historical purpose.
Mrs. J. S. Plaxco
937 Hickman Rd.
Augusta, Ga.

Historian of the
Augusta Chapter D.A.R.
Page 18

[stamp]
U. S. 
PENSION OFFICE
O
JUL 7 1916
Page 19

K. T. G.Nev
Rev Sec.

512 W. 156th St
New York City
July 6th 1916

Mr. G. M. Saltzgarber
Commissioner

Dear Sir

Will you kindly let me have all there may be found in the Pension record of Erasmus Gibson Rev. Soldier Continental Line from Orangeburg Dist. South Carolina of 1840
and oblige
Yours resptly
(Mrs) Laura A. Wadden
Page 20

[stamp]
U. S.
PENSION OFFICE.
O
FEB 8 1917

U. S.
PENSION OFFICE.
O
FEB 8 1917
Page 21

WALKER [illegible] CHARLESTON SC

J. R. LEYSATH, PRESIDENT.
DR. J. M. DAVIS, VICE PRESIDENT.
R. H. JONES, CASHIER.

BANK OF NORTH
ORGANIZED 1904
NORTH, S. C.

DIRECTORS:
J. R. LEYSATH
DR. J. M. DAVIS
R. H. JONES
F. L. WITT
J. P. MATTHEWS
J. B. PLUNKETT
J. A. LIVINGSTON
L. K. ETHEREDGE
WM. C. WOLFE

[seal]
CAPITAL & SURPLUS $30,000.00
BNK OF NORTH
NORTH S. C.
SECURITY RESPONSIBILITY EFFICIENT SERVICE
B of N

IN-RE.

Erasmus Gibson, Revolutionary Patriot.

( 1 ) Where was he born, STATE [blank] COUNTY  [blank]
( 2 ) When was he born Month [blank]
Year- [blank]
( 3 ) When did he die month- [blank]
Year- [blank]
( 4 ) Who drew his pension after his death, [blank]
( 5 ) What Regiment did he serve in during Revolution, [blank]
( 6 ) When did he file his application for pension, date [blank]
( 7 ) What date was his pension passed or OK and allowed, [blank]
By complying with the above information, it will greatly aid me in some re-search work that I have begun.
Respectfully
R H Jones
Cashier.
Page 22

WALKER [illegible] CHARLESTON SC
Rec sec MW

J. R. LEYSATH, PRESIDENT.
DR. J. M. DAVIS, VICE PRESIDENT.
R. H. JONES, CASHIER.

BANK OF NORTH
ORGANIZED 1904
NORTH, S. C.

DIRECTORS:
J. R. LEYSATH
DR. J. M. DAVIS
R. H. JONES
F. L. WITT
J. P. MATTHEWS
J. B. PLUNKETT
J. A. LIVINGSTON
L. K. ETHEREDGE
WM. C. WOLFE

[seal]
CAPITAL & SURPLUS $30,000.00
BNK OF NORTH
NORTH S. C.
The Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:

I shall greatly appreciate it if you will investigate the Revolutionary War record of Erasmus Gibson, who was, I understand
raised in Virginia and saw service in a Virginia Regiment during the Revolutionary War.
I have indicated my information desired by questions on attached sheet enclosed, and kindly give this information if possible by return mail.
Yours very truly
R. H. Jones
Cashier.
Page 23

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3 -- 525
S.F. 21, 767

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C. [blank] , 19 [blank] 
In reply to your request of  [blank], received [blank] for a statement of the military history of Erasmus Gibson a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's ) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT, LENGTH OF SERVICE, RANK, OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN.COLONEL, STATE.
Winter 1780, 9 mos,  [blank] , Banks. Henderson, Va.

1781, 6 mos,  [blank] , Davenport,  [blank] ,  [blank] 

Battles engaged in, Yorktown where he was wounded in the leg by bayonet.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, New Kent Co. Va.
Date of application for pension, Oct 16, 1832. His cl. al. [claim allowed]
Residence at date of application, Orangeburgh Dist S. C.
Age at date of application, about 12 yeas old, born in New Kent Co. Va.
Remarks: In 1833 soldier stated that he was "between 78 and 79 years of age" There is no data on file as to his family
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

6 -- 2856