Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 8460, for William Prewett, South Carolina
Page 1

(S-1776)
SERVICE
S. C

Prevett, William
or Prewitt
NUMBER
R. 8460
CONTENTS
Page 2

Declaration
In order to obtain the Benefit of the act of
Congress passed 7th June 1832
State of Tennessee
Bradley County
 on this 28th day of August 1849
Personally appeared William
Prewitt (before me William Brittain an acting Justice
of the Peace for said County) a resident of Bradley 
County and State of Tennessee Aged 87 years
and six months, who first Being duly Sworn According to Law doth on his oath make the following
Declaration in order to obtain the Benifit of the act of
Congress passed June 7th 1832
That he entered the service of the United States
in the month of January 1780 under Captain 
William Smith in a regiment commanded by Colonel
Robuck, (as militiaman) under the following 
circumstances my Father Thomas Prewitt was drafted in the
Above mentioned Company of Captain Smith (declarant
then resided in Spartanburg District in the State of
South Carolina with his Father) declarant entered
the service of the United States, as a substitute for
Thomas Prewitt declarrants Father for the term of
Six months under Captain William Smith in a
regiment Commanded by Colonel Robuck in the
State of South Carolina Spartanburg District and
that he was mustered into the service of the United States
it a place called the Piney woods House in said
District in the month of January 1780 as a private
Soldier by the Above mentioned officers, and was marched
immedately to a place called Ninety six in the State of
South Carolina and remained there in garrison
untill some time in the month of may, a few days
after the British took Charleston we left Ninety six
Page 3

and marched to a place called Bunkers hill and marched
from there to the Musgrove ford on the Enoree River and there
had a sermage with the Tories and defeated them we march
from there Home to Spartanburg District and after having
served the full term of six months as a substitute for Thomas
Prewitt decarrant was Discharged by Captain William Smith
(In a week or few days after declarant was discharged, he
again Entered the Service of the United States as a volunteer
in a company commanded by Captain Daniel Daff of Union District
South Carolina in a regiment commanded by Colonel Branun
declarant does not recollect the no. of the regament declarant
says he was mustered into the service of the United States at
Union Court House by ["the" crossed out] Captain Duff for the term
of six months Declarrant says the Troops were called County
Rangers in this campaign we kept no garrison but Scouted
in the upper parts of North and South Carolina in Oct.
1780 we joined the regiment of Colonel Campbell on Broad
River to march after Colonel Furguson a British office
we Crossed Broad river at the Shallow ford in Rutherford
County North Carolina and marched on the trail of
Fergusons Army three days and overtook him at Kings
mountain and there had a battle, Furguson was killed and nearly
all of his Army was taken prisoners they prisoners was marched to 
Salsbury North Carolina but we returned to Union District 
and continued to scout to keep down the Tories we joined
General Sumpter at a place called the Cross Keys in Union
District and marched with him to the Tiger river at a
place called Blackstocks ford and there had a severe
battle with Colonel Tollton a British officer we defeated 
him we then seperated from General Sumpter and marched
to Greenville District and Continued to Scout untill my
term of served was out having served the full term
of six months as a volunteer and private Soldier and
Page 4

was discharged at Perkins old Court House by Capt
Daniel Duff in declarant says in a few days
after he returned home to Spartanburg District he was 
drafted into the service of the United States for six months
under the command of Captain William Smith in a regiment
commanded by Colonel Robuck and was mustered into service
at Spartanburg Court House and in the State of South 
Caroline in a few days we joined General Morgan and
few days after we had a battle at a place called the
Cowpens with Colonel Tarlton a British officer
the same fellow we whipt at the Tiger river we
killed a great many and took almost his whole
Army prisoners about three days after the
Battle we seperated from General Morgan
and continued to scout we had a scurmage in
Edgefield District we was then marched to Spartanburg
District and discharged (after serving six months
in the company of Captain Smith) in the month
July 1781 declarent further says he knows of
no person that he can prove his services by and has no
Documentary Evidence to show his service by having
his Discharges Lost never thinking they would be any
use to him and the Reason he never applyed for a
Pension before he was told owing to the Circumstances
this Discharges being lost and not knowing no person
could prove my services by, it would be doubtful
he further Declares that he was acquainted with Colonels
Robuck and Branun and has seen Generals Morgan
Sumpter and Marion Col William Washington and
Colonel Campbell he hereby relinquishes Every claim
whatever to a Pension or anuity Except the present and
declares his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency
of any state he declares he served Eighteen months
Page 5

In the manner above stated in a Corps called into service
by Competent authority that he was Either in field or in
Garrison and for the time during which the services
were performed he was not Employed in any Civil
Persuits. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year
above written
William Prewitt his mark X
William Brittian
Justice of peace
We James Carter a Clergyman residing in the County of
Bradley and B F. Martin residing in the same hereby
Certify that we are well acquainted with William Prewitt
who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that
we believe him to be 87 years and six months old that he
is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides
to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we
concur in in that opinion Sworn to and subscribed
this 28th day of August 1849
James Carter
B. F. Martin
William Brittian
Juster of the fore
I William Brittian an acting Justice of the peace do certify
and declare my opinion after the Investigation of the matter
and after puting the Interrogatives prescribed by the war Department
that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier and served as he states and I do further certify
that it appears to me that James Carter who has signed 
the preceding certificate is a Clergyman resident in the County
of Bradley and that B F Martin who has also signed the same
is a resident of Bradley County and is a creditable person
and that their statement is entitled to credit, and further
the above mentioned applicant is (unable) from bodily infirmity
unable to attend a Court of record. In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal this 28th day of August 1849
 William Brittin J. P.
Page 6

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3 -- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., - 19
In reply to your request of - , received
for a statement of the military history of William Prewitt
soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
formation as contained in his ["(or his widow's)" crossed out]  application for pension on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
Jan 1780
1780
1781
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
6 mos
6 "
6 "
RANK.
Pvt
"
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Wm Smith
Daniel Duff
Wm Smith
COLONEL.
Robuck
Brandon
Robuck
STATE.
S. C.
Battles engaged in, Musgroves Ford, Kings Mt., Blackstocks, Cowpens
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Spartanburg Dist. S.C. with his father 
Date of application for pension, Aug. 1849
Residence at date of application, Bradley Co. Tenn
Age at date of application, 87 yrs 6 mos.
Remarks: Soldiers father was Thomas. There is no
further data on file as to his family.
His claim was not allowed as he did not not furnish
sufficient proof of service as required by
the act of June 7, 1832 under which he applies
for pension
Respectfully,
(I put the services in full as he state, 
because this was a most arbitrary rejection
he gives a minute account and there is more evidence
than many claims were allowed on)
AW
Commissioner
Page 7

No 37193
William Prewett
Ten
Lester John Hambright 2 Nov 1849
Let same July 23, 1850
Let. to John W. Smith
Feb 3, 1857
Hon Wm Churchill Apr 13 /52
Let Hon A H Stone May 26/52
" Hon Wm M Church 28 Oct 52
act 7 June 32
[sideways]
Papers copied & sent to
Hon S. A. Smith 22 Feb 1854
Page 8

No 37. 1193
William Prewitt
Ten
act 7 June 1832
8460
Page 9

[This letter appears to be crossed out]
Pension Office
Novem 1849
Sir,
The papers in the case of William
Prewett an applicant for a pension
the act of June 1832 have being examined
and filed.
Same Suspecting reason for having
delayed the presentation of this claim
until this late day should be given and
the amount of [illegible] by the claim
should be established by the Certificate
of the Comptroller Gene of Sent Contin
No evidence who ever in support of
this claim has been addmend -
Page 10

Hon. James E. Heath
Dear Sir
Please find enclosed letters
sent me by Mr Hambright to be handed you,
please let me have a report from them.
Very Respectfully
Wm H Churchwell M.C.
Washington City D C
Dec 27th 1857
Page 11

Department of the Interior
Washington October 26th 1852
Sir,
I have examined the case of William
Prewitt an applicant for a pension under the
act of June 7th 1832 and have affirmed
your decision therein, of which you will
please advise the claimants attorney.-
The papers in the case are herewith returned
to the Pension Office
I am very respectfully
Your obedient Servant
Alex H. H. Stuart
Secretary
James E. Heath Esqr
Commissioner
of Pensions
Page 12

Jno. Hambright Eq
Calhoun
Tennessee
[stamp " COLUMBIA SC 23 NOV]
[upside down]
John James A Black
Hambright
Page 13

Comp Gents office
Columbia S.C. Nov 21 1849.
Sir,
Yours of 15th inst is recd Examination among the
Revolutionary Record has been made, but the
name of Wm Prewett or Pruett has not been
found
Very respectfully
Yr obd. srvt.
James A Black
Page 14

1915 Mar. 25
Mrs. D. P. Berry
Charleston Mo
furnished hist
see letter in
Martin Pruitt
S32455
8460
William Prewitt
REJECTED
Page 15

State of Tennessee
Polk County
On this 6th day of March one thousand
Eight Hundred and fifty personally
appeared before me John Cass an acting Justice of the
peace for the County and State aforesaid John White
aged ninety four years and after being duly sworn 
according to law says that he was personally acquainted with
William Prewett during the Revolutionary war
that the said Prewitt lived in Spartanburg District in the
State of South Carolina appoint Lived in Union District
near the line which divided union and spartanburg in about
two miles from where the said Prewett Lived appiant says that
to the best of his recollection that the said prewett entered the
service about the same time that appiant did in the month of
January 1780 appiant says - that he understand and believes
that the said William Prewett served a tour as a substitute
for his father Thomas Prewitt whom appiant was well acquainted
with appiant says that the said Prewett served under Captain
Daniel Duff whom appiant was well acquainted with and that
he frequently saw William Prewett in Duffs Company
appiant says that after the fall
of the City of Charleston the Troops did stay together
in Large Bodies in the upper part of the State but scouted
in separate Companys, but frequently met he recollects of
seeing William Prewett at Colonel Brady and often at other
places while he was in the service appiant does not know the
Length of the said Prewett service, but believes he served -
a good while and I have reason to believe he was in some heavy battles
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year here mentioned
John Cass
Justice of the peace
John White his mark X
Page 16

State of Tennessee I John Cass
Polk County
I John Cass an acting
Justice of the peace for said
County and State aforesaid do Certify that I am
personally acquainted with John White who has
sworn and subscribed to above affidavit in relation
to the Revolutionary service William Prewitt I believe
him to be ninety four years old and is a person of sound
mind and good reputation therefore his Evidence
is entitled to Credit In testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my and seal this 6th day
of March - 1850
John Cass
Justice of the peace
State of Tennessee 
Polk County
I E P Douglas clerk of the County
Court of Polk County do certify that John Cass Esq
whose name appears to the above affidavit is an
acting Justice of the peace for the County of Polk and
State aforesaid duly Elected commissioned and
faith and credit is due all his official
acts as such Given under my hand and
seal of office at office at Benton
this 6th day of March 1850
E P  Douglas
Clerk
[seal attached to document]
Page 17

; ; ; ; 

jan 29/52
John Hambright
re: to case of 
John White and
Wm Prewett 

Hon: W. M. Churchwell
[illegible]

[Stamp]
CALHOUN TE
JAN
11
Hambright

[Envelop address}

Hon Wm. M. Churchwell
House of Representative
Washington, 
D. C.
Page 18

Calhoun Tenn, January 10th 1852
Sir
In the first of Dec Last I adrested you a Letter
in relation to the Revolutionary Claims for pensions
of John White & Wm Prewett Enclosed to you a letter
to the Commissioner of Pensions as you have not
Informed me whether you have received them please
Inform me if you have received them and what
your opinion of the case is there are many cases
of Revolutionary Soldiers in this country that can
not make proof on account of being far removed
from where those [illegible] was acted which should
account for the delay of the claims of the Above
being presented to such a late day I am in hopes
and will give the case your attention-  I see you
are placed on the Comitee of Revolutionary Pensions
which I think is fortunate, I would thank you
for a copy of the act passed at the two last session
of Congress and other publick documents which
may be at your disposal
yours Respectfully
John Hambright
Hon Wm M Churchwell, M. C.
Washington City
D. C.
Page 19

Calhoun Ten
March 26th
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pension
Washington City
D. C.
[sideways] 
April 4: 1850.
Add: herd
Case
Wm Prewett
Page 20

Calhoun Tenn March 18,
Sir
Enclosed you will find an affidavit
of John White and one of George West
in support of the claim for a pension
Claimed by William Prewitt of Bradley
County Tennessee also a letter from the
Comptroller General of S.C. which I wish
you to Examine in connection with his
Declaration and Mr Prewitt reasons for
not applying sooner for a pension I wish to
Explain about Mr Wests Evidence as it will
show it was taken in Bradley County the
County where Mr. Prewitt Lives Mr. West
lives in Morgan County Tennessee after
Mr. Prewett Learned that west was living
he got one of neighbours to ["and" crossed out] go and
West and get him to come and see him
if possible which was done and the testing
of West was taken in Bradley cty as you
see the reasons of Prewitt I believe to be
true he applyed to me six or seven years ago
to aid him to get a pension. I refused to do
as he could not make proof of his services
I told him I thought it impossible to pass
his claim without proof) Last Summer one of the
Neighbors of Prewett requested me to aid
him in geting a pension I then went to Prewitt
House and found him very needy he could
make so Clear a statement about his services
in the Revolution that I consented to write his
Page 21

declaration still telling them that the Claim
could not be passed without proof the neighbors
of Prewitt said they would aid him in hunting
up proof (as Mr Prewett from bodily infirmity
Cannot leave his House) I am in hopes you
may be able from the Evidence exibited to give
him a pension
Respectfully
your most obd srvt
John Hambright
J. L. Edwards
Com of Pen
Washington City
Adress John
Hambright
Calhoun Tennessee
Page 22

State of Tennessee 
Bradley County 
on this 6th day of
February one thousand Eight
Hundred and fifty Personally appeared before
John Stanfield an acting Justice of the
peace for said County and State aforesaid
William Prewitt after being sworn according to
Law says the reason he never applyed
for a pension for his Revolutionary services
is that when the law of 7th of June 1832
was passed he had removed from South Carolina
where he could have proved his service and
having property to keep him from want and
having lost my discharges and was told he would
have to prove his service, and knowing of no one
one that he could prove his service by I waited
to see if I could not meet with some of my
fellow soldiers but not being successful I
concluded to file my Declaration and perhaps
I could with proof he says since filing
his Declaration he understands that John White
and George West is still living and can testify
to his service which I knows they can
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year above
written
William Prewett his mark X
John Stanfield
Justice of the Peace
Page 23

Calhoun official Business
July 6th
J. L. Edwards
Comm of Pension
Washington City
D. C.
Page 24

Colham Tennesee July 5th 1850
Sir
In answer to your letter of the 2th of
November Last in relation to the claim for
a Pension under the law of 7th June of William Prewitt of Bradley
County Tenn. I had the honor to enclose
to you proof of his service in March
Last which I respectfully call your attention
March 50
I also near the same time enclosed a declaration
of John White of Polk County Claiming under
to same Act
March 50
and in answer to your Letter of the 6th of February
last in relation to a claim for an Invalid Pension
of Mr John Gordon of Polk County Tennessee
I enclosed the nessary proof as was required in
your Letter (as I thought) to perfect the the claim
as your attention to the above cases as they
have been more than usual delayed for hearing
fearful they have been lost or mislayed
I am Yours most
Respectfully
John Hambright
J L Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Washington City
Page 25

State of Tennessee
Bradly County
On this 11th day of
March one thousand and
eight hundred and fifty personally appeared
before me John Stanfield an acting Justice of the
peace of said County and State aforesaid
George West aged Eighty seven years who
being duly sworn according to Law says
he was personally acquainted with William
Prewett in the time of the Revolutionary war
and was personally acquainted with his service
affiant was living near Neighbour to the
said William Prewett at the time and now
knows him to be the same man his Father
Thomas Prewitt was drafted for six months
and William Prewett served the tour under
Captain William Smith and Colonel Robuck
as a substitute for his Father Thomas Prewett
the Company and Regiment was raised in Spartanburg
District South Carolina affiant says that
that the said William Prewett served as a
volunteer for six months under Captain
Daniel Duff and Colonel Brannan Captain
Duff and Colonel Branum  in Union
District affiant says that William Prewett
after serving six months as a volunteer was
drafted in Captain Smith Company in
Spartanburg District for six months affiant
says that affiants Father Daniel West was
drafted at the same time and affiants Father
wished affiant to serve in his place but Captain
Smith Rejected affiant on account of his
size affiant says that he saw William
Prewett mustered into said service at Spartanburg
Courthouse and also saw him mustered out
Page 26

the Last mentioned service at Union Court House
in the State of South Carolina present at
the time affiant Father says his Father was
killed during said service at the Battle of the
Cowpens) Sworn to and subscribed the day
and year Above written
George West
John Stanfield
Justice of the Peace
State of Tennessee
Bradley Count
I John Stanfield an acting
Justice of the peace for said
County do certify that I am personally
accquainted with George West who has sworn
to and subscribed to the above affidavit in
relation to the Revolutionary services of William Prewett is a
Creditable person and I believe him to
be 87 years of age and his testimony is
Entitled to credit. In testimony whereof
I have hereunto set my hand and seal
this 11th day of March 1850
John Stanfield [hand drawn seal]
Justice of the Peace
Page 27

State of Tennessee
Bradley County
I John W Robertson Clerk of the County
Court for the County of Bradley aforesaid
do certify that John Stanfield was
name appears to the foregoing affidavit
is an acting Justice of the peace for
Bradley County he was duly Elected
Commissioned and Sworn and faith and
credit is due to his official acts given under
my hand and seal of office at office
in Cleveland March the 20th 1850
John W. Robertson Clk
Page 28

State of Tennessee
Bradley County
On this 28th day of August
1849 before me William Brittain
an acting Justice of the peace
personally appeared Benjamin F. Martin a
creditable citizen and after being duly sworn 
according to Law Deposeth and sayeth
I have been acquainted with William Pruett
from my Earliest Recollection, he living a near-
neighbour to my Father who was a Revolutionary Soldier
and hearing them frequently conversing 
about their hardships in the war has left the
impression and my mind that he was a soldier in
the Revolution
B. F. Martin
WilliamBrittain
Justice of the peace
State of Tennessee
Bradley County
I John W. Robertson Clerk of the County Court
for the County of Bradley, aforesaid do certify
that William Brittain whos name appears
to the foregoing declaration and proof
is now and and was at the date of his
Signaure an acting Justice of the peace
for Bradley County he was duly Elected commissioned 
and Sworn and faith and credit is due
to his official acts given under my hand - 
and seal of office in Cleveland September the
4th 1849
John W. Robertson Clk
[seal attached to document]
Page 29

Cleveland Tennessee
September 4th 1849
Dear Sir
Enclosed you will find the
Declaration of William Prewitt
Claiming a Pension under the act
of Congress pased June 7th 1832
which I wish you to Examine M. Prewitt
has been in circumstances not to need what
the Law has provided for him, recently circumstances
have changed and he needs the money at present
I request on Early attention to the case
Respectfully
John Hambright
J L Edwards
Commissioner of
Pensions
[illegible]- be sure to Adress John Hambright
Calhoun Tennessee