Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 1270, Britton Willis, S.C.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE                    
S.C.          

Willis, Britton  

NUMBER
S.1270.

Carded
------------------------
CONENTS
Page 2

[note on left side]
See letter 17 Jany 
1834 to Hon. G. Lyon 
& Pens. Agent

22.296
Kentucky
-----------------------------
Britton Willis 
of Mecklenburg in the State of Kentucky 
who was a private in the com commanded by Captain Bildwin of the regt commanded 
by Col Clark in the South Carolina 
line for 2 years
-----------------------------------
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky 
at the rate of 80 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
------------------------------------
Certificate of Pension issued the 21 day of Oct 1833 and C. A. Wing 
Greenville
------------------------------------
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833        $200 C
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 March  $40 C
                                                          $240 C

{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk, 
Book E  Vol 7 Page 33
Page 3

13.235
Britton Willis
Mecklenburg Co. Kent
for private
2 yrs
$80



C F Wing CC
Greenville Ky
Page 4

BRIEF in the case of Britton Willis
of Mecklenburg County in the State of Kentucky
(Act 7th June, 1932.)

1.  Was the declaration made before a Court of a Judge?  open Court
2.  If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? [blank]
3.  How old is he?  74 years
4.  State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
-----------------------------------------
Period.
In 17
The claimant states that he served near four years but doesnt state the [illegible] times of service
Duration of Service.
Years, Months, Days.
[blank]
Rank.
As a [blank]
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Capt Bildwin   Col. Clark
Genl. Little  Genl. Clark
Genl. Pitchen [Pitcher?]  Clark as 
Anderson

5.  In what battles was he engaged?  None
6.  Where did he reside when he entered the service?  Solina South Carolina
7.  Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls?  Traditionary
8.  Are the papers defective as to form or authentication?  and if so, in what respect?  Correct

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
mention.  

Richard Cutts
Examining Clerk.
Page 5

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of 
congress passed June 7th 1832

State of Kentucky
Muhlenberg County S. C.

On this 28th day of August 1832 personally appeared 
in open court before the Judge of the Muhlenberg Circuit 
Court now sitting, Britton Willis a resident of said county
of Muhlenberg & State of Kentucky, aged Seventy four 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
States that he was born in North Carolina removed in childhood
to Soluda [Saluda?] Old Town in South Carolina went from there at seventeen
or eighteen years of age into Georgia where he remained until eight 
or ten years after the war then returned to South Carolina Pendleton
county and lived there ab out fifteen years after which he removed
to his present residence where he has been about twenty seven years
He states that at the age of seventeen or eighteen years and while
living at Soluda South Carolina troops were raising to serve on 
the Frontiers of Georgia called minute men for a term of three
years that he enlisted and entered the service of the United States
with these troops for three years under William Baldwin Captain
his son Wm. Baldwin first Lieutenant and John Emberson Ensign
were first marched together with another company under Captain
John Burkes to Carrs Fort, Wilkes County, Georgia but the 
precise time of entering the service he does not recollect went
to Carrs Fort in the summer, kept the Fort and guarded the
Frontier went the following spring both companies were then
marched up the Broad River where we built some defences
and continued guarding the country until next springtime
then marched to Augusta, the rendezvous of the different
Page 6

Troops intended for an Expedition to Augstine.  At Augusta
Captain & Lieut. Baldwin resigned or went into some other
service, for the minutemen were not compelled to go on this
expedition and such as went were informed that the service
would be in commutation of the balance of their three years
as minutemen  He states that Samuel Tillett as Captain and 
his brother Giles Tillett as Lieutenant then took charge of Baldwin's 
company.  He went under these officers on the expedition - staid a few days at Sunsbury  - then onwards by Camy's
Cowpens, where a great Eclipse of the sun took place and 
several deserters were shot.  Genl. Elijah Clark (perhaps
Colonel then) and Major Manider commanded the
expedition.  Marched from Carneys to St. Mary's River 
and joined the Regulars from Charleston.  The march
continued some further and we had several skirmishes
in one of which Col. Clark was wounded in the leg.
The expedition returned without reaching Augustine
This applicants company were marched to Cherokee
Hill within about fifteen miles of Savannah and 
were then discharged but this applicant has long
since lost his discharge.  Was then engaged in various
scouting party against tories & Indians but could 
not now detail them as to the times, places & continued 
in this kind of service until he was ordered to Augusta
at the 2nd Siege of that place, served through the siege
which continued about four weeks.  James Little 
was captain of this applicants company
Genl. Elijah Clark was Majr. Smith were the 
chief officers now recollected.  After this he served
at the Siege of Savannah, commanded by the 
same James Little as Capt., Genl. Clark & 
Majr. Smith Count De Estang commanded 
the French - after raising the Siege he continued
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to serve in various small affairs against the Tories
until he marched in the expedition against the 
Cherokee Nation commanded by Genls. Pitcher
Clark & Anderson.  James Little still commanded 
the company to which applicant was attached
In this  expedition we burned several Indian
Towns and had various skirmishes in one of 
which he was shot through the wrist of his left 
arm, on the return of this expedition this applicant
continued until the close of the war
to do duty in various scouting & ranging parties
against Tories & Indians.  Making the different
periods for which he served near four years
He states that he has no documentary
evidence, and that he knows of no person
whose testimony he can procure, who can 
testify to his services.  
He hereby relinquishes every claim
whatever to a pension or annuity except the 
present, and declares that his name is not on the 
pension roll of the agency of any state.

Britton Willis [his mark]

Sworn to & Subscribed the day & 
year aforesaid 

We Isaac Bard Clergyman residing in 
the same County South Orangeberg and 
Charles F Wing residing also in the same
County hereby certify that we are well acquainted
with Britton Willis who has subscribed & sworn
to the above declaration.  That we believe him 
to be seventy four years of age that he is 
reputed & believed in the neighborhood where 
he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution
and that we concur in that opinion.

Isaac Bard
Chas Wing

Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Page 8

And the Said Court do hereby declare
their opinion after the investigation
of the matter and after putting the 
enterrogatories prescribed by the 
War Department and the above
applicant was a revolutionary soldier
and served as he states - And the 
Court further certifies that appears to 
them that Isaac Bard who has 
signed the proceeding certificate as a 
clergyman & resident in Muhlenberg
County & that Charles F. Wing who 
has also signed the same as a resident 
in the County of Muhlenberg and is a 
credible person and that their statement 
is entitled to credit

Alney McLean Judge


I Charles F Wing Clerk of the Court of 
the Muhlenberg Circuit, do hereby certify
that the foregoing contains the original
proceeding of the said Court in the matter
of the application of Britton Willis
for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have 
hereunto set my hand & seal 
of office this 28th day of 
August 1832.

Chas F Wing
[seal]



[upside down at the bottom of the page]
13.235
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Britton Willis
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of 
Britton Willis Muhlenberg Co Kentucky 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?  no

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 amount of pension 
he is entitled?  no

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?  no

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of 
June 7, 1832?  yes

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?  yes

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?  yes

X.  Is the Clerk's seal affixed?  And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal?  yes
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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's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?  yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, 
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?  yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the 
regulations direct?  yes

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?  2 - 5 - 6
------------------------------------------------

ESPLANATORY 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
and [blank] days, I served as a [blank]; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 12

3

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 or four months is too indefinite, 
and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. 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 shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places 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.

+QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must
prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of
the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the
regiment, company, and line to which he belonged.  The magistrate who may administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the 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 authenticates the papers is not 
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate
must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.

In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 13

Commonwealth of Kentucky
Muhlenberg County Sct.

Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice 
of the Peace for the county aforesaid the said Britton
Willis mentioned in the declaration aforesaid to which his 
certificate is attached, who being duly sworn deposeth and saith
by way of amendment to his original declaration aforesaid, 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 & in the following
grades.  For two years and five months I served as a private 
in the troops called minuteman in which service I enlisted 
for three years, but was discharged for the balance of the
term in consideration of going on the Expedition to Augustine - I do not recollect the name of the officer who
signed my discharge but it was regular legal but has 
been long since lost - These minute men were commanded
by Colonel Elijah Clark afterwards General Clark
Wm. Baldwin commanded my company of which his son
Wm. Baldwin jr. was 1st Lieutenant & John Emmerson
Ensign - Before starting on the Augustine Expedition, Capt.
Baldwin & son resigned the command of my company and 
Capt. Samuel Tillet & his brother Elijah Tillet took charge of it 
I cannot from the causes aforesaid and the great lapse
of time specify more particularly than in my original declaration 
the character & description of the troops, the times when they
served and officers by whom commanded
For twelve months I served as a private militia man 
commanded by James Little Captain - Smith Major &
Elijah Clark General and was engaged in various scouting
parties against Tories & Indians and guarding the frontier its
being then Wilkes County Geo. against the Indians.  Served also
during this last time at the Siege of Savannah under the
Page 14

last named officers.  I do not recollect who were the principal
officers commanding the Americans, but Count de Estaing 
commanded the French and Genl. Pulaski commanded 
a corps of Cavalry - I also served during this same time I believe
it was at the Siege of Augusta commanded by the same
James Little Capt. Maj. Smith & Genl. Clark
For six weeks I served as a private militia man under
the same J Little in an Expedition from the Frontiers
of Georgia against the Cherokee Indians.  This Expedition
was commanded by General Pickens Clark & Anderson
Generals Pickens & Anderson were from South Carolina & 
Clark from Georgia - I was regularly discharged form each
of the said services but have forgotten by whom my discharges
were signed and I have not preserved them - during each of 
said periods of service I was wholly engaged in military duties
and not employed in any civil pursuits and for these
services I claim a pension - I cannot for the causes
aforesaid state more specially [specifically?] the periods of the war 
when I served or names of officers or regiments - I am 
according to the information of my parents and my best belief
Seventy four years old but I have no record of my age
whatever - As individuals who will certify as to my veracity
and their belief in my having been a soldier of the
revolution I refer the Department to Chs F Wing
Thomas Salsbury Richard Reynolds, James Weir, Alney McLean
Edward Ramsey, Albritton Drake, Maj McWells ore[?]
all of whom are and long have been acquainted with me

Britton Willis [his mark]

Commonwealth of Kentucky
Muhlenberg County Sct.

I certify that Britton Willis this day
made subscribed and duly swore to the
aforegoing statements as an ammendent
to the declaration for a pension to which it is 
attached before me a justice of the peace as in the 
caption aforesaid mentioned   Given under
my hand this 30th day of May 1833

John Campbell JP
Page 15

Commonwealth of Kentucky
Muhlenberg County Sct

I Charles F Wing clerk of the County Court for 
for the county aforesaid do certify that 
John Campbell esqr. before whom the foregoing 
amended declaration was made & whose
signature is thereto annexed is an Acting 
Justice of the peace for said County & that 
due faith & credit is and ought to be given 
to each & every of his Official Acts

In Testimony whereof I have 
hereunto set my hand & affixed
the seal of my Office this 
30th day of May 1833

Chs F Wing

[seal]
Page 16

INVALID.                          Rev. War
-----------
File No. 1270
Britton Willis,
Priv. S.C. Line.
-----------

Act:  June 7, 1832.
Index: - Vol. [A or O?], Page 406

[Arrangement of 1870.]