Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 179, Thomas Ammons, S.C.
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
S.C.
Ammons, Thomas
Catharine
NUMBER R. 179
CONTENTS
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8882
179
Catharine Ammons
Thomas
Illinois

Act 7 July 38
---
on Roll. G Regt.
enlist? 1 Feby 80 F troop
fired to 1 Regt in Feby 80-
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows
State of Illinois Clinton County SS
On this Second day of January 1843 personally appeared before the Probate Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid being a Court of record, Catharine Ammons a resident of Clinton County in the State of Illinois.  Aged eighty years, who being first and sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows.  That she is the widow of Thomas Ammons who was a private in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War under a regular enlistment for eighteen months.  That he entered the service in [blank space] County in South Carolina about October or November 1778.  She thinks on the waters of Broad River and that one of the officers under whom he served was named Dick Hampton, that about the time of the expiration of the eighteen months enlistment the British took Charleston and he was taken prisoner.#  That she never saw him untill after his service, and from lapse of memory she cannot state many of the particulars of his services, that she was married to the said Thomas Ammons in the summer of 1782 (in roasting ear time) by a dutch minister who could preach alternately in the German and English language - not by a license, but by being published on Broad River some 10 miles above the mouth of Saluda in South Carolina.  That she has no family record of her marriage or other record evidence whatever, but she has a family record of the births of her children that were born after the year 1789 which is cut out of her Bible and here attached by referring.  She had four children born before the year 1790 the records of their births have not been preserved (except one named John who was born in 1785). That she was not married to the said Ammons previous to his leaving service, but the marriage took place previous to the 

# he afterwards served a short tour as volunteer in the militia
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first day of January 1794 that is the time above stated and that Thomas Ammons her husband aforesaid died on the 20th day of April 1808 and that she has remained a widow ever since that time  
Catharine Ammons her mark
Sworn to and subscribed by her mark in my presence this 2d. day of January A.D. 1843
J. T. Bradley Probate Justice Clinton Ill.

State of Illinois Clinton County SS
Be it known that on the 2nd day of January 1843 before the subscribed Probate Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Godfrey Ammons and Jefferson Ammons, sons of Thomas and Catharine Ammons who I certify to be credible witnesses and made oath that the family record of the births of the children of their parents which is now cut from the Bible and hereto attached, has been in the family ever since their earliest recollection, that they cannot state in whose handwriting the same was made, but they have not the least doubt but what it contains the true family record of the births of all their parents children from the year 1790 and upwards.  That Thomas Ammons their father departed this life in the state of Georgia on the 20th day of April 1808, and that Catharine Ammons, their mother has remained a widow ever since that time
Godfrey Ammons
Jefferson Ammons
Sworn to and subscribed before me January 2d. 1843.
J T Bradley
Probate Justice
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[2 pieces - top page note readable - John was born May]

Gabriel Amons son of Thomas Amons and Catheren his wife was born May 5th 1790
Thomas Amons their son was born Octr. 10th 1793
---
Henry Amons was born Octr. 25th 1797
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Godfrey Ammons was born October 11th 1800
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Jackson Ammons was born July the 31st day 1803
---
Jefferson Ammons was born May 31st Day 1805
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State of Tennessee SS
Fayette County
Be it known that on the 16th day of Jan 1843 before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Eleazar Ammons who I certify to be a credible witness and made oath that he is (70) seventy years of age that he had an older Brother whose name was Thomas Ammons who lived in Fairfield County South Carolina who served a tour in the war of the Revolution as a volunteer the length of time he does not know he the said Thomas Ammons afterwards enlisted for an Eighteen months tour in the same war that the Eighteen month expired about the time that Charleston was captured be the British that his said Brother Tho. Ammons was married to Catharine Friday in Lexington County South Carolina in the summer of 1782 that he recollects the day of the marriage though he was not present at the marriage though he saw them start to get married and he saw them return they said they was married that he knows they lived together as husband and wife from that time as long as he lived Particularly he knows that they lived together as a married couple before the year 1794 that from information of which he has no doubt the said Catharine is now living in Clinton County State of Illinois
Eleazar Ammons
Sworn and subscribed this June the 16th A.D. 1843
Before me
Geo. W. Adams J. P.
for Fayette County
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State of Tennessee 
Fayette County
I Jarmon Koonce Clerk of the County Court of said County do certify that George W. Adams whose Signature appears to the within is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County and that he was duly commissioned and qualified that full faith and credit are due to his official acts
Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Somerville June 19th 1843
Jarmon Koonce Clerk

State of Tennessee
Fayette County
I William Burton Chairman and Presiding Justice of the County Court of said County, do certify that Jarman Koonce whose signature appears to the foregoing certificate is and was clerk of said County Court at the time of signing the same and that his attestation is in due form of Law. Given under my hand and private seal (there being no seal of Office) at Somerville in said County and State this the 19th day of June 1843
Wm Burton ch J {seal}
fee 25.
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State of Tennessee Fayette County SS
Be it known that on the 27th day of October 1845 before the subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared Eliazer Ammons and being duly sworn according to law makes the following amended affidavit, to one heretofore made relative to his knowledge of the services in the Revolutionary War of his Brother Thomas Ammons, (that is to say) he was nine years of age at the close of the War and has no recollection of its commencement, and for the statements here made, he relies more on conversations with his parents and with his said Brother Thomas, since the War than from his own recollection of the truth however of which he has not the least doubt-- Deponents Father lived at and previous to the commencement of the War on Haw River in North Carolina, and in that State his said Brother Thomas was early in the service first as a volunteer, and then a tour of enlistment in the State line, the length of time he cannot state though he served out the time for which he enlisted Deponents Father moved during the war to South Carolina and in that State his said Brother enlisted for the term of Eighteen months, and served untill Charleston was taken by the British. at which time he was taken prisoner and remained a prisoner untill after the expiration of his enlistment - that him and two other soldiers made their escape by climbing a brick wall and getting into the tide water where by wading and swiming several miles they succeeded in making their escape, and in that way he was not regularly discharged. deponent recollects well when his said Brother arrived home after which he served again as a volunteer under
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Col Pearson in the militia the length of time he cannot state and in the Summer of 1783 he was married to Catharine Friday, and further deponent saith not
Sworn to and subscribed the day and date above written
Tho. B Firth J.P.
Eleazar Ammons

State of Tennessee
Fayette County
I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the above named witness Eleazar Ammons and that I believe full faith and credit should be given to any statement he may make this 27th day of October 1845
Tho B. Firth J.P.

State of Tennessee
Fayette County
I Jarmon Koonce clerk of the County Court of said County do certify that Thomas B. Firth whose signature appears to the above certificate is and was at the time of signing the same an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County and that he was duly commissioned & qualified that full faith and credit are due to his official acts and that his signature is Genuine - In Witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at office in Somerville October 27 1845
Jarmon Koonce Clk of Fayette County Court
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Carmi Illinois
4th April 1843
Sir
I send you herewith the Claim of Cathrine Ammons for a pension under the act of the 7th June 1838- I took her declaration three months ago and have been endeavouring to procure the evidence of two of her Brother in laws to prove her marriage and identity, who resided some years ago in the State of Mississippi on the lower end of Tennessee-- but without success, they are probably not living now, they were the younger Brothers of Thomas Ammons the husband of the Claimant - We rely on the records of the War Department to prove the service of Thomas Ammons as a regular soldier for the term of 18 months- in South Carolina during the Revolutionary War If the records do not afford evidence of such service We cannot of course expect the pension to be allowed If the records do afford such evidence, then I would hope, that as she is able to state the service in her declaration, without the aid of the record, that it will be taken as evidence of her identity. (that information has been withheld from me you know) I know of no other way at present to prove her identity. her Fathers name was Friday, the owner of a ferry on Broad River, which probibly goes by the name of Fridays ferry yet, he resided 20 miles up Broad river above the ferry, at the time Catharine was married to Ammons, and he resided some 40 to 60 miles still higher up the river when he went into the service-- I cannot doubt but this is a just & righteous claim. though all the proof required by the regulations seems very difficult to come at
very Respectfully
Daniel Hay

James L Edwards Esqr
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REJECTED
Catharine Ammons
wid. of Thomas
P.O.
Service:
Enlisted:
Discharged:
The printed list of 1852 gives cause of suspension as "For further proof"
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:

[sideways writing]
1920, Dec. 3 Hist. to Mrs. F G Dunn E.n.
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IN REPLY REFER TO
Rev. War Section.
3 - 1864
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON
December 3, 1920.

Mrs. F. G. Dunn,
Social Circle,
Georgia.

Madam:
In response to your letter of October 30, 1920 you are advised that in the Revolutionary War pension claim R. file No. 179, it is alleged that Thomas Ammons resided during the Revolution in North Carolina and South Carolina, and enlisted about October or November 1778 in the South Carolina Troops. One of his officers was named Dick Hampton. He was taken prisoner at Charleston when the city was surrendered, but escaped; also that he served a short time in the militia.
He married in the Summer of 1782, Catharine Friday at her home about twenty miles above Friday's Ferry on Broad River, in South Carolina. He lived 40 or 60 miles higher up the river, and he died in Georgia April 20, 1808.
Children: John born May 6, 1785; Gabriel born May 5, 1790; Thomas born October 10, 1793; Henry born October 26, 1796
or 1797; Godfrey born October 11, 1800; Jackson born July 31,
1803; Jefferson born May 31, 1805, and three other names not
stated, born before 1790.
His widow Catharine applied for pension June 2, 1843, while living in Clinton County, Illinois, aged '80 years, but the claim was not allowed as she failed to furnish proof of service as required by the pension laws.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
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179
Let - Oct 20 1843 missing Env
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July 8, 1838

[black smudge in middle of image appears to have writing but it is illegible]
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M. Leake
Oct. 20 - 43
---
Dec. 13 - 45
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let. to Danl. Hay May 16 1843
to same 23 March 1844


Act July 7 1838
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA,
OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE.
I WILLIAM HILL, Secretary of State, in and for the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that it appears from the muster-rolls of the Continental line of this State in the Revolutionary War, that Thomas Ammons a private Soldier in Capt. Montforts Company of the 10th Regiment, entered the service on the 20th day of July 1778 for the term of nine months and that nothing more is said of him on said rolls.
Given under my hand this 12th day of January 1844.
Wm. Hill Secry.
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[stamp] COLUMBIA S.C. JAN 24
25

Daniel Hay Esquire
Carmi Illinois

mail
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Comptroller General Office
Columbia 24 January 1843

Indent Book R. No. 317
Issued the 24th May 1785 to Mr Thomas Ammonds for three pounds one shilling and five pence sterling for 43 days militia duty in 1782, as pr. acct. audited. L 3.1.5 sterling

I do hereby certify, that the above memorandom is a true copy taken from the margin of Indent Book R No. 317, deposited in this Office.
William Laval
Comp Genl
B. Hart
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Columbia 24 January 1843
Dear Sir,
Yours of the 11th Instant is now before me. I have again examined the Records of the Comptroller General Office to ascertain the amount of duty performed by Thomas Ammonds. I herewith send a certificate of his services, which is all the information contained in this Office in relation to him.
The fees for the same is two dollars, which you will direct to be paid to Mr Trotti member of Congress from So Carolina, and from this District.
Very Respectfully
your Humb. Sert.
Benjamin H
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Danl. Hay
23 March 1844
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Pension Office
March 23. 44.
Sir,
The additional testimony in the case of Catharine Ammons is not satisfactory. The certificate of the Comptroller Genl of S. Carolina should be procured showing the service of Thomas Ammons, as proved by the rolls in his possession.


Daniel Hay Esq
Carmi Illinois

8884
Act July 7th '38
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Nathan Leake
Dec 13, 45
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216
Pension Office
Dec. 15 1845
Sir,
The additional testimony in the case of Catharine Ammons has been examined & filed. The affidavit of Eleazer Ammons, the brother of claimants husband does not remove the objections in this case as communicated to you on the 20th October last. If he was a Revolutionary soldier the tradition of the neighborhood would afford some evidence of the fact which can be procured from disinterested persons of unquestionable respectability. In regard to the 18 month's service alleged to have been performed in S. Carolina no testimony is submitted to change the former decision in this case.

Nathan Leake Eq.
Present
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Danl Hay
May 16. 1843.
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287
Tenn H
May 16. 43
Sir
In the case of Catharine Ammons the proof of marriage before 94 & of 43 days service in the militia of SC. in 1782 is satisfactory - but the length of the service in the S. Ca. line is not ascertained by any proof whatever- Thomas Ammons was enlisted into the G Reg on 1 Feby 80 & in the same month was transfered to Col. Reg but the records do not shew for what term he enlisted nor is his service traceable after he was transfered to the 1st Regt.

Daniel Hay Esq.
Carmi
Illinois
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Nov 11, 1845.
Addl to case Catherine Ammons

[seidways writing]

Hon. J. L. Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
Washington
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Washington Nov 10, 1845
Sir
I had the honor to receive your report in the case of Mrs Catharine Ammons of Illinois, informing me that the certificate of the Secr. of N.C. of the services of Thomas Ammons of that line appeared to have no connexion with that of her husband, I now enclose to you the affidavit of his brother Eleazer Ammons to show the identity, which I expected to have presented before your examination of her case but did not receive till since your report also with reference to Thomas service in the South Carolina line for 18 months, in actual duty & captivity for more then that time, I hope on a reexamination of her case you will now find sufficient to allow her claim to a full pension & send now the certificate, if a supplemental Statement by the widow is necessary in order to its allowance, please to so State verbally & suspend official action untill such statement shall be furnished & oblige your most obt, sert.
Nathan Leake
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Sept. 26 / 45
Addl to case Cath. Ammons
---
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Comr. of Pensions
Present

J
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Washington Sept. 25. 1845.
Sir
I herewith enclose further evidence in the case of Mrs Catharine Ammons widow of Thomas Ammons my such certificate of Illinois who made application for the benefit of the act of 7th July 1838. and alleges that her husband served 18 mos. in the S. Carolina line, as well as a short tour of militia service in that state, and also for 9 months in the N. Carolina Line, the claim was presented by Mr Hays of Illinois who informs me that the office requires of him to produce the Comptr. Genl. of S.C. Certified with regard to service, in this requirement he thinks there was certainly an oversight as he presented that certificate with the claim before the affidavit of Eleazer Ammons his brother - goes to prove also the service both in the N. C. & S.C. lines, as this claim has been for some time pending I would respectfully request an early examination of the claim & trust the proof, on file will be found sufficient to establish his claim to a full pension-
Very Respectfully Your Obt. Sert. Nathan Leake
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Carmi Illinois
14 Sept 1843
Sir
I sent you last winter the declaration of Cathrine Ammons who claims a pension under the act of July 1838- you informed me that it appeared from the records that Thomas Ammons had enlisted, but the records did not show for what length of time, and that he was transfered into another Regt. after which his services were not tracible &c
Mrs Ammons has a Brotherinlaw living in the lower end of Tennessee, and by sending to him we have procured his affidavit which I here enclose to you, hoping it will satisfactorily establish 18 months service, exclusive of the 43 days heretofore certified to by the Comptroller
Will you please let me hear from you shortly
I am your obt. sevt.
Daniel Hay

James L Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
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[stamp] RECORD DIVISION NOV 2 1920
Social Circle Ga.
Oct. 30th 1920

Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Gentlemen, will you please look through your record of pension or in other information and see what you can help me with about Thomas Ammons. He was private in Capt Henry Hampton's Company 6th South Carolina regiment also private in the 6th Company 1st South Carolina regiment

[stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE NOV 1 1920
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He enlisted in the former organization about August the 1st 1779. was transferred to the 1st
South Carolina in February 1780, and was present with that regiment of the seige of Charleston in 1780. This is all the information I have and thought may be you could help me some.
Thanking you in advance
Very truly
Mrs F.G. Dunn