Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 4194, for Thomas Mc Gee, Georgia
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
Ga.
N.C.
McGee, Thomas
Resident Va. at enlistment but first used in Balto., Md., under Capt. Templeton & Col Brown
NUMBER
S.4194
Carded
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26635
West Tennessee
Thomas McGee 2
Humphreys Co in the State of Tennessee
who was a private in the com commanded
by Captain [blank]of
the regt commanded by Col Campbell in the N Carolina line for 1 year and 7 months

Ga. and NC. Line. Records o.k. Mar 26
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee
the rate of 63 Dollars 33 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 11 day of April 1834 and never leave
Johnson HR
Arrears to the 4th of March 190.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 31.67
$221.67
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk
book E Vol. 7 Page 93
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13.214
Be pleased to make out a pension
certificate for nineteen months
C. Johnson
9th Apl 1834
Hon Cave Johnson
Page 4

State of Tennessee
County Court
Humphreys County
October Sessions 1833
On this day the 28th October 1833
personally appeared before the Justices of
the Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions for the aforesaid County of Humphreys. Thomas McGee a Resident of Humphreys County aforesaid, aged Eighty 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 provisions made by an act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832
That he enlisted and entered the service of
the United States in July 1777, and served
under the following named officers, viz
That he enlisted under Captain Templeton
in the town of Baltimore (State of Maryland)
the Regiment was commanded by Col. Brown
That he (the affiant) was marched by order of
and with Col Brown, from Baltimore to
Savanna in Georgia - and served in, what
was then called the 4th Georgia Battalion, he
cannot tell the name or number, of the Regiment From Savanna he was marched to altamahaw river and from thence back to Savannah, and from thence to Augusta, and from thence to Brier Creek, where the Americans, under Genl Ash, were defeated by the British - And this affi
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ant, and Captain Templeton, under whom
he had continued in service, were both taken
prisoners-- He remained a prisoner about
forty Eight hours and then made his escape
swimming the Savanna river at a place called
the "two sisters" and went to the State of
North Carolina, Burke County making a term of service of two years -
In Burke County he volunteered and joined
the service with Drew Cade Captain, and
Colonel Clark with whom he returned
to Augusta in Georgia, and besieged a party
of British and tories commanded by a Col.
Brown, who being reinforced by a party
from Savanna, compelled the Americans to retreat.
At this place the Declarant, was wounded
in the hip, and was conveyed on horseback
to Kings mountain, where Captain Cade
joined Col Campbell, and was near
the battle ground at the time of Furgerson's
defeat, but on account of his wound, was not
able to be in the action - He was conveyed
from thence, by Col. Campbell in company
with the British prisoners, to Moravian Town He continued in the neighborhood of that
place about two weeks, having performed
a tour of service of six months.
Page 6

He then volunteered under Capt Joel Lewis in Wilkes County N Carolina, and joined Col.
Cleveland who marched him to Guilford
Court house. This declarant was in the
battle fought there, and was marched from
thence under Genl Green to Ninety six
where he was discharged after having performed a tour of three months. He then
volunteered in Capt Thomas Harvey's company of Mounted Militia, Samuel Hammonds Colonel under command of Genl Pickens, The service he was here engaged in was scouting the Country after Tories. After scouting sometime Genl Pickens joined Genl
Green at the Eutaw Springs, this Dec
clarant was in the battle fought at this
place. From Eutaw he was marched
back towards Ninety six and there discharged after having served a tour at this time of ten months, and in aggregate the amount of three years and seven months that he served as a private soldier in the service of the United States
He was born in Randolph County N Carolina
Feby 17th 1749
He has no written record of his age
and only states the day and date of his birth from information derived form his mother
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O
L
S
1
he was living in Pittsylvania County
Virginia at the time of his entering into
service, but had gone to Baltimore on business
After being dismissed from the service
he returned to Pittsylvania County
and continuing a short time went into
Stokes County N Carolina, where he
married & continued several years
He then moved to the State of Tennessee
and has been a resident for about forty
years of Tennessee State and for the last
ten years a Citizen of Humphrey County
He inlisted, was made a prisoner
M
his escape, but never rejoined his
Regiment, all the services performed
by him afterwards was as a volunteer
---
He recollects the names of no other Regular
officers who were with the troops with whom
he served, only those already named
and has no recollection of the names
of the Continental or militia Regiments
That he only received a discharge for his
last tour of service - which discharge
has long since been last-
20
He refers to Ephraim Perking Ear and at
Thomas
said for his
but michborhood with whom he is
Page 8

He further states that he has no documentary
evidence by which he can prove his service
and that he knows of no persons living by
whom he can prove the same or any part
thereof, except the persons whose certificate
are hereunto annexed
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 or Territory of the United States
-
Thos McGee
Sworn to Open Court.
30th October 1833 DH Elendson Clerk
We, Ephraim Perkins a justice of the peace for
Humphreys County and Thomas Simpson
& Joel Reding Residents of the same do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Thomas McGee who has sworn to & subscribed the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty 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. We further state that there is no clergyman resident in the neighborhood of said applicant who could certify to his character, or to to the opinion of his neighbors respecting his revolutionary services
Sworn to in open court
30 October 1838 D. Elendson Clerk
Ephraim Perkins J.P.
Joel Riding
Thomas Simpson
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And the said Court do hereby declare
their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories
proposed by the war department
that the above applicant was a soldier of the revolution and served as he states. And the said Court further certify EphraimPerkins who has signed the preceeding certificate is now an acting Justice of the peace for Humphreys County and that Thomas Simpson and
Joel Ridens who have signed the same are residents of the afore said County of Humphreys and are credible persons, and that their statement is intitled to credit-
John Thompson Justice of the peace for Humphreys County
Robert H. Hawthorn Justice of the
peace for Humphreys County
Urban Harrys Justice of the
peace for Humphreys County.
Isaac Little an acting Justice of the peace
for Humphreys County
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State of Tennessee
Humphrey County ⎬ S8
I Dansey P Elenemore  Clerk of the
Court of pleas & Quarter sessions for said
County do hereby certify that the fore
going contains the original proceeding
of the said Court in the matter
of the application of Thomas McGee
for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and (private) there being no public seal
of office at Reynoldsburgh the
20th Feby 1834
DP Elendson Clerk of Humphreys County
Court-
I am well acquainted with the hand writing of
Dawsey P. Hutson, the Clerk of the County Court of Humphreys - the preceding certificate & signature is in his proper handwriting there is
no public seal of office belonging to said
Court
E Johnson 
10th Apl 1834
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13.214
Thos. McGee
Tennessee
i.j.
Certificate filed as to Clerks seal
Certificate requested for 19 Mar
[illegible]
$63.33/100
Hon. C. Johnson N.R.
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Entered July 1777
Served 2 years 6 mos 3
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,

Sir:  
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned.  The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form.  On companing these papers with the following rules and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can allowed.  The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done.  Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

a Statement, shewing the Service of Thomas McGee

[Headings for Chart] Period when the service was rendered | Duration of the claimants service /Years/Month/Days | Rank of the claimant. | Names and rank of the field officers under who he served. | Age at present and place of abode when he entered the service | Proof by which the declaration is supported.
1777  2      Pr  Col Brown  84  Traditions &  Witnesses.
         6  " Col Campbell  [m o underscored]
          3  " Col Clark    [mc?]
        10  " Col Rammonds [?]  
Certificate of C. Johnson as to clerks seal
order [strike through word] [illegible] his certificate 19 mos 
no proof of first service.  See also note [may have been notice?]

I am repectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions
Can allow for 19 months.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but no those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, & c., Teamsters, Boatmen &c.  Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded form the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places as night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service. 
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1.  The Regular Troops.
2.  The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3.   Person employed in the Naval service.
4.  Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in the Department, all person claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians [musicians] or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides.  And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832
State, Territory, or District of} ss..
County of
On this       day of      personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of      in the county of       and State, Territory or District following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 9d)    , with   and served in the   (e) regiment of the     line, under the following named officers: 
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under mor than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank, and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engage, and the country through which he marched.   [pointing figure symbol] This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.)

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) 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 in the State of 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.            A.B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do herby declare their opinion (g) that the above names applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I              of the Court of                       do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of          for a pension.  
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this       day of               &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the state Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz.:
(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the                and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify that we are well acquainted with               , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declarations; that we believe him to be          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 the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the court further certifies, that it appears to them the A.B. and that C.D., who was signed the same is a resident in the        and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,          Clerk of the Court of             do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of                  for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this day of     &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power.  This is the original discharge of commissions,; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produced such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier
To an Officer.
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure , taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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 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 periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For  year months,  and   days, I served as a   . For  months and   days, I served as a   ; and for such service I claim a pension." 
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 that 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 shown 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.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he 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.
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 papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of take or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service. In [j] 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 claimant's 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.
The notes form [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is not [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases. [l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact. [m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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4194
Rev War
INVALID.
File No. 4194
Thomas McGee 2 [illegible]
Pvt. N.C. line
Act: June 7..32
Index: Vo. A, Page 244
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Ga and N.C. line Records corrected Mar 26 "ok" [illegible]
Page 17

State of Georgia Henry County Personally came Thomas Hollerman who was aged sixty three years before me John Young one of the acting Justices of the peace for said county and made oath in due form of law that he Hollerman was and is acquainted with Thomas McGee and that he was acquainted with said MdGee when a soldier. Serving under Captain Drew Kade (or Cade) in the [illegible] Revolutionary war but whether a regular or militia not recollected but that he had the reputation of being a true whig and faithfull soldier I do know and that he is now poor and needy I also know - given under my hand Thomas Hollerman - 1st of September 1833
John Young (JP)
State of Tennessee Henry County I John Young one of the acting justices of the peace for said county do certify that the above affidavit was sworn to & subscribed before me and that Thomas Hollerman the affidavit is entitled to full faith and credit given under my hand September the 1st AD 1833.
John Young
Justice of the Peace
Page 18

State of Tennessee Henry County I Thomas K Porter Clerk of the County court of said county do certify that John Young Viz whose signature appears to the [illegible] certificate is, and was at the time of signing the same an acting justice of the peace for said county duly commissioned and qualified according to law that all due faith and credit is and ought to be given to his official acts as such & that the within signatures purporting to be his are genuine. In testimony sohereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said court at office in the town of Paris the nineteenth day of September AD 1833 and fifty eighth year of American Independence
Thos K Porter Clk
by Ble Brown [illegible]
Page 19

State of Kentucky Hickman County Personally came Burrel Phillips who was aged sixty five years before me Demsey White one of the acting Justices of the peace for said county and made oath in due form of Law that he said Philips was and is acquainted with Thomas McGee and that he was acquainted with said McGee when a soldier serving in the revolutionary war under Captain Drew Kobe or Cabe in the army of the revolutionary war and was a regular soldier in said war and that he said McGee had the reputation of being a true whig and faithful soldier I do know given under my hand this 17th day of September 1833 Burrel Phillips
Demsey White JP
State of Kentucky Hickman County I Demsey White one of the acting Justices of the peace for said county do certify that the above affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me and that Burrel Philips the affiant is intitled to the full faith and credit given under my hand September the 17th AD 1833
Demsey White JP
Page 20

Commonwealth of Kentucky Hickman County court [illegible] I Henry L Gonnington clerk of the county court for the county aforesaid do certify that Demsy White is an acting Justice of the peace in and forsaid county In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of office this 17th day of September 1833.
Henry L Gonnington [illegible]
Page 21

State of Kentucky Hickman County Personally came Stephen Stubblefield who was sixty five years before me Demsey White on of the acting Justices of the Peace for said county and made oath in due form of law that the said Stubblefield was and is acquainted with Thomas McGee and that he was acquainted with said Thomas McGee when a soldier serving in the [illegible] the REvolutionary war but whether a regular or militia soldier not recollected but that he had the reputation of being a true whig and faithfull soldier I do [illegible under my hand this [illegible] September AD 1833
Demsey White JP
Stephen Subblefield
His X Mark
State of Kentucky Hickman County I Demsey White one of the acting Justices of the peace for said county do certify the above affidavit was sworn to and subscribed before me and that Stephen Stubblefield the affiant is entitled to full faith and credit given under my hand September the 16th AD 1833
Demsey White JP
Page 22

Commonwealth of Kentucky Hickman County Court [illegible] I Henry Gorington Clerk of the county court for the county aforesaid do certify that Demsey White is an acting Justice of the peace in and for said county in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of office this [illegible] day of September 1833.
Henry L Gorington, CRCC