Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,267, David Watts, S.C.
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
S.C.
Watts, David
NUMBER
S. 18.267


CONTENTS
carded
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[left side of page]
order to pay
See letter Nov. 9, 1836

[right side of page]
South Caroline No. 23,645
---
David Watts
of Newberry Dist. in the State of S. Carolina
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Aikin of the Regt. commanded
by Col. Moultrie in the S. Carolina Troops
for 2 years
---
Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina
at the rate of 80 dollars---per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 12th day of March
1834 and sent to Hon J.R.
Griffin H.R.
---
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834                240.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep. "[1834]    40.00

[total]   $280.00
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk,
Book E.  Vol. 6.  Page 83
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The State of South Carolina
Newberry District To wit

On the twenty fourth day of April in the year our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open court before the Honorable Josiah J Evans one of the Judges of the Court of General Sessions and Common Pleas of the said state, and presiding judge of the said court now in session for the said District.  David Watts, a resident of the district and state aforesaid, aged Seventy Seven years the 22nd day of March last past who being first sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed the seventh day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty two:  that he was born in Saint Thomas Parish, Charleston District in the state aforesaid that he at this time has no record of his age, but his recollection is very distinct, and he speaks with certainty of his age, having had in his possession until December 1790, a family bible in which his age was recorded, and which was burned with his house and many other things at the time above stated.  That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officer, and served as herein stated;  In the month of April in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and seventy six, he volunteered in a company of Infantry commanded by James Aikin Captain Andrew Hasel 1st Lieutenant William Arliston Ensign and was carried and stationed on Sullivan's Island at the Palmetto Fort now called fort Moultrie - attached to a Battallion commanded by Major Joseph Maybank and to the Ridgement commanded by Colonel William Moultrie, he remained in the fort under the command of the officers above mentioned until the month of August or September following, when a new organization of the Ridgement was made and his officers changed.  John Roger Pinckney took command of the company, Edward Thomas first Lieutenant and James Butler Ensign
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Thomas Mahon succeeded Joseph Maybank, and Hugh Horry commanded the regiment as Colonel.  The applicant states that he was in the Fort when Admiral Sir Peter Parker on June 1776 made an attack on the Fort and ^was defeated, that he continued in the service from that time untill the siege of Charleston in the spring of 1780 stationed in the Fort all the time, except when occasionally permitted to be absent for a short time on furlough.  When the City of Charleston was in vested by Land, and the British Fleet had passed the Fort and had taken a station between the fort and the city, and the conclusion inevitable that the city must be taken, the Troops on the Island and in the Fort were assembled at night and ordered to retreat which they effected by crossing over a bridge from the Fort to Haddrell's Point, and making their escape through Christ Church Parish.  His regiment was then dispersed until July following, when they were again assembled and rendezvoused in Saint Johns Parish under the command of the same officers and attached to General Francis Marion's Brigade.  In this brigade he served until the final evacuation of Charleston in December 1782.  In the service in Marion's brigade, this applicant traversed the whole lower country was engaged in many skirmishes and several battles.  He was engaged in a battle at or near Quimby Bridge with a party of Tories and British commanded by Lord Rawdon in this engagement.  Marion's Brigade were forced to retreat.  Quimby Bridge is situated at the Head of Cooper River.  He was also in an engagement with the Tories at or near a placed called Browns Church in the lower part of North Carolina.  The Tories were commanded by a man of the name of Harrold.  The Tories were defeated.  He was also in an engagement at Viddors Bridge on Cooper River with a party of British commanded by Major Coffin.  The americans
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were compelled to retreat and a good
many  killed in this engagement a Capt
Campbell of the british Army was killed.
He was also in an engagement with the Tories
command by Col Watson and Major Gainy
at Black Mingo Bridge. In this affair Gen.
Marrion completely surprised them by covering
the Bridge with the Blankets of the
soldiers and crossing men and Horses over
on them. The Tories were defeated many
killed and Major Gainy wounded.
The Brigatge joined the continental army
command by Gen Green a short time 
before the battle of the Eutaw Springs, at
Mannings Ferry on Santee River. The
applicant was engaged in the battle of
the Eutaw Springs. this was last battle of
any magnitude he was in.
The applicant was regularly discharged
in writing at [illegible] Bridge near 
[illegible] Corner which ^discharge was burnt with
his house in December 1790. The discharge
was given to him in the month of December 1782. 
The applicant has resided
for forty years past in the district
of Newberry and State of South Carolina.
One year after his discharge he resided in
Saint Thomas Parish, he then removed to
Sumpter District where he resided untill
he removed to Newberry. The applicant states
that Genl Charles Lee a regular officer was
in the service at Charleston, when he served
on Sullivan Island in the first part of his
service. General Green was also with
the Troops in the latter part of his service. 
A Capt. William Bennet is a [illegible] and Capt. Provo also served
with him who were regular officers.
I am known to William Harmon, John Gaskins
Richard Wirts, Robert Dunlap & many other
who can testify as my character for veracity
and their belief of my services as a revolutionary 
soldier. they live in the neighborhood
where I now reside. I have no documentary
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evidence of my service and know of no
person whose testimony I can procure, who
can testify to my services.
I hereby relinquish every claim whatever
to a pension or annuity except the present
and declare that my name is not on the pension
roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year
aforesaid in open court
Y.J. Harrington Clk.
David Watts

We William Harmon a Clergyman residing
in the district of Newberry and State of South Carolina and
John Gaskins residing in the same hereby certify that we are
well acquainted with David Watts. who has subscribed
and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe
him to be seventy seven years of age; that he is reputed
and believed in the neighbourhood where he
resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and
we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year
aforesaid
Y.J. Harrington, Clerk
Wm Harmon
John Gaskins

I Josiah J. Evans presiding Judge as aforesaid
do declare after the investigation of the matter,
and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by
the war department, that the above named applicant 
was a revolutionary soldier and served as
he states. I further certify that William Harmon
who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergiman
resident in Newberry District & State of South Carolina
and that John Gaskins who has signed the same
is a resident of the same place and is a credible person 
and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I Y. J. Harrington Clerk of the court of )
general sessions & common pleas of Newberry )
district do hereby certify that the foregoing )
contains the original proceedings )
of the said court )

Josiah J. Evans
Presiding Judge
24 April 1833


---
in the matter of the application of David Watts for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto at my hand and seal of
the clerks office the 23rd April 1833
Y. J. Harrington CC GS & CP
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Newberry Dist. S.C.

David Watts
additional [illegible]
for Pension

Dunlap & Summer
Appl. Atty.
Page 8

South Carolina    )
Newberry District)

Personally appeared before me Y. J. Harrington Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Newberry District, David Watts, 
who makes this additional declaration 
on oath, for the purpose of procuring 
a pension, & who is the identical 
David Watts the applicant in No. 26053.  
The said David Watts saith that the seige 
of Charleston was in the month of May (the 15th 
as this applicant thinks) 1780, & from that time 
until the middle of the month of July 
in the same year the army was dispersed, and 
which was the only time he was 
not in the service from the time he 
entered the service which was in the 
month of April 1776, until he was discharged 
which was in the month of December 1782 with the exception of a 
few very short interval during which this applicant 
was absent on furlough - making in all the term of six years and six
months that this applicant was in the 
service and for which ^time he claims a 
pension.  This applicant states 
that Col. Moultrie commanded the forces 
on the Island at the Palmetto Fort 
where this applicant was stationed from 
the time of his entering the service until the 
siege of Charleston in the month of May 1780.  
At the Battle of Quimby Bridge in which 
this applicant was and which was in the month 
of August 1780.  Genl. Marion commanded 
the forces, Col Hugh Horch commanded the 
Regiment he was in.  Quimby Bridge 
is over Cooper River in Thomas Parish
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The engagement at or near Browns Marsh (in which this applicant states he was in his former declaration took place in the month of November 1780.  He was commanded by Marion, his Regiment was commanded by Col. Hugh Horce.
     The Engagement at Viddow's Bridge was on the 1st day of January 1781.  He was under the command of Col. H. Horce but the Forces were commanded by Col. William Smith.  Viddows Bridge was over Cooper River in St. Thomas Parish.
     The Engagement at Black Mingo Bridge ^which is one branch of Black River now in the District called Marion^ in which this applicant was [illegible] in the latter part of the month of January 1781 some short time after the Battle at Viddows Bridge but the day of the month this applicant cannot state precisely.  Col. Horce still had the command of his Regiment.  The particulars of this battle are detailed in his former Declaration which see This applicant state, again that the time he was in the service he pursued no civil avocation but was a soldier in the Continental force for the period which he has herein before stated, to wit, for the period of six years and six months for which time he claims a pension.  The numerous marches he may have made, and several other minor engagements in which he was engaged he is unable to recollect, but with this declaration, submit his claim to the further in-
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inspection and for the determination of the Authorities constituted for that purpose.
                         David Watts
Sworn to before me
the 27th November 1833
Y. J. Harrington
            Clk. Newberry Dist.

South Carolina    )
Newberry District)

I Young J. Harrington clerk for Newberry District do hereby certify that David Watts did this day appear before me and takes and subscribes the oath above set forth which is intended as an additional declaration for the purpose of obtaining a pension from the United States.  Witness my hand & seal of our said court at Newberry, the 27th day of November anno domini 1833 and fifty seventh year of American Independence.

                      Y. J. Harrington
                              Clk N Dst

[physical seal & ribbon affixed]
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            No. 26053
David Watts Newberry District
South Carolina

At
Admit as private
2 yr $80

c.m.

Hon Jn R Griffin
                   HR
Dunlop & Sumner Newbery C. House
S. Carolina
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                          WAR DEPARTMENT,
                                    Pension Office
                                         Augt: 24 1833

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 comparing 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 be 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 David Watts Newberry District South Carolina
_____________________________________
Period when the service was rendered.
     Vol. dcd.   Apl. 1776 & served until upwards of  1782
_____________________________________
Duration of the claimant's service.
     Years.  5
     Months. -
     Days. - 
_________________________________
Rank of the claimant.
     Private
_________________________
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served.
     Cap Aikin, Major Maybank, Colonel Moultrie, Genl Marion
___________________________________
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
     77 years 
     Charleston District S. Carolina
_______________________________________
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
     Traditionary evidence, paper correct
___________________________________
                           I am, respectfully,
                             Your obedient servant,
                                J. L. EDWARDS,
                                Commissioner of Pensions.
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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 terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not to 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 from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
     Four general classes of cases are embraced by this law:
     1.  The Regular Troops.
     2.  The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
     3.  Persons employed in the Naval Service.
     4.  Indian Spies.
     As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians 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   )
                     County of                       ) ss.
     On this    day of       personally appeared (a) before              A B. a resident (b) of          in the county of   and State, Territory or District of    
   aged (c)     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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832.  That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)   , 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 more 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 engaged, and the country through which he marched.  (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 hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named 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 such 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 declaration; 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 a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.  And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that A. B. and that C. D., who has also 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 or commission; 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 produce 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 event 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. (Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
         To an Officer. (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 believe 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 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 __ 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 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.

                Proof of Service.
     (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 from (a) to (l) are all equally applicate to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops.  The proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only.
     (k) Traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
     (l) If a witness cannot be found, the declaration must state the fact.
    (m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 15

J. L. Edwards Esquire
         Washington 
                     D. C.
Page 16

  Planters of Merchs Bank of SC
  Charleston 21 Oct 1836

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
             Washington

Sir,
     I forward herewith voucher of David Watts, a pensioner under act of 7 June 1832.  One years stipend being due therein authority from you is requested for payment of the same.

                             I am respectfully
                             Your Obdt. Svt
                              P Lawrence
                              Pension Agt.
Page 17

            P             18264

                 INVALID.
 
File No. 18,267
David Watts
Pri   Rev War
Act: June 7th '32
Index-Vol. 1, page 396
(Arrangement of 1870.)