Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9,965, for Joshua Spears, North Carolina
Page 1

N.C., S.C. Service
Spears, Joshua
R9.965 Number
Page 2

South Carolina}
Sumter District}
Claremont County}


On this the sixth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four, personally appeared Joshua Spears before the Hon. John S. Richardson, one of the associate justices of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions for the state of South Carolina. Joshua Spears a resident of the county district and state aforesaid 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 was living in Craven County South Carolina in the year seventeen hundred and seventy nine. That on or about the first of February of that year he was drafted for three months tour - that some time in the month of February he marched from Craven county to Augusta Georgia in a Regiment commanded by Colonel Matthew Singleton, that Captain Joseph Hill commanded the company the which deponent belonged and that three companies marched from Craven (now Claremont) County together to Augusta and were there placed in the regiment of Col Matthew Singleton, the General commanding the whole forces was -Williamson; There were some few Regular Soldiers in the camp for some time but deponent is unable to recollect the names of the officer - The American Forces encamped on this side of the Savannah River opposite Augusta. The other side of the river was in possession of the Tories and British - though the Deponent to the best of his recollection believes there were but few if any British in the neighborhood of the American camp. Nothing was ever done by the American's as long as deponent remained in the camp, except some straggling Tories were occassionally taken on the other side of the River in Georgia. At the expiration of the three months (in the month of May) the term for which the Regiment under Col. Singleton was drafted - the Colonel (Singleton) requested of the General the discharge of his Regiment.
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Instead of discharging the regiment the General Williamson had Col. Singleton placed under arrest and his sword taken from him The Regiment being  highly irritated and their tour of service having expired marched off without a discharge and reached their homes in May. In July I removed to Iredell County in North Carolina. In the month of January seventen hundred and eighty one the deponent was drafted for a three months tour under General Davidson. - Locke was Colonel and the captain of the company to which deponent belonged was Samuel Reed. About the last of January Capt. Reed's company joined Gen'l. Davidson near the Island Ford on Catawba River - The regiment under Davidson after our junction with it marched down the Catawba river to Beattie's Ford - Cowans's Ford is about two miles below Beatties ford and we were posted there to prevent the British army from crossing in pursuit of Gen'l Green's army. our sentinels were on the bank of the River and when they fired on the British crossing the Regiment about three hundred men were formed on the banks and kept up the fire on the British until some of their infantry were entirely across the Stream. Gen'l Davidson in the act of ordering his men to retreat was shot and a Col. McCauley from Georgia with our regiment was also killed - The regiment was left under the command of Col. Locke and retreated about six or seven miles near to Mrs. Torrans - At the suggestion of the Captain Reed, Caldwell &c. the Colonel continued our retreat to Mrs. Torrans, we had been there but a short time before we were surprized by the British Dragoons under Col. Tarleton - after making some resistance the regiment was utterly dispersed. - Several were killed. The remainder separately in small companies escaped to their homes. The deponent had been at home about one week - when his captain Reed and another Captain Caldwell who had both escaped at Mrs. Torrans collected their comapnies and marched after some time under the command of - Marlow but we did not overtake them - Towards the last of March a few days more than two months (say two months) from the time of my draft under Davidson we were discharged from the remainder of the three months by Capt. Reed.
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I received a written discharge but lost it in a short time - In the summer of Seventeen hundred and eighty one I was out under Capt. Reed for two or three weeks at a time, but never were embodied by any competent authority and the services were entirely voluntary. In September 1781 I was drafted for two  months in a regiment commanded by Col. Paslyas well as deponent recollects. The Captain of the company to which deponent was attached was - Beverly. Our comapny marched from Iredell County about the last of September and joined Col. Paisley on Haw or Deep River - Deponent did not precisely recollect. There was but one regiment and that under Col. Paisly. The Tories were embodied in the same neighborhood on the same river under a Col. Fannin - we had but one skirmish with the Tories - he marched and countermarched on - Haw and Deep Rivers until the expiration of the two months when we were discharged. I received a written discharge for two months service which has been lost. and the deponent certifies that he cannot find a surviving witness who can state his personal knowledge of Deponents services - and that James Parson the clergyman in Deponents neighbourhood is now in circulation and will not return before the adjournment of their court. And the Deponent does hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity exept the present and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any state.
Joshua Spears
[Signature]
Sworn to and subscibed the day and year aforesaid before the Hon. John S. Richardson
in open Court
J. Richardson
[Signature]
Page 5

We John China and Robert Bradford residents in the neighbourhood of Sumterville, So. Ca. do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joshua Spears who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaraton that we believe him to be seventy five years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
[Signatures]
John China Sen.
R. Bradford
Sworn and subscribed in open court before the Hon. John S. Richardson one of the Advocate Judges of the State aforesaid this 6th Nov. 1834
J. S. Richardson
[Signature]

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 John China who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident in the neighbourhood of Sumpterville So. Ca. and is a credible person and that Robert Bradford who has also signed the same is a resident in the neighbourhood of Sumterville So. Ca. and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
J. S. Richardson
[Signature]
Page 6

Joshua Spears
S. C. 
32.2119
Page 7

Interrogatories propounded by Honorable J. S. Richardson one of the associate Judges of the State of South Carolina, the open court, to Joshua Spears an applicant for a pension under the act of the United States of June 7th 1832 - 

Interrogatory. 1st Where and in what year were you born? 
Answer - I was born in Craven (now Claremont) County in the State of South Carolina in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred adn fifty nine

Interrogatory. 2nd Have you any record of your age and if so where is it? 
Answer - My age was recorded in the family Bible and the leaves on which the same and the ages of other members of the family were recorded have been torn out.

Interrogatory. 3rd Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, & where do you now live?
Answer 3d - I  lived in Craven Couonty So. Ca. where I served my first our of three months under Gen'l. Williamson near Augusta. I removed to North Carolina in the summer of seventeen hundred and seventy nine and having served two tours in tht state I returned to So. Ca. in seventeen hundred and eighty two and have ever since resided near the place of my birth in Craven (now Claremont) County So. Ca. -

Interrogatory. 4th How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom?
Answer 4th - I was drafted in all my tours of service.
Page 8

Inter. 5th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served, such continental & militia regiments as you can recollect, & the general circumstances of your services - 
Answer 5th There were no continental or Regular Troops in conjunction with the Militia Regiments in which deponent served except for a few days when he was under the command of Gen'l Williamson at August - he recollects t he name of no Regular officers except one called Lieut. Bull. but does not know whether that was a real or fictitious name - there were more than one Regiment at Augusta under - Williamson, but from teh great lapse of time and failure of memory Deponent does not recollect now they were entitled or the name sof their officers - as to the general circumstances of his services the deponent refers to the within declaration by which it will be seen that he served altogether seven months.

Inter. 6th Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given & what has become of it?
Answer. I received no discharge at the expiration of my first tour in the sTate of South Carolina under Gen'l Williamson near Augusta in Georgia - Gen'l Williamson attempted to detain the Regiment after the expiration of their Term of Service - Gen'l Williamson was odious to the soldiers fom the then suspcious of his toryism- which were afterwards confirmed and the Regiment marched off without a discharge - the other discharge I received were lost immediately after they were given

Interrogatory 7th State the names of persons, to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood & who can testify as to your character for veracity & their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution?
Answer 7th Robert Bradford, John China, Jeremiah Pitts, Larkin Jennings &c.
Page 9


I  Thomas J. Wilder Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and  General Sessions for the District in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Joshua Spears for a pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal of office this sixth day of November in the year of the Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four - 
Th. J. Wilder
C.C.P.S.
[Signature]
[Seal]
Page 10

April 10, 1931

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
AWF: MLB

Mrs. Julian C. Lane
Statesboro
Georgia

Dear Madam:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 9965, that Joshua Spears was born in 1759 in Craven (later Claremont ) County, South  Carolina. He applied for pension November 6, 1834, at which time he was residing in Claremont County, South Carolina, and
alleged that he served as follows: While residing in Craven County, South Carolina, enlisted about February 1, 1779, and served three months in Captain Joseph Hill's company, Colonel Matthew Singleton's South Carolina regiment. He moved in July, 1779 to Iredell County, North Carolina and served with the North Carolina troops in 1781 about four months under Captains Samuel Reed, Beverly and Colonel Locke or McCauley and Paisley, and was in several skirmishes with the British and Tories.
The claim was not allowed as proof of six months service as required by the pension laws was not established.
His son, Anderson Spears in 1856 was in Jacksonville, Florida, and in 1857 was in Brunswick, Georgia.
Very truly yours

E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
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A Copy in Substance of the Statement that I found of the Services of Joshua Spears as a revolutionary Soldier.

No. 1

I was in Augusta Camps a three months tour as a Soldier under Gen. Williamson and Col. Singleton Command adn was discharged in May 1779.

No. 2

I was in Camps in North Carolina under the Command of Gen Davidson Col. * Mcolly or Lock. and Capt. Samuel Read a two months tour as a drafted man and was discharged in March 1781.

No. 3

I was in camps in North Carolina under Col. Pasley a two months tour as a drafted man and was in a Scrumage with Col. Fannen. 1781 Sept.

No. 4

I was in Camps in North Carolina under Col. Caldwell a Six weaks tour

* The name Mcollg is arrased and the name Lock wrote rite above it is body written and I am not certain that Lock is the name.

The word Beverly is written at the bottom of the Sheat but whether it has any conexion with No. 4 I can't tell
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Jacksonville Fla. August 16th 1856.

Dear Sir

Inclosed you will find a statement that appears to have been made by my Father Joshua Spears a Revolutionary Soldier. The Statememt is in the handwriting of one of my Brothers and may not be correct in every particular. But I hope that it will be sufficient to enable you to search the record with success.  I wish you to have the record searched and let me hear form you at as early an our as is convenient and you will very much oblige yours most Respectfully
Anderson Spears
[Signature]

N.B. my address is Jacksonille Devaul [Duval] Co. Fla

N. B. The first service rendered in 1779 in Augusta- (Camps war in South Carolina and georgia as I have herd my father speak of serving in the nabourhood of August georgia.
Page 13

South Carolina}
Sumter District } In the matter of the application of Joshua Spears for a pension under the Act of the Congress of the United States of June 7th 1832.

Joshua Spears come before me, and being sworn make the oath that from the great lapse of time, and the loss of memory resulting from his old age being now really seventy six years of age, he feels unable to give much further information on the portions of his Declaration objected to by the War Department. In relation to his three months tour of service near August on this side of the Savannah River, he remembers that General Lincoln once visited the encampment - and that one man was killed from the discharge of cannon on that occassion - as to the Regiment leaving the encampment without the permission of the General Williamson, the Deponent states that at the expiration of the term for which the Regiment was drafted, the (Colonel Matthew Singleton) applied for the discharge of the Regiment - that the General placed Col. Singleton under arrest in consequence of said application that General Williamson was then and had for some time been suspected of disaffection to his country - that it was reported and believed among the soldiers that the General had his washing done at thte house of a Tory on the other
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side of the river - and had correspondence with the enemy - that the said General Williamson intended to march his troops into Georgia and there lead them into an ambuscade or in some way betray them to the British and Tories - that General Ash but a short time before on Briar Creek had his whole corps dispersed by the British and Tories and designedly as was generally believed by our regiment - and that it was the intention of Gen'l Williamson to lead his troops to a similar defeat - Your deponent is not entirely certain but believes as well as his memory serves him that Gen'l Williamson - afterwards became a confirmed Tory - The Deponent was then young and thoughtless and paid slight attention to matters not connected with the routine of his military duties - Col. Singleton was tried in Charleston and acquitted - and lived as he before had done a neighbour to the Deponent and the Deponent has often heard the said Col. pronounce Gen'l Williamson a Tory - In the beginning of the year 1781 - I was drafted in Iredell Co. No. Ca. (to which state I had removed} for two months term of service - The name of the Captain Samuel Reed - we were drafted asset was reported, to join Gen'l Morgan - who was marching from the defeat of Tarleton at the Cowpens - our
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company afterwards joined Gen'l Davidson and were  with him when he was killed in attempting to prevent the British under Cornwallis from crossing the river (Catawba) at Chowan's Ford [Cowan's Ford] - our Colonel (McCauley) was killed at the same time - we then retreated to Mrs. Torrans and on the same day we were dispersed and routed by the dragoons under the command of Tarleton.  The action was in the month of Februray 1781 - The Deponent in company with four or five others, returned to his own neighbourhood - The whole company with him exception of one or two reached home in squads of four and five - and were placed again under the command of Capt. Reed under whom they remained acting against the Tories in that section of the country - who were numerous and had become troublesome - The Deponent remained the full two months in that tour of service -  and a week or two besides - such was the condition of the country at that time - that the citizens though not drafted were often on duty - the Deponent was almost constantly for months in scouting parties, after the tories in the neighbourhood - He claims for nothing but the seven months for which he was regulaly drafted and which he fully served.
Joshua Spears
[Signature]
Sworn to before me this Jan'y 17th 1835 John Hewshill J.P.& Q.u.
Page 16

South Carolina}
Sumter District} I Thomas J. Wilder Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Sumter District do hereby certify that John Hemphill before whom the entitled deposition of Joshua Spears was taken is an acting Notary Public and Ex. officio a Justice of the Quorum in the District and State aforesaid - Gien under my hand and the seal of said court January 19th 1835 - 

Th J. Wiler
C. C. P. S.
[Signature]
Page 17

9965

Joshua Spears

Enlisted: _________________, 18  .
Discharged:  REJECTED___, 18  .

Application filed: _____________, 18  .
The printed list of 1852 shows reasons for suspension.
Alleges: "He did not serve six months"
Re-enlsited: __________________
____Recognized. ____________Contract.
_________Cert. of Dis. Searched for __________, 18  .

1931 - Apr. 10 Hist. to Mrs. Julian C. Saul awf
1931 - May 21 Mrs. Julian C. Law ads - name of wife not given awf
Page 18

Anderson Spears
Brunswick
Geo.
August 19. 1857
Page 19

Pension Office,
August 19. 1857.

Sir:

The payments referred dto in your letter of the 26th ultimo would indictae a servcie of morn than six months, but would not justify an allowance fo the pension claim of your father under the act of 1832, unless it can be shown tht he was the same Joshua Spears to whom these payments were made.


Anderson Spears, Esq.
Brunswick
Georgia.
Page 20

Thos. J. Wilder
29 Jan. 1835
O.C.





R. Vol. 40. P 79.
Page 21

Depart. of War
Pension Office
Jan'y 29 1835

Sir

In his amended declaration Joshua Spears alleges to have served seven months: The papers were returned with the 3 mos. tour in 1781. It seems that the militia where Mr. Spears served were defeated or as the claimant observes were dispersed and returned home, having been to serve about one mon. That he "remaind" at home" which then Catain Reed, "acting against the Tories the full two months- He still observes that "much was the condition of the county at that time that the citizens though not drafted were often on duty" - "The Deponent was almost continually for marches in scouting parties after the Tories"
Admitting all this to be as stated and there is no doubt of its correctness, yet the claim is inadmissable on the ground that the servcie here alluded to was not of such a character as to bring it within the meaning of the law. 
The papers are placed on file.
Thos. J. Wilder, Esq.
Sumterville, S. C.
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9965
Joshua Spears
South Carolina
_________________
Suspended
______________
Act 7 June 1832
Page 23

3 Oct. 5
R 194
Oct. 5, 1840.
Pension Office

Maf
Not Ad.


Hon. Joel R. Pointsett
Sect'y of War
Washington

[SUMTERVILLE SEP 29]
Page 24

Sumterville So. Car. 285 Sept. 1840

Hon. J. R. Pointsett,

D. Sir,

In the course of taking the census for the U.S. in Sumter District recently - I find that two of our Revolutionary Soldiers, have not yet received their pensions; altho it is some years since, that they forwarded the proper documents to Washington - Their names are William Brunson & Joshua Spears. Wm. Brunson is now above 100 years of age - He lives about 35 miles from the Court House - His poverty & decrepitude together have prevented him from going to the Court house to make inquiry why his pension has been withheld - His agent Wm. J. J. Crosby left this state for Texas some years ago and he states, that since he went up to the Court House years ago to execute the papers which were to be sent to Washington; that he has never heard one sillable on the subject - Will you do a fellow Citizen the favour, to inquire of the proper department into this matter - If the  papers are informally executed; will you have the goodness to have them enclosed to me (to the above direction) that whatever informality there may be may be notified - for there is no doubt whatever, in the belief of this country, that he honestly deserves it - our Fall Court will sitt the first of November & it is very desirable that the papers should be here before that time - If the papers be forwarded formerly cannot be found will  you secure another set of papers to be sent here, that he may make another application - In the case of Joshua
Page 25

Spears, who is a man, living well enough off  He states that his papers were returned to him; that they were reexecuted & sent to Washington at sd. time - & that he has had no answer - tho now some years - His services were performed in North Carolina and he thinks that perhaps the proof may have been deemed insufficient - & on that account his pension may be withheld - If so, he now thinks he can substantiate his claim satisfactorily - & that if his papers are returned to him, that he will make another trial - Will you also take the trouble to inquire into the case, & have the papers sent here, if necessary Will you also inquire why Hugh Matthews, has received no answer to his application made about 2 or 3 years since - And presuming that there are proper Blank Forms, at the proper office- will you request that a few be sent to me - then a few more revolutionary men here who have not applied with most of them the difficulty has been to prove their services - their services having been performed out of the state & their age & situation in life not having allowed them to seek for Proof in the proper place - The community here very well knows who were & who were not Whigs in the Revolution - Party Spirit now very high for many years between them; and of the few relicts of that period now alive here, we all know upon which side each one was swayed in that contest -- you will recognize in my signature, a nephew of your friend Judge Richardson,
Page 26

and you can place as much reliance on my statement & in that of any one of the name -
very respectfully 
you obed't serv't
Wm. E. Richardson
[signature]
Page 27

Pension Office
Aug 28 1856

Sir

The records of this office afford no evidence of the services of Joshua Spears. Application should be made to the Comptrollers of North and South Carolina for such evidence as they may possess. - 

1832
S. C. 


Anderson Spears Esq.
Jacksonville
Florida
Page 28

Th. J. Wilder
Dec 29 - 1834
ae
Page 29

Department of War
Pension Office
Dec. 29. 1824

Sir

The Papers of Joshua Spears have been examined. He claims 7 mos service in the militia of S. C.: the fact a tour for three month; from which service however, it appears, that the whole company left withount leave or any discharge: - because the Gen'l refused to discharge the Reg't & put the Col. under arrest. Allto, the claimant also states that their time of service had elapsed, some further explanation must be furnished on this party - The alleged tour of 2 months under Capt. Reed is very indefinately stated. It appears that in that tour; a short time after its commencement, the whole Reg't was "utterly dispersed" and the claimant returned home: but that he subsequently marched after some Tories. This also requires further explanation -
The papers are placed on file - 
Jam

The J. Wilder Esq.
Clk C. C. P.
Sumter District
S. C.      Sumpterville
Page 30

J. L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions


Thomas J. Wilder Esq'r. 
Sumpterville
So. Car.


[stamp - WASHINGTON DEC 31]
Page 31

War Department
Pension Office
December 29 1832

The papers of Joshua Spears hve been examined.  He claims 7 months servcie in the militia of South Carolina - the first a tour of three months, from which service however it appears that the whole company left without leave or any discharges - because the General refused to discharge the Regiment and put the Colonel under arrest; altho' the claimant also states that their time of service had expired some further explanation must be furnished on this point. The alleged tour of two months under Cap't. Reed is very indefinitely stated. It appears that in this tour, a short time after its commencement, the whole Regiment was "utterly dispersed", and the claimant returned home - but that he subsequently marched after some tories - This also requires further explanation - 
The papers are placed on tile - 
I am Respectfully
Your Obt. Servant
J. L. Edwards
[Signature]

Thomas J. Wilder Esq'r}
Sumpterville
So. Ca.
Page 32

BULLOCH COUNTY GEORGIA
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY
1796
MRS. JULIAN C. LANE, HISTORIAN
STATESBORO, GA.

April 30, 1931.

U. S. Pen Department
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:-

The record of Joshua Spears received. Have you any record of his wife? The record that you gave of Joshua Spears, Revolutionary soldier, was that he was born in Craven County (now Claremont ) South Carolina, 1759. I do not
have the name of his wife and would like very much to get this information. I believe that she made application for a pension either as a widow of the Revolutionary soldier or soldier of the War of 1812, believing that Joshua
Spears served in both wars.
I am,
Very truly yours,
Mrs. Julian C. Saul
35 Received A. G. O. MAY 5 1931

[stamp -RECEIVED MAY 5, 1931 OLD RECORDS DIVN.]

[PENSION OFFICE S MAY 18 1931]
Page 33

BULLOCH COUNTY GEORGIA 
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY
1796
MRS. JULIAN C. LANE, HISTORIAN
STATESBORO, GA.
Mar. 3, 1931.

Mr. E. W. Morgan,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Mr. Morgan;

The Joshua Spear of the Revolutionary War served in South Carolina under General Francis Marion. Family tradition is that he came from Scotland. He had a son named Anderson Spear, that lived in Georgia, thence to A la.,
and from there to Gainesville, Miss., thence to Jacksonville, Fla. and to Georgia, and died in Brunswick, Ga., 1859. I have copies of letters from George C. Whiting or Whitney, of the Pension Bureau, dated Aug. 19, 1857. This was in reference to Anderson Spear's mother's pension for service in theRevolutionary War. Judging from this there must be some record in your office of both Joshua Spear and his wife. If you have such data I shall appreciate
a copy of that of the soldier and of his wife, the widow's pension.
Thanking you in advance.
I am,
Very truly yours, 

Mrs. Julian C Lane
P.S. It has been said that the P.S.  of a woman's letter is the most important, so is this in my heart. If I can be of any service to the
soldiers of the World War in getting their recent funds, call upon me,
my service is gratis, as it was in the War, and I am a notary and have all the records in my office. Copy from adjt. General.
mrs. Julian C. Lane.

[stamp - U.S. PENSION MAR 5 1931]
Page 34

May 21, 1931

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
AWF: MLB

Mrs. Julian C. Lane
Statesboro
Georgia

Dear Madam:

You are advised that in the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim of Joshua Spears (R. 9965), the name of his wife does not appear; nor is it shown in said claim that he ever served in the War of 1812.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
Page 35

IN REPLY REFER TO 

REV. AND 1812
Wars Section

AWF:MLB

3-2562
---------
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS 
WASHINGTON

March 3. 1931

Mrs. Julian C. Lane
Statesboro
Georgia

Dear Madam:

I advise you that the data furnished by you are not sufficient to enable this bureau to make intelligent reply to the queries contained in your letter.
Please fill out such of the blank spaces below, as the information in your possession will permit, and return to this bureau.

First name of widow Name unknown Said to have been born in Germany, died 1849

Full name of soldier Joshua Spear

Residence of soldier at enlistment Sumpter Co. S. C. 

Residence of soldier after service Sumpter Co. And probably in Ga. Ala. and Miss, then back to Ga. Also Fla. as his son removed.

Name of state from which he enlisted S. C. 

Approximate date of birth 1750

Approximate date of death His widow died in 1849 and I feel quite sure that she drew a pension, as I have a copy of letter written by Pension Commissioner or from his office, dated Aug. 19, 1851. To Anderson

Kindly return attached letter with your reply.

Anderson Spear, Brunswick, Ga.

Respectfully,
[Signature]
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
COPY - "Pension Office Aug. 19, 1857.

"Sir;
The payments referred to in your letter of the 26th ultimo, indicate a service of more than six months, but would not justify an allowance of the pension claim of your father under the act of 1832, unless it can be shown that he was the same Joshua Spear to whom the payments were made. I am, Very respectfully, Your Obt. Servant, George C. Whitney"

Joshua Spear, must have lived in DeKalb and Muscogee Cos. Ga. A letter from Hon. James Taylor dated, Sumpter, S. C. May 5, 1859, to the son of Joshua Spear in which he states:"The #2 Carolina Certificates give you a pension of about $1000. due/your parents' death, provided your mother died in 1849". Seems as if the son was trying to get a pension but due to a bill passed by the partner of Taylor of S. C. he could not if she died as late as 1850.

[stamp - REVOLUTIONARY & 1812 WARS BUREAU OF PENSIONS SECTION APR 7 - 1931]

[stamp - U.S. PENSION OFFICE O APR 6 1931]
Page 36

Brunswick July 26th 1857

Comitioner
of pentions
Washington D. c

Sir writing to apply for the revolutionary pension of My Father Joshua Spears. I have obtained the Sertificate of the Comptroler of North Carolina Showing that he rendered for Rev. Service the following Amounts in 
                                     S  P
Book No. 2. Page 33 £9.4.0 Specie Tol, be
Book No, 26. Page 26 £2.17.0 Do
Book No. 26. Page 8 £1.8.0. j
Book T No. 26 Pages h £13.10.0 Spetia

I wish to ascertain if that showing will entitle him to  a pention you will write to me and oblige your obedient Servant. Anderson Spears [Signature]
Page 37

My address is Brunswick
Glenn County
Georgia