Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7316, for Henry Pitts, South Carolina
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South Carolina

Pitts, Henry

S. 7316

Carded
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( left page ) 27854 South Carolina Henry Pitt of Laurens in the State of S. Ca who was a pr. in the __ commanded by Captain ___ of the Reg't commanded by  Col. Hays in the So Ca line for 10 m's Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina at the rate of 33 Dollars and 33 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.  Certificate of Pension issued 26 day of June  and sent Hon J. K. Griffin  - H.R.  Arrears to the 4th of Mar '34  $ 100 Semi-anl allowance ending  4 Sept  $ 16.66 ( total $ 116.66  {Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832 } Recorded by Nath. Rice Clerk, Book E Vol. 6 Page 77  ( right page )  Letter to 3d Auditor 3rd July 1838. Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the last certified 1838. from 4 March 1836 to 4 Sept 1837. Agt. notified  Order to pay 25 April 1839. Paid on above from  4 March to 4 Sep 1839 . Agt. notified 21 June 1840. Paid as above from 4 Sep 1839 . to 4th March 1840. Agt. notified 3rd Dec 1840  Order to pay 28 March 1842. Same ( order to pay ) 31 March 1846
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Ex Parte  Henry Pitts [Applicant for a Pension ]  John K. Griffin ( con : In )
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State of South Carolina
Laurens District

In the Common pleas on this Sixteenth day of October 1802 personally
appeared in open Court, his Honor Richard
Gantt one of the Judges of the Court of
Common Please now sitting, Henry Pitts
a resident of Laurens District and State
aforesaid aged 73 years 16th June 1832
who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the
following declaration in order to obtain
the benefit of the Act of Congress passed
the 7th June 1832. That he entered the
service of the United States under the following
named officers and served as herein
stated. He was born in Newberry District
and there lived when he first entered the
said service.  He first served 10 months
as a volunteer under the command of
Captain Laughlin Leonard, commencing
in November or December and concluding in .  September or October the
following year 1780.  Col. Joseph Hayes
commanded at this time.  He commenced
his second term of service immediately
after the death of Captain Leonard which
was near the close of 1780 under the command
of Captain Lindley and served under him, until
 his death, and he was warning in the men on the
day that Hay's Station was taken by the tories, 
which was in the close of the year 1781, under William Cunningham.   He does not
know the exact time he served under
Capt. Isaac Tinsley, but knows that his death
occurred after the defeat at Hay's Station, 
and that it must have been at least one year.
During his term of service under Captain
Leonard  Col. Hays was the Colonel in command
and was murdered at Hay's Station.
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After the death of Captain Isaac Tinsley
he served under Captain James Tinsley, who
succeeded him.  This term of service commenced 1st of February 1782 & lasted
until the end of the war which was after the 1st February 1784. During which time,
more than two years he was a Sergeant.
This while term of service was in ninety-six 
District. During his whole term of service he
was chiefly engaged in opposing the Savages and
incursions of the Tories. He has no documentary
evidence but he knows of no one
but Capt. James Tinsley who can testify 
to his services and he had made a certificate
under oath as to his services , the partiulars
of which are set forth in this declaration.
His whole term of service was three years & ten month.
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.

Henry     Pitts
     his  X mark

Sworn & subscribed the day and year
aforesaid

John  Garlington   Clerk

We, William Henderson a clergyman residing in the
District of Laurens and State aforesaid 
and Joshua Smith--residing in the same--
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
Henry PItts who has subscribed and sworn
to the above declaration; that we believe him
to be seventy three 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.

William Henderson

Joshua Smith
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Ant 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 William Henderson who has signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the District and State aforesaid and that Joshua Smith who has also signed  the same is a resident in the District and State aforesaid  and is a credible person  and that their statement is entitled to credit. Richard Gantt ( signed )  I John Garlington  Clerk of the Court of Laurens  and State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of  the said Court in the matter of the application of Henry Pitts for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand  and seal of office this sixteenth day of October 1832.  John Garlington ( signed / sealed ) Clk L. Dis.  I certify that I am personally acquainted with Henry Pitts and believe him to be a man of strict veracity , and that his statements are in my opinion entitled to full credit.  John  K. Griffin ( signed )
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Rev. and 1812
Wars Section.

March 28, 1924.

Mrs. C. W. Hackett,
102 West 33d St.,
Austin, Tex.

Madam;
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 7316, it appears that Henry Pitts was born in Newberry District, South  Carolina June 16, 175[Illegible].
While residing in said Newberry District, he enlisted in November or December 1779 and served as a sergeant at various times in Captain Laughlin Leonard's Company, Colonels Joseph Hays and Williams' Regiment of South Carolina Troops, until the close of the War.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 16, 1832, while a resident of Laurens District, South Carolina.
There is no data on file as to his family.

Respectfully,

Commissioner.
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( post mark ) [ U.S. PENSION OFFICE C NOV  2 1926 ]
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Clinton S. C. Oct. 30th 1925  Commissioner of Bureau of Pensions of Revolutionary War Section . Dear Sir, Will you please send me a copy of Henry Pitts Jr record of war service in  your office . I wish to get a marker for his grave from War department and I wish to use his pension claim as evidence - I had one copy but lost it- Henry Pitts enlisted in 1779 from Newberry County  and drew pension 1832 in Laurens Co. - Respectfully  Mrs. J. Rhett Copeland 91 Calvat Ave Clinton , S.C.
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102 West 33rd St. Austin, Texas Feb 26, 1924.  Commissioner of Pensions Revolutionary War Section Washington, D.C. Sir : Will you be good enough to give me any records that you have of (1) John Dickey  who enlisted in Williamsburg District S. C. and died in Maury County , Tenn. I am under the
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impression that his widow drew a pension for his services in the Revolutionary War.  (2) Henry Pitts who enlisted in Newberry District, S. C. and died in Laurens District, S. C.  sincerely, Mrs. C. W. Hackett ( signed )
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( post mark ) [ U.S. PENSION OFFICE JUL 20 1923 ] Austin ,Texas July 16 - 23  Commissioner of Pensions Washington , D. C.  Dear Sir, Can you tell me the date of the last pension drawn by Henry Pitts. He was in American Revolutionary War and died in Laurens Co.
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S.C. He enlisted from Newberry  District, I think. Respectfully - Mrs. William H. Armstrong 2628 Wichita Austin, Texas. ( post mark ) [ U.S. PENSION OFFICE JUL 30 1923 ]
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( left page )  Rev War  7316 INVALID . File No. 7316 Henry Pitts Pri. Rev War Act : June 7th 32Index: - Vol. 1st ,Page 297  [ Arrangement of 1870 ]  ( for right page see next page in series )
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( right page - continued from previous page in series )  1923 - June 20 . Hist. to Prof. Chas W. Hackett ans. 1923 Aug 31. Mrs. W.H. Armstrong  advised as to her certain last date of payment of pension ans.  1924 Mar. 25 - Hist. to  Mrs. C. W. Hackett ans. 1926 Dec 30  . Tombstone data to Mrs. J Rhett Copeland ans.
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT , Second Comptroller's Office, July 16th 1840 . Sir : Under the act of April , 1838, entitled " An  act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States." Henry Pitts, a Pensioner on the Roll of the South Carolina Agency , at the rate of thirty three Dollars and thirty three Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832 , has been paid at this Department , from the 4th of March , to the 4th  Dept. 1839. Respectfully Albion K. Parris ( signed ) Comptroller.  To the Commissioner of Pensions ,Present.
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Treasury Department Second Comptroller's Office July 5, 1838  Sir :  Under the act of the 6th of April 1838, entitled " An act directing the transfer of money remaining  unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment  of the same at the Treasury of the United States, " Henry Pitts a Pensioner on the Roll of the S. Carolina  Agency, at the rate of thirty three  Dollars and thirty three Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832 has been paid at this Department , from the 4th of March 1836 to the 4th of September 1837 . Respectfully yours,  Albion K. Parris ( signed ) Comptroller    To the Commissioner of Pensions Present.
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( post mark ) [ MAR 7 ] 20  J. L.  Edwards Esq  Commissioner of Pensions Washington  D.C.  ( vertical on page ) ( Mar 30  46 Mr. Evans
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Pension Agency Charleston  26 March 1846  Sir I herewith forward for authority to pay the  voucher of Henry Pitts for a pension under Act 7 June 1832. I am respy your observt   H. Cochran ( signed) J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington  D.C.
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(?) Boyd    Admit as private  10 months  $ 33,33 W.E.   G.W. Griffin  HR
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House  Reps  June 24th 1847 Dear Col, I ask a special favor of you to have those papers of Henry Pitts re examined , and I do earnestly hope that you will allow this poor old soldier what ever you may think him entitled to without further delay, and return to me his certificate on or before Saturday  next and oblige yours Very Respectfully  John K. Griffin ( signed )
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Col. J. L. Edwards Pension Office  Washington City  ( vertical notes ) ( S.C.  Hon J. K. Griffin )
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Rev. War Section.

August 31, 1923

Mrs. W. H. Armstrong,
2628 Wichita,
Austin, Tex.

Madam;
I have to advise you that for the date of last payment of pension of the Revolutionary War pensioner Henry Pitts, you should apply to the Pension Section, Civil Division, General Accounting Office, Ordnance Building, 1800 E St., N. W., Washington, D. C., citing all of the following data-
Henry Pitts, Certificate 27854, issued June 26, 1834, rate $33. 30 per annum, commenced March 4, 1831, Act of June 7, 1832, South Carolina Agency.

Respectfully,

Commissioner.
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The University of Texas
AUSTIN

DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY

June 12, 1923.

Director, Pension Department,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:
Will you please advise me at your convenience as to whether or not you have any record in your department of the services during the war of the American Revolution of:
1. Henry Pitts, of Newberry County, South Carolina,
2. Robert Blackburn, of Augusta Co., Virginia.

If you have any information concerning the revolutionary services of either of these men I will greatly be obligated to you to be informed concerning it.
Very truly yours,
[Signature] Charles W. Hackett
[Print] Adjunct Professor of History.

[Circle Stamp]
PENSION 
JUN
16
1923
OFFICE
U. S.
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TREASURY DEPARTMENT Second Comptroller's Office November 24th 1840  Sir : Under the act of the 6th of April 1838, entitled " An act directing the transfer of money unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States " , Henry Pitts , a Pensioner on the Roll of the S. Carolina Agency , at the rate of thirty three Dollars and thirty three Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832, has been paid at this Department from the 4th of Sept. 1839 to the 4th of March 1840.  Respectfully yours, Albion K. Parris ( signed ) Comptroller.   To the Commissioner of Pension , Present.
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Rev. War Section.

June 20, 1923.

Prof. Charles W. Hackett,
The University of Texas,
Austin, Texas.

Sir;
In response to your letter of the 12th instant, I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 7316, it appears that Henry Pitts was born in Newberry District, S. C. June 16, 1759, and while living there enlisted November or December 1759, and served as a Sergeant at various times in Captain Leughlin Leonard's Company, Colonels Joseph Hays and Williams' Regiment, S. C. troops, until the close of the War.
He was allowed pension on his application executed October 16, 1832, while a resident of Laurens District, S. C. There is no data on file as to his family.
This Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a soldier of the Revolution unless a claim for pension or
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Bounty land has been made on account of his services, and a careful search of the records fails to show such a claim on file on account of the services of any Robert Blackburn,

Sincerely,

Commissioner.
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[ South Carolina Laurens District ] Personally appeared Henry Pitts before me John Garlington  Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Laurens District  who being first duly sworn says that he has amended his Declaration made in this Court on the 16th October 1832 by certain  interlineations marked No 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 . That  in making these  amendment he has been under the necessity of reducing the terms of service to such  periods as would authorize him to swear certainty to them and that in doing so  he is confident the length of service claimed for by him  to wit 3 years & 10 months is under the true time. That interlineating No  1,2, & 3 fix the length of his first term of service at 10 months which according to his best recollection I belief ( believe )  was near or quite a year. In interlineation No 4 States the time of Hays defeat " in the close of the year 1781 " This is as precise as this Deponent can be without substituting the recollection of others &  is the language used by Ramsay in his History of South Carolina . In interlineation No 7 makes the end of the war to be after the 1st Feby 1784 & the fact was this, Deponent says, on this state, for that long after peace was made men were kept in service  & he among them. This Deponent further states that being during the whole of his service in the upper part of South
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Carolina within the section of County then called Ninety Six District  & being principally engaged in  ( scouting parties ) ( underscored )  as they were called, his tours were not marked by such circumstances of notoriety as  could enable him to designate them particularly . But says that his services were not the less active or monotonous. That he discharged his duties to the best of his ability  & went wherever his officers ordered him.  ( his mark H ) Henry Pitts  [ South Carolina Laurens District ] I John Garlington  clerk of Laurens District do hereby certify that Henry Pitts did this day appear before me and was  duly qualified to the foregoing deposition . Given under my hand & seal of office this 16th day of August 1838. John Garlington  ( signed ) clk Laurens S. Carolina
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[ South Carolina Laurens District ]  Personally appeared  Henry Pitts  before me  Robt. Cunningham  a Justice of the Peace for the State and dist aforesaid  that he has amended his declaration made in this Court  on the 16th  Oct 1832 - on the following points, and as near as possible in  conformity with the directions  prescribed by the War Department , last received . In making his amendment he  has carefully  compared  his papers with the rules ..  ( illegible ) down  and particularly with the  subjoined  motes  viz.  the parts in the margin - included within the  brace, In relation to the period or  periods of the War - during which he  served he thinks he cannot  be more definite that he has been. He has heretofore stated that he was confident that the whole  term  of his revolutionary service counts  not to  less than three years & ten months. He still continued in this part  as it regards the exact duration of each term of service he can make but little amendment. as  already stated he commenced his second term  of service under the command of  Capt Isaac Tinsley , this was in the capacity of a volunteer indeed throughout  he was a volunteer.
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during the whole period of his service he was under the command of Colonels Hays & Williams the latter of who fell at King's Mountain. the greater , whom  pf the time he was under the command of Col. Hays, but when not so, under Col. Williams  , Col Hays being sometimes about to Virginia he was a sergeant during the whole period of his service , as it regards the tours he performed he can only  day as before that they were entirely in  Ninety Six Districts in  excursions  against the Tories and he cannot say distinctly as to the tour for he traversed the Country in all directions  by night & day wherever his officers believed the worst of danger required. He is not able at this time to specify any particular engagements for  in fact the nature of the service and did not call for it further than occasional skirmishes at places not sufficiently noted to become a matter of  historical record and never in large bodies of men  as regular armies on either side but .. ( illegible )  useful in protecting the lives  & property of the citizens. Applicant as already stated volunteered and served under the officers above mentioned and  such to the best of his recollection  was the case all the men in the companies  in which he served as to the fact whether different corps in which he served were called into service  by competent authority he knows that they were not Regular Troops but in service under only under the authority of the State during the most of the time of his service he was marching over country
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and recollects distinctly being stationed at Hay's Station not  less than one month previous to the defeat at that place for in fact he was warning the men on the day of the defeat -  for the time during which his service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit. He observed that the answers to the prescribed interrogatories are substantially embraced  in the declaration , but he will by way of amendment  set forth his answers distinctly - He was born in Newberry  District S. C. in June 1759 . from a record of his father this is in his possession when he entered the service he lived in Newberry District & there lived after the revolutionaries till he removed to Laurens District.  He volunteered  He was not under  the command of any regular officer or  none were with the troops where served. He never received any written discharge he was discharged by Capt. James Tinsley  at the close of the war who he supposes did so by order of his superiors.  He has  stated he never received any commission , service at 10 months his 2nd term under one year & the residue under  Capt James Tinsley .  Sworn to & subscribed this 19th day of November 1833.  ( his mark X ) Henry Pitts   Robt Cunningham ( signed / sealed ) JP   I John Garlington Clerk of the  said dist Laurens District do certify that  Robt. Cunningham  acting Justice of the peace  for  said dist that due faith ought to be given to his acts as such . Given under my hand  & seal of office at Laurens C H  this 3rd day of Dec. 1833   John Garlington  ( signed / sealed ) Laurens Dist: S.C.
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