Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38721, Thomas Gaines, Va.
Page 1

(8-1776)
Service
Va.
Gaines, Thomas
Number S. 38721

Contents
Page 2

16,609
South Carolina
Thomas Gaines (TR)
of Laurens Dt. in the State of South Carolina
who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Harrison of the regiment commanded by Colonel Green - in the Virginia line, for the term of 1 yr and 8 months
from 1st May, 1780 to 3 December 1781
Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 28th day of November 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 28th of March 1820 and sent to the Hon: Mr. Tucker
H: R.
Restored to the Roll on the 6th day of December 1827 and notification sent to Hon: S: Tucker at House of Representatives Pension commencing on the 4th of July 1827
Amount due on 4th of
March 1828 $64.28
Revolutionary Claim,
Acts March 18, 1818,
and May 1, 1820.
1 March 1823

Duplicate certificate issued 13 March 1828 and sent to Hon: S. Tucker
H. Repos.
order to pay 5 April 1837
Order to pay 26. March 1838.
Date of death not on AB
Page 3

Thomas Gaines
Declaration &c
On Roll
admitted
15 Decr 1819
Page 4

The State of South Carolina towit (1)
On this twenty eighth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred eighteen before me Waddy Thompson one of the Judges of the Court of the Court of Equity for the said State personally appeared Thomas Gaines aged sixty four Years resident in the District of Laurens and State aforesaid who being by me first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late Act of Congress "Entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land & Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War"- That he the said Thomas Gaines was drafted as a Substitute in the Year of one thousand seven hundred & eighty in Captain Vol. Harrisons Company of eighteen months men in the Continental Service In a Regiment commanded by Col. John Green that he continued in said Service untill the expiration of his time to wit eighteen months when he was honorably discharged at Patesburg in No Carolina by Major Smith Snead. That he was at the Siege of Ninety Six but that owing to his being detached and first under the Engineer he was in none of the general engagements that took place during the time of his service - That he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support And that he has no other Evidence now in his power of his said services except the Certificate of Conl. John Green which is herewith filed=
Thomas x his mark Gaines
Sworn to and declared before
me the day & Year aforesaid-
W. Thompson
Page 5

South Carolina
Laurens District
Before me personally appeared William Kenedy of the District and State aforesaid and being duly sworn as the law directs on his Oath saith that he is well acquainted with the within Thomas Gaines having lived in the same District with him for upwards of twenty Years since the Revolutionary War when they were in the Continental Army together during which time the said Thomas Gaines has always supported the character of a man of honesty and veracity and is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the Assistance of his Country for support being old & decrepit &c- And he believes the within declarations to be true in substance and in fact that he knows the greater part of them to be true having been in the service with him at the time stated-
Sworn to and subscribed Wm. x his mark Canady
before me this 29th day of
Nov. 1818-
W. Thompson
Page 6

South Carolina
I Waddy Thompson one of the Judges of the Court of Equity in the said State as aforesaid do Certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Thomas Gaines did serve in the Revolutionary War as stated in the preceding Declaration in the Continental line against the Common Enemy and is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony had before me to the Secretary of the Department of War pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned Act of Congress in such case made & proved
In testimony thereof I have signed my name and caused the Seal of Office of the said Court to be hereunto affixed this 28th day of November 1818
W. Thompson
Richardson 
C. E W Dist.
South Carolina. I certify the above seal is
Washington District the private Seal of office there being no seal of Office-
December 16. 1818 -
Richardson CEW Dist.
Page 7

Declaration in order to be restored to the pension list under the Act 1st. March 1823. (6)
South Carolina
Laurens District On the 22nd. day of June 1826 personally appeared in open Court, (being a Court of Record for the District of Laurens in the State aforesaid) Thomas Gaines, resident in said District, aged Seventy years, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the Acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818 and the 1st May 1820, viz: That the said Thomas Gaines was drawn for the time of Eighteen months on the 1st day of July 1780, in the State of Virginia, in the Campaign Commanded by Capt. Vol. Harrison, in the Regiment Commanded by John Grier in the lien of the State of Virginia on the Continental Establishment. That he continued to serve in the said Corps until the 31st of December 1781 when he was discharged from the Service at Salisbury in the State of North Carolina. That his name has been placed on the pension List, & dropped therefrom on account of his property
Schedule of the Whole Estate of Thomas Gaines (Declarant)
Cupboard & pewter $20. Shoe tools & smoothing irons $2. - $22.00
Castings - $4.25. Sundry tools & old irons $5.25 - 9.50.
Stutgards $1.50 Ploughs & gun $3. - 4.50
Bar Iron 38 lbs @ 6 cts $2.28 1/2 Doz. chairs $1.50 - 3.78
2 old guns & pistol $9.00. One Saddle $1.00 - 10.00
Looking glass 31 cents. 4 Bls: & 4 hoes $2.50 - 2.81
yarn wheel, pail & W. Tub $2. 2 chests, Loom & Gur $5.00 - 7.00
1 Cart & 2 iron wagons $6. Blind horse & pointer $6. 12.00
Sundry articles $2. Hogshead & tubs $2.75. - 4.75
Boxes, Gritter & candle moulds $1. Trumpet 25 cts - 1.25
$77.59.
(Signed) Thomas Gaines
Page 8

The following changes have taken place in his property since the exhibition of the first Schedule (viz) a negro woman named Hannah sold by the former Sheriff of Laurens District Allen Bark, dated to satisfy the judgements against said Thomas Gaines, one by Jacob Aiswauger for $101.11. including debt interest & costs, and one by John Duncap for $35.15. including debt interest & costs, making in the whole $136.26. The said negro sold for one hundred & forty one Dollars twenty six cents, and after satisfying the said debt, the balance was paid back by the said Sheriff to said Thomas, as will appear from his certificate herewith exhibited.
The Declarant further states, that he is a farmer by occupation that he has no family, is old & infirm and in such indigent circumstances as to be unable to support himself without the assistance of his Country. And in pursuance of the Act of the 1st May 1820 I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States, in the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not since that time, by gift, sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within an Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land & Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War, passed on the 18 day of March 1818, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me, any property, or securities, contracts or debts due me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule by me subscribed.
Sworn to & subscribed, on the twenty third day of June 1826 before me
(Signed) Henry W. DeSaussure
23 June 1826.
Page 9

Laurens Dist. So Carolina
Thomas Gaines
16,609
Certified Copy of Thomas Gaines
Schedule as Pensioner
Sept. 1820
not
entitled
Hon. S. Tucker
H.R.
Page 10

A Schedule of the property of Thomas Gaines
Laurens District So Carolina (5)
3 Head of Horses. 1 at $35.00 1 at $75. & 1 of no Value $110.00
" 1 Heifer $6.00 1 Negro Woman $350.00 356.00
" 3 Head of Sheep @ $1.50 - 1 sow & 6 Shoats $12.00 16.50
"1 Still $20.00. 1 Cupboard & furniture & books $20.00 40 00
"1 Pine Chest & Table, 1/2 Doz Chairs - 5.00
"1 old English Musket. 1 old Shot Gun & 1 Pistol 6.00
" 4 Barrels $1.00 4.00
" 1 Looking Glass & Spinning Wheel. 1 slate 2,,00
" 1 1 Smoothing Iron Basking Iron 1.25
" Pot Ware 4.00
" 2 Old Plows 2
 of old Gears & [illegible] 5.00
" Old Axes & Hoes, 1 Basket of old Irons 6.25
" 40 lb Iron @ 7 cts 2.80
" Sundry Plantation & Shoe Makers Tools - 10.00
"2 Old Saddles 6.00
" 1 old Scythe & frying Pan - 2.50
" 1 old Cart $20.00 1 old Grind Stone $8.00 28.00
"1 Old Loom & Gears 6.00
" 1 Lot of about 20 Barrels of Corn 40.00
" 2 Stacks of Blades 8.00
"1 Bed Stand 2.00
$664.30
Sworn to in open court the 16th day of November One thousand Eight hundred & Twenty before me 
Abm Noll Thomas Gaines
I am of opinion that the property contained in the above Schedule does not exceed in value the sum of Six hundred & Sixty four dollars Twenty Cents
Abm. Noll
Page 11

South Carolina I John Garlington Clerk of the
Laurens District Court of Sessions & Common Pleas for the District of Laurens a Court of Record, do hereby certify that the foregoing Oath, and the Schedule thereto annexed are truly Copied from the Records of the said Court, and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court that the total Amount of Value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid Schedule is Six hundred & Sixty four Dollars thirty cents
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of office of the said Court on this 24th day of November One thousand eight hundred & twenty
John Garlington
Clerk of Laurens Dist.
Page 12

AWF
Rev. and 1812
War Section.
July 27, 1926
Mary Riley
Anderson
S. C.
Madam:
I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 38721, it appears that Thomas Gaines enlisted (as a substitute) from Culpeper County, Virginia, July 1, 1780 and served in Captain Val. Harrison's Company and in Captain Thomas Barbee's Company, Colonel John Green's Sixth Virginia Regiment, he was at the Siege of Ninety Six, and was discharged December 31, 1781.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 28, 1818, while a resident of Laurens District, South Carolina, aged sixty-four years. Par In 1826, he stated that he was seventy years old. Date of his birth is not on record.
It is not stated that sol. was mar-
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
Page 13

See letters, referred to on envelope-
(7)
The Secretary of War, waives in this case, all the objections mentioned in the letter of 11 Dec 1826, except the one, insisted on in the letter of the 14th Decr. 1826
Sept 1820.
Page 14

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF THE UNITED STATES
Gaines, Thomas
Va. S 38721
S 38721
Thomas
Page 15

December 14th 1780 (2)
this is to sertify that Thomas Gaines is substitute from the County of Culpeper and is to serve as a soldier while, December one thousand seven hundred & Eighty one - 
John Green. Colo. 6th Regt
Page 16

State of South Carolina (3)
Laurens District Personally appeared before Me John Wait who was a continental Soldier in the company of John Thorton  Captin in the Redgment commanded by Col Miper of the third Virgina Redgment-
and also on his oath saith that he knew Colo John Green who was a contenal Col or Commanded as such-
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this the thirtyeth day of October 1819-
David Anderson JP John Wait
Page 17

(4)
State of So Carolina Personally appeared before 
Newberry District me John Butler who being duly Qualifyed as the law directs and on his oath saith that he was a Soldier in the revolutionary war in the Continental Service under Capt Thomas Barley belonging to the second Virginia Rigmt. of Regulars & that he was well acquainted & knew Colo John Green and that he Commanded the second Rigt. of which this deponent then belonged in the regular service and was with & Commanded them at the Battle of Guilford in the state of North Carolina & he does know that he Commanded as a Regular Continental officer in the american army & he furder saith that he was well acquainted with Thomas Gains at that time & knew hi to be a regular soldier Enrolled in the same Company & Rigmt. with himself & that he served out his time and was Honby Discharged Sworn to & Subscribed before me the 1st day of November AD 1819
Charles Griffin J-Ju John x his mark Butler
Page 18

Let the pension
be allowed
JB.
Page 19

December 14th 1826 (8)
I Certify that I am personally acquainted with Thomas Gaines of the District of Laurens and State of South Carolina and that he is in indigent circumstances and that I verily believe the Schedule rendered in by him before the Honbe Judge Dis[illegible] is strictly correct
Starling Tucker
Page 20

House of representatives
Washinging City March 13th 1828
(9)
Sir
Mr Thomas Gains placed in my hands the original notification of his being placed on the Pension Roll whith I believed that I had left with Mr, Edwards. The Chief Clerk which Mr Edwards states is not in his office, therefore the said notification must either lost or misplaced. I will thank you to furnish Mr Gains with a duplicate of the notification - yours respectfully &C
Starling Tucker
Honble
James Barbor
Sec'y of War
Page 21

(12)
February 3, 1931
Mrs. J. F. Clegg Rev.& 1812 Wars Section
966 Blue Ridge Avenue, N. E., AWF:MLB
Atlanta, Georgia
Dear Madam:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 36221, that Thomas Gaines enlisted (as a substitute) from Culpeper County, Virginia, July 1, 1780 and served in Captain Val. Harrison's company and in Captain Thomas Barbee's company, Colonel John Green's Sixth Virginia regiment, was at the siege of Ninety Six and was discharged December 31, 1781.
He was allowed pension on his application executed November 28, 1818, while a resident of Laurens District, South Carolina, aged sixty-four years.
In 1826 he stated that he was seventy years old. The date of his birth is not on record.
It is not stated that soldier was married.
The above record is furnished you without charge and your remittance of $1.10 will be refunded in due time.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner
Finance Div.
notified by
refund $1.10/100
Feb. 3 - 1931 AWF
Page 22

AW
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
June 14, 1926.
T. Wood,
2521 Gen. Taylor St.
New Orleans, La.
Sir:
I have to advise you, that in the Revolutionary War pension claim, Survivor File, 38721, Thomas Gaines stated under oath on November 28, 1818, that he was sixty-fours years old and on June 22, 1826 he stated under oath that he was seventy years old. Date of birth not on record.
In the Revolutionary War pension claim Rejected File 3866, Richard Gaines stated under oath on October 15, 1832, that he was eighty years old. Date of birth not on record.
Respectfully,
Winfield Scott
WINFIELD SCOTTI,
Commissioner
Page 23

Thomas Gaines, Sur. File No. 38,721, was allowed pension on his application executed November 28, 1818, while a resident of Laurens District, South Carolina, and sixty-four years of age.
He enlisted as a substitute from Culpeper County, Virginia, July 1, 1780, in Captain Val. Harrison's company, & Thomas Barke's Colonel John Green's 6th Virginia regiment; owing to his being detached under the Engineers, he was not in any of the general engagements, but was at the siege of Ninety-Six, and was discharged December 81, 1781, at Salisbury, North Carolina, having served eighteen months. There is no family data on file.
Page 24

966 Blue Ridge Ave. N.E.
Atlanta Ga.
Jan. 15, 1931.
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C. Check #1562-$1.10
Dear Sir: FINANCE DIVISION
BOOK REFERENCE DESK
JAN -- 1931
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Will you please send me the record of my ancestor, Thomas Gaines, a revolutionary pensioner, who was living in Laurens County, South Carolina in 1833, and include any family records found in his application?
I am enclosing check for one dollar, (plus exchange) and if there is any further charge for looking up the records please let me know.
U. S. PENSION OFFICE JAN 17 1931
Thanking you very much,
I am yours very truly,
Earline Gaines Clegg
(Mrs. J. F. Clegg)
Page 25

Anderson, S. C., June 4, 1926.
Pension Bureau
Dep't. of Interior,
Washington, D. C.
Kindly give me your records on Thomas Gaines, private Sixth Virginia Regiment, residing in 1832 in Laurens County, South Carolina, from your Revolutionary Pension Files. I want especially to find what the record says about the age of Thomas Gaines in 1832, or if it gives the date of his birth.
Sincerely,
Mary Riley
Page 26

2521 Gen. Taylor St
New Orleans, La
March 29/26
Pension Bureau,
Washington, D.C.
Dear sirs,
The following pension record has been published
U. S. PENSION OFFICE APR 7 1926
"1780, July 1, Thomas Gaines (born Culpeper Co, Va. 1751 or 1754) 6th. Va. Regt. (Capt. Val Harrison and Col. John Green) Discharged at Salisbury, N.C. Dec. 31, 1781. Pensioned, residing 1832, Laurens Co., S. C. - Rev. Pension Files, Washington, D. C."
I beg to ask if the record definitively states or indicates when Thomas Gaines was born. As above quoted it says 1751 or 1754, and as this is, no doubt, from his application, it seems unreasonable that the applicant did not know his own age.
Asking that you kindly let me know all that is said about the pensioner's date-of-birth, or age, I am,
Very sincerely
T. Wood.
The published pension record of Richard Gaines (brother of above Thomas) Under Capt. Jameson and discharged 1776 or 1777. Laurens Co., S.C. 1832 aged 80. What was the date (day and month, 1832) when he gave his age as 80?
Answer Questions
Page 27

1653 Penn. Ave. N.W. Wash. D.C.
Hon. Jno M. Gaines,
Send record of Thomas Gaines, Va. S. 38721-
to above. personal inquiry May 15, 1915
Page 28

38721
INVALID.
Revy
File No. 38721
Thomas Gaines
Priv Rev War
Act: 18" March 18"
Index:-Vol. 3, Page 186
Arrangement of 1870.

1919 Aug. 5. Hist. to Hon Robt. L. Taylor for Hon Jno W. Gaines see miscl Corresp'
1915 May 15. History to Hon. John W. Gaines Ex Cong. c
1926. June 14. ages furnished T. Wood. AW
1926 July 27 - Hist to Mary Riley AWF.
1931 - Feb. 3 - Hist to Mrs. J. F. Clegg - & Fin. Div. notified to refund to her $1.10/100 AWF.
Page 29

1 March 1823.
In Equity
Laurens District
Execute
Thomas Gaines
Sept 1 1820
Filed 23. June 1826.
(Copy)
Hon. Starling Tucker
H.R.
S. Car
recd. 9 Dec. 1826.
last recd. Dec. 5. 1827
Page 30

I certify that myself and William Clancy were called on by Thomas Gaines to place a value on the property mentioned in the within Schedule, and that the sums respectively annexed to the Items are what we considered them worth.
Sworn to & subscribed before me
the 18 Apl. 1826. signed Harrison x his mark Daniel
Ty. Bailey, J.P.
Jacob Ninvauger
v Debt, interest & costs - $101.11
Thomas Gaines
John Dunlop 
v Debt, interest & costs - 35.15
Thomas Gaines $135.26
I, Allen Barksdale former sheriff of Laurens District, do hereby certify, that I sold a negro woman named Hannah, the property of the Defendant Thomas Gaines, for One Hundred & Seventy seven Dollars, & satisfied the above stated cases, amounting to $141.26. & paid the Balance over to Thomas Gaines amounting to thirty five Dollars seventy five Cents. 21 April 1826.
(Signed) A. Barksdale
former S. L. D.

State of South Carolina
Laurens District I, John S. James commissioner & Register in Equity for the District aforesaid in the State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true & correct Extract from the Records of said Court made at June Term 1826, the Honbl. Chancellor DeScussure presiding. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court, at summer View, this 9 Nov. 1826 & of the Independence of America the fifty first
John S. James, C.C.L.D.
Page 31

I hereby certify that the Certificate below, is the Certificate, & in the proper hand writing of, Henry Wm. Desaussure one of the Chancellors of South Carolina, that as such all faith & credit are and & should be given to it, Witness my hand & the seal of the Court of Equity at Laurens Court House this 4th July 1827. John S. James
C. E. L. D.

In Addition to the within I do hereby Certify that from the schedule of the Estate of Thomas Gaines, as stated by himself, & from the affidavit of Harrison Daniel attesting its value, I am of opinion that the said Schedule is a correct & hibitim of the property of the said Thomas Gains, & that the valuation thereof is also correct.
Henry Wm. DSaussure
30 May 1827
Page 32

16,609
South Carolina (10)
Thomas Gaines-
of Laurens Dis - in the state of S Carolina 
who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Green - of the Virginia line, for the term of 18 months
Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina
at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 28 of November 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 of Mar: 1820 and sent to the Hon: Mr. Tucker
House of Reps
Arrears to 4th of Mar: 1820 - $121.83
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Sep 1820 48.
15 mo 3/30 6/30 $169.83
Revolutionary claim,
Act 18th March, 1818.
Not entitled

see letter to Hon. S. Tucker. H. R. Dec. 15. 1821
Notification sent January 24. 1820 to
Hon. S. Tucker, H; of Reps. United States.
See letter to Hon S Tucker
11th December 1826