Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 8665 1/2, William Decourcy, N.C.
Page 1

SERVICE
N6


Decourcy
or
Decoursey
William
Elizabeth

NUMBER
W. 8665 ½

Born in MD
Page 2

7123
Ohio
William Decoursey
of Preble Co in the State of Ohio
who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Reed of the Regh commanded by Col Nichols in the N.C. ma
for 8 1/2 mo.

Inscribed on the Roll of Ohio
at the rate of 28 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of March 1833 and Sent to
Isaac Stephen Eaton C.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 $56.66
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 1833. $14.16
$70.82

Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by W.L. William, Clerk,
Book E Vol. 8 Page 6.

Dead
Letter to Hon W.O. Butler & 3d And
30 June 1842
Paid at the Treasury under the
act of April 6th 1838 from
Sept 4th to Oct 23rd 1841.
Agent notified July 9th 1842


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Reported to Agent
Kentucky 3778
Elizabeth DeCourcey(DeCoursey)
widow of William DeCoursey
who was a (Intelligible)  7 June 1832 NC
who died on the 25. October 1841
of Campbell Co. in the State of Kentucky
who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Reed
of the Regt. commanded Col. Nichols
in the N.C. line for 8 1/2 months

Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky
at the rate of 28 Dollars 33 Cents per annum
 to commence on the 25th October 1841
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of Sep.1842 and sent to Wm. DeCourcey / DeCoursey Jr
Coldspring, Ken.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1843  $26.30
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Sept.
Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3

Recorded by D. Brown
Clerk,
Book C.
Vol. 1 
Page 194
Page 4

W. Decoursey
Declaration &c
11567
Page 5

The State of Ohio
Preble County 
on this      day of September
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and thirty two personally appeared
in open Court before the Honorable the Judges of the Court of common pleas for the said County of Preble in the State of Ohio 
Now sitting William Decoursey a resident
of Dickson Township in the County of Preble
and State of Ohio aged seventy six 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 act of Congress passed June 7th
1832
That he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer militia man under Captain
Sam L Reed and Lieut. John Grimes in the North Carolina Militia at the County of Rowan
& State of N. Carolina of as where he then resided
The time he entered the service he cannot recollect but is certain and positive that he
served six weeks under the aforesaid officer
in what was then called the Scotch Camp
said that they marched to the Scotts 
Settlement in the lower part of N. Carolina and
on their return was discharged from service
Page 6

that shortly afterwards he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer
Militia man under the aforesaid Capt. Reed
and Lieut Grimes in the N. Carolina Militia at the County of Rowan & State of N.
Carolina, that they were attached to Colonel
Locks Regiment N. Carolina Militia &
under the command of Gen. Retherford
that they marched to the head of the Cataba 
River in pursuit of the Indians & Tories and
on their return was discharged out of service
after serving four weeks

That sometime in the month of
October A.D. 1779 he enter the service of
the United States at the aforesaid County
of Rowan & State of N. Carolina as a Volunteer militia man in the N. Carolina
militia in a company of Militia
commanded by Captain Nicholas
St Chapman in Col. Lock's Regiment of
N. Carolina Militia under the command
in and of Gen. Rutherford this was a
General call on the militia, we marched
to Charlestown S.C. and from there to a place Called the Black Swamp not far from Savannah where we were attached to the Regular Army
Page 7

then commanded by Genl Lincoln we winter
at a place called the two sisters & the
Black Swamp changing our position as
circumstances seemed to require during the
winter our troops had some skirmishing
with the British who then had possession
of the town of Savana and the County
on that side of the Savanna River on
one occasion a detachment of our troops
under the command of Gen Ash crossed
over the Savana river at a place called
the month of Briar Creek
had an argument with the British and was defeated he was discharged sometime in the latter part of the month of April
AD 1780 after remaining
during which time he found & furnished his own gun & camp equipment each tour of duty
six months in the service. He further affirms
and declares that he did serve the three
Several tours of duty as aforesaid during the
Revolutionary war making aggregately eight months & a half that he has no Documentary evidence of his said services and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his services- that, he has no
Page 8

written discharge nor does not know that he ever had- 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- he further says that he has no record of his age But has always been told and believes that he was Born in the County of Baltimore and State of Maryland on the 24th day of May Ak. 1756. that he lived in Rowana County in the State of S. Carolina when called into Service and Served in the Milatia of that State and (illegible) the Revolutionary War he lived in Campbell County in the State of Kentucky and from that peace he  came to Pieble County in the State of Ohio where he now lives and has lived for 16 years east part - And (illegible) he is Known to and acquainted with James Gordan Esq. and Moses Dooley (illegible) in his present neighborhors who can testify as to his character for vavacity and their belief of his service, As a Soldier of the Revolution-
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Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
J. C. Hawkins Clerk
William Decoursey

We Josiah Conger a clergyman residing in the township of Dickson in the County of Pieble State of Ohio and John Collans residing in the same place hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Decoursey who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy six years of age that he is believed and respected in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur that opinion and that no doubt have( Illegible) subject sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.

Josiah Conger
John Collans

J. C. Hawkins Clerk
Page 10

Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the Township of Dickson
in the County of Preble and State of Ohio
and that John Collins who has also signed the same is a resident of the same place and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court
J. C. Hawkins Clerk

the State of Ohio
Preble County Ss.  I, Joseph C. Hawkins Clerk
of the Court of Common Pleas in and for
said Preble County do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings
of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Decoursey [sic] for a pension
In testimony whereof I have here
unto set my hand and seal of
Office this 24th day of
September 1832
J. C. Hawkins Clerk
Page 11

War Department

Pension Office
Washington City
D.C.

Number 5642
Elizabeth DeCourcey
[illegible] [illegible]

Honorable W.O. Butler
House of Representatives
Page 12

[of interest the last name is spelt a multitude of ways in this one document]
Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the third
Section of the act of Congress of the 4th July 1836
State of Kentucky
Campbell County
On this seventh day of July 1842 personally
appeared before the Judge of the Campbell
Circuit Court Elizabeth De Courcey a resident
of Coldspring in the County and State afore
said aged eighty two years six months and
eleven days who being first duly sworn
according to law doth on her oath make the
following declaration in order to obtain the
benefit of the provision made by the act of
congress passed July 4th 1836. That she is the
widow of William De Coursey who was a
private in the army of the Revolution and
at the time he entered the service he lived in
the County of Rowan in the State of North Carolina
that about three days after our marriage
he volunteered into the service of the
United States and marched into South Carolina where he continued three months after
which he volunteered at various times to go
against the British Tories and Indians
But she cannot precisely recollect the dates
or length of service it being more than fifty
year's since. She further declares that she
was married to the said William De Courcy on

Monday the fifteenth day of July 1776
and that her husband the afore said William
De Coursey died on the twenty third day of October 1841 and that she has remained a widow
ever since that period. she further declares
that her late husband William De Coursey
Page 13

was placed on the pension list
on the fifth day
of March 1833 at which time he lived in Preble County
State of Ohio and drew [illegible] pension in Cincinnati
but had resided in Campbell
County State of Kentucky
four or five years previous to his death and that she
has no documentary evidence in support of the
claim except the pension certificate of her late
husband which she has surrendered some weeks
since to the war department which was dated
fifth of March 1833 as above. Also certifies said
De Coursey was entitled to receive twenty eight dollars
thirty three cents per annum during his natural
life as will more fully appear by reference to
the proof hereto annexed sworn to and subscribed
in open Court on the day and year above written
before, being the seventh of July 1842
Elizabeth Decoursey
Subscribed & sworn to in
open Court in Campbell County
at the seat of Justice in Alexandria
this seventh day of July 1842.
Given under my hand
H.B. Brown Sole Judge
2nd Jud Dist Ky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky
Campbell Circuit Court July Term 1842} scty

It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court
from the affirmation of William De Coursey Jr that
William Coursey Senr late pensioner of the United States departed this life on the 23 day of October 1841
and that the said William De Coursey Senr was the
identical person named in an original Certificate bearing
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dated the fifth day of March 1833 and signed by Lewis [unreadable] Secretary of War,
granting to the said William Decourcy then a pension of $28 33/100 per annum –
and it was further proven to the satisfaction of the Court by the oath of Charles Murman
and the affirmation of James Spillman who are credible persons, and that said Spillman
is an ordained Minister of the Gospel, and the record of the family Bible which was
produced in Court that Elizabeth Decourcy is the widow of the said William Decourcy dec’d,
late pensioner of the United States, and that she has remained a Widow since his death
to this time and further she is the identical Elizabeth Decourcy who has this day sworn
and subscribed in open Court a Declaration to obtain the benefits of the third section
of the Act of Congress of the 4th of July 1836 and bearing date the Seventh day of July 1842.
which is ordered to be certified in due form –
I Benjamin D Beall Clerk of the Campbell Circuit Court do hereby certify
that the above purporting to be a certificate under order of the said Court
is truly copied from the Records of my office, and further that John W. Brown
whose signature is attached to the Declaration is now and was at the time of
signing the same the presiding Judge of the Campbell Circuit Court, and that
the said signature is genuine and in his own proper hand –
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal
of the said Court at Alexandria this 3 day of August A.D. 1842.
R.P. Beall
Clk
Page 15

Honorable J. L. Edwards Pension agent
care of William. O. Butler
House of Representatives if at this city
Washington City
D. C. 

Died September 1842
W.Allison
Page 16

FAMILY RECORD.
MARRIAGES.
William De Coursey
was married to Elizabeth Irvin July ye
 AD 1776
┃ D. Coursey was
ried to Ezilphan
June 7 1798
Coursey was
to David Terry
18th 1799
I

MARRIAGES.
Elizabeth Dorsey
was Married
to
William Brightwell
April 7th AD 1811
Joel De Coursy in
married to Elizabeth
Marbury January 25
day AD 1816
Page 17

FAMILY RECORD.
BIRTHS.
William D Coursey
was born May ye
24 A D 1759

Elizabeth Irvin
was born December
ye 26 AD. 1759

BIRTHS.
Mary D Coursey
daughter of William and
Elizebeth D Coursey was
born July 5 A. D. 1777
-

John Dorsey son
of William and Elizabeth
DCoursey was born
ye
10 of June AD 1778
Leonard D Coursey
of
William and Elizabeth
DCoursey was born
February ye 2  A D 1780

 Jain DCoursey Daughter
 of William and Elizabeth
Coursey was born November 26. AD 1781
Nansey DCoursey daughter
of William and Elizabeth DCoursey was
 July 5. AD 1784
Page 18

FAMILY RECORD.
BIRTHS.
William D Coursey son 
of William and Elizabeth 
Dorsey was born July
ye 6 AD 1786
Joel D Coursey son of
William and Elizabeth 
DCoursey was born July 
ye 12 A D 1788
Irvin D Coursey son of
William and Elizabeth
DCoursey was born December
ye 30 AD 1790

Elizabeth DCoursey daughter
of William and Elizabeth was born
April ye 22 AD 1792
DEATH
Page 19

FAMILY RECORD.
DEATHS.
Jain DCoursey departed
this life august ye 21 A. D. 1796
Wm. De Courey departed senr
this life on 23rd day
of Oct 1841 at about
four O'clock A.M.
Being sunday morning


DEATHS.
in
2
5
Page 20

State of Kentucky ⎬ SS.
Campbell County
On this 26th day of August 1842 personally appeared
Wm De Courcy before me Charles Murnan a justice
of the peace in and for said County of lawful age who
being first duly sworn according to law doth on his
outh say that the bible now in his possession and this
day exhibited before me (from which the attached records
was in my presence taken and attached to this paper
by wafers) was the family bible of William De Courcy
deceased who was a pensioner of the United States at the
time of his death. That the Elizabeth Irwin mentioned
in the said record is the identical person now applying
for a pension as the wife of or widow of said Wm
De Courcy dec'd. That the attached record is in the hand
writing of Joel De Courcy of the Rising Sun Dearborn
County State of Indiana. Except the record of the
marriage of John De Courcy and Mary Decourcy
which is in the hand writing of said John De Courcy 
and also except the record of the death of my father
Wm De Courcy which is in my own hand writing and
that the whole is true and genuine as he verily believes Wm De Courey jr
sworn to and subscribed this
day and year above written -
before me Charles Murnan a Justice of the peace
I also certify that William De Courcy who has subscribed
the above is a credible person from personal knowledge
having been acquainted with him for upwards of thirty years
August 26th 1842
Charles Murnan JP
Commonwealth of Kentucky Campbell County Clerks Office to wit
I Benjamin D Beall Clerk of the court for the County aforesaid do certify that Charles
Murnan whose signature is attached to the foregoing affidavit is and was at the time of signing the same an acting justice of the peace in and for said County and that full faith and credit should be given his acts as such. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name and affix
the seal of said County at the Court House in Alexandria on the 26th
day of August 1842
Ben D Beall Clk
Page 21

11567
William Decoursey
Ohio
from a private
8 ½ months
$28.33

Isaac Stephens
Eaton C.
Page 22


Brief in the case of William De Coursey
of Preble County in the State of Ohio
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 76
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.

Period.
The year [illegible] 17 --
"   "
1779 to Apl. '80
---
Duration of Service.
Years, months, Days
              1        12
                        28
                1
 He swears that aggregated
his service was 8 1/2 mo
Rank.
As a
Vol
do
do
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Cap. Reed
ditto
Capt Nicholas
%. In what battles was he engaged? Several skirmishes
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Rowan Co NC
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? No

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned
W. L. Williams Examining Clerk
Page 23

Elizabeth DeCourcey
of William
Kentucky
-
Suspended
-
See let 12 Aug't. 18622
Hon. W. O. Butler
Act 4 July 1836
Page 24


House of Rep
10 Aug 1842
Sir
I herewith send you the
petition or Declaration of Mrs.
Elizabeth De Courcy of Ky.
the
widow of the late W Decourcy
a Pensioner. If there is any
thing wanting to have her
placed on the Pension rolls 
be so good as to inform me
respectfully
W O Butler
J L Edward Esq
Page 25



TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
June 22d 1842
Sir: 
[illegible] 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,"
The widow of William De Coursey
decd late
a Pensioner on the Roll of the
Ohio
-
Agency, at the rate of Seventy eight Dollars and 33 Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832
has been paid at this Department, from the
4th of Sept.
to the 23d Oct. 1841-
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.
Page 26

Ⓧ
Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No.
86651/2
Elizabeth De Coursey
Wid of ┃
William De Coursey
Prv. N. C. line
Act: July 4th/36. Sec. 3d
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 175
Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 27

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
William De Coursey which require
further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. *Has he mentioned 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? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal? Yes
Page 28

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to
their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary
service? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one
living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? Yes

XIV.
 If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered? except the fir

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. 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 --- years ---months ---
, and --- days, I served as a ---For ---- months ----days, I served as a-
and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 29

3 
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 in 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. 
QUERE XIV. PROOF OF SERVICE. 
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. 
QUERE XVI. 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. In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.
Page 30


free
Coldspring Ky
11 June '42
Hon Wm O Butler
H. R.
Washington City D. C. 

Hon. W. O. Butler H. Rep.
Wm. David Jr. 
[illegible lines with the opposite orientation]
Page 31


Transfered d from Ky [illegible]
[illegible] pd to 4 Mar

Hon. W. O. Butler, H. Rep.

Free
Hon.
H. R.
Page 32


Coldspring Ky
11th June '42
Sir Please accept my thanks for documents
containing so much useful information-
Enclosed you will see the power of Attorney &c
for the arrears of pension due my dis'd. father
at his death, but as I was informed that my
mother was entitled to draw a pension during
her life from his death I thought it best
to forward the papers inclosed to the war department, instead of Applying to the agent at
Cincinnati as he would only have power to
pay the power alone and as my mother would have had to give up the pension certificate
I thought it might be mislaid and make it
are difficult to get her placed on the list
have not the law of congress relative to Pensioner
Widdow therefore be so good as to apply to the
War Office and present the enclosed papers
and if they are made and right procure and
order to the agent at Cincinnati to pay what is due

and of my mother is entitled to a pension
be so good as to have her placed on the list of the
proof is sufficient. If it lacks form or proof be
so good as to let me know what is lacking and
in that event I will thank you to procure and
send me blank forms and directions,
some twenty years since an old Revolutionary
soldier by the name of James Shaw applyed
for a pension and I believe obtained certificate
and went to Lexington to draw his
money but some difficulty coming in the way
he gave his papers to James Johnston (I think)
and they were lost the then died and never drew
any money his widow is still living and is very
infirm and sometime since asked me to
try to get the pension for her. But I did not
Page 33

even enquire to know in what State he served
but have little doubt it was Pennsylvania. I think
 altogether likely Johnson left the papers in the
war office and if so they will explain the whole
affair, James Shaw was the father all those Shaws living
about Alexandria and a man of as pure
moral character as any man in the state
As to his service there is no doubt, be so good as
to examine this case and tell me what must
be done in order to place his widow on the
pension list-One question more and I have
done. an the widow or heirs of a soldier
who served five years in the Virginia line
an enlisted soldier draw his pension till his
death or that of his widdow neither of whom
has ever applyed for or received a pension provided
there is proof of his service?-- Be so good as
to let me know what is doing or like to be done
also send me documents when convenient.-
Most Respectfully
Yours Wm De Courcy
You will perceive that my mother made out two
affidavit of Identity on the same paper-after
making and the first it was thought that  it ought
to contain the copy of the pension certificate and
some other things which were inserted in the
last--
W. D Cs.
Page 34

5642
 Elizabeth Decourcy
of William
Kentucky
Admitted

Private 8 ½ mo. $28.33
Cap: Reed Col. Nichols, N.C.
died 23d Oct. 1841

E

Act 4 July 1836
Wm De Courcey Jr. 
Coldspring
Ken.