Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18020, Peter Hilyard, S.C.
Page 1

( 3-1776 ) SERVICE S.C. Hilyard, Peter NUMBER S. 18020 carded
Page 2

Peter Hilyard 25049
Page 3

State of South Carolina Edgefield District  On this 11th day of April eighteen hundred and  thirty three personally  in open  Court before the  Court of Common Pleas and General  Sessions  now sitting in and for the  District and State aforesaid  Peter Hilyard  a resident in the said District and State aged seventy seven years who being first duly sworn according to law on his oath makes 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 in January  1779  as a private  in a company of mounted militia  commanded by  Capt. John Ryan  which  company was also  commanded at some times by Captain Sinkfield [Samuel Sinquefield] and  Richard Jones forming part of a Battalion  Regiment  & Brigade under the  respective  command of Col Leroy  Hammond, Major John Purvis and Brigadier General. A. [Andrew] Williamson  & was stationed on the  South Carolina side  opposite  Augusta, that he was present at the taking of  Fort Grierson & Fort Brown  [Siege of Augusta] & stood sentry at the gate when  Major or Colo Brown [Colonel Thomas "Burntfoot" Brown] was brought out a prisoner , that the time of said campaign was at least seven months during which period he was in constant and active service , that he subsequently  served in  Capt. Sinkfield's company of South Carolina volunteer militia at the siege of Ninety Six ( Cambridge )  under command of General Green [Nathanael Greene], that he was present and assisted in   Cunningham's defeat , that he also served under General Marion  [Francis
Marion] and Major Samuel Hammond, but it is impossible for him to recollect the duration of the  different terms of service, but  solemnly swears that he was at least two years employed during the revolutionary war in the service. Said Peter Hilyard further declares that he never did receive a discharge nor did he know that any formal or written discharges  from the service were given to the  State Militia after the  occasion of their serving had terminated, that he was well  acquainted with
Page 4

General A. [Andrew] Pickens ,  General Williamson , Col. & Major Hammond, General Marion  & Major Purvis and that about the time of the  Capture of Cornwallis he was stationed under the command of  Col. Leroy Hammond  in the neighborhood of Columbia, that he served during the whole time as a private, that he is well known  to the  Rev'd Thomas Norris  & Capt. John E.F. Ryan , that he was born in  Granville County  State of North Carolina in the year 1755 or 1756  , that he has been a resident of the District  for near seventy years , that he  has no written record of his age , but  lived here at the time of the revolutionary war and ever since. This applicant has no documentary evidence on which to rely for the truth of  this  declaration . He  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. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid . Peter Hilyard ( his mark X ) J. Richardson ( signed ) C.C. P.  We Thomas Norris a clergyman in the District  & State aforesaid  and John E.F. Ryan  residing in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Peter Hilyard  who has signed   & sworn to the above declaration , that we believe him to be  seventy seven years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.  Sworn  & subscribed the day & year aforesaid . Thos Norris ( signed ) John E.F. Ryan ( signed ) J. Richardson ( signed ) C.C. P.
Page 5

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 Thomas Norris who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman  resident in the  District  aforesaid and that  John E.F. Ryan who also signed the same is a resident in the same  District and is a credible person and that their statements is entitled to credit. Josiah  Evans ( signed ) Presiding Judge  11th April 1833. I, Jefferson Richardson  clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions in and for  Edgefield District do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said  Court in the matter of the application of Peter Hilyard for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my  hand and seal of office this 11 day of April 1833. J. Richardson ( signed / sealed )  C.C.P.
Page 6

Lt. to Hon FW. Pickens , July 19, 1836. Duplicate certificate issued  5 Oct 1836   & forwarded to Hon F.W. Pickens Edgefield So. Ca.  
Order to pay  24 Nov. 1836  
Order to pay  23rd April 1839 . 

23.423 South Carolina  
Peter Hilyard of Edgefield in the  State of So. Car. who was a priv. in the  __ commanded by  Captain __  of he  Reg't  commanded by  Col. [Leroy] Hammond in the  So. Car. line for  15 mo  4 days . 
Inscribed on the Roll of So. Carolina  at the rate of 50 Dollars  44 Cents per annum , to commence on the  4th day of March 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the  25 day of June ' 34  and sent  Hon. Geol. McDuffie HR  . 
Arrears to the 4th Sept 1833 $126.10 Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March '34 $25.22 = $ 151. 32 
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832  Recorded by  N Rice Clerk 
Book E. Vol. 6 Page 69
Page 7

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3 -- 525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.,_, 19_
S.F. 18020
In reply to your request of _received _
for a statement of the military history of Peter Hilyard a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
1. DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
2. LENGTH OF SERVICE.
3. RANK.
4. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN.; COLONEL.
5. STATE.
1. Jany 1779; 2. 7 mos.; 3. Pvt.; 4. Captains - John Ryan, Sinkfield, Richard Jones; Colonel - Leroy Hammond; 5. S.C.

1.  April 1781; 2. 9 mos.; 3.Pvt.; 4. Captains - Ryan, Richard Jones or Sinkfield; Colonel - Leroy Hammond; 5.  S.C.

Battles engaged in, Briar Creek* Siege of Augusta, Ninety-Six.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Edgefield Dist. S.C.
Date of application for pension, Apr. 1833. His cl. was al
Residence at date of application, Edgefield  Dist. S. C.
Age at date of application, born in 1755 or 1756 in Granville Co. N.C.
Remarks: There is no data on file as to his  family.

 *Ft Grierson & Siege of Augusta are the same.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
6--2856
Page 8

State of South Carolina Edgefield District
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace Peter Hilyard 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 the year 1779 he served in Capt. John Ryan's Company belonging to Col. Leroy Hammond's Regiment of South Carolina State troops for seven months as a private that he was
frequently used as an express to convey intelligence to and from commanding officers that he
also conveyed during that period baggage and ammunition from Charleston to the Siege of Savannah.
For the year 1781 he served again in Capt. Ryan's Company as a private at the siege of Forts Grierson and Brown in Augusta
Page 9

and after the British had surrendered
said Fort he marched with the American
troops Comanded by General Pickens
to the siege of Ninety six, his Capn. being made prisoner he was placed under comand of Capn. Richard Jones or Sinkfield during said year this Deponent was at least nine months in active service in the field.
That during the above mentioned two periods this deponent was not employed in any civil pursuit, and for such services he claims a pension.
his mark - Peter Hilyard
Sworn to this 12th day of July 1833 before me.
Rob Watts  J.P.
Page 10

[ South Carolina Edgefield District ] I, J. Richardson clerk of the Court of Common Pleas  for the  District aforesaid do certify that  Robert Watts whose signature appears to the foregoing affidavit is a lawful  Justice of the Peace for said District and that full faith and credit are and of right ought to be given to all his attestations as such. Given under my hand and seal at Edgefield  Court House this  15th   July 1833. J. Richardson  ( signed ) C.C.P.  [ South Carolina Edgefield District ] Personally appeared before me the undersigned a Justice of the peace , Peter Hilyard . That he  this deponent  who after being duly sworn makes the following affidavit. That he  this deponent was a volunteer in a company  commanded by the late Capt. John Ryan  attached to Col. Leroy Hammonds regiment of South Carolina Militia called in service by said State against the British, Tories and  Indians and served in the field as a private from  January 1779  until  September of said year  partly in this State, partly in Georgia, that  during said service he was in a skirmish at Briar Creek and another near the Oconee , that he   was also frequently  used  by his commanding officers as an express to receive intelligence and baggage to the siege of Savannah, that during said time he was not employed in any civil pursuit and for said services he claims a pension. That he said deponent served again  in said company and regiment as a private in the field from the month of August 1781  to the month of January
Page 11

1782 and was in   several engagements near Augusta in the  State of Georgia and at the  siege of the place, and after  taking  Forts Grierson & Brown he marched with said regiment to the  Siege of Ninety Six, where General Green commanded, after the siege was raised he was by his Colonel  attached to  scouting parties against the British & Tories, that he served  fully  nine months and was not during that time  employed in any civil pursuit and for services he claims a pension. Lastly this deponent  solemnly  declareth that from the beginning of the revolutionary  war to the close of it he was almost constantly  in service  against the  British , Tories  & Indians as a private, but owing to his age and loss of memory  with  the exception of the two tours he cannot  particularize his services , he was in the  Florida expedition  under Colonel Williamson on the Snow campaign and serve also  under General Pickens , Major Samuel Hammond, Capt. Sinkfield and Jones. Sworn to this 19th day of Nov. 1833  before me  Robt. Watts ( signed ) J.P. Peter Hilyard ( his mark )
Page 12

( left page ) INVALID File No.  18020 Peter Hilyard Pri Rev War Act : June 7th ' 32 Index: - Vol. 1 Page 452 [ Arrangement of 1870 ]  ( right page ) 1920 June 14 Hist. to  Mrs. James  J  Quinn
Page 13

Letterhead symbol - A ring over an American Flag, Stars around the outer circle, inside the circle the words - DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
 Mrs. Jas. J. Quinn
Correspending Secretary
Lady Washington Chapter
Houston, Texas
 Rev. Sec. May 20th 1920
A Date Stamp - US PENSION OFFICE - O May 25 1920

Pension Dept. Rev. War.
Will you please send Revolutionary War pension record of Wm. Wadsworth of Randolph Co. N.C. giving names of children or wife (if given therein) in addition to other data.
Also - The same of Peter Hilliard Pensioner of Edgefield Dist. S.C. and greatly oblige. 

Yours respectfully,
Mrs. Jas, J. Quinn
#2617 San Jacinto St. Houston, Texas
Page 14

Charleston 18 April 1839.
Sir
I forward herewith for authority to pay, Voucher of Peter Hilliard.
I am very Respectfully
Your Ob. Serv.
A. Spears
Pen. Agent

J.P. Edwards, Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC
Page 15

[ State of South Carolina Edgefield District ] I, John Bauskett  executor of the estate of Col. Christian  Breithaupt late of  said Dist. & State do certify that the said Christian died about the  __  day of December last and that I cannot find the  pension certificate of Peter Hilyard of said  Dist. nor any of the said Peter's  pension papers   .. ( illegible ) & the said  Christian's  papers  and I am induced to believe that  said papers & certificates have been lost or mislaid. 25 September 1836   Sworn to before me.  Jno Bauskett ( signed ) Exec. of  C. Breithaupt W.W. Anson ( signed ) Q.U.
Page 16

[ So. Carolina  Edgefield Dist. ]  I. Peter Hilyard of said  State & Dist.  being  present certify that  Col. Christina Briethaupt  late of said  Dist. & State  had in his possession my pension  certificate and pension papers entitling me to my pension from 20 Jany  1828  at the rate of  fifty dollars &  sixty cts per annum from the Genl  Gov ; and that the said Christian drew for some of the money  and  acted as my agent  in the matter and that since the death of the said Christian  I have not been able to get said papers from the executor of said Christian.. Sworn to before me 5th Sept. 1836 . S.B. Adddison ( signed ) Q.U. Peter Hilyard ( his mark )
Page 17

Mount Ninety  Dec 27 1833 My dear McDuffie , I immediately after receipt of your letter of the  13th instant   I called on Peter Hilyard to give the explanation  required  by Mr. Edwards, I found the poor old man sick in bed and I could not help shred a tear when I reflected that .. ( illegible )  are drawing  pension who did not perform the  10th of the services he  rendered & he should be  .. ( illegible )  by a continuation of quibble  to spend the  few remaining days of his life in the most abject poverty . If Mr. Edwards would  attentively  reexamine Hilyard's  statement he will find that he  served during the first time as a private of course he was a soldier, he also states that he was in constant service for 7 months , but  that during that time he was often  detailed by
Page 18

his officers as express  etc.  he says now not only as evidence himself but actually was a soldier during the whole time. As to his second  tour of nine months he says all he can recollect is that he actually did serve that length of time in one period, he was called upon in  April or before the  Siege of Augusta to  turn out with  Capt. Ryan's company  to which he belonged to take as he says Col. Brown  and remained with  the  army to the close of the year 1781. Hilyard further states that he as well as many others served as volunteers when their time of service had expired or before it  began   as he considered it his duty  to state the length  of the time he was in  constant active service  without having reference or  knowing that a tour most precisely  to .. ( illegible ) of six months & if Mr. Edwards chose he may cut off 1 month from the 1st and 3 months from the second tour , he
Page 19

told me also that he had to swear a dozen times over he could not  swear to a time short of what his affidavit states. I only can add that I heard  Cap. Ryan  often say Peter Hilyard served and was a brave soldier nearly during the whole revolutionary war , and I have in possession an old  Muster Roll on which  Peter Hilyard is marked as having served 184  days from 30th  June 1781  to  Dec. 31, 1781  it is headed " A roll containing the names of the officers, soldiers who have done duty  under command of Colonel LeRoy Hammond"  , with their pay  due for the same from the  State of South Carolina. etc. Col. Saml. Hammond who certified that he knew  Peter Hilyard to be in service from 1779  to the close of the war. If under all the circumstances poor Peter cannot get a Pension , I am sure none is entitled to it. Very truly , Christian Breithaupt.  ( signed ) I have the Rheumatism so badly that I can hardly hold my pen.
Page 20

Let me know poor Peter's fate as soon as possible.
Page 21

Ans'd Jany 8 1834
Admit as private
15 months & 4 days
$50.44                                                                 Hon. Geo. McDuffie HR 

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Pension Office ( vertical on page ) (Hon. G. McDuffie ) ( upside down on page )  J.L. Edwards  Esq. Pension office
Page 22

H.R. 6th Janry. 1834.
Sir,
I enclose you a letter from Col. Breithaupt with your objections to the declarations of Peter Hilyard. You will perceive that a part of the service is authenticated by an original muster roll of Capt. Ryan. I saw that roll myself. I perceive also that Col. Hammond, one of our first citizens has made a certificate of a portion of this service, which I pray once you have on your files. I beg you to turn to that & any other proof that may have been heretofore sent to you & review your decisions. I know that great injustice will be done to a poor old soldier, if his application should fail. The circumstance of carrying expressly , I would suggest, does not detract from his claim, if he were a soldier at the time & of this there can be no doubt.
The fact of nine months continuous service, I submit, can only have weight to affect the warranty of the applicant; but as he swears positively that he did serve that time, & is sustained by unquestionable corroborative evidence, I should think that a role purely technical, should not be a conclusive obstacle.
Your obt. servt,
Geo: McDuffie ( signed )
Page 23


Frm. F. W. Pickens
P Hillyard AOC  23423
Hon. James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Gov. St
Georgetown D. Columbia
[stamp: EDGE.  C.H. S. C.  JUL 12]
( vertical on page ) ( July 19)

Hon. F W Pickens
Page 24

Edgefield, So. Car.
9 July 1836.
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Dear Sir
The old pensioner has not called on me, and says he drew his pension until March 1835, but whether from this State or the Genrl. Gov. he could not state.
He also says Col. Christian Breithaupt of this Dist. drew  it for him, and in March 1835 sent on his Declaration &c, but that he has not heard from it, except that it was allowed. Col. Breithaupt died this last winter and the papers cannot be found, and he knows
Page 25

nothing of them. The name of this old man is Peter Hilliard of Edgefield So. Co. - he is a poor worthy old man and served under Capt. Ryan, Col. Hammond & Gnl. Pickens &c. Be so kind as to inform me immediately if you have his declaration & other papers, & if it was allowed, and what is due &c. And if any is now due be so good as to enclose to me a check or draw set for the amount. By attending to this matter you will greatly oblige a worthy old man.
Yours very respectfully &c
J. W. Pickens ( signed )
Page 26

Peter Hilyard - So: Caro: roll. act
7 June 1832 - at $50 44/100 pr Annum.
To what time does he appear to have been paid?
Pension Office
July 19, 1836
---
Paid to 4th Septr. 1836
Page 27

Oct 3
Peter Hilyard
S Crol
U/S Dst Aut
[seal: EDGE. DIST. S. C.; SEP 27]

Per J. W. Pickens
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington city
S.C.

The Com. directs a dupl. Certificate to be if need on the written papers.
J.D.U.
Oct. 5, 1836.
Page 28

Edgefield
26 Sept. 1836
To the Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
Peter Hilyard of Edgefield Dist. So Car had his certificate for a period with his other pension papers, in the possession of Col. Christian Breithaupt of this Dist.- who died last winter, and this old man has been unable to get his papers or to find them, and in consequence has not received his pension at all. I have enclose you the Affidavit of the Executor of Col. Breithaupt, together with Mr Hilyard's as to his certificate for a pension &c. You wrote and that he was last on the pension roll in 1834 I think. This is to set from your office another certificate, so that he may set his money from the pension agent at Charleston. Be so
Page 29

kind as to send it immediately as this [illegible] man is in great want.
Yours very respecctfully &c
F.W. Pickens