Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17979, John Girardeau, Ga.
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httphttps://catalog.archives.gov/images/misc/drag.pngs://catalog.archives.gov/images/misc/drag.png(3 - 1776)
SERVICE NUMBER
Ga. Girardeau, John S.17979
He entered service in three other states: carded
CONTENTS
S.C., N.C. and Va., but troops not
designated & couldn't be identified
as given names of most of officers
are not given-
Born in Ga.
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23716_
South Carolina
John Girardeau
of Charleston in the State of So Car. [South Carolina]
who was a pr [private]:
in the [ineligible] commanded
by Captain [ineligible] of the Regt. [regiment] commanded
by Col: Baker. in the Ga.
line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of So Carolina
at the rate of 80 - Dollars - Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of Mar: 34
and sent Hon.: W. S.
Grayson H.R.
Arrears to the 4th of Mar: 34
240-
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept
40
$280
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1932
Recorded by Nath Rice - Clerk
Book E Vol. 6 Page 68,
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John Girardeau
23739
Admit as a private
2 year $80
Hon WGrayson
Hon W. S. Grayson
23.734
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hereby declare his opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatives prescribed by the War department, that the above named applicant
was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served
as he states. And the said Judge further
certifies that it appears to him that Edward
T. Buist, who has signed the preceding
certificate is a clergyman resident in the
parish of St Andrews & State aforesaid, and that John Rivers, who has also signed the same
is a resident in the same parish and is a
credible person, and that their statement
is entitled to credit, and that the said John
Girardeau the applicant is unable to
appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity
E.H. Bay
26th Feb 1833
I William S. Smith, Clerk of the Court of General Sessions and Common Pleas of Charleston District in the state aforesaid do
hereby certify that the foregoing and
the annexed contain the original proceedings
in the matter of the application of John
Girardeau for a pension, and that the said E. H.
Bay is a Judge of a Court of Record
In witness whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and seal of office this Twenty
Sixth day of February in the year of
on Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty three-
W. S. Smith
C.C.
[Official Seal]
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State of So. Carolina [South Carolina]
St Andrew's Parish
Charleston District
Personally appeared before me the
undersigned a Justice of the Peace, John Girardeau
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 five years and seven months, I served
as a private; For Eleven months, I served as a Sergeant
and for such service I claim a pension
Sworn to before me this
4th July 1833
John B Girardeau J.P.
John Girardeau
I William S. Smith, Clerk of the Court of General Sessions and Common Pleas of Charleston District in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that John B Girardeau, whose signature appears immediately above this certificate, is a Justice of the Peace, duly appointed according to the laws of the said State, and that the
said signature above written is his Genuine Signature
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office this Twentieth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three
W.S. Smith
C.C.R.
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2.  There was a Family record kept by his Father, but
his Brother being the elder kept the Bible containing
the record - believes it might have been destroyed in
the Revolutionary War - if not, it ^may [crossed out -is] now ^be with his Brother's family in Georgia
3.  He lived at the commencement of the war in Liberty
County Georgia, has since lived in the Parishes of
St John's Colleton, St Paul's, and now in St Andrews
all in this State.
4th. He was drafted as above stated in 1776 - he had
enlisted under Capt. Ball but received neither County
money or pay the other engagements he was under
he entered voluntarily
5th. For this answer he refers to the above narative
6th. Never was commissioned, nor did he ever receive
a discharge.
7th. Revd Dr Leland, Abraham Wilson. Dr Libby,
Jno W Holmes Rawlins Rivers Thomas Wescoat

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.
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
John Girardeau
We Edward T. Buist - a clergyman residing in the parish
of St Andrews state aforesaid, and John Rivers residing
in the same place, hereby certify, that we are well
acquainted with John Girardeau, who has subscribed
and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy six 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 and Subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Edward T. Buist
Jon Rivers
and the said Judge of the said Court doth
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Officer near Camden, he left the army and went
into Virginia and remained there until Genl Green
came on with an army for the Southern States, this
was about the month of March 1781. he volunteered
under this Genl.  While on the Staunton river, with
this army there were Genl Lawson, Col Posey & Lee
the latter of the Cavalry, and Lieut Davenport of Virginia who fell at the battle of Guilford Court house
After this battle he was ordered in the month of June
under Col Crawford after beef cattle for Genl Green's
army. while on this service he took the small poxes
from the effects of which he did not recover until
about the month of October following when he
went into So. Carolina where he joined Genl Wayne,
under the command of Capt Saml West, about the
begining of the year 1792. He served as Sergeant
under this Capt until peace. Col Baker was with
this army to whose Reg. he was attached. While
with this General he was ordered off in a detachment
under Major Habersham, who was ordered
to intercept and meet a body of Indians collected
on the Altamaha river, and by mild measures to
reconcile and bring them to a good understanding
In this service he suffered severely for want of food
subsisting three days on the hearts of inner part of
the Saw Palmetto. After Major Habersham had
executed his order he permitted Capt West to separate
 his company from the detachment and lead
it against a stockade Fort in McIntosh County
(Geo) built around the House of one Capt McDonald
 a Tory, who was killed and the Fort taken
We then joined Genl Wayne with whom the
company continued until peace
He has no documentary evidence and knows
of no person whose testimony he can procure who
can testify to his service
Answers to questions put by
1st.  He was born in Liberty County in the State of
Georgia on the 1st of March in the year 1756-
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Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress
June 7th 1832.
State of South Carolina
Charleston District

On this twenty second day of February personally appeared
John Girardeau a resident of Charleston District in the
State of South Carolina aged Seventy Six years, who being
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 under
the following named officers, and served as herein stated
That after the lapse of so many years he is unable
to state the particular time at which he entered the service
having been engaged as early as the year 1775, in defending
his native State against Indians, and other depredators:
That in the year 1776 he was drafted into the
service of the Country, under the immediate command of
Capt. Moses Way, Col Jno Baker, and Major Baker Commanding
the Regiment to which he was attached, and
Genl McIntosh to whole force: he was mostly engaged
at this time in defending the frontiers of the State
(Geo) against Tories and Indians, principally from
Florida, the duty being one week on and two off except
from the invasion of Florida by Genl Howe to the invasion
of Georgia by the British Army under Genl Provost
from St Augustine in the year 1778 when he was constantly
on duty under Capt Ball, who in this time
met and defeated Capt Scott a Tory. In the invasion
of the State by Provosts' Army, the whole of the Militia
of the County was called into active service. He still continued
to serve under Col Baker, James Screven being
General of the Army, who had an engagement with
a detachment from Provost's army commanded by
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Col Brown: at South Newport bridge (Geo) General
Screven had not been long in command when he received,
in action his death wound. Genl Howe taking
the command of the Army engaged Col Campbell before
the City of Savannah, but was defeated and the City
taken. At this time he left the army under Genl
Howe and went into South Carolina where he again
entered the service under Capt Mills, who belonged to
Col Baker's Regiment this was about the 1st June
1779. This officer then went into Georgia with the view
of attacking Savannah in the absence of Genl Provost
who being unsuccessful in his attempt on Charleston
returned to Savannah when Col Baker again retreated
into So. Carolina with a number of prisoner he
had captured in an engagement with a Capt Muller
on the Ogeech river. In October of this year he
joined Genl Lincoln's Army in So Carolina. This
Genl was joined by Genl Williamson and Count D'Easting
and after their repulse at Savannah he returned with
this army into So. Carolina, and was engaged in the
year 1780 in endeavouring to prevent a junction between
Genl Clinton and Patterson: the former officer
coming by sea and the latter by land to attack Charleston
Genl Lincoln was compelled to retreat.  About
this time Genl Lincoln ordered off a detachment of
three companies to suppress a collection of Tories, on
the Edisto River in this duty he was engaged under
Cap Willm Day, before returning from this expedition
Charleston had surrendered to Genl Clinton (May
1780). He then left the army and went into
N. Carolina where he continued out of service until the
following month, when Baron Dekalb caming on with
an army for the South he met him between Ronoke
and Deep rivers, and volunteered his service, under
Capt Mills. He had not been long in this army
before Gen Gates took the command and marched ┃
for Camden So. Carolina, after the defeat of this
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Rev. & 1812 Wars Section   [Illegible]

October 10, 1927

James C. Dozier
The Adjutant General
Columbia, South Carolina

Sir: 
I have to advise you that from the papers in teh Revolutionary War pension claim S. 17979 it appears that John Girardeau was born March 1, 1756, in Liberty County, Georgia. 

While a resident of Liberty County, Georgia he entered the service in 1775 and served at various times, five months as private and the last eleven months as sergeant.

He first served under Captains Ball and Moses Way and Colonel Baker in the Georgia Troops until Savannah was occupied by the British in 1778, then he went into South Carolina and June 1, 1779, entered the service under Captain Mills and Colonel Baker and was in a detachment under Captain William Day on the Edisto River (State troops not designated). 

After the surrender of Charleston in May 1780, he went into North Carolina and about July 1780, volunteered under Captain Mills and served until after the battle of Camden (State troops not designated). 

He then went into Virginia and about March 1781, volunteered
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volunteered under General Greene and in June 1781 was sent out under Colonel Crawford to get beef for General Greene's army (State Troops not designated), then in October 1781 he went into South Carolina, and early in 1782 entered the service under Captain Samuel West and Colonel Baker, was in a detachment under Major Habersham, and later assisted in taking a fort in McIntosh County, Georgia under said Captain West (State troops not designated) and served  until Peace. 

After the Revolution he lived in the parishes of St. Johns, Colleton, and St. Pauls, all in South Carolina, and was allowed pension on his application executed February 22, 1833 while living in St. Andrews Parish, Charleston District, South Carolina. 

Respectfully, 

Winfield Scott
Commissioner.

Date of death not on A.B. This request was not for family data- When writing it at other times, add: "It is not stated whether he was ever married."
He referred to his father & also to a Bro, & family in Ga. but gave no names. One John B. Girardeau was justice of the peace in Charleston Dist. S.C. in 1883, no relationship stated.
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P  17979
Invalid

File No. 17979
John Girardeau
[Illegible] Rev War
Act: June 7 22
Index: Vol. 1, Page 143
[Arrangement of 1870]

1920 May 22 photo copies of 6 pages mailed to [Illegible] Grady on 1927 Oct 10 Dist to James C. Dozier The Adjutant Gen  [Illegible]
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Charleston So. Ca
14 March 1834

Dear Sir, 
At the request of Mr. Girardeau, I enclose you his application for a pension, begging that you will ascertain whether any thing can be done for him - Mr. Girardeau is a man of irreproachable character and of the strictest veracity as I have ever known to believe. He is very aged and infirm, entirely blind, and [Illegible] of little prosperity. This application has been already before the Department. It was in the first instance returned because it did not state with sufficient precision the term and nature of the service performed, and the affidavit in the last page was added. It appears however that even this was not satisfactory. Will you be so good as to inquire whether after the work of so long a time is in effect a trial that the applicant should specify that the very days and ? of his services? I can say with much confidence in this statement made by him that should
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be inclined to [illegible] to me much [illegible] [illegible]. If you can do anything in this matter you will be conferring an obligation upon a very deserving and needing man. 

I suppose that by this time you begin to wish for the close of the [illegible]. If you anticipate as little benefit from the actions of the [illegible] as your constituents generally do, you certainly cannot be considered patient under your labors by any chasing hopes as to their results. We begin here to apprehend that for any thing this [illegible] congress may do, the sword & the funds are destined to remain where they are - a sad & mortifying result it will be! For my own [illegible] I cannot but hope better things for my [crossed out fellow] countrymen, & I will not believe that they will submit to [illegible] until I shall see & feel it. 
With esteem and respect
Im very truly - 
H. W. Per[Illegible]

Honorable Wm Grayson
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3
Bureau of Pensions
Finance Division
May [crossed out April] 15 1920   19

Chief of Rev War Section
Sir
I have this day received from Benjamin Grady [crossed out draft No.] Cash [crossed out for] $90/100 requesting [crossed out post office address] copies as per letter herewith.

Very respectfully, 
[Illegible] Campbell
Chief of Division
jjl.
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Cash 90 c from Benjamin Grady of 926 Westm
Ainster St. [Illegible],
Washington, D.C. for copies of 6 pages in Rev. War case of John Girardeau, S.F. 17979 -

No receipt desired. Proctor 5/15/20
Law

Pension
A
May
15
1920
U.S. Office
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Date May 22 1920
Name John Girardeau  No. S. 17979
Ga. War Rev.
Photographic copies wanted of 2
[illegible], consisting of 6 pages.

WE Wilson Exr. W. F. Waite Chief Record Div.
Serial  2053  Law Clerk.
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1st Ind.   II/ORD

War Department, A.G.O., October 3, 1927. - To The Adjutant General, State of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C.

1. The name John Girardeau has not been found on the rolls on file of any military organization in service during the Revolutionary War. 

2. The collection of Revolutionary War records in this Department is incomplete. It is possible that some information relative to the service of the above named man may be obtained from teh Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.

Lutz Wahl
Major General.
The Adjutant General.

2nd Ind.,   rwg/

A.G.O.S.C., Columbia, 5 Oct.27.  To the Commissioner of Pensions, War Department, Washington, D.C., 

1. Inviting attention to 1st In., and requesting that statement of service of John Girardeau be furnished this office. This man served during the Revolutionary War from South Carolina, but there is no record of his service on file in this office. Mr. Girardeau was born March 1,1756 at Liberty Country, Georgia - died April 14,1837, and drew a pension at the time of his death. Any information you can furnish this office will be appreciated. 

Jas. C. Dozier
Jas. C. Dozier,
The Adjutant General

Pension 
Oct 8 1927
U.S. Office
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State of South Carolina
Adjutant General's Office
Columbia    rwg-c
26 Sept. 1927

Subject: Statement of Service John Girardeau.

To: The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D.C.

1. It is requested that statement of service of John Girardeau who served in the Revolutionary War be furnished this office.

2. Several years ago some of the records of the Revolutionary War were destroyed by fire and the record of this man was evidently destroyed at this time.

Will appreciate your prompt reply.
Jas. C. Dozier, 
The Adjutant General.

Received
Sep' 29 1927
Old Records Divn.
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Bounty Land Warrant Record Card*
Name Girdler, James  Grade Private  Unit Pennsylvania
Warrant Number 9508 Acreage 100 Issued March 14, 1799
To - not shown -