Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7,337, for Thomas Prestwood, South Carolina
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
S.C.

Prestwood, Thomas

NUMBER
S.7.337
carded

CONTENTS

This Envelope Includes
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
H.J GAO
Page 2

order to pay May 16, 1837

Death not on 
A B , 

South Carolina  27878
Thomas Prestwood
of Darlington in the State of So Ca
who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Johnson of the Regh commanded by
______________ in the So. Ca. militia 12mo 25 days

Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina
the rate of 42- Dollars 78 Cents per annum, 
commence on the 4th day of March 1831
---
Certificate of Pension issued the 7. day of Aug
1834 and sent to W Dudly Malboso ' C H. S C
---
Arrears to the 4th of March 1834 128 34
Semi-ani. allowance ending 4 Sept '' 21 34
$ 149.73
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by Henry H Sylugby Cle
ook  Vol. 3 Page 77
Page 3

Declaration
of
Thomas Prestwood
15304
Duiet to C H Dudley at
Marlborough 61 House
S. Ca.
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Declaration

In order to obtain the benifit of the Act of Congress Jo aford June 7th 1832

South Carolina Darlington District
Court of Common Pleas
Staw Im 1838

On this the 16th day of October AD 1832 person-ally appeared in open Court before the Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas now sitting, Thomas
Prestwood a resident of Darlington District
State of South Carolina aged Seventy one years
on the 16th of Jany 1833 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
under the following named officers & served as
herein Stated. Capt Saeub Johnson of the militia
was the first officer under whom he served. He was
drafted by said Johnson in Chesterfield District So Ca
about a year before the Declaration of Independence
the term was one month. Went from Chesterfield
to Georgetown So. Ca - thence to Sewer Bay, thence
to Hadoells Point, thence to Fort Johnson where he
Stayed until his time was out - rec. his discharge
 + returned to Chesterfield District. Sometime after
words he was drafted again & served under Capt
Thomas Ellerbe. - rendezvoused at Cheraw So. Ca.
Page 5

This was the place of rendezvous for the companies
from the three District of Chesterfield, Marlborough and
Darlington. The particular object of the expedition the
Deponent does not recollect. He knows however that the
men from these districts under the command of Major
Robert Lloyd (or Lide or Lord or Loyd pronounced Lide)
marched from Cheraw to Orangeburg, thence to Black
Swamp there to Perrysburg where they stayed about
two weeks when the British from the State of Georgia
came upon them & forced them to flee to Charleston
for safety. They reached Charleston by rapid marching
in time to save themselves. There was an engagement however before they reached Charleston
Genl Moultrie who commanded the Americans detached three hundred picked men to destroy the
Bridge at Coosawhatchie which the Americans had
passed & which the British had yet to pass in their
pursuit of the Americans. This was done as deponent
believes for the purpose of checking the
progress of the British & Securing the retreat of
the Americans. As to this however deponent does
not speak with confidence inasmuch as he was
but a private soldier & his only duty was to obey
orders. He was one of those three hundred who
went back to Coosawhatchie to destroy the Bridge
this they effected. Col. Lawrence (or Lawrens) had
the command of the detachment. He was wounded at the Bridge in the arm by a Ball - his horse was
likewise shot through the hips - As soon as the
Bridge was broke down this detachment hurried on
to overtake the main body which they [handed] in
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doing about ten miles off on the day after the Ames (?) can reached Charleston the British Red Coats came in sight and on that night they kept up a warm fire on the British - the day afternoons a white flag was sent into Charleston by the British Commander demanding a surrender of the town.  No attention was paid to it and they (the British) moved on to Stone Deponent was sent with a detachment to assist General Lincoln in the Battle at Stone but did not reach there in time he got as far as Wappoo Cut and stayed there until the British hath quit Stone and gone to John's Island.  The detachment then returned to Charleston where deponent stayed until he had completed the term of five months when he received his discharge and returned home.  His discharge was handed to him by Capt. Ellerbe but he does not know who signed it.  Deponent saw a great many of the regular soldiers and officers whilst he was in Charleston but doesn't recollect any of their names.  It was no part of his duty to inquire and if he heard without inquiring he has forgotten them and in addition to this there was but little intercourse between the soldiers in the militia and those in the Regular Service.  The next he was drafted was when the British were at Monck's(?) Corner on Cooper River.  He joined General Francis Marion on Santee River  Lenuds Ferry.  He was in a small engagement during this draft.  Deponent was out, (as a mounted militia man) on a short excursion with Col. (?) light horse company when they came across a party of sixteen British who were sent out to (?)
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There they pursued and in the distance of 3 miles succeeded in taking every one of them by killing four.  He knows of nothing else worth relating during this draft which lasted for one month in camps.  The balance of his service as a soldier was of this character.  The militia of Craven County (now called Chesterfield, Darlington and Marlborough Districts) ever divided out these parts who were out successively in camps for one month at a time.  It was so arranged that two thirds of the militia companies were always at home as a protection from the Tories whilst the other third was with General Marion on foreign duty.  He (this deponent) served in this manner between 2 and 3 years always turning out when his duty required it.  At these times he served sometimes under Capt. Alexr McIntosh, Capt. Joseph Jones, Capt. Daniel Sparks and others, whose names he does  not at present recollect.  He was born in Chesterfield District South Carolina on the 11th day of January 1762,  us age was recorded in a book by his father which book was lost on the death of his father.  He has already stated when he live when called into the service and the manner in which he served.  Since the Revolutionary War he has lived in Chesterfield District and Darlington District in the latter of which places he now lives.  He has no documentary evidence of his services.  His discharges he has lost long since not supposing they would ever be of service to him he took but little care of them and has lost them long since.  The general circumstances
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of his services he has also stated according to the best of his recollection dates, he has forgotten, but he has referred to evens which may point to them accurately enough.  He is known to John Powell, Nathan Moor, Caleb Coker, Shadnick Johnson, William Beesely and many other gentlemen of respectability who live in his neighbourood who can testify as to his character for veracity and thus belief of his services as a soldier of the Revolution.  He thereby 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 signed the day and year aforesaid he swears also that Mrs. Cox and Samuel Cox were with him in the Revolutionary War and could testify to his services but he is not able to cure(?) their attendance in court in as much as they live in Marlborough District.  Also that it is out of his power to procure a clergyman to certify to his character.  Thomas Mason a Clergyman resident in his neighbourhood is sick so that he cannot procure his attendance.

Thomas Prestwood
B. J.  Earle
(?) by Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and opinions in open court at Darlington Court hence in the state and district aforesaid
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South Carolina
Darlington District
Personally appeared before me and made oath John Powell, that he has been acquainted with Thomas Prestwood who has submitted and sworn to the above declaration for forty years last - past - that the said Prestwood has maintained a fair and irreproachable character in his neighborhood where he is well known - that he is generally reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that he the said Powell concerns in that opinion sworn to and signed this day and year aforesaid

B. J. Earle
Presiding Judge
as aforesaid

John Powell
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South Carolina 
Darlington District

I, John B. Bruce, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the District and State aforesaid do hereby certify that I am acquainted with john Powell who has subscribed the above affidavit that his statement is entitled to credit, that I am not acquainted with Thomas Prestwood but have full faith as to anything said of him by Mr. John Powell.  I do further certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the court in the matter of the application of Thomas Prestwood for a pension.

Given under my hand and seal of the Court this October 16th 1832
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South-Western Rail-Road Bank,
Charleston 29 March 1853
Received of John C. Cochran, Agent for paying Pensions Twenty one dollars 39 cents, being for 6 months _ days _
Pension, due to Thomas Prestwood from the 4 day of September 1852 to the 4 day of March 1853 for which I have signed duplicate receipts.
Adams Frost
21 39/100

State of South-Carolina,
Charleston District

be it known, that on the 29th day of March 1852, before me, a Notary Public, in and for said District, duly authorized by the laws of the State to administer oaths, personally appeared E. L. Adams the attorney named in the foregoing power of attorney, and made oath that he has no interest whatever in the money he is authorized to receive, by virtue of the foregoing power of attorney, either by any pledge, mortgage, sale, assignment, or transfer, and that he does not know or believe that the same has been so disposed of to any person whatever.

Sworn and Subscribed, the day and year last above mentioned, before me.
John C. Cochran

E. L. Adams
(?)
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1831
March 25 - Presented R. Ingram's (?) Patterson Maywood and see an answer that they have not (?) funds for the (?) said (?) for $90 was then returned to Roll Queen in conformity with his directions without going to the (?) if having it protested - - or appears (?) letter of the above dates.

T. Chapman
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Copy of Ingram's
Draft
Page 14

Darlington S. C. 28 February 1831

$90

Gentlemen

At sight please pay A. A. Galpin or order ninety dollars value and charge the same to the account of Mr/rs Patterson and Magwood Factors Charleston So. Ca.
(?)
Richard Ingram
(Endorsed)
Pay C. W. Dudley or order
Signed A. A. Galpin

Pay to Thomas Chapman without any recourse to me (or order)

C. W. Dudley
Page 15

Thomas Prestwood
5304
So. Ca.

Admit as a private
12 mos 25 days
$42.78

Direct to C. W. Dudley at Marlborough Ct. (?) So. Ca.
Page 16

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Thomas Prestwood which require further proof or explanation.

1.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?

II.  Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?

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?

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 this department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?  (This question not having been marked in the negative with red ink cannot be said to convey an objection.  Should the crop (+) have been intended for that purpose, we reply that the Declaration specifies 12 years 7 months)

VI.  Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

VII.  Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?

VIII.  Has the Court given their opinion?

IX.  Has the Clerk given his certificate?

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?
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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?  No, only one citizen (A clergyman's certificate is now obtained)

XII.  If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?  Yes.

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 applicants 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?  No (We have endeavored to supply all defects of this character which we could discover)

XVII.  Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily?  And, if not, which of them is not so answered?

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 ____ year____ months, and _____days, I served as a _____ For _____months and _____days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.
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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 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 is 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 claimants 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 oath 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 paper 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 office, should accompany the papers.

The papers of W. Prestwood were returned that among other things, he might specify his services by possible in the above paragraph or it has (?) hereto done, he again returned (?)

Apr(?) 4 1834
Page 19

South Carolina
Darlington District
(?) 18??
Common Pleas

We Robert Campbell a Clergyman and Martin Dewitt residing in state and district aforesaid do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Thomas Prestwood who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy one years of age, that he is reputed and beloved in the neighborhood in which he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid 
A.D. Sims
R. Campbell
Martin Dewitt

And the court certifies that it appears to them that Robert Campbell who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in Darlington district So. Ca and that Martin Dewitt who has also signed the same certificate is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.

Richard Gould
Page 20

South Carolina
Darlington District

I, John B. Bruce clerk o the court do also certify that A. B. Sims who has signed this amendment as a Justice of Quorum in such and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts.

The State of South Carolina 
Darling District

I, John B. Bruce Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the District and State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the court in the matter of the application of Thomas Prestwood for a pension.

Given under my hand and seal of office this 22nd day of October 1933.

John B. Bruce
CCPls
Page 21

The State of South Carolina
Darlington District
(?) 1833

I, John B. Bruce Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the District and State aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Court in the matter of the application of Thomas Prestwood for a pension.
Given under my hand and seal of office this 22nd day of October 1833.
John B. Bruce
C. C. Pls.
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7337

INVALID

Rev War

File No. 7337
Thomas Prestwood
Pri. Rev. War

June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. 1st, Page 302

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 23

The State of South Carolina
Darlington District

Thomas Prestwood of the District and State aforesaid appeared before me and made oath to the following facts as an amendment to his Declaration for a pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 that he served under the following named officers and at the time and places stated below.

His first excursion in the war was under Capt. Jacob Johnson in the first part of the year 1799. and not before the Declaration of Independence and States in the original Declaration he knows that this term of his service took place the year before the surrender of Charleston; which by reference to the history of that period will put it in the year 1779.  He served as a private in the militia service into which he was drafted by the said Johnson and went to Fort Johnson and James Island where he was stationed and remained there for forty days; being ten days longer than he was drafted for.  He omitted to mention that Capt. Johnson threw up his commission before he reached Fort Johnson and the Command of his company dissolved upon Capt. Morris Murphy from whom the deponent used his discharge and returned home.  This tour of his service is detailed in original declaration page 1st marked A.

2nd.  His next term of service commenced on the 1st of March 1779 and in the militia as before under Capt. Thomas Ellerbe as detailed in original declaration marked "B".  He served at this time with the last of July in the same year, making a term of five months.

3rd.  In the year 1780 on or about the month of April under the command of Capt. Alexander McIntosh Co. Kolb being the highest officer he served, he served one month and a half in the militia as above.  He was marched down to Georgetown, hence to Santee but the British being at Hadley's
Page 24

Point, prevented them from going to Charleston to join the Americans- they proceeded from thence to Cedar Creek where
they were stationed a short time & from thence proceeded to Murray's Ferry on Santee for the purpose of making another effort to cross the river. Here they were met by
the American forces from Charleston, who informed them that the city was taken, & deponent returned with them
home. 
4th He was not called on again until sometime about the month of Oct 1781 when he served One month under Capt David Sparks in Genl Marion's Camp's on Santee
River as detailed in Original Declaration marked"C"
5th On or about the 1st of Janu 1782 he served one month [underlined] under Capt Joseph Janes in Marion's camp on Santee
River & thereabouts, wherever his mode of warfare ordered it necessary for him to move.
6th One month [underlined] in the same year under Capt Elisha Magee - One month [underlined] under Capt Morris Murphy & One month [underlined] under Capt Danl. Sparks & each time in Genl Marions Camp.
7th by the year 1783, one month[underlined] under Capt Danl. Sparks completed his service in the Revolutionary War amounting in the whole to thirteen months & twenty five days, which he served as a private in the Militia. He also served that for the periods above
mentioned, he served with an embodied Corps, called into service, as he believes by competent authority, that he the Deponent was either in the field or in Garrison
& for the time during which the service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
Sworn to & signed before me this 29 July 1834. } Thomas Prestwood
AM McIver N.Pvt No.2. [illegible]
Page 25

South Carolina
Darlington District

I, John B. Bruce, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the District and State aforesaid do hereby certify that A. I. McIver who has signed this Amendment to Thomas Prestwood's declaration, as a Notary Public and Justice of the Quorum (?), is such and that his official certificate is entitled to credit.

Given under my hand and seal of office this the 30th day of July 1834.

John B. Bruce
C.C.Pls.
Page 26


10
7 June 1832 Thomas Prestwood $21.39
Consecrated files Section, Room 373, Patent Office. [stamped in black ink]
Charleston S.C. 1 No 1853 Box 35 C-228
Page 27

State of South Carolina Darlington District}
Be it known that before me Charles B Fort
a Magistrate in and for the District aforesaid 
personally appeared Thomas Prestwood and made oath in due form of law, that he is
the identical person named in an original certificate in his possession of which I certify, the following is a true copy
War Department, Revolutionary claim, I certify that in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June 1832 Thomas
Prestwood of the State of South Carolina who was a private in the War of the Revolution is entitled to receive Forty two dollars and Seventy eight cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the fourth of March 1831 and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September in every
year. Given at the War Office of the United States this Seventh day of August One
thousand eight hundred and thirty four
Examined and countersigned
John Forsyth Acting Secretary of War
J L Edwards Commissioner of Pensions
that he now resides in Chesterfield District and has resided there for the space of Sixteen years past, and that previous thereto he resided in the same District and Darlington
Sworn and subscribed this Eighteenth day of March 1853before me
Charles B. Fort- Magistrate
Witness C. Coker
Thomas Prestwood ["his x mark" seal in center]
Page 28

State of South Carolina District of Darlington⎬.18th March 1853.
Charles B. Fort a Magistrate in the District above named do hereby certify that I have the most satisfactory evidence from personal knowledge, that Thomas Prestwood who has
this day appeared before me, to take the oath of identity is the identical person named in the Pension Certificate, which he has exhibited to me numbered 27878, and bearing date at the War Office the Seventh day of August 1834 and signed by John Forsyth Acting Secretary of War Given under my hand at Society Hill on the day and year above written
Charles B. Fort Magistrate
I E B Brunson Clerk of the Court of Darlington District certify that Charles B Fort is a Magistrate as above and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is
genuine, In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office and subscribed
my name this twenty first day of March in the year 1853
E B Brunson
Page 29

Know all men by these presents that I Thomas Prestwood of ┃
South Carolina a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States
do hereby constitute and appoint Major Adams & Frost my
true and lawful Attorney, for me and in my name to receive
from the agent of the United States for paying Pensions in Charleston
South Carolina, my Pension from the fourth of September 1852 to the
fourth of March 1853. Witness my hand and seal this 18th day of March 1853
Sealed and delivered in presence of C. Coker
Thomas Prestwood [ "his x mark" signed in center] [ seal applied] 
State of South Carolina Darlington District} Be it known that on the Eighteenth
day of March 1853, before the subscriber a Magistrate in and for
said District personally appeared Thomas Prestwood above
named and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his
act and deed. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
the day and year above mentioned
Charles B. Fort- Magistrate