Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 6025, for William Shields, South Carolina
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( 3-1776 ) SERVICE N.C. S.C. Shields, William Mary H  NUMBER W 6025
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( left page ) 3395 North Carolina Mary H Shields widow of William Shields who was a private in the N.C. Line . Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1843. Certificate of Pension issued the  7th day of December 1863 and sent to W. F. Davidson Charlotte, N.C. [ Act of March 3, 1843 ] Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 205 ( right page ) Dead Letter to Agt Nov 26, 1846 Let. to Hon. G. B. Caldwell  July 22, 1841. Let. to  Hon G .B. Caldwell Dec. 22, 1841
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Declaration  In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th  July 1838 entitled " an act  granting half pay and pensions to certain widows "   [ State of N. Carolina Mecklenburg County ] On this 2nd day of February  1841 personally appeared before the subscriber Matthew Wallace one of the justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the County of Mecklenburg aforesaid, Mary H Shields a resident of said County  aged seventy eight years. who being duly sworn according to law  doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 7th  1838 - entitled " An act granting half pay  and pensions to certain widows " . That she is the widow  of William Shields dec'd  who was a private in the  American Army during the Revolution and  served as a volunteer under Capt. William Alexander in Genl.  Tillington's brigade three months, as will more fully appear from the enclosed certificate of Capt. Wm Alexander himself - he also served a campaign in  Hampton's regiment under Genl. Sumpter - She further declares that she was married to the said William Shields on the 3rd day of January seventeen hundred & eighty four in the County of Mecklenburg aforesaid, and that he husband the aforesaid William Shields died on the 5th day of October 1823 , that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January  seventeen hundred and ninety four or at the time above stated. Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written before Matt. Wallace ( signed ) J.P.  Jno Kirk ( signed )  Mary H. Shields ( her mark X )
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I, John Gardner of the County of Mecklenburg and State opf N. Carolina  certify that I was acquainted with Wm Shields before and during the war of the Revolution we served ten months together in Hampton's  Regiment under Genl. Sumpter & William Alexander was our Captain , the service we rendered together was principally in the upper part of South Carolina suppressing the tories - we served together ten months in that campaign. I have frequently heard  Williams Shields say  that he was in service at the battle of the hanging rock. I knew Wm Shields until is death. we were near neighbors and I believe he was legally married to  Mary Houston about the term stated in the declaration above. Sworn to and subscribed in due form of law this 2nd day of February 1841 before Mat. Wallace ( signed ) J.P. John Gardner ( signed X )   Declaration of the Rev. John Robinson D.D.   [ State of North Carolina Cabbarus County ] John Robinson a Minister of the Gospel appeared personally this day and made oath before me an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County. That the facts set forth in the foregoing declaration of Mary H. Shields widow of the late William Shields of Mecklenburg County are substantially true and to his own knowledge they were legally married on the 3rd day of January 1784 - that her maiden name was Mary Houston and that they lived together as man and wife until the death of said William Shields which took place on the 5th day of October 1823 - And furthermore it was a well known fact that said Shields was a soldier in several campaigns during the War of the Revolution . Sworn to and subscribed this 5 day of February 1841 . Jno Robinson ( signed ) Charles W. Harris ( signed ) J..P.
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auF
Rev and 1812 
Wars Section.
January 31, 1927

Mrs D J Humming
Brownstown
Ind

Madam

I have to advise you from papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim W 6025, it appears that William Shields served a tour of three months in Captain William Alexander's North Carolina Company, and was discharged March 24, 1780; he also served ten months in Colonel Wade Hamptons' South Carolina Regiment, and was in the battle of Hanging Rock, no specific dates of the service gien.
He died October 5, 1823, date of birth not stated.
Soldier married January 3, 1784 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Mary Houston.
She was allowed pension on her application executed February 2, 1841, while a resident of Mecklen-
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burg County, North Carolina, aged seventy-eight years.
There is no further data on file as to family.
The above noted William Shields 
the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau, who served in the North Carolina Troops.
Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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( left page ) Revy WIDOW, &c. File No . 6025 Mary H Shields Wid  Wm Shields Pvt. N.C. line Act : Mch 3rd / 43 Index: - Vol. M Page 205  ( Arrangement of 1870.) ( right page ) 1927 Jan . 21 Hist to Mrs. D.J. Humming ans/
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Wm Shields N.C. S.C.  W. 6025
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X
This is to certify that William Shields has faithfully served out his tour of Duty of three Months in General Illington Borgade 
to the south word
Charlestown
March 24 1780
Will Alexander Capt 
X
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N.C. Wid F 6025 Wm Shields
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18th Augt 1782 Mr. Barnett of the Warren's Well be pleased to deliver to Wm Shields of Col. W. Hampton's  the Negro fellow which he has belonging to the Public - Thos Sumter ( signed )
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N.C. S.C. Wm. Shields W. 6025 Dis. & order of Thos Sumter
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( left page ) 6566 North Carolina Mary H. Shields widow of William Shields and who died on the 5 October 1823 of Mecklenburg Co. in the  State of N. Carolina who was a Private in the company commanded by  Captain Alexander of the regt commanded by Col. Tillington in the N.C. line for 13 months.  Inscribed on the Roll of North Carolina at the rate of 43 Dollars 33 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March 1836, Certificate of Pension issued  the 2nd day of March 1842 and sent to Hon. G.W. Caldwell  House of Representatives. Arrears to the 4th of March 1841 $ 216.65 { Act July 7, 1838} Recorded by D. Brown Clerk. Book A . Vol. 2. Page 189 ( right page ) Agent notified
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No. 7908 Mary Shields widow of William Shields  North Carolina Let to Hon. G. W. Caldwell  July 22, 1848 to same 22 Dec. '41  Act 7 July 1838
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Mary Shields Wid of William N.C. July 7, 1838 married 1784 died 1823 Allow 13 mo for $ 43.33 per ann. Capt. Alexander Col. Tillington NC Militia & S Ca line Hon G.W. Caldwell H of Reps
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free G.W. Caldwell  J.L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington ( vertical notes ) ( No 7908 N.C. July 21 1841 Mary H. Shields ) ( Hon. G.W. Caldwell HR )
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Ho of Rep. July 1841 Dear Sir Enclosed you will find the declaration of Mrs. Mary Shields  accompanied  I suppose with  evidence sufficient to enable her to draw a pension. But should there be any  defect in any of the evidence, or considerance not sufficient, you will please inform me as soon as convenient and you will very much oblige your friend Your obt. servt G.W. Caldwell ( signed )
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Mary Shields
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Ho . of Reps Feb. 28. 1842 J L Edwards Com. of Pensions Enclosed you will  receive the declaration of Mary Shields relative to the loss of her Family records - I have certified on the back of the declaration as to the credibility of the Rev'd John Robinson - I  presume the evidence is now complete. Your most respectfully G.W. Caldwell (s igned )
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( post mark ) [ CHARLOTTE N.C. AUG 4 ] J.L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City  ( vertical notes ) ( 3859 Aug 21 1843 D, B,C, Mch 3rd 1843 Mary H Shields )
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Charlotte N.C. Augt 18th 1843  Sir I send you enclosed the declaration of Mary H Shields under the Act of 1843. Very  Respectfully your obt. servt. W.F. Davidson ( signed ) P.S. Should you have any difficulty about Mrs. Emerson's claim please call on James H Black  Esq. who is now in the Treasury Department in the City - He is personally acquainted with her. W. F. D.
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I, Mary Shields of the County of Mecklenburg and State of N. Carolina do solemnly declare that the record  containing the date of my marriage with my late husband  William Shields is lost and cannot be found. February 18th 1842. Mary Shields ( her mark X ) test Jno Kirk ( signed )  Personally appeared before me Abner Hunter  one of the Justices of said County Mary Shields widow of William Shields dec'd  and being duly qualified according to law  doth on her oath  say that the above declaration is true - viz - that she has lost her family record containing the date of her marriage with William Shields, and that it cannot be found.  Given under my hand this 18th day of February  A.D. 1842. Abner Hunter ( signed ) JP
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[ State of North Carolina Mecklenburg County ] I, C.T. Alexander  Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions  for Mecklenburg County  do hereby certify that  Abner Hunter is a Justice of the Peace duly qualified to act in said County and that the signature within purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have  hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of Office at office this 22nd day of February 1842. C.T. Alexander ( signed ) C.C.C.    I certify that the Rev'd John Robinson who has given testimony as to the marriage of Mary Shields is a man of high character & entitled to full credit. Feb. 21 1842. G.W. Caldwell Washington City D.C. ( vertical note ) ( Hon. G.W. Caldwell HR )
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Shields m 1784 d 1823 13 mo.
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X [ State of North Carolina Mecklenburg County ] October the first 1841 This day presently aforesaid before me one of the subscribing  judges of said County  John Gardner after being sworn according to law  deposes and saith on oath  ... ( illegible ) deposition that the ten months service was in the year  seventeen eighty one  to the best of is recollection and he further saith  Friday's fort was taken during the said ten months service and also fort Thomson and in addition  Bringbury and the Eutaw. John Gardner ( signed X ) Abner Hunter ( signed ) JP  [ State of North Carolina Mecklenburg County ] I C.T. Alexander Clerk of  Mecklenburg Court of Pleas a& Quarter Sessions  do hereby certify that Abner Hunter the subscriber to the above is an acting Justice for the County aforesaid and that his signature above is genuine. C. T. Alexander ( signed ) C.C.C.
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N.C. Hon G.W. Caldwell HR N.C.
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X I, Thomas Alexander of the County of Mecklenburg and state of N. Carolina do hereby certify that I was personally acquainted with William Shields during the Revolution both of us being born and raised in the same neighborhood. And I know that Shields served a tour of ten  months in a company commanded by my brother Capt. William Alexander in Col. Wade Hampton's  Regiment. I went in the year 1784 to the best of my recollection went several times during said service to Col Hampton's camp to see my brother, once while they were encamped near the Congaree, between that &  ninety six  and I started again with one of my neighbors to  visit my brother while said Regiment was encamped at Rocky Mount and we had gone as far as the Catawba river where we met Genl. Sumter's army  crossing the river for the  purpose of attacking the British at the Hanging Rock. I there saw said Shields & my brother and several others of my neighbors - my companion and regiment with the army  to the   Hanging Rock and joined in the conflict - my companion was wounded in the shoulder which rendered him unfit for further service - and I brought him  to the hospital in Charlotte soon after the battle was over. I saw William Shields whenever  I visited Hampton's encampment  during the ten months service, and I fought with him at the battle of the Hanging Rock. Wm Shields brought home a negro boy at the expiration of the ten months campaign which he said he obtained as a compensation  in part for his services.
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I was then living in the same neighborhood with Shields. I further state that I know William Shields and his wife were legally married after the tern of service expired- the precise time I cannot recollect. Sept. 21st 1841. Thos. Alexander ( signed  X )  I James H Orr  one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Mecklenburg  do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Thomas Alexander and have no hesitation in saying that his statements are entitled to full credit. Nov 28th 1841.  J. H. Orr ( signed ) JP  [ State of North Carolina Mecklenburg County ] I , C.T. Alexander  Clerk of the Court of Pleas  & Quarter Sessions  do certify that James H. Orr is an acting  Justice of the Peace for the County & State aforesaid and that his signature is genuine. Nov 29th 1841 C.T. Alexander ( signed ) C.C.C.
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No 7908 Mary Shields wid of William N.C.  Hon. G.W. Caldwell HR
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X I certify that I was personally acquainted with William Shields before and during the war of the Revolution , and that I served with him  ten months in Hampton's  Regiment under Genl. Sumter - Feb 23rd 1841 Thos. Alexander ( signed X ) I certify that I am personally acquainted with Mary Shields and can sagely say  that from her present situation she is not able to attend Court from bodily infirmity. Aug 29th 1841 . Abner Hunter ( signed ) JP  I do certify that I am personally acquainted with John Gardner & Thomas Alexander  & have been for forty years . I know  them to be men of good character & that full faith & credit is due to their signatures & statements at all times . Given under my hand  June 11th 1841. Matw. Wallace ( signed )  I Braly Oates Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions held for the County of Mecklenburg State of North Carolina do certify that  Abner Hunter  & Matthew Wallace are magistrates as above & that  the signatures purporting to be theirs  are genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed my seal of office this 11th June 1841. B. Oates ( signed ) clk
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I, Reid P. Harris Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions  for the County of Cabarrus  & State of South Carolina do certify that Charles  W Harris  Esq. is a Magistrate as aforesaid and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of my office at Concord this 12 day of June 1841 and the 65th year of  our independence. Reid P. Harris ( signed ) clk
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3859 Mary H Shields $ 43.33 W.F. Davidson Charlotte N.C.
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[ State of N. Carolina Mecklenburg County ] On this 16th day of June  A.D. 1843 personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace  in and for said County Mary H. Shields a resident of Mecklenburg County N. Carolina aged eighty one years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by  the act of Congress passed on the 3rd  March 1843 granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war. That she is the widow off William Shields who was a Private in the war of the Revolution, and the annual amount of the pension  she received under Act of July 7th 1838 was forty three dollars and thirty three cents. She further declares that she is still a widow . Sworn to  and subscribed on the day and year above written before me Abner Hunter ( signed ) JP  Mary H. Shields ( her mark X ) And I do hereby certify that Mary H. Shields mark, signer of the above declaration  is personally known to me - June 16th 1843  Abner Hunter ( signed ) JP  I, Charles T. Alexander Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Mecklenburg  County  certify that Abner Hunter is a Justice of the Peace 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 30th day of June A.D.1843. C.T. Alexander ( signed ) C.C.C.
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Brownstown Ind
11-20-26

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC
[stamped
PENSION 
U NOV S
23
1926
OFFICE]

Sir
Will you kindly send me the war record of Wm Shields who served in the revolutionary war from North Carolina I want this in order to complete my DAR record
Sincerely Mrs DJ Cumming
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THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES Form VAM 51 12-5-41  bounty land warrant record card Division of Veterans
BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD
NAME Shierman, John GRADE Private LINE New Jersey

WARRANT NUMBER 8731  ACREAGE 100 ISSUED September 18, 1799
to Abraham Bell, assignee

The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates.  Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.