Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18,910, for Robert Jordon, South Carolina
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8-1776
SERVICE | NUMBER
S.C.  | Jordon, Robert | S 18910
Carded
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32747
South Carolina
Robert Jordon dec'd
of Darlington dist in the State of  So. Carolina
who was a pr. Sergt & Qr Mar in the __ commanded by Captain __ of the __ commanded by __ in the Revolution line for __

Inscribed on the Roll of Charleston at the rate of 61 Dollars 58 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 & end 16th April 1837, when he died. Certificate of Pension issued the 2nd day of July 1850 and sent to Hon. I. McQueen, H.R. 

Arrears to the 4th __

Semiannual allowance ending __

Payable to only child, viz Sarah Copeland

Revolutionary claim,
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by J. P. Chase Clerk,
Book 3 Vol. 6 Page 70

[opposite]
Reposted
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State of South Carolina
Darlington District
On this Twenty fourth day of August -- in the year of Our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and forty nine personally appeared before the undersigned Judge of the Court of Ordinary for the District of Darlington in the State of South Carolina in open Court of the said Ordinary now sitting Mrs Sarah Copeland a resident of Darlington District in the State of South Carolina aged sixty one years 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 June 7th 1832.
That she is the daughter and only surviving heir at law of Robert Jordon deceased; That he the said Robert Jordon deceased entered the service of the United States under the following named Officers and served as herein stated in the war of the Revolution That he enlisted first for the period of six months
as private in the Company Commanded by either Captain Francis Marion or Captain Peter Horry in the summer of the year 1775 in the Second South Carolina Continental Regiment. That he continued in the service under Francis Marion, who was promoted to a Major's Rank and afterward to that of Colonel & General. That said Robert Jordon deceased was at the Battle of Fort Moultrie on Sullivan's Island near Charleston - was present and saw Jasper replace the flag of America, as he has told this Deponent - That after that Battle and in the year 1779 he served as a private horseman about one month and about one month as sergeant of horse and
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about four months as sergeant of foot in the same year; That in the year 1781 he served in the Spring and Summer about six months and better as Sergeant of horse in Captain Garvin's Company, Colonel Hardin's Regiment; That in the Spring of 1782 he served two months, one month in June & one in November in General Francis Marion's Brigade; That in February 1783 he served one month as sergeant and in May of sam eyear served as Quarter Master one month both in General Marion's Brigade; That Captain John Tamplet was one of his Officers; That this Deponent has been informed that the said Robert Jordon deceased served throughout the war and discharged his duty to his Country faithfully being generally under the command of General Francis Marion who was pervading the Swamps of South Carolina in pursuit of the British and Tories; That he was with General Francis Marion when he attacked a party of British soldiers in the Pee Dee Swamp and in which action this Deponent recollects having heard her father the aforesaid Robert Jordon deceased say that after the British had been defeated one of them was found dead with his hand of cards firmly clinched; That he was in many Battles and skirmishes in the lower part of South Carolina He was also marched after the British when they evacuated Charleston South Carolina; That at the commencement of the war her father lived in Horry District near George Town South Carolina & after its close in Sumter District of said state; That he died there on the sixteenth day of April in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty seven (16th day of April 1837) That he left no widow
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his wife having died in 1809. That he never applied for the benefit of the Acts of Congress during his lifetime That he and his wife were married just before teh breaking out of the War of the Revolution. She hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension except the present as also every annuity and declares that his or her name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any state. Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid

Before me 
[signature] D.S. Law O.D.D.

 Sarah Copeland
her mark X
[illegible]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter That the above named Robert Jordon was a Revolutionary soldier That he served as stated. And teh Court doth hereby further certify that Sarah Copeland the Declarant above is a person to whose statements upon oath are due full faith and credit ; That she is the only surviving heir at law of Robert Jordon deceased;  That it has been proven clearly to the satisfaction of this Court that the said Robert Jordon deceased died on the sixteenth day of April Eighteen hundred and thirty-seven leaving no widow. 
Given under my hand and seal of Office this twenty fourth day of August in the year of Our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and Forty nine
[seal]
[signature] D.S. Law O.D.D.
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No 37492
Robert Jordon C
SC
Act of June 32
Aug '49
A.
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THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
BY HIS EXCELLENCY
Whitemarsh B. SeaBrook
GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF IN AND OVER THE STATE AFORESAID:
To all whom these presents shall come.

Know ye that D.S. Law whose seal and signature appear to his certificate on the Declaration hereunto annexed is & was, at the time of signing: Judge of the Court of Ordinary for the Darlington District; & as such by law entitled to the custody of original wills and Records of said Court & that his certificate is in due form
Therefore, all due faith, credit, and authority is and ought to be had and given to his proceedings and certificates as such.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused to be affixed the Seal of the State, in the Town of Columbia the Sixth day of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty nine and in the Seventy fourth year of the Independence of the United States of America.

BY THE GOVERNOR
[signature] Whitemarsh B. Seabrook

[signature] B. K. Henagan
SECRETARY OF STATE.
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18910
INVALID
File No. 18910
Robert Jordon
QT Master Rev War
Act: June 7 32
Index: - Vol. 1, page 385
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 9

[illegible ]
W. Allison

J. L.Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington

Ap 22/50

Robt Gordon, SC-
[illegible] act 32
changed to Wm Triplett
April 9 - 1880 not
[illegible - transcribed a few legible words]

activ...  his paper
did not accompany
[illegible ]
& than    never sus
before
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W 37692
Robert Jordan dw
SC
Letter James A Black 13th Nov 1849


Act 7 June  32
Page 11

House of Representatives 19th April 1850

To:  J.L. Edwars
Commisioner of Pension

Sir: 

In the application of Sarah  Copeland for a pension, I have ascertained that the Commissioner objects to allowing a pension on the following grounds, viz.

1st.  That Jordan lived until 1837 without applying'\
2nd  That theyre is a discrepancy in the statements made by Ephm Gandy in his own application of this case,
3rd   That the time of Jorday's death is not satisfactoriy shown.

As to te first objection, I respectively submit that Jordan was {  } an ignorant man - he lived in the part of the County having little communication with the world or familiarity with  public matters and was certainly not likely to have much knowledge of rthe penison laws.  The community among whom he lived on a domestic planting people remote from town or villages where public matters are generally known and spoken of amongst those few applications for pensions have ben made of [ ] living within the range of General Marions operations, but few of them older inhabitants (who were not Tori's) were not able, some times ,engaged in the Revolution and them who were Tories and their childred after them have generally been
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too well known and marked was to be likely to obtain certificates such as would likely to inform on the government. Indeed it would not be a matter of surprise to me had Jordan lived to this day without having applied for a penision, but it would surprise me if a woman living  where Mrs. COopeland does  [meant] to engage corruptly in an enterprise of this character.
 
One not familiar with that region of the country, can scarcely appreciate my views in this repsect, whilst we have education and intellignets throughtout the county [that] great varieties of soil and natural advantages, causing in many places sparsely settled families who[ ] more remote and secluded from pointsof [man] intelligence.


As to the second objection, I know Ephraim Gandy and he is considered when he was living as a revolutinary soldier.  He is now estimated to be about 108 years old, and it would not at all seem to me  surprising that after so great a lapse of time, there should be a discrepancy in his statements made at a long interval as to paticular tours of service or evenets.  Few men, not aided by letters or written memoranda can even after ten years, acurately describe the time of a  Journey, its incident or accidents with precision, yet they could well recollect they made a journey, about how long it took them and their companions

Very few indeedd (if any) after the lapse of 70 years could so well recollect the service of [ ] campaigns or their incidents or to narrate them without error & yet we can well imagine they would very well recollect they served in the war, about how long and who their companions were
Proper evidence for our government in most human transactions is s least but that which leads to a rational judgement
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and in order to arrive at substantial justice, the law () can contemplate () or other than  that which settles. upon our minds a resonable conviction, giving to the laws of natur, as w ell as the Law civil, their due consideration in our investigation, and taking the whole of the facts & circumstances together.

That Mrs. Gandy may have erred in stating they served in light-horse company at  any particular service or in any town, when no dragoon service can in fact be found in
that command, may likely enough be so, for as is well known many of the companies in Carolina were often Mountain Companies, mounted on their own horsese  travelling over large spaces in quick and rapid movements and yet not attached to dragoon services as they might have called themsselves and were ranked as such in reports  or otrher registry of their services or character

It would seem  to me exceedingly unjust that an old man over 100 years enjoying the confidence of those who knew him for some discrepenies in his narrative of services so long ago rendered sand that, too, is   well know in Carolina, at intervals of rest and services as the emergening of this  timing reauired, should be discredited & his statment, in a matter in which he cannot be presumed to have a personal interest entirely disregarded'  Be this  as it may however it seems to me there is ample testimony, exclusive of Gandy's  in this case to entitle Mrs.. Copeland has shown herself to be a person entitled to full faith and credit.  She has sworn to her declaration, and if she is to be believed, she has made out her case, but when this unquestionable evidence from the controlling officer is added, it does seem to me she has made it double secure even though Gandys statement rejected upon which I have given my views above. 

Upon the  3rd objection I cannot well conceive how the death of Jordan could  be better established.  D.S Law is the Judge of the Court of ordinary in his district. His jurisdictin is that of the court of ordinary in England, except so far as it  has been modified by the legislature of South Carollina to commissioner of property within this country
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It is his particular office to grant letters of administration & testamentary in all cases of death in his District.  He also makes distribution of all personal estates, except when the parties go into a Court of Chancery, having concurrent jurisdiction in this, latter, respect & no other functionary is so competent to certify as to the death of a citizen or should be more competent as to heirs entitled to the Estate.
     He has certified in this instance under his seal of office that Sarah Copeland is a woman of truth - that she is the only surviving heir of Robert Jordan, and that it has been clearly proven before him that Robert Jordan died on the 16th of April 1837.  In my involvement his certificate is much better than that of the ordinary magistrates of the country many of whom are incompetent to understand the degrees of kindred & heirship, whilst the office of the ordinary is a highly important & responsible one, he alone can grant letters of administer or admit wills to probate in the first instance & when there is no will or administration by others he is by law obliged to take charge of & administer derelict estates for the benefit of creditors or absent or incompetent heirs.
     I know Mr. Law personally whose name appears to the certificate & should not entertain a suspicion of wrong or falsehood connected with it.  I had no personal knowledge of Mr. Jordan, nor have I of Mrs. Copeland the papers remitted by me to the department were sent to me by Mr. Black of Columbia who informed me as to the residence of Mrs. Copeland.  I know the region in which she lives.  It is in my Congressional District, and I only desire that substantial justice shall be done her.  In which I believe she should be allowed a pension.
     All of which is respectfully submitted.
                       Your obt Srvt
                           Jno McQueen
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The State of South Carolina)
Darlington District              )
personally appeared before me Thos Atkinson one of the Magistrates in & for said District.  Ephram Gandy aged one hundred & six years who being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath makes the following statements that he was well acquainted with the late Robert Jordon deceased of Sumter District and had been during the Revolutionary War & that he was married to his wife who died about the year 1809, before the Revolutionary War.  As this deponent then knows then that among the first who responded to the calls of their country was Robt Jordon aforesaid who enlisted for six months that this deponent served two tours of duty of eight months each with said Jordan, was his comrade and was with him at Battle of Fort Moultrie in 1776 that said Robt Jordan served most of the war was a Sergeant & always conducted himself creditably & valiantly in the American cause that this deponent is certain he must of served five years during that struggle that Mrs. Sarah Copeland is his only surviving heir.  That said Robt Jordon was mostly under General Morran in said War.  That this deponent is not interest in any amount which Mrs. Sarah Copeland may recover as his said heir.
Sworn to before the this 17th day of August 1849
Thos. Atkinson, Magst.               his
                                      Ephraim X Gandy
                                                   mark

I said Magistrate do hereby certify that Ephraim Gandy the deponent above is a person whose statements upon oath are due full faith & credit given under my hand & seal this 17th day August 1849
                      (signed) Thos Atkinson, Magst.
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South Carolina)
Darlington District)

     I E. B. Brunson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & Genl Sessions for the District of Darlington in the state aforesaid do hereby certify that Tho Atkinson whose signature is affixed within is one of the acting and qualified magistrates of said District Panel and that his act, as such are entitled to full faith and credit.
     Given under my hand and seal of office at Darlington Courthouse this 20th day of August A. D. 1849.
                                E. B. Brunson
                                C. C. for & G. L.

(handwritten)
37692
Aug '49
B.
Page 17

Jas A Black
on Pension claim
Mrs Copeland


9
Page 18

Columbia S.C.
1 Mar. 1850

Genl. Jno. McQueen
Dear Sir,
I wrote you sometime since enclosing a Report of Commr. o f Pensions on the claim of Mrs. Copeland of Darlington Dist. as heir at Law of Sergt. Robt. Jordon & also a certificate from the Comptroller Genl's Office here showing his service - since that I have not heard from the claim - I wish you if you sent in that evidence to urge on Commr. a report on the claim soon and if you still have his former report please enclose it to me Please let me hear from you soon and then oblige Mrs. Copeland and 
Yours very respectfully 
James A. Black
att'y at Law
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Columbia So. Ca. Sept. 12th. '49
Col. James L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Sir,
Please find herewith enclosed the Declaration of Sarah Copeland daughter of Robert Jordon decd. under Act 7th June 1832.
The portion of duty performed by Robt Jordon in Capt. Marion's or Capt.. Horry's Company 2d Regt. S.C. Continental Line will appear on your Rolls - The testimony of Ephraim Gandy is enclosed. Gandy is a U.S. Pensioner and his credibility is fully established by Magistrate's certificate - In due time other testimony will be forwarded your Department.
I have the honor
to be very respectfully
Your obt. Sevt.
James A. Black
for Sarah Copeland
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Department of the Interior
June 28. 1850

Sir.
I herewith return the papers in th ecase of Sarah Copeland the only child of Robet Jordan, deceased, under the Act of June 7th 1832 and I am of opinion that the claim should be allowed for 
1 Month and 4 days as Quarter Master
6 Months and 1 day as Sergeant
4 Months and 27 days as Private
The certificate of Pension should be sent to the Hon. J. H. McQueen House of Representatives
I am very respectfully
Your Obt Servant
(signed) J. Ewing
Secretary

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Commr of Pensions
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Comptroller Genl's Office
Columbia S.C.
Dec. 28th 1849

No. 430
Book P
Issued the 4th May 1785 to Mr. Robert Jordon for Four pounds 1 S 4 sterling for military Duty in Genl. Marion's Brigade in 1782 as per acct audited
Principal £ 4:1:4- No. 8 Annual Interest £ _5.81/4

No. 430 Book P
The inside of the account 430 Book P states 60 days duty at 15.5 per day Feby 15th 1782 31 days Jun 27 - 30 days Nov. 16th - Sworn to by Robt Jordon 14 Aug 1783 before John Baxter & paid by virtue of order to Wm Hemmingway. There is also a certificate from "P. Horry Comr G [illegible]" that he had rec'd Robt Jordon's apc. for 121 days of duty to deliver to the auditor's Office.

No. 538
Book V
Issued the 20 of August 1785 to Mr. Robert  Jordan for eleven pounds five shillings and four pence farthing sterling for 65 days duty in the militia in 1782 & 1783 as pr account audited -
Principal £11.5.41/4 - Annual interest £0.15.9
No. 62

No. 538 Lib V.
This account states 34 days duty as Qr. Master May 16th 1782 pr Mr. Edwards rect & 30 days as Sergeant Feby 15th 1783 pr Genl Marion's rect - Enclosed is an order from Jno. Tamplet Captain appointing 28 Augt. 1780 as day on which Chas. & Jacob White being in the "first draught" were to march This directed to Robert Jordon - The apc. is sworn to before John Baxter 6th Sept. 1784.
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N 500
Lib H
Issued 26th August 1785 to Mr. Robert Jordon for six pounds 75/00 for duty as private & Sergt. in 1779 per account from the Commissioners Principal L 6:70 10 annual interest Lo 8511
__________
No 500
Lib X This ap states 30 days duty as Sergeant of foot & 6 days as private on horseback in 1779.
_____________
No 809
Lib Y Issued 31 Decr 1785 to Mr. Robt. Jordon for L42.17.17 1 1/2 stg. militia duty as a Sergeant in 1779 & 1780 p account and No 96 Principal L 42:17:1 1/2 - Interest L1:19:11
___________ 
809Y This apc states 120 days & duty as a Sergt. of foot in 1779, 200 days as same of horse in 1781 commencing 10th May in Capt. Garvin's Company, Colo. Hardins Regt and contains an order dated Nov, 2d 1785 in favor of John Jonson: signed by Robert Jordon & acknowledged before Thomas Knight J. P.
__________
I do hereby certify the foregoing to be a true copy from the Original Record of this office and that the remarks in red ink are mine and correct as warranted by said Records.

                         For Comptroller Genl
                          W. L. Arthur (signed)
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Columbia So Ca:
March 22d 1850

Sir

Please inform me whether Gen. Jno
McQueen one of our members in Congress
has not sent wit your office
a certificate from the Comptroller
Genl Office in the claim of 
Mrs Copeland heir of Lt - Robt Jordan
such certificate was forwarded
him sometime since and I would
like to have a further report
on the claim,
I am
Very respectfully
yr obt. Servt

James A. Black
for Mrs Copeland


Hon J.L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 24

Robert Jordon decd
S. Carolina
---
admitted

1 m     4 d  [illegible]   $15. 10
6 "       1  "   Segt              30.16
4  "      27     Pr -               16.32
                                               _____
                                           $61.58

from 6 March 1831 to 16 April 1837 when
he died,

Payable to Sarah
Copeland only child

Act 7 June 32

1

Hon. J. H. McQueen
H.R.