Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 11,875, Bates Wrenn, Va.
Page 1

Service:
VA

Wrenn, Bates
Wren

Number: 
R11.875
Page 2

Bates Wrenn

Return 

5. 
Jnt.
1.2.4.6.7

P-2/3

Jan 24. 33

Hon G. McDuffie
Page 3

BRIEF in the case of Bates Wrenn
District of Edgefield in the State of South Carolina 
(Act 7th June, 1832.)

1.	Was the declaration made before a court or judge? Court
2.	If before a judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? -----
3.	How old is he? 42
4.	State his service as directed in the form annexed: 

Period: 
In 1780 July

Declaration of Service: 
Years Months Days, 

From the months of May 1780 until the capture of Cornwallis

Rank: 
As a 
Private

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served: 
Capt. Mabry, Col. David Mayson, Major John Lucus, Gen. Greene

5.	In what battles has he engaged? Yorktown, Guilford C.H. 
6.	Where did he reside when he entered the service? Greensville City, VA
7.	Is his statement supported by living witness, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary
8.	Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? And if so, in what respect? Correct

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned. 

F. Waugh 
Examining Clerk
Page 4

State of South Carolina
Edgefield District

On this eighteenth day of January in the year of our Lord 1842, personally appeared in Open Court before one John Belton O’Neal, one of the judges of the said state, now sitting in and for the said District Bates Wrenn of the district and State aforesaid aged eighty one years the 16 sept last, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the pension made by the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. 
That in May 1780, the declarant entered the service as a private and as a substitute for his father James Wrenn, in the militia company of Captain Mabry, which company was attached to the Regiment commanded at the time by Col. David Mayson and Major John Lucas. The Declarant was born in Greenville County, State of Virginia on the 16th of September 1780, according to a family record which is in his possession; and was residing in said county when he entered the army. 
He cannot pretend to unerring precision in the statement of events so long transpired, he therefore only states some of the most prominent facts and events. He marched first to Petersburg—therein to Hicksford—from therein to Halifax, and from Halifax to Guilford. After having remained at Halifax for some time he was engaged in the battle of Guilford Court House and continued to do active duty until Oct. 1781. He was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at York Town. Immediately after which event, he was discharged but can not remember from whom he received his
Page 5

Discharge or what has become of it. The declarant continued to reside in Virginia about twelve years after his discharge, he then removed to North Carolina, Halifax County where he served eight years from then he removed to the State of Georgia, Colombia County where he resided eight years—then he removed to South Carolina Edgefield District, where he has continued to reside ever since. 
	Of the regular officers with whom the declarant remembers General Green and Col Washington--he cannot recollect any continental or other regiment by name. 
	He refers to the following gentlemen who are acquainted with him to testify as to his veracity, and state there belief as to whether he served as a soldier of the Revolution
 JP Carrol Esq, James Terry, Col John Hill and Col. James Tompkins. In the absence of better proof he begs leave to submit the annexed certificate of Allen Melton who is the son of Elisha Melton who is the only man the declarant remembers to have been in South Carolina who served with him. 
Sworn and Subscribed he day and year above written before
John Belton O’Niell 
Bates Wrenn
Page 6

South Carolina 
Edgefield District

I do hereby certify that I have frequently heard my father John Melton during his lifetime say that he served in the Revolutionary war with Bates Wrenn the present applicant

Allen Melton
Page 7

At which capture this deponent was that the deponent was at the Battle of Guilford, and from the period of the Battle of Guilford (crossed out words) under that command of the  (crossed out words)
Page 8

There being the clergyman near this place and acquainted with the declarant, we whose names are subscribed being citizens of the District and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that we are acquainted with Bates Wrenn who has sworn and subscribed the above declaration, that we believe him to be eighty one years of age, that he is respected and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and we concur that opinion. 

J Terry
JP Carrol
James Tompkins
John Hill

The declarant hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present; and declares that his name is not on the roll of the agency of any state
Bates Wrenn

And the said Court do hereby declare this opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogations 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 it offers to them that J Terry, J.P. Carrol, James Tompkins, and John Hill who have signed the above certificate are citizens resident in said District and credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit. 

John Belton O/Niell
22nd January 1842.
Page 9

I George Pope, Clerk of the Court of sessions and Common Please for the District of Edgefield in the state of South Carolina do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original preceding of the said Court in the matter of the application of Bates Wrenn for a pension. 
Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this twenty second day of January 1843. 

G E Pope
CCH

(sideways in the margins) 
Bates Wrenn 35.30
Act 7 June 1842 
F. Ca

Hon. F. W. Pickens 
HR
Page 10


Bates Wrenn
Act 1832 SC

A.H. Markland
Page 11

State of South Carolina
Edgfield District

Be it known that on this twenty seventh day of January A.D. 1853 before me, the undersigned magistrate for the District and state aforesaid, personally appeared, Bates Wrenn

Resident of South Carolina in said District and made oath according to the law that he is a son and heir at law of Bates Wren deceased who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution, and who has heretofore made application for the benefit of the Pension act of 
That he is directly interested as a claimant in said pension and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence or arguments as my agent may use in prosecuting said claim. 

Commanding and revoking all Powers of Attorney, and authority heretofore given, I hereby constitute and appoint Samuel M. Knight of Washington City, my true and lawful Attorney, to prosecute the claim of the said Bates Wrenn deceased for any amount of revolutionary pension or increase of pension that may be due; and I hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine all papers or documents in relation to said claim on file in the Department of Washington City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence or arguments, and to receive for my exclusive benefit, the certificate which may be issued for said claim, which certificate I wish made payable to Washington City, D.C. Agency; to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might or could do were I personally present. Hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney and Agent shall lawfully do in the premises given under my hand and seal

Bates Wrenn LS

Just. A.S. Lyon 

Sworn to, subscribed and acknowledged before me the day and year above written, and I hereby certify that I believe the said Bates Wrenn to be directly interested in said claim set forth, and to be identical party therein alleged. 

WW. Adams Magst Esq

State of South Carolina 
Edgefield District 

It is Hereby Certified, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited before me, Clerk of the Court of Edgefield District, in said State that Bates Wren, the party who has sworn to, and
acknowledged the foregoing Declaration and Power of Attorney is the identified son of the reputed soldier aforesaid. I further certify that W. W. Adams Esq. before whom the preceding affidavit and Power were made and acknowledged was at the time of so doing a magistrate in and for said district and that the signature purporting to be his, I believe to be genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office,

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, this Twenty seventh day of January 1853

The G. Bacon. Clk

1. Claimant's name or names in full. -2. Post Office address.
3. "That he is the identical man," or "that she is the widow of the identical man,” or, "that he or that he is the legal heir of the identical man," &c., &c.
---
4. Leave this line blank. –5 “he is” “she is” or “they are” 6. Revolutionary soldiers full name 7. Claimant’s signature 8 claimants name 9 Magistrates signature 
10. "Identical," "widow of or, "child of." -- 11. Magistrate's name. -- 12. Clerk's signature.

N. B.- Should two or more heirs join in the foregoing, the plural should be substituted for the singular number.
Page 12

Rev Pension 
Claim of
Bates Wrenn 
Of So. Car. (South Carolina) 
power of attorney
From Sarah
White and 
Silvester Hill, 
His daughter 
To 
M. Thompson 

Filed Nov. 6 1853
Papers call for
Page 13

Know all men by these presents that we, 
Are of the district of Edgefield, ad state of South Carolina, so by these present make constitute and appoint Mr. Thompson of the City of Washington, our true and lawful agent and attorney, for we, and in our names to prosecute any claim we may have against the government of the United States, as the daughter, heir at law, and true legal representative of Bates Wrenn dead, for pension, arrearages of pension, increase of pension, arrearages of pay or any other claim we may have for money or otherwise, as legal representatives of aforesaid, for his service as in the company commanded by Capt and in the regiment of 
Commanded by Col. 
In the war of the American Revolution, to examine all papers on file at Washington City or elsewhere; to file additional evidence or arguments, to receive any certificate or certificates that may be issued in our favor; which certificate or certificates we wish made payable to us and to every other act that we might or could do were we personally present and acting for ourselves privately notifying and confirming all
Page 14

That our said agent and attorney may also lawfully in the premises, for testimony whereof, we have herein to set our hand and affixed our seals this day of   A.D. 

In presence of D.M. White}

Silvester Hill
Sarah White

Acknowledged before me, the day and year within written
State of South Carolina 
Edgfield District } 

A.M. Perrin
(illegible) 

I Thomas G Bacon, clerk of the court of C P & G.S for the district and state aforesaid, do hereby certify that    and        whose genuine signature are subscribed above, to the power of attorney written within, are the daughters of Bates Wrenn dead, who was a         in the company commanded by capt.          , and in the regiment commanded by col.       In the war of the American revolution. That satisfactory evidence has been shown to me that Bates Wrenn dead aforesaid was a revolutionary soldier, that and whose genuine signature appears above are the daughters and have legal representatives as Bates Wrenn aforesaid, and further certify that         papers above
Page 15

Whom the written, or pr representative affixed power of attorney was executed, was at the date thereof a       for the district and state aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn. 

The testimony wherein I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 20th day of October A.D. 1852. 

Tho G Bacon
CCP
Page 16

Record Division 3—525
R.F. 11875
Department of the Interior 
Bureau of Pensions 
Washington, D.C. ____ 19___

In reply to your request of_______ received________
for a statement of the military history of Bates Wren or Wrenn 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. 

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment:
*May 1780
Length of Service: 
Served at various times until Oct. 1781

*substituted for his father James Wrenn

Rank
Pvt. 

Officers under whom service was rendered
Captain. 
Mabry 
Colonel. 
David Mason 

State 
VA

Battles engaged in, Guilford, Surrender of Cornwallis, 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Greensville Co. VA. 
Date of application for pension: January 18 1842
Residence at date of application: Edgefield Dist. S.C. 
Age at date of application: Born Sept 16, 1760 in Greensville Co VA
1841-81=1760

Remarks: The name of his wife is not stated. Children were Bates Wrenn and Silvista Hill & Sarah White—Daughters. 
His claim was rejected on the ground of insufficient proof of 6 mos service as required by the act under which he applied for pension. 

Very respectfully, 

Commissioner.
Page 17

Greenwood, S.C. June 10th 1912. 

Pension Department., 
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen: 

Will be very glad if you will look over your records of South Carolina, and let me know at once if Bates Wren, and Bat Evans were recorded as having done service for America, during the Revolutionary War. 
Will appreciate an early reply, as it is very important. 
Yours very truly,
(Miss) Winnie Henderson,
Greenwood, SC. 
Box 148.
Page 18

11.8765
Bates Wrenn

REJECTED

Service:_______
Enlisted:___________, 18
Discharged:___________, 18
Application filed:____________, 18
Alleges:__________
Re-enlisted:________

Attorney:_____________
P.O._____________
_________Recognized. 
_________Contract. 
______cert. of Dis Searched for_________,18
Page 19

redacted
Page 20

Pow: atty:  case (power of attorney) 

Bates Wren de (cut off)

S.C. 

[faint and possibly cut off] Mayo

Hon S. P. Waldo
Com of Pensions 
Pension office
Page 21

Bates Wrenn. Virginia Militia

1781. Cap. Mabry Col. Mayson
In Battle of Guilford and Sur of Yorktown. 


The affidavit of Allen Melton made on a part of an old dec and was probably made some years time (slightly illegible)
Page 22

El J. J. H 

Bates Wrenn
Page 23

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

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
yes
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?
yes
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 the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? Yes No
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? Yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
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? Yes
Page 24

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? Two Citizens
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 applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility?-----------
Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? -------------------
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? ---------
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 1. 2. 4. 6. 7.
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."
Page 25


It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the 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. 
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 be belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths 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 authenticated 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 end 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.
Page 26

Washington City
June 9th 1852

Hon S. P. Waldo
Com of Pensions

Sir, 

	I have the honor to enclose herewith a power of attorney executed by the heirs of Bates Wrenn, deceased, of the state of South Carolina. Whose claim under act of June 7th 1832 has been suspended. 
	I hope to be enabled to file additional evidence in the case sufficient to enable me to establish the claim before it comes up for examination. 

Very respectfully, 
Your obt. Serv. 
S. M. Knight
Page 27

Bates Wrenn
May 30 1842
86

F. W. Pickens
FW. Pickens VA

Hon: Mr. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions office
Washington
Page 28

N. Ref: 
30 May (illegible) 

Sir, 
I enclose this within in relation to the application for a pension for Bates Wrenn of Edgefield So. Ca. 
The letter within from Mr. Ferry is as full as anything I could say. I therefore enclose it. Mr. Ferry is a gent of the highest standing, being commissioner in the court of Chancery. 
I hope you will revise the papers and it can be done with any propriety, grant the pittance denied and due for his services. As to the time which he served, being made out it seems to me to be that with sufficient accuracy. 

I have the honor to be very respectfully 
F.W. Pickens

PS. 
Within this I also enclose the pension certificate of Benj. Lindsay, which in consequence of the 8 months expiring it is necessary for me to inspect it again to the department. Be to (illegible) to let me know when (illegible) got this. (illegible).
Page 29

June 6 1842

Bates Wren, 

June 6 1842
JW. Pickens 

J L Edwards 

(illegible) Nice
Page 30

N Ref: 
5 June 1842

Sir
In your returning the letter of M. Ferry in the case of Bates Wrenn & I would be much obliged to you enclose me the original declaration or a copy. 

I have the honor to be
Very respectfully 
F.W. Pickens.
Page 31

N Ref: 
26 Jay: 1843

Sir, 

I enclose you the written papers in relation to the petition of Bates Wrenn. Be so kind as to give them your early attention. I enclose also a letter from Mr. (illegible) which explains the paper. 

Very respectfully, 
F.W. Pickens
Page 32

Amended Declaration of Bates Wrenn

Hon. F.W. Pickens
Page 33

The state of South Carolina
Edgefield District

Amended declaration of Bates Wrenn in order to obtain the benefit of the act of 7 June 1832. 
	The declaration states that after having entered into service under Capt Mabry, as stated in his original affidavits to which the departed is referenced. His first tour of service was for six months. At the expiration of that time there was then a draft for the formation of another company, under the same officers, and he was drafted for six months and placed again under the command of captain Mabry. He served out the full time. He does not recollect whether, at either of the periods mentioned, he received a verbal or written discharge. The declaration states that after that to the best of his recollection he volunteered for six months, he is conscious that he remained in the service until after the siege of little York on October 19 1781. That during his last six months he was then placed under the command of the said Capt. Mabry. That during the siege he was engaged in the ditching and other service of the camp as well as under arms. That he was in line when the British troops were marched out and surrendered. That Johan Melton whose sons certificate is attached to his original declaration went into the service at the same time he did, May 1780, and that they were both discharged at the same time. Having been near neighbors and returned home together. That he was detain in service for a few weeks after the siege before, he was discharged, he cannot say whether, he then received a written discharge or not, if
Page 34

He did, he has no recollections of whatever became of it. The declarant further states most conscientiously that during the whole of the three tours which he served, that he was never under an arrest or any complaint made against him for a neglect of duty. The declarant states that owing to old age and consequent loss of memory, that he cannot state any other material fact, but respectfully refers the departments to the certificates in the original application. To the conveyance of his declaration 
The declarant further states in answer to the interrogatory, for delaying his application until the present time that he did make application in the year 1833 or 4 to the department, and his papers were returned that at that time, he was able to support himself by his own labor, and concluded that he would not make any further efforts, but he has since become so old & infirm that he is unable now to support himself without the assistance-- he now being 82 years of age. His service was confined to N.C & Virginia

Sworn to and subscribed
This 14 Jan 1843 before me 
Bates Wrenn

Bartley Martin
Magistrate 
Edgefield District S.C.