Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 7366, William Venable, S.C.
Page 1

(3 - 1776 )
SERVICE
S. C.
Born in Va
CONTENTS
Venable, William
Sarah
NUMBER
W. 7366
Page 2

No 5558
Arkansas L.R.
Sarah Venable
widow of
William Venable
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a Private
Incribed on the Roll at the rate
20 dollars --------
cents per annum, to commence on
the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued
14th day of November 1855
and sent to
J L Edwards
Present
[Re]corded on Roll of Pensioners under act
February 3, 1853, Page 197 Vol. A
Page 3

[left side of page]

30.564.
Illinois
William Venable
of Bond Co in the State of Illinois
who was a private in the Company commanded
by Captain Manch of the Regt commanded
by Col: Earl, in the S. Carolina
line for six months
[In]scribed on the Roll of Illinois
at the rate of 20 Dollars - Cents per
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of April
1836 and sent to Hon J.
Reynolds, H. R.
-
Arrears to the 4th of March 1836 $100.
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sep 36 10
$110.
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Wm S. Allison Clerk
Book E.2 Vol. 8 Page 1[illegible]

[right side of page]

Dead--Let to Hon J. L. Edwards Mar
10, 1843. same Mar 20 1843
Letter to 3d Aud. 3d Jany 1845.

Dead
Paid at the Treasury under
the Act of April 1838 from 4
March 1831. to 12 April 1836
Notified  30 Jany 1845
Page 4

In the matter of 
William Venable
Application for a pension - 
17972
Page 5


state of Illinois
Bond County ss.
 On this Eighth day of October Eighteen hundred and
thirty two, personally appeared in open Court, the same being the Circuit court of the County of Bond, now sitting William Venable a resident
of the County of Bond State of Illinois, aged seventy seven years in the month of February next, 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 7. 1832. That he was born in Prince Edwards County in the State of Virginia, in February 1755, but has no record on his age except one made by himself from his fathers record-- That in the month of May, as well as he can recollect, in the year 1778. at Spartanburg County South Carolina, he volunteered, in Capt. Lewis Musick's company in Col. John Earl's regiment, of South Carolina Militia.
and was employed in repelling the aggressions of the Cherokee Indians, who has come over the line (he the said Venable then living near the boundary of their country) and had killed a number of the inhabitants of said Spartanburg County and of Rutherford County North Carolina, and over took then at Hights old place
so called, near their Nation, and a skirmish ensued, in which Capt. Musick was killed-- when Edward Hampton took the command, and then he returned with the troops to Earles Fort, which had been built for the protection of the women and children.
Orders were then received to go down on Tiger  river S.C. to build a fort, he went with his company to Tiger river, also built what was called Prince's Fort - The same Indians having again committed
depredations in Rutherford County, the company went out, and had another Skirmish with them, in which Capt. Hampton was killed - when Capt. Francis Prince took the command, when he went in
said Company into the Cherokee Country, under Gen. Pickens. and destroyed a number of Indian towns, killed a number of Indians and retook a number of prisoners before taken by the Indians. These various services included all the years of 1778, 1779 & 1780. the whole of-
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which time he was either marching or stationed in different Forts
or stations, and at all times embodied & under arms. In January 1781, being then in Capt George Taylor's Company of Light horse, in Col. Billy Washington's regiment, and aiming to go and join Genl Greene, he fell in with Genl Morgan, and he pillotted[piloted] him across
Packolet[Pacolet] river, and thro Spartanburg County, to the Cowpens in which battle he was, and received three wounds, after which battle he continued with the army three days journey, and between the Adkin and Catawba rivers ^his wounds compelled him to stop
and he continued six weeks laid up at the house of a man by
the name of Nelson. ^And continued in service six weeks at this time.^ He has received several discharges all of
which he last lost or mislaid. He has no documentary evidence to prove any of said services, and knows of no one by whom he can prove any of said services unless one John Wilcox who did some
time ago live in the State of Tennessee, can testify to them. He does not know however that said Wilcox is alive at this time. That since the war, he resided in South Carolina rising of
twenty years in the State of Tennessee & Kentucky about twenty one years, in North Caroline two or three years, and for the last three years in the State of Illinois. That the Rev. William Hunter.
and Alexander Elam will testify to his character for veracity and their belief as to ^his services. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to subscribed in )
open Court this 9th of Oct 1832)  William Venable
Sworn to and [illegible] )
me this 8th day of Oct 1832) Benjamin F. Berry

We William Hunter, a clergyman, residing in the County of Bond
and Alexander Elam residing in the same County, hereby certify
that we are well acquainted with William Venable, who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe
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him to be ^seventy seven^  years of age; that he is reputed and believed
in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of
the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn this 8th day of October)
1832 in open Court)
William Hunter
Benjamin F Berry Clk
Alexander Elam
And the said Court, do hereby declare their opinion after
the investigation of the matter, and after putting the
interrogatories 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 appears to them that William Hunter, who has
signed the preceeding certificate, is a clergyman resident
in the County of Bond and that Alexander Elam, who has
also signed the same is a resident in the County of Bond
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled
to credit.
State of Illinois )
Bond County )
I Benjamin F Berry, Clerk of the Circuit
Court of Bond County, do hereby certify, that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the
matter of the application of William Venable for a
pension.
[physical seal affixed]
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of
the said Court at Greenville this 8th
day of October in the year One thousand
eight hundred and thirty two, and of the
Independence of the United States the 57th
year
Benjamin F Berry Clk
Page 8

William Venable
Illinois

Hon. J. Reynolds
of Ohio
present
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by compling[complying]  with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
Statement, shewing the Service of
Period when the|
Duration of the claimant's service|
Years | Months | Days |
Rank of the claimant.|
Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. |
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. |
Proof by which the declaration is supported. |

[illegible]. May 78

42

dragoon

Capt. Musick  Col Earle
Taylor Washington

77.

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army.
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops, "militia," and "volunteers", all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians[musicians]  or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of )
County of ) ss.
On this---day of---personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of---in the county of---and State, Territory or District
of---aged (c)---years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his 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 he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)---with---and
served in the---(e) regiment of the---line, under the following named officers:
(Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. >>This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.)
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
Agency in the State of---
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
(And then will follow the certificate of the Court.)
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
I------of the Court of------
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of------ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this---
day of---& c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A.B., a Clergyman, residing in the---and C. D. residing in (the same)
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with---, who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
---years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
(And then will follow the certificate of the Court.)
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories 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 appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the---
[and] that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the---
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,------Clerk of the Court of------do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of------
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this---day of---& c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; 
but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal
means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected.
All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and
there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his
case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of
service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State
troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war,
and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. {To a Soldier {Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
{To an officer {Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what
has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are
requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be
the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed
and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character
and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason [of] bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before
required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper
county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a
Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is
his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before
the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure,
taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period
of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the
opinion of the Court upon the whole matter
(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infimity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming the the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
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."
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 that 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 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 of a garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil
pursuit.
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must fix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public
seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the
papers.
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 papers 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.
Proof of Service.
(j) In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the record the department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses
who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's 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 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.
>>The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 12

[ribbon at top of page]

Sarah Venable
Declaration 
for Rev. Pension
Act July 1848

filed by
John S. Edwards
Sarah Venable

Mo - [illegible] 1838
Page 13

[ribbon in left margin]

Declaration
---
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress
of the 29th July 1848
State of Arkansas )
County of Franklin ) ss.

On this 3d day of July AD 1854
personally appeared before me John Houed
Judge of the Probate Court of Franklin
County in the State of Arkansas Sarah
Venable personally known to me to be a
resident of the County Johnson State ^aforesaid  aged
Eighty years who being duly sworn according to
law, on his oath make the following declaration 
in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions
made by the act of Congress passed the 29th July
1848. I the said Sarah Venable am the
widow of William Venable who was a
revolutionary Pensioner of the United States
at the rate of $--- per annum That I
do not now recollect in what company
or regiment the said William Venable
served. that he was a private in said
service as I was informed and believe
as will be seen from the Records of the
war department and muster rolls
That the said William Venable entered the
service of the United States of aforesaid
on the--- day of AD 17---that I
do not recollect the names of the officers
under whom he served. That at the
time he entered the service he was
living at Spartanburg. in the state of ^South Carolina^
that I have no documentary
Page 14

evidence in support of said claim but
would refer to the records of the
was department and muster rolls
for proof of the services of her said
husband.
I further declare that I was
married to the said William Vena[ble]
on the---day of January in the year
Seventeen hundred and ninty[ninety] two
that my husband the aforesaid William
Venable died on the 12th day of April
AD 1836. that I was not married to
him prior to his leaving the service
but the marage[marriage]  took place previous to the
second of January eighteen hundred to wit
at the time above stated I further say
that I am now a widow and
that I have never before made any
application for a pension
attest  J J Walker.
Sworn to & subscribed )
in open court before )
me this the day & date )
above written )
John Honea Judge 
of the Probate Court of F. C.
Sarah ^her X mark^ Venable
Know all men by these presents That I
Sarah Venable of the County of Johnson
in the State of Arkansas do hereby
irrevocably make constitute and
appoint John S. Edwards of Washington D C. 
my true and lawfull
Page 15

attorney for me and in my name to demand and
recive[receive] from the department of the Interior
of the United States all and evey[every] pension
of money or or overages of Pension
which may be due to me or to which I
am entitled for the military services of my
said husband as set forth in the foregoing
declaration and for good and sufficient
reasons do hereby revoke and countermand
any and all other powers of attory[attorney] or other
authority that may have been given heretofore
by me. In testimony whereof I have here
unto set my hand and seal this 3d day
July AD 1854

Sarah ^his X mark^ Venable (seal)
attest J J Walker

State of Arkansas )
County of Franklin )ss.
On this 3 day of July AD 1854
personally appeared before me John Houed
Judge of the Probate Court of Franklin County
in the State of Arkansas duly authorized by
law to administer oaths in said county &
the acknowledgments &c.
Sarah Venable to me personally known
and acknowledged the above power
to be his act and deed for the purposes
therein mentioned John Honea
Judge of
Probate Court of F.C.
Page 16

In testimony that John Houed whose
genuine signature appears to the foregoing
Declaration and certificate is now
and was at the time of signing the same
Judge of the Probate Court of
Franklin County in the State of
Arkansas duly commissioned and
Sworn & that all his official acts
are entitled to full faith & credit
and that the said Probate Court is a
Court of Record having general
jurisdiction. 
I Samuel J Gerganess
Clerk of the circuit court &
office Clerk of the court of
Probate in & for the County
of Franklin in the State of
Arkansas have hereunto set
my hand & seal of said court
this 7th day of October AD
1854 at Office
S. J. Gerganess
Clerk
Page 17

[ribbon attached in left margin]

At the July term of the County Court of Franklin
County in the State of Arkansas and on
the 17th day of said month AD 1854 the
following proceedings were had (to wit)
And now on this day satisfactory
evidence has been given to the court from
the testimony of Moses Grider and James
D Venable residents of Franklin County
in the State of Arkansas both of whom
are personally known to the court to
be men of integrity that William Venable 
was a revolutionary pensioner of
the United states that said William
Venable died in Bond County in the
State of Illinois on or about the 12th
day of April AD 1836 leaving him
surviving Sarah Venable his
widow who now resides in Johnson
County in the State of Arkansas. That the
said Sarah and William Venable
were married some time in the
year of Christ seventeen hundred and
ninety two and that the said
Sarah Venable still remains the
widow of the said William Venable

[physical seal attached]

In testimony that the above
is a true copy from the records in
my office I Samuel J Gerganess
Clerk of the County Court of the
County of Franklin in the State of
Arkansas have hereunto set
my hand and affixed the seal
of said court at Office this 9th
day of August AD 1854
S. J. Gerganess Clerk
Page 18

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section.
July 30, 1924.

Mrs. Charles E. Davidson,
Greenville, ILL.

Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in Revolutionary 
War pension claim, W.7366, it appears that William Venable 
was born in Prince Edward County, Virginia in February
1755.
While residing at Spartanburg, South Carolina, he enlisted
in 1778 and served 2 years as a private in Captains
Lewis Musick, Edward Hampton and Francis Prince's Company,
Colonel John Earl's South Carolina Regiment, guarding the
frontier against the Cherokee Indians, was in several skirmishes
and aided in destroying a number of Indian towns.
He enlisted in December 1780, served 6 weeks as a private
in Captain George Taylor's Company of Light Horse, Colonel
William Washington's Regiment and was in the battle of Cowpens
where he was wounded by a musket ball in the right leg
and received two cuts on the head with a sword.
After the Revolution he resided 2 or 3 years in North Carolina, 
dates not stated.
Page 19

Pension was allowed on his application executed October
8, 1832, while a resident of Bond County, Illinois. He
died there April 12, 1836.
Soldier married in South Carolina in January 1792,
Sarah (maiden name not stated). She was allowed pension on
her application executed July 3, 1854, while a resident of
Johnson County, Arkansas, aged 80 years.
There is no further data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,

Commissioner.
[handwritten]Note:
Did not give exact date
of enl. or disch. as Capt.
Edward Hampton was killed
in Oct 1780. It is not
stated that James D Venable
is a relative-
UM
Page 20

State of Illinois ) 
Bond County) ss.
Personally appeared before me
Richard Tatom one of the acting
Justices of the peace in & for said
County William Venable of said County and
after being duly sworn deposeth and saith, that
at the October Court (1832) for said County, that he
made out a declaration for to obtain a pension the
benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
that at the October Court for said County (1835) he
made an amendment to his said declaration; and
that he is now required to make an additional statement
"Detailing the circumstances under which he entered
the service, the commencement and termination thereof,
the names of Company and Regimental officers, probable
number of the Corps, the Character of their daily duties
&c in each term of his engagement and actual service
in the field or garrison." All which I will endeavor
to state to the best of my recollection, but from old age
and infirmity and the consequent loss of memory, at
one time I do recollect some part of my
Revolutionary services and scenes that I have passed
through, and at another time some other parts of
my service, as follows to wit: In the spring of 1778
in District No. 96 in South Carolina the Indians were
Rushing in upon the County Killing, Burning
& destroying the Country, orders from the Government
of South Carolina to General Pickens to
call out the Militia, and the requisite Number of
men was made up by volunteers & was called the
Page 21

Mountain volunteers, as one of said Volunteers
(a private) entered the service in Captain
Lewis Musick's Company about the middle of May
1778, in Col John Earls Regiment, and were stationed 
a while at said Col Earls where we built a
Fort, thence to Princes & Built another Fort, thence
we went on to the Cherokee nation, (I ought to have
stated that while we were stationed at the fort at
Earls Captain Musick was killed in ^a Battle we
had with the Cherokees Imediately after Musick
was killed Captain Edward Hampton took command 
of the Company) and in another Battle with
said Indians Capt Hampton was shot, fell against
this deponent and died within one or two hours then
Francis Prince took command of the Company, we
then went on to the Cherokee nation, this army
consisted of three Regiment, commanded by Col Earls,
John Thomas ^& Thomas Brannon, and while at the-
Nation we had several skirmishes or rather runing[running] fights
& the army then returned to Seneca where we were stationed 
for some 8 or 10 months during this time we were
Employed in passing from station to station and in
protecting the frontier from Indian Depredations, in
this army I Recollect being acquaint with Major, John
Gain, & Major James Dillard. Captains, James Hamilton, 
Parsons, Magee, Coulter, Saml Earls, Elias
Earl From this term of service I was discharged about
the middle of May 1780, as near as I can recollect and
during the whole time I was in the Public Service
under the command of proper officers and employed in
Page 22

Defending the frontier, in building forts,
and in passing from Fort to fort, & from Station
to station, and in frequent conflict with Indians
and no part of the time employed in any civil pursuit 
whatever during the above time it is true I
Received a furlow ^twice from my commanding officer for
a few days to visit friends.
fore part of
Some time in ^the fore part of^ December (as near as I can recollect)
1780 an Express came from Genl Green, then
laying near Charlette to Genl Pickens to come on
to his assistance, Genl Pickens went on with a
bout 1100 men, Green their divided his army and
give Genl Morgan Command of a part. of
then joined Capt Taylors Company of Light Horse
(as a private) in Col William Washingtons Regiment
we then proceeded to the Cowpens where a Battle was
fought between the Americans under the command
of Genl Morgan, Col Howard Commanded the Regulars,
Washington the Horsemen, and the British
army under the command of Col Tarlton, where I
Received the wounds heretofore stated in my
Supplement. during this engagement I served 40
days and was discharged near the Cowpens.
and further this deponent saith not. Sworn to
and subscribed before me at Greenville this 14th
day of March 1836.
Attest
William Venable
Richard Tatom, J.P.
Page 23

State of Illinois )
Bond County ) ss.
I, James Bradford Clerk
of the county commissioners Court for said
County do hereby certify that Richard Tatom
whose name is signed to the within affidait is
and was at the time of signing an
acting Justice of the peace for said County
as appears to us of Record and that
full faith and credit are due all his
official acts as such and that the signature
is his genuine signature
(Seal) In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and private seal there being no
official ^seals provided at Greenville this 21st
of March 1836
J. Bradford Clerk

William Venables
affidavit

allow for 
credit $20
as per the refiled letter

Hon. Jno. Reynolds
H.R.
Page 24

State of Illinois )
Bond County )  ss.
On this 6th day of October
Eighteen hundred and thirty-five personally appeared
in open Court (the same being the Circuit Court of
the County of Bond now sitting.) William Venable a
resident of the County and State aforesaid. And as an
amendment, to his declaration made before said Court,
on the Eighth day of October 1832. In order to obtain
the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of 
Congress passed June 7th 1832, 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 lenth[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. 1st For two years I served 
as a volunteer (private) in the Company commanded
in succession by Captains Lewis Musick,
Edward Hampton, and Francis Prince in Col. John
Earls Regiment of South Carolina Militia during 
part of the aforesaid time the troops with which
I was embodied was under the command of Genl. Pickens,
the aforesaid service was rendered from the-
Middle of May 1778 to the middle of May 1780.-
2d for Forty two days I served as a private in Captain
George Taylors Company of Light Horse in Col-
Billy Washingtons Regiment. during this term of
service I was in the Battle of the Cowpens when
the American troops were commanded by Genl
Morgan, in which Battle I received three wounds
that is, A Masket Ball in the right leg to the right
Page 25

of the shin bone, which was extracted on the next
day by Doctor Nelson also two Cuts on the head with a
sword, witness the scars to this day, this last term
of service was rendered in the months of Dec. 1780
& January 1781. The whole of the
aforesaid services was with an embodied Corps Called 
into service by Competent Authority, and was
rendered during the whole time either in the Field,
Fort, or Garrison, and for the time during which
the aforesaid Service was performed. I was not employed 
in any civil pursuit. And for which service
I claim a Pension.-- This deponent further states that
Col. Howard Commanded the Regulars at the Battle of the
Cowpens. 
Sworn to and subscribed
in Open Court.
William Venable
J. Bradford Dept Clk
Also appeared (at the same time) in open Court Harris
Reaves a resident of Montgomery County in the State of
Illinois (and who is a Revolutionary Pensioner) who
being first duly sworn deposeth & saith that he was
acquainted with William Venable (who is an applicant
for a Pension) upwards of forty years ago in Carolina
and from conversation with him, and every information
respecting him he does believe that he
served in the Revolutionary War, and that he is of
the age set forth in his declaration.
Harry ^his X mark^ Lewis
Sworn to and subscribed )
this 6 October 1835 )

J. Bradford Dept Clk
also appeared (at the same time) in Open Court David
Liles a resident of Bond County State of Illinois, who
being first duly sworn deposeth and saith that he
Page 26

has been acquainted with William Venable who is
an applicant for a pension for about nineteen or
Twenty years ago, and about that time and since he
heard old men who had served in the war speak of
said Venables Services in the Revolution, and at
that time he was reputed and
believed in the neighbourhood to have been a
Revolutionary soldier, and that he concurs in
that opinion.
David ^his X mark^ Liles
Sworn to and subscribed )
this 6 October 1835. )

J. Bradford Dept Clk

Also Personally appeared (at the same time) in open
Court Aaron Casey a President of Montgomery ^County in
the State of Illinois who being first duly sworn
Deposeth and Saith that he has been acquainted with
William Venable who is an applicant for a pension
for twenty three years and from what he has
heard and know of him he does veryly[verily] believe
that said Venable served in the Revolution
Aaron ^his X mark^ Casey
Sworn to and subscribed
this 6 October 1835.
J. Bradford Dept Clk

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the
above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier &
served as he states. And the Court further certifies that
it appears to them that Harris Reaves, David Giles and
Page 27

Aaron Casey who hath given Certificates are creditable
persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.-

State of Illinois )
Bond County )
  I James Bradford Dept
Clerk of the circuit court of Bond County
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the proceeding of of the said Court in the
matter of the amendment to the application
of William Venable for a pension.

[physical seal affixed]

In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of
said Court at Greenville
this 6th day of October 1835
J. Bradford Dept Clk

Recorded Book )
first page )
246 & 247 Bond County )
J. Bradford Dept. clk  Illinois )

I certify and state that I
was present in Court and know the
whole transaction was fair and correct
far as I saw the papers perfected
and the oaths taken. I also saw several
Scars on the applicant, which he
said recd.  at the battle of the Cowpens-
6 Oct 1835 John Reynolds
Page 28

Owners
Free
Hon, John Reynolds
Representative in Congress
Washington City

Greenville Ill.
March 23
Page 29

Greenville March 18th 1836.-
Dear Sir
Enclosed I send you old Mr Venables additional
statement respecting his claim for a
pension, as required by the Department. It
would have been forwarded much sooner had it
not been for the inclemency of the weather & the
situation of the old mans health. Wm H Brown
made out his declaration, the amendment
sent by you & this further statement has
been made in the best manner practicable as
understood from the instructions. Old age & infirmity 
has of course impaired his memory, that he
cannot be expected to give exactly the same
relation of every particular incident at different times.-- 
But the fact certainly does
exist that he served his country in his youthfull 
days and aided manfully to establish our
present happy frame of Government. Please to
tell them that you saw him and saw the scars
of the wounds received fighting the Battles of-
Liberty. If any doubt should still remain (from
the papers) as to the amount that should be allowed
him, tell them to allow him for 6 or 12 months
(which will be for under Justice) and to do it quickly 
before he is passed away & gone forever.
If all should fail perhaps by withdrawing
the papers you could have his name placed
Page 30

on the pension Roll by Law. Genl Ewing of
the Senate is acquaint with Venable & will Cooperate 
with you in this.-- If all should fail return
the whole of the papers with a form of instructions.
But, as you mentioned in your letter, I hope
that the next trial will succeed.
I remain with great respect
your obt Servant--
John Russel

Hon Jno Reynolds )

P.S. I Cannot Close this without further requesting
you to have his claim adjusted ^if possible^ without any further trouble, the may no doubt see informality in the papers
and may suppose appearance of contradiction, but
there is none. How could it be expected after a
lapse of 55 years that any man could be able to
relate at different times precisely the same word.
But in all the statements the same facts and
substance is set forth. The old Gentleman says
that he cannot swear to the day he entered, or
quit the service, but he knows that the first
term was 2 years or upwards, and the last term
about 6 weeks. Let him be allowed for such
time as will be under ^his Just
due & he will be satisfied
John Russel
Page 31

Wm. Venables - Nov 21st
[illegible] In attention

address
Hon. Jno Reynolds
Member of Congress
from Ohio
Pres.

( Hon. John Reynolds )

Department
Pension Office
Washington City
Page 32

Greenville Bond County Ill Oct 6 1832
The inclosed Declaration and
amendment thereto of William
Venable is hereby transmited
any further correspondence on
the subject you will please
Direct to the undersigned and
Respectfully yours
John Russell
Page 33

Apl/2
Ins.
James L. Edwards, Esq.
at the Pension Office
Washington City

Hon Jno Reynolds
HR
Page 34

To James L. Edwards Esq.
of the Pension office
Sir
permit me to enclose to
you the papers in the pension case
of Venable-- I saw the wounds
on this old soldier. He is in
years and appeared to me to be
in need of the County of that
country for which he fought
and bled.
John Russell Esq. the person
in Bond Co Ill. who takes an interest 
for this old man is a worthy
and [illegible] Citizen incapable
of urging a bad case on the
Government-
Page 35

I would be pleased to call and
see you on the success of this
case. I feel much for Mr. Venable 
as I believe his to be an
honest and just case.
Washington )
11th April 1836 )

I am proud
John Reynolds

P.S. Please read W. Russell's letter
and I assure you, there is not a
more honest and correct man
in any country.
John Reynolds
Page 36

Washington
March 7. 1843
Hon. J.C. Edwards
Enclose a letter from Nathan
Richardson requesting a copy
of Ills. Bounty Land patent No.
25924.
Wm Venable
Illinois

Indorsed & Respectfully referred to
Pension Office War Dept
copy sent ) 
Genl. Land Office
March 9 1843

Heaton
Mar 8, 1843
Page 37

Washington
March 7. 1843.
S. H. Blake Esq.

Sir
You will please examine
the enclosed letter and
give me an answer in reference
to that part properly operable
to your department.
After examining the
letter, you will please enclose
it to the Commissioner of pensions
for his actions
Very respectfully,
Yr. Obt. Srvt.
J. C. Edwards
Page 38

Mar 17 1843

J. S. Edwards Esq.
Com. of Pension

Hon. J C. Edwards

No. 13434
Sarah Venable
Widow of Willian 
[illegible]
Act 7 July 1838
Page 39

Washington
March 15, 1843
J. L. Edward Esq.
Com. of Pensions
Sir
I was informed by the
com. of the Genl Land Office the
other day, that he had refered to
the Com of Pensions, a letter from
N. Richardson, containing an application 
for a pension for Sarah
Venable, heir of Peter Woosely alias
Vosely. If you have the received
the papers, you will please give me
an answer as soon as convenient.
Very respectfully,
Yr. obt. svt.
J. C. Edwards
Page 40

Sarah Venable
William
Ark. [illegible] 1838
Cole
Wm. J. Minot
Comm. of Pensions
Washington D.C
Page 41

Sarah
No 15330
Venable
Widow of William
Ark
Jno S. Edwards Nov 3 1854

with Edward agrees to
take out under '53-
please a register & reject under '38
July 7 1838
Page 42

No. 6.107
Sarah Venable
Widow of William

Arkansas
Admd Feby 1833

$20 A Year 
the passage of
the act

Cert. to
J. S. Edwards, Esq.
Present
Page 43

Washington D.C
Nov 3. 1853
Sir
In the case of Sarah Venable widow of
William of Arkansas filed by me in Pension 
Office for pension under act of July 7
1838 I have to say that she was married
in South Carolina at the time there was no record
of Marriages kept & as all the persons who
were present at her marriage as far as she knows
are dead, I must ask a reconsideration of
the case & that a pension be allowed her under 
act 3 July 1853 as the proof is sufficient
to establish the marriage under that act
Respy
John S Edwards


Hon J. Minot
Comm of Pensions
Page 44

Brief in the case of Sarah Venable Widow of William
County and State of Arkansas
act 3 Feby 1853
Claim, ("original")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
William
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Her husband was pensioned under the Act Jun 7
1835 at $20 a year.
[illegible] of marriage

Cohabitation, , general reputation of marriage
her identity,  as the pensioners widow, his 
death and her present widowhood from a
witness.

Name and residence of Agent
J.L. Edwards Esq.
Present
Thornton Triplett
Examining Clerk.
Page 45

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
SECOND COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
January 8th 1845.
Sir: 
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An Act
directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners,
and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States"
 and the third section of the Act of August 23, 1842, extending
the time within which pensioners may receive their pensions from the pension
agents, The widow of William Venable, decd
a Pensioner on the Roll of the Illinois
Agency, at the rate of Twenty Dollars
per annum, under the law of the 7th June
1832, has been paid at this Department, from the
4th of March 1831, to the 12th April 1836
Respectfully, yours,
Albion K. Parris
Comptroller.
To the COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS,
Present.
Page 46

V No 13434
Sarah Venable
Mo
St. to Nathan Richardson
August 24  1847

Act 7 July 1838
Page 47

Sarah Venable Md 1792
Wm Venable Dd 12 Apl 1838
Jno S. Edwards, agents, Present
Moses Grider, Jas. D. Venable
Page 48

Henry Hills
Affidavit
Page 49

State of Illinois
Montgomery County   ss.
Be it remembered that on this Eighth day of May
Eighteen hundred & thirty four at the May Term of the
Circuit Court for said County, personally appeared in open Court
Henry Hill a resident of said County, and known to the
Court to be a credible witness, who being duly sworn
upon the Evangelists of Almighty God, deposes & says
that he is called by William Venable who is an applicant
for a pension under the act of Congress of 1832 to testify
in behalf of the said William Venable-- said Henry Hill
says that immediately after the close of the revolutionary war.
and before, he was living at on Enoree river in the
State of South Carolina, now called Union District in
said State, at which time he became acquainted with
the said William Venable above mentioned, who had
come from Spartanburg near the place of residence
of this deponent, and that he then understood & believed
and it was the understanding of the neighborhood, 
that the said William Venables was in the
revolutionary army, in Col. John Earls regiment, that the
said William Venables went into the army when
quit[quite] young & contined[continued] in it for a long time for two
or three years, employed in guarding the frontiers against
the Indians, the most of the time he was in service
that he has known the said William Venables from
the period first mentioned, until the present time and
he this deponent believes said Venable was a Revolutionary 
soldier, as he sets forth in his declaration.

Henry ^his mark^ Hill
Sworn to in Open Court
May 8th 1834
H. Rountree C.E.
Page 50

State of Illinois Montgomery County Sct.
I Hiram Rountree Clerk of the Circuit
Court for said County do hereby certify that the
within affidavit was made and sworn to in
open court by the within Affiant Henry Hill

[seal affixed]
In Testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and the seal
of said Court this Eighth day of
May A D 1834
Hiram Rountree
Page 51

[left side of page]

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 7366
Sarah Venable 
Wid 
William Venable 
Privt Rev War

Act: July 3d 1853 
Index: --Vol. M, Page 299

(Arrangement of 1870.)

[right side of page]

1924. July 30 - Hist. to Mrs. Chas.
E. Davidson.
W M
Page 52

[printed letterhead
CHAS. E. DAVIDSON
ATTORNEY AT LAW
GREENVILLE, ILL.

[handwritten letter]
June 12, 1924.
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Commissioner-
Dear Sir:-
Have you any record of William
Venable, a Revolutionary soldier?
He was living in N. Carolina in 1790,
so I presume enlisted from that State.
I shall appreciate an early reply.
Very Sincerely,
Mrs. Chas. E. Davidson
Greenville, Ill.

[date stamp]
U.S. PENSION OFFICE
L
JUN 27 1924