Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3, for William Mc Kelvy, South Carolina
Page 1

(8-1776)
SERVICE
S.C.
McKelvy, William
Mary
NUMBER
W3
Born in Ireland
CONTENTS
Page 2

1852 Augt 12/ Duplicate
Certificate issued & sent
to Hawthorn & Davidson
Camden, Te

13780
West Tennessee
William McKelvy
of Rutherford Co. in the State of Tennessee who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Bauldings of the regiment commanded by Col Pickins [Andrew Pickens] in the South Carolina
line for 3 months pr of Cavalry
5 months pr of Infantry
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee
at the rate of 29 Dollars 16 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831
Certificate of Pension issued the _ day of June 1833 and Sent to William
Ledbetter Murfreesborough
Arrears to the 4th of March 58.32
Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Sept
14.58 = $72.90
Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Daniel Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol.7 Page 88
Page 3

634
Tennessee Jackson
5634
Mary McKelvy
widow of William McKelvey
who served in the Revolutionary war
as a private of Infantry & Cavalry
Colo Pickens S. Ca
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of
29. Dollars 66 cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1848.
Certificate of Pension issued the
19th day of April 1831 and sent to
R W. Hawthorn Camden Tennessee
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 2, 1848, Page 296 Vol. 3

RW. Hawthorn
Oct 15. 1851

1852, Augt 17. Duplicate of
Certificate under act of 7 June 1832
sent to Hawthome & Davidson, Camden Te
Date of death not
shown on A.B.
Page 4

No 15507
William McKelvy Rutherford County Tennessee
from 1777 private of Cav & Infy 8 mth
Pr. Cavalry 3 m. $12.50
Pr. Inf 5 m 16.66 = $29.16
William Ledbetter
Murfreesborough Tennessee
Page 5

BRIEF in the case of William McKelvy
County of Rutherford in the State of Tennessee (Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? a Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? About 78
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period. Vol mounted horseman In 1776 or 77
Duration of Service. 5 or 6 months
Rank. Private
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Capt Bauldings Col [Andrew] Pickens
1 mo Capt. [William] Wilson
2 mo Col Pickens,  Genl [Benjamin] Lincoln
5. In what battles was he engaged? Several Skirmishes - Stono [Ferry]
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Upper Part of S. Carolina
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by
incidental evidence, or by the rolls? traditionary evidence
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? The papers not attached as the regulations require
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above
Dyer Castor Examining Clerk
Page 6

United States of America
Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress the 7th July 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and Pensions to certain Widows
State of Tennessee Gibson County
On this ninth day of August one thousand eight hundred and forty eight personally appeared before
me Isaac M. Gunter justice of the peace in and for said County Mary McKelvey aged seventy one years some time last winter & resident of Gibson County and State of Tennessee who first being duly sworn
recording 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 July 7th 1838 entitled act granting half pay and Pensions to certain widows
That she is the Widow of William McKelvy who was a private soldier in the Revolutionary war in the Army that her husband resided then resided in the state of South Carolina as she is informed by her husband
William McKelvy who drew a pension in Nashville at the rate of $29. 16 per annum that she then resided in Rutherford County in the State of
Tennessee she further declares that she was married to said William McKelvy in the Winter of One
thousand seven hundred and eighty nine in Cumberland County in the State of Virginia the reason why
she knows that she was married in the year 1789 is from the age of her oldest child it being about two years
from the time of her marriage to the birth of her first child named Elizabeth that fact she well recollects
that she is entirely unlettered
and cannot remember
Page 7

the dates of the year or the day of the month especially in her youth her not having been taught to think or reflect about such things about the first that she remembers any thing about the days of the month began with the birth of her oldest child since that period she has tried to remember
the day of the month & date of the year. She further declares that her husband, the aforesaid William M
died on the 11th day of August eighteen hundred and thirty four, that she was not married to him
prior to his leaving the service but the Marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four viz at the the above stated. Mary McKelvy X her mark
Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above Written before
s/ Isaac M Gunter
A Justice of the Peace for Gibson County State of Tennessee

State of Tennessee Gibson County I Isaac M. Gunter a Justice of
the peace in and for said County do certify that the above subscribed Mary McKelvy was duly sworn
according to law and did subscribe as above stated and further certify that from old age and bodily infirmity she is unable to attend Court that
she is a woman of high respectability and full faith and credit she is entitled to Given under my hand and seal this 9th day of August A.D. 1848
s/ Isaac M. Gunter
A Justice of the Peace for Gibson County State of Tennessee
Page 8

Ages of the children of William & Mary McKelvy
Elizabeth McKelvy born February 5th 1791
John McKelvy born August 7th 1793
William McKelvy born January 20th 1796
Katharine McKelvy born August 15th 1799
Willis W. McKelvy born February 27th 1801
Mary McKelvy born August 12th 1803
James McKelvy born February 26 1805
Hugh McKelvy born November 4th 1808
Page 9

13807
Mary McKelvy
widow of William
Tennessee
Page 10

State of Tennessee Gibson County  Personally appeared Hugh McKelvy
before me Isaac M Gunter a justice of the peace in and for said County and made oath in due form of law
that ages here set forth in the original leaf taken out of the family Bible and the same has been in my possession for several years and has always been considered the true record of the children of William McKelvy And Mary McKelvy his wife that he does not know in whose hand writing the record is but believes it to be
the true record that he knows that William McKelvey drew a pension in Nashville at the rate of $29.16 cents
per annum that he was informed and believes that William McKelvey died on the 11th day of August 1834 and
ever since that period his Wife Mary McKelvy has remained a widow and is still a Widow that she is the above named applicant for a pension.
s/ Hugh McKelvy
Sworn to and subscribed this 9th day of August 1848 before me
s/ Isaac M Gunter a Justice of the Peace for Gibson County Tenn

State of Tennessee Gibson County  Personally appeared Thomas P. Blankinship before me Isaac M. Gunter a justice of the peace in and for said County and made oath in due form of law that he was personally acquainted with William McKelvy the
husband of Mary McKelvy who drew a pension in Nashville at the rate of $29.16 pr annum that he died
in Rutherford County and State of Tennessee on the 11th of August 1834 and that Mary McKelvy  is his widow and is now a widow and that she is a woman of good character and is now an applicant for a Pension.
Thomas P Blankinship X his mark
Sworn to and subscribed this 9th day of August 1848 before me
s/ Isaac M. Gunter a Justice of the Peace for Gibson County Tenn
Page 11

State of Tennessee Gibson County 
I Isaac M. Gunter do hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with Hugh McKelvy and Thomas P. Blankinship citizens of said
County the foregoing subscriber to their depositions was duly sworn and did subscribe to the same and
are men of high respectability Given under my hand and seal this 9th day of August A.D. 1848
s/ Isaac M Gunter A Justice of the Peace for Gibson County State
of Tennessee

State of Tennessee Gibson County
I Allen C. Nimmo Clerk of the
County Court of said County do hereby certify that Isaac M. Gunter is an acting justice of the peace of Gibson County and as such at the above date being on the month of August 1848 and that all the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.Given under my hand and seal of office this 10th day of August A.D. 1848
s/ A.C. Nimmo Clk
A. S. Curry DeputyClk

13807 Mary McKelvy
widow of William
Tennessee
Page 12

William McKelvy
13507
Page 13

Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7th in this of June 1832
State of Tennessee, Rutherford County
On this 10th day of October 1832 personally appeared in the open court of the Circuit Court of Rutherford County before the Honorable James C. Mitchell Judge of the court aforesaid William McKelvy a resident of the County aforesaid aged about Seventy-Eight 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 act of Congress passed 7th in this of June 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That he entered the service and went into Captain Baulding's Company in 1776 or 1777 as a volunteer as a mounted horsemen. That Cornol Pickins [Colonel Andrew Pickens] was his Colonel. General Lyncoln [Benjamin Lincoln] was his General in the South Carolina Line. That he joined Captain Baulding in the upper part of Georgia – from thence we marched to Altamaha River, crossed the same designing to go to
Augustine [St. Augustine] but never reached there, but turned back, crossed said Altamaha River again and went on to a place called the Midway meeting house in the State of Georgia where he was verbally dismissed by Captain Baulding; that his first tour was five or six months.
That during the tour aforesaid he was in no general Battle but in several little skirmishes with the
Page 14

Tories. And in few months afterwards he entered the service again and went into Captain William Wilson's Company as a volunteer and mounted horsemen under Colonel Pickens. That his General was Lincoln in the South Carolina Line. That he joined Captain Wilson at a place
called Ninety-six in the state last aforesaid and from thence we marched to a place called the
Twin sisters in the same State last aforesaid and there he was verbally dismissed by Major Nobble [Alexander Noble]. That his second tour was one month perhaps more but owing to the great lapse of time which has since passed by he does not now recollect the precise time. That a few months afterwards he went into service again as a volunteer and mounted horsemen in the South Carolina Line. That Colonel Pickens was his Colonel and Lincoln was
his General. That he joined said Company in the upper part of South Carolina and then marched to a place called Stono in the State of South Carolina and at the place last mentioned he was in that battle called the Stono [Ferry] battle against the British and not long afterwards he
went home being verbally dismissed by his Captain. That his third tour was two months as well as he now recollects, that owing to his age he cannot recollect the precise time he served but he believes it was at the least four years from the time he first went into service to the time he was
finally discharged and that he was in actual service eight months. As his age was not put down he cannot positively recollect. That during his three tours of service aforesaid he was acquainted with General Lincoln, with Colonel Pickens,
Page 15

with Major Nobles, with Captain
Bauldin, with Captain Wilson. That he was born in 1744 as well as he recollects in Ireland. That
he was brought to the United States when a little boy to the City of Charleston in South Carolina
and then he was carried by his father to the upper part of South Carolina where your declarant remained until he went into the service of his country. That at the time when the Revolutionary War ended he lived in South Carolina and after the end of the Revolutionary War he removed
and settled in one of the North States and lived there a few years then removed to Virginia, lived there several years, then removed to the State of Tennessee Smith County on Goose Creek and afterwards to Kentucky then to the State of Tennessee then to Giles County then back to Rutherford County where he has resided ever since. That he has no record of his age nor does he
know whether it was ever entered down or not. That he hereby relinquishes his every claim 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 in the United States. That he has no documentary evidence nor he
knows of no person whose evidence he can procure who can testify to his service. That he is well acquainted with Dr. James Hanna, John L Jetion Esq., Benjamin Lillard and William
McKelvy and others.
Page 16

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
 S/ William McKelvy, X his mark
Sworn to in Open Court 10 October 1832  S/ Wm Ledbetter, Clerk

We John L Letton  and Swinfield Barton Rutherford County Tennessee residents in the same hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William McKelvy who has subscribed and sworn to the above  declaration that we believe him to be
seventy eight years of age or thereabouts and that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that
we concur in that opinion and we believe him to be a man of truth.
s/ John L Letton
Swinfield Barton
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Sworn to in Open court 10 October 1832 I James C Mitchell Judge of the Circuit Court of Rutherford County in the state of Tennessee hereby declare my 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 I the said James C. Mitchel Judge as aforesaid do further certify that John L Letton who has signed the preceding certificate is a resident of 
Rutherford County and that Swinfield Barton who has also Signed the same
is a resident
Page 17

of Rutherford County & is a credible
person and that their statement is 
intitled to Credit
s/ JC Mitchell
Presiding Judge 
I William Ledbetter, Clerk of the Circuit Court at Rutherford County in the State of Tennessee, do certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings in said court on the
application of William McKelvy for a Pension the testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said Court to be affixed at office in Murfreesborough 16th October 1832
s/ Wm Ledbetter
Clerk

William McKelvys
pension papers
Page 18

August 17, 1936.
BAJ/ILL
William McKelvy
W. 3
Mrs. Robert H. Warren
32 Fraser Street
Pelham, New York.
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request verification
of the Revolutionary War record of William McKelvy, W. 3, which was furnished August 3, 1905 by the Commissioner of Pensions, a
copy of which you enclosed.
All papers in pension claim, W. 3, based upon service of William McKelvy in the Revolutionary War have been examined carefully
and the following data found.
William McKelvy was born in the year 1744, in Ireland, was brought when a little boy to Charlestown, South Carolina, then taken by his parents to the upper part of South Carolina, where he resided at the time he served in the Revolutionary War. The names of his parents were not stated, nor the specific name of the place in which he lived at enlistment.
He enlisted in 1776 or 1777 and served five months as private
in Captain Bauldin's company, Colonel Pickens' South Carolina regiment,
during which he marched into Georgia, was in numerous skirmishes and was discharged at the Midway meeting-house. After a few months, he served one month in Captain William Wilson's company of mounted horsemen. He served two months as private in Captain [James] Caldwell's company, Colonel
Pickens' South Carolina regiment and was in the battle of Stono.

[side note] Some service was probably rendered later than stated but the writer had old report with
dates as in claim & therefore did not change this history.

William McKelvy resided in South Carolina at the close of the 
Revolutionary War, moved and settled in one of the "North States and remained a few years, then moved to Virginia, in which state he resided
several years, after that moved to Tennessee, resided in Smith County, on Goose Creek, afterwards lived in Kentucky, returned to Tennessee and
Page 19

resided in Giles County, that state, also in Rutherford County.
William McKelvy was allowed pension on his application executed
October 10, 1832, at which time he resided in Rutherford County, Tennessee. He died there August 11, 1834.
The soldier married in January or February 1789, in Cumberland
County, Virginia, Mary Mason; the date and place of her birth and the
names of her parents were not given.
Mary McKelvy, the soldier's widow, was allowed pension on her
application executed August 9, 1848, at which time she was aged seventy
five years. She resided then in Gibson County, Tennessee.
William McKelvy, the soldier, and his wife, Mary, had children, whose names and births are shown as follows:
Elizabeth McKelvy born February 5th 1791
John McKelvy born August 7th 1793
William McKelvy born January 20th 1796
Katharine McKelvy born August 15th 1799
Willis W. McKelvy born February 27th 1801
Mary McKelvy born August 12th 1803
James McKelvy born February 26 1805
Hugh McKelvy born November 4th 1808
In 1848, Hugh McKelvy, of Gibson County, Tennessee, stated that the
record of the children, as given above, was from the family Bible which had been in his possession for several years.
In 1850, one Jonathan M. Wallace, of Gibson County, Tennessee, stated that he served with John McKelvy, the said listed above, in the War of 1812 and was in the battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1815, with said John McKelvy. This Jonathan Wallace referred also to a daughter of William McKelvy, the Revolutionary War soldier, who was grown and married
when he (Wallace ) was "not near grown, but he did not designate the name of that daughter.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of
person paid, and possibly the date of death of Mary McKelvy, the pen-
2.
Page 20

sioner, you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:
Mary McKelvy, widow of William McKelvy, Certificate #5634
Issued April 19, 1851
Rate $29.66 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1848
Act of February 2, 1848.
Tennessee Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
3.
Page 21

Aug 3.1905 History to Mrs. J.C.
Canty, Galveston, Tex.
1924 June 12. Hist. to Mrs C.R.
Annette R. Hume, 501 West
Cubial Boulevard, anadarko, Okla. on See her letter in Jesse Stout W2510
1928 - June 15, Mrs Louis W.
Campbell advised parents of widow not given
1936 - Aug. 17. Hist to Mr. Robert H._

3 Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. 3
Mary McKelvy.
Widow
William McKelvy
Priv. Rev. War.
---
Act. Feb. 2. 1848.
Index: --Vol. M. Page 17.
Arrangement of 1870
Page 22

9. 158
Tennessee. Jack.
Mary McKelvy
widow of William
who was a priv. Inf. & Cavy
in the Revolution
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate
of 29 Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843 & Ending April 1844
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of Feb 1852 and sent to Hon J. E. Harris H of R
Acts of March 3, 1843 & June 17, 1844.
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 194
Page 23

11.267
Tennessee Jack
Mary McKelvy
widow of William
who died in 1834
who was a priv. Cacy & Infy.  Revolutionary War
Inscribed on the Roll of Jackson, Te
at the rate of 29 Dollars 66 Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13th day of Feb. 1852 and sent to Hon JE Harris H of R
Recorded by R McRae clerk
Book D Vol 1 Page 361
Page 24

668
Tennessee Jackson
Mary McKelvy
widow of William McKelvey
who was a private of Infantry & Cavalry in the Revolution
Colo Pickens S. Ca.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 29
Dollars 66 Cents per annum, to commence on the 2d day of April 1844.
Certificate of Pension issued the
19 day of April 1851 and sent to
R W. Hawthorn Camden Te
Act of JUNE 17, 1844
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2. Page 194
Page 25

13807
Mary McKelvy
widow of William
Tennessee
Suspended
Letter to Robt H. Hawthorn
Act 7 July 1838
Page 26

No. 858
Mary McKelvy
Wid of William
Tenn
Act 29th July 1848
Letter to RH Hawthorn
Camden Ten: Jan 25, 1851
Page 27

Wm McKelvy Tenn Act 7 June, 1832.
Jackson Agency $29.66 per ann. To what time paid?
Pension Office Feby 7. 1852-
F.F.C. [Illegible]
Not on Jackson, but on Nashville,  Ten. and Paid to 4th March 1834
B.L B.
11 Aug '54
Page 28

Camden July the 31st 1852
James E Heath comr &c
Dear sir inclosed you please find
the claim of Widow McKelvy which you will please examine & file for adjustment when in town
yours truly
Hawthorn & Davidson
Page 29

Mary McKelvy, wid of William
Tenn
Act 17 June 1844 &
Add 5 mo Pri Infy $16.66 2/3
 mo Cavy 13. = $29.66 per an from 2 Apl 1844, when her husband died
Rejected 29 July 1848
letter sent
R. H. Hawthorn
Camden
Tenn
Page 30

Act 7 July 38. No. 13, 1807
Act 4 of July
Mary McKelvy, wid of William
Tenn
Act 7 July, 1838, 3d Mch 1843 & 17 June, 1844
Add 3 mo Pri Cavy $13.00
5 mo infy 16.66 = $29.66 per ann. from 4 Mch, 1836 to 2nd April, 1844,
from which time she has been paid under the Acts of 17 June, 1844 & 2d Feby 1848 -

Cert sent to
Hon J G. Harris
H of Reps
Page 31

Brief in the case of Mary McKelvy
_ County and State of Tennessee
act 7 July 1838
Claim (Original, or for increase.)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditionary or supported by rolls?
She was before admitted from 2d
April, 1844, under a mistaken impression that her husband then died. It is now shown that he died in 1834, and her pension is carried back

Name and residence of Agent
Hon J.G Harris H of Reps
[Illegible]
Examining Clerk.
Page 32

Wm McKelvy

Wm Ledbetter
Page 33

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those
answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
William McKelvy which require
further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides?
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides?
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason
assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?
No.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?
June 7, 1832?
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished
from any other seal?
Page 34

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service?
No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
No
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?
XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness
or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age,
as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how
long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being
duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For year -
months, and days, I served as a
For -- months and days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 35

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served,
and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the
pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite
, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions
merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objection
able. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration
of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either
in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed
in any civil pursuit.
case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must
prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of
the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the
regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the 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
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not
written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate
must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass
under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly
attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 36

Robert H. Hawthorn Esq
27th Oct 1849
Page 37

Pension Office
October 27th 1849
Sir
the papers which you returned
to this Office in the case of Mary
McKelvy Widow of William McKelvy have been received and placed on file
The certificate of the Clerk of
the court in relation to the marriage has not been received and we are not satisfied from the evidence now before the office that the marriage of these parties took place prior to
1794. some further proof upon this
point is required before we can issue
a certificate to Claimant
Robert H. Hawthorn Esq
Camden
Ten
Page 38

April 25 1849
Robert H Hawthorn Camden Tenn
Page 39

Pension Office April 25, 1849
Sir
The declaration and testimony
in the case of Mary McKelvy widow
of William McKelvy with the leaf containing the record of the births of
her children has been examined
and the papers are herewith returned
in order that they may be submitted
to the court of the County where
the claimant resided for its approval
which should be certified under its
seal of office. No evidence has yet
 been received here from the Clerk of the Court of the County in Virginia, where the marriage took place
Robert H. Hawthorn Esq
Camden
Ten
Page 40

RH Hawthorn
18 Oct 1850
Page 41

364
Pension Office
Oct 18th 1850
Sir
The additional evidence transmitted
by you in the case of Mary McKelvy has been received
No application appears to have been
made to the Clerk of the Court of the County in Virginia in which she was married for evidence on this subject. Until the records shall have been examined and the result officially communicated parol testimony
cannot be received a fact of which you will, by reference to my letter to you of the 25 Apl 1849, find you were before apprised-
R. H. Hawthorne Esq
Camden
Tenn
Page 42

No 13807
Mary McKelvy wid of William 
Tenn act 7 July 1838
Page 43

State of Tennessee Gibson County  Upon the 6th August Term 1849
Personally appeared Robert H.
Hawthorn agent for Mary McKelvy Widow of William McKelvy who it appears is an applicant for a Pension the Court having duly examined the declaration and the certificates
thereon it appears to the satisfaction of said Court that the evidence and declaration is entitled to full credit and on the evidence of two respectable Citizens of said County being duly Sworn Viz William M. Akin and Beverly A. Williamson it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that Mary McKelvy  Widow of William McKelvy  is by reason of old age and bodily infirmity is unable to attend Court also that she is a woman of Good character
And the County Court recognizes her children as the legal heirs at law of William McKelvy and therefore
Approved the foregoing declaration
and testimony to be just and valid and
Signed by the Chairman of said Court
on Monday the 6th day of August A.D. 1849 at the Town of Trenton and County of Gibson
Approved
B. Crawford Chairman of
the County Court
Page 44

State of Tennessee Gibson County
I do hereby certify that the foregoing
declaration was duly exhibited examined and approved in open court on the first monday in August
it being the regular term and I further certify that the foregoing Witnesses was duly sworn and examined in open Court also that the foregoing
signatures of Isaac M. Gunter are genuine that the said Isaac M Gunter is a justice of the peace and was such at the time of assigning the same Given under my hand
and seal of office this 6th day of August 1849
JA McDearmon Clerk
Page 45

Camden Tennessee Dec. 21st 1850
Dear Sir
Enclosed I send you a letter from the clerk of County Court Clerk of
Cumberland County in the State of Virginia which I hope will be satisfactory proof that no record exists of Marriage Bonds prior to the year 1810 therefore I hope you will examine the papers in the case of Mrs McKelvy and enroll her on the list of Pensioners for I have not the least doubt of her title to a pension under the several Acts of Congress. If the Enclosed letter is satisfactory proof that no record exists if it is deficient in form so that it is not satisfactory proof inform me without delay and I will send the form &c to the Clerk for proof your Obt Servt
J L. Edwards Esqr
Robert H. Hawthorn
JL Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
N.B. Please State if you have received the papers in the of Mrs Frazier and if so your decision &c Your Obt Servt
Robert H Hawthorn
J L. Edwards Esqr
Com of Pensions &c
Washington City
Page 46

Cumberland Co.Hs. Va
Decr 5 1850
mail  10
Robert H Hawthorn Esq
Camden Tennessee
Page 47

Cumberland Ct. Hs.
4th Decr. 1850
Dear Sir
I have carefully examined the records of this office for the marriage of William McKelvy and Mary Mason, but can find nothing of it. I have frequently been applied to for
copies of Marriage license bonds, but have been unable to find any prior to 1800. I have heard (but of my own knowledge I know nothing) that part of the papers of the Clerks office
of this County were burnt many years ago. I think its probably that the marriage license Bonds may have
been destroyed at that time. If you wish any certificate to the facts above stated with the County seal annexed, let me hear from you again, and
send one dollar to pay me for my trouble . Yours Respectfully
BB Woodson
Page 48

Camden Tenn August 17th 1849
Sir-
Enclosed I forward you the papers in the case of Mrs Mary McKelvy  which you will see was submitted to the County Court of Gibson Cty where
the claimant resides. I forwarded
to Mr Chase a letter from the clerk of
the County Court of Cumberland County Virginia stating that the office was burned in the year 1800 as he had been informed therefore there [Illegible] no marriage bonds of any older date. I requested Mr Chase
to forward you the letter as I considered it in letter form therefore I
proved before the County court her reputation as you will See in the Approval your attention will much oblige Your Obt Servt
Robert H. Hawthorn
J. L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City
Page 49

State of Tennessee Gibson County
Personally appeared Jonathan M. Wallace before me Isaac M Gunter a justice of the peace in and for said County and oath in due form of law that he is fifty seven years of age in August next that he was acquainted with William McKelvy and Mary McKelvy his wife for the time of about forty years ago which would be in the year A.D. one thousand eight hundred and ten or a little before that time
That they lived together as husband and wife and never heard that they were not married but he believes they were married but as to the time
he can only say from the size of the children that when he was only a boy not near grown that the said William McKelvy and Mary McKelvys daughter was fully grown and married
that he served as a volunteer in the year 1814 and was in the battle of the 18th of January 1815 in Capt James Paces company at New Orleans in the same company with John McKelvy a son of William McKelvy and Mary McKelvy that the said John McKelvy must from his appearance be about his own age and that the said John McKelvy was not the oldest child that he was the second or third child as he
then understood and he now recollects that the said Mary McKelvy Widow of William McKelvy is a woman of good character and a woman of undoubted truth and worthy to be relyed upon.
s/ Jonathan M. Wallace
Sworn to and subscribed to before me this 18th day of June A.D. 1850
s/Isaac M Gunter
Justice of the peace
Page 50

State of Tennessee Gibson County 
I Isaac M. Gunter an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County do
certify that Jonathan M. Wallace the subscriber to the foregoing affidavit was duly sworn according to law and that he is a man of good character
for truth and undoubted veracity and a credible Witness Given under my hand and seal this 13th day of June A.D. 1850
s/ Isaac M Gunter Justice of the peace for Gibson County

State of Tennessee Gibson County
I James A McDearmon Clerk of
the County Court of said County do hereby certify that Isaac M Gunter whose signature appears to the foregoing certificate is and was
at the date thereof an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County
duly Commissioned and qualifed according to law that and that said signatures purporting to be his is genuine. Given under my hand and the Seal of said Court at the Clerks
office in the Town of Trenton  this 14th day of June 1850
s/ JA McDearmon clk
Page 51

Camden Tennessee August 16th 1848
Dear Sir enclosed I send you the papers in favor of the claim of Mary
McKelvy before a justice of the peace, because of her general bad health I have addressed a letter to the County Court Clerk of Cumberland Virginia
County for a copy of the marriage and instructed to forward the same to you at Washington City
if there is any Error in form mark it acct and write to at Camden I have described the case in her declaration as well as she knew about it so as to enable the department to refer to it
Your Obt Servt
Robert H. Hawthome
J.L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City, D.C.
Page 52

Additional Declaration relative to William McKelvy's Pension Claim
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as
herein stated. That he entered the service and went into Capt. Bauldins Company in 1776 or 1777 as a volunteer that Col. [Andrew] Pickens was his Colonel. General Lyncoln [Benjamin Lincoln] was his General
in the South Carolina Line. That he joined Capt. Bauldin in the upper part of Georgia from thence he marched to Altamaha River crossed the
same designing to go to [St.]  Augustine but never reached there but turned back crossed said Altamaha River again and went on to a place called the Midway meeting house in the State of Georgia where he was verbally dismissed by Capt. Bauldin that his first Tour of
service was 5 months as well as he now recollects. And a few months afterwards he entered the service again and went into Capt. William Wilson's Company as a volunteer and mounted horseman under Col. Pickens, that his General was Lincoln in the South Carolina Line & that he
served under Capt. William Wilson as a volunteer as aforesaid one month which was his 2nd tour of service. That a few months afterwards he went into service again as a volunteer and mounted gunmen. That when his first
Page 53

declaration was written he did not recollect his Capt.'s name but on thinking more about the matter he now recollects his name was Colwell [James Caldwell] That his Col. was Pickens, and his General Lincoln of the Continental line. That he served under Capt. Caldwell as a volunteer as aforesaid 2 months which was his 3rd tour. That he served in all
8 months. That through mistake it was stated in my old declaration that I was a volunteer gunmen under Capt. Bauldin my first Capt. But in fact and indeed I was not a mounted
horseman under Capt. Bauldin but a footman. William McKelvy X his mark
Sworn to in open Court 1 April 1833
 S/ Wm Ledbetter

I Randolph B Hall a clergyman  resident in Rutherford County in the state of Tennessee hereby certify that I am well acquainted with William McKelvy who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that he believes him to be seventy eight years of age or thereabouts
I Randolph B. Hall, a clergyman
Page 54

he is reputed and believed in the
neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution
and that I concur in that opinion and believe him to be a man of truth .Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. s/ Randolph B Hall
Sworn to in open Court 1 Apl 1833,
Wm Ledbetter Clerk

I James C. Mitchell Judge of the Circuit Court of Rutherford County in the state of Tennessee do hereby declare that it appears to me that Randolph B Hall who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman and resident in Rutherford County 
and State aforesaid and is a credible person and that his statement is entitled to credit.
s/ JC Mitchell
Page 55

State of Tenessee
Rutherford County
I William Ledbetter, Clerk of
the Circuit Court of said County
do certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings in said Court, on the application of
William McKelvy to amend his declaration for a Pension. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand, and caused
the seal of said Court to be affixed
at office in Murfreesborough this
6th day of April, 1833.
s/ Wm Ledbetter
Clerk
Page 56

from Burton County Tenn
Page 57

Application for a New Certificate
State of Tennessee County of Gibson On this 22d day of April 1852
Before me the subscriber a justice of the peace for the said County of Gibson and State of Tennessee personally appeared
Mary McKelvy Widow of William McKelvy who was a private of Infantry and Cavalry, who on her oath declares that she is the Widow of said William McKelvy who drew
a pension in Nashville at the rate of twenty nine dollars and sixty six cents per annum that he died on the 23rd
day of August 1834, that there remained due and unpaid her late husband William McKelvy from the 4th day of March 1834 to the 2nd day of August 1834 that she knows her husband William McKelvy had a certificate to show that fact that said Certificate was placed in the
hands of Andrew Hoover in order to file the papers to draw the residue that Mr Hoover shortly afterwards died in Rutherford County that application has been made to A Hoover administrators for said Certificate as she has been informed
and believes that she depends on the Pension office for proof of his certificate of his pension and the proof hereunto Annexed for the Identity of her being William McKelvys widow that she has not intermarried but continues the
widow of William McKelvy deceased and above named.
Mary McKelvy X her mark
Sworn to and subscribed this 3 day of
April 1852
s/ L.G. H. Pittman
justice of the peace

I L.G. H. Pittman a justice of the peace in and for said County to hereby certify that Mary McKelvy
was duly sworn and did subscribe her name as above that she is a credible witness. Record that I believe the facts set forth in the above affidavit to be true Given under my hand this
3rd day of April 1852
L.G. H. Pittman
justice of the peace
Page 58

State of Tennessee Gibson County  On this 3rd day of April 1852
personally appeared William M. Akin before one L.G.H. Pittman a Justice of the peace in and for said County duly authorized to administer oaths and made oath in due form of law
that he is well acquainted with Mary McKelvy the subscriber to the foregoing affidavit that he knows that William McKelvy  the late husband of the foregoing affiant did have
a pension certificate that there was due and unpaid from the 4th day of March 1834 to his death which was about the 23rd day of August 1834 that he William M. Akin placed
said pension certificate in the hands of Andrew Hoover in order to file the papers to trace the residue of said Pension that Andrew Hoover shortly afterwards died and said
certificate was lost so that the said Widow Mary McKelvy  never could get said certificate that said certificate is
to draw a pension at the rate of twenty nine dollars and sixty six cents per annum . s/ William M Akin
sworn to and subscribed to before me this 3rd day of April 1852 
s/ L.G H. Pittman
justice of the peace

State of Tennessee Gibson County
On this 3rd day of April 1832 Personally appeared Robert H. Hawthom who first being duly sworn
according to law says on his oath that he has acted as Mary McKelvys 
agent to obtain proof of her  marriage with William McKelvy  which has been satisfactory so that she
is placed on the Pension list on the account of the services
of her husband that he knows that she is the identical woman who is well reputed to be the widow of the late William McKelvy  and that she is the same woman that
drew a pension of $29.66 per annum 
s/ Robert H. Hawthorn
sworn to and subscribed to the day and date above written Before me
s/ L. G.H. Pittman
justice of the peace
Page 59

State of Tennessee Gibson County 
I L G H Pittman a justice of the peace in and for said County do certify that William M Akin and Robert H. Hawthorn were duly sworn and did subscribe their names as above that they are credible witnesses Given under my hand this 3rd day of April 1852 s/ L.G. H. Pittman
justice of the peace

State of Tennessee Gibson County 
I James A McDermon Clerk of the
County Court of the County and State aforesaid do certify that L.G. H. Pittman is a justice of the peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified and
was such at date the foregoing affidavit and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine Given under my hand
and seal of said County this
4th day of April 1852
James A McDermon Clerk
Page 60

United States of America
Declaration
State of Tennessee Gibson County SS On this 25 day of October 1850
personally appeared before me Isaac M. Gunter justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid Mary McKelvy resident of Gibson County and State of Tennessee aged
seventy six years who first being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of
Congress passed in February 1848 pensions to certain Widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary war
that she is the widow of William McKelvy who drew a pension at Nashville Tennessee at the rate of $29.00 and some cents that the does not now remember the precise amount. She further declares that she was married in Jan or February
seventeen hundred and eighty nine that by reason of age she cannot now state the precise day of the month but she has kept the ages of her children until they were sent to Washington City in order to obtain the benefit of the act of July 7th
1838 &c That William McKelvy died in Rutherford County in the State of Tennessee also lived in Rutherford County when he drew his pension in Nashville that he died in August 1834 she further declares that she is still a widow. Mary McKelvy X her mark
Sworn to and subscribed to before me this 25th day of October 1850
s/ Isaac M. Gunter Justice of the Peace

State of Tennessee Gibson County 
I Isaac M Gunter a justice of
the peace in and for the County aforesaid do certify that the above
declarent Mary McKelvy is personally known to me that she is the
Identical person who claims a pension under the act of Congress
approved July 7th 1838 and that she was duly sworn and subscribed
as above stated that she is a woman of good character for truth and that she is highly creditable and of good mind considering her age and weakly situation of health being unable to attend Court . Given under my hand this 25th October 1850
s/ Isaac M Gunter JP
Page 61

State of Tennessee Gibson County ⎬ Before me Isaac A Gunter a justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid personally appeared
William M. Akin who first being duly sworn according to law says on oath that he is personally acquainted with Mary McKelvy the subscriber to the foregoing declaration that the
is the identical person Who filed her declaration to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress approved July the 7th 1838. that she is the identical person whose declaration was approved before the County Court of Gibson County that he knows that
she is the widow of William McKelvy who drew a pension in Nashville at the rate of twenty nine dollars and some cents over because he has seen his certificate and was
personally acquainted with him in his lifetime that he died in August 1834 
s/ Wm M Akin
Sworn to and subscribed to this
25th day of October 1850
s/ Isaac M Gunter Justice of Peace

State of Tennessee Gibson County
I Isaac M. Gunter a Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid do certify that the above named William M Akin was duly sworn and did subscribe to the same
that he is a man of good character for veracity and undoubted truth and a credible witness given under my
hand and seal this 26th day of October 1850
s/ Isaac M Gunter Justice of Peace
Page 62

State of Tennessee Jackson County ⎬ 
I James A McDearmon clerk of
the County Court of said County
do certify that Isaac M Gunter whose signature appears to the foregoing certificate is and was at the
date thereof an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly commissioned and qualified according to law and that
his signature thereto is in his own proper hand writing
Given under my hand and the Seal
of said Court as office in Trenton
this 30th day of October 1850
s/ JA McDearmon clk
Page 63

22 Traver St Pelham NY
Sept. of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington. D.C
Gentlemen-
Enclosed is a copy (see attached) of record of Wm McKelvy who was a soldier in Revolutionary war-
Would you please see if this
is correct according to your
Records. Thanking you-
Mrs Robert H. Warren

[stamp] RECEIVED AUG 11 1936
Page 64

22 Fraser St.,
Pelham, N. Y.
Department interior
Bureau Pensions
Washington,
Dear Sirs:-
Enclose find a copy of my grand father's service in the Revolution. I would be glad if possible to find from your records the names of my great grand mother's parents (she was Mary mason and drew a pension from the government)
Whatever fee is required will be glad to pay.
sincerely,
Mrs Louis W. Campbell
[stamp] US PENSION OFFICE JUN 13 1928
Page 65

[note] keep this only a copy but gives data from long ago
O. W. AND N. DIVISION 3 - 525
F. S. C.
WID.3
REV WAR
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON, D. C.
AUGUST 3. 1905
MADAM: 
In reply to your request for a statement of the military
history of WILLIAM MCKELVY, a soldier of the Revolutionary War,
you will find below the desired information as contained in his
(and his widow's) applications for pension on file in this Bureau
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT 1776 or 1777 
Few mos later
Few mos later
LENGTH OF SERVICE 5 mo.
I mo.
2 mos.
RANK private
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED
CAPT. Bauldin
Wm. Wilson
Caldwell
COLONEL. Pickens
Pickens
Pickens
STATE S. C.
S. C.
S. C.
Battles engaged in, STONO.
Residence of soldier at enlistment SOUTH CAROLINA, UPPER PART
Date of application for pension, OCTOBER, 10, 1832.
Residence at date of application, RUTHERFORD CO. TENN.
Born in Ireland, 1744
REMARKS: His claim was allowed. He married January or Feb. 1789 in Cumberland Co., Va., Mary Mason, and died August 11, 1834
in Rutherford Co., Tenn., she applied for pension in 1848 aged 75
years, resident Gibson Co., Tenn. Her claim was allowed.
Very respectfully,
V. Warner
Commissioner.
Page 66

[stamp] OLD WAR & NAVY FILES JUL 26 1905
[printed letterhead] Great Council of Texas Improved Order of Red Men.
Galveston 928 Church St
July 20th  1905
Commissioner - Pension Department
Washington, DC
Dear Sir, 
I am anxious to obtain any or all information that you can give me concerning W. H. McKelvey, whose name is said to be on the pension list. He is from Murfreesboro, Ten. and 1797 is the only date I know, in connection with his name. I am secretary of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and wish this information, for an important reason. Hoping for an early response
I am
Respectfully, Mrs. J.C. Carty
Page 67

Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
June 15, 1928.
Mrs. Louis W. Campbell,
22 Fraser Street,
Pelham, New York.
Madam: 
I advise you that in the papers on file in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 3, the names of the parents
of Mary Mason McKelvy, widow of William McKelvy, are not stated.
Respectfully,
WINFIELD SCOTT,
Commissioner.
COPIED BY ADY & the claim was gleaned for the information by Miss ady-
Page 68

William McKelvy W.3
widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT. 76 or 77
five months later
five months later
LENGTH OF SERVICE. 5 m.
1 m.
2 m.
RANK. Private
 OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN. Bauldin
Wm Wilson
Caldwell
COLONEL. Pickens
Pickens
Pickens
STATE. S. C.
Battles engaged in, Stono
Residence of soldier at enlistment, South Carolina
Date of application for pension, Oct. 10, 1832
Residence at date of application, RutherFord Co. Tenn
Age at date of application, b. Ireland 1744
Remarks: His claim was allowed. He Mar Jan or Feb 1789 Cumberland Co
Mary Mason
Sol. d. Aug 11 1834 Rutherford Co. Tenn. She applied Augt 9 1848 age 75 Gibson Co. Tenn. Her cl. allowed.
child Elizabeth, born Feb 5, 1791
rest family record copy
Very respectfully, Commissioner.