Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 21,599, Moses Cohen, S.C.
Page 1

SERVICE
S.C.

Cohen, Moses
Abrahams, Judith
Former widow

NUMBER
W. 21.599
Page 2

South Carolina 2242
Judith Abraham formerly
widow of Moses Cohen dec?
who died on the 30 June 1789
of Charleston in the State of So. Ca.
who was a Private in the company commanded
by Captain Bacot of the Regt. commanded
by [blank] in the So. Ca.
line for 2 year

Inscribed on the Roll of So. Ca.
at the rate of 80 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 7 day of Augt
1838 and sent P.
Cantwell Charleston So. Ca.

Arrears to the 4th of March 1838 $560.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept. 40.00
$600.00

Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3d

Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk
Book A. Vol. 2. Page 172
Page 3

State of South Carolina
District of Charleston ss

On this third day of July
1838 personally appeared before
the undersigned, Mrs Judith Abraham a resident of Charleston aged seventy five years, who being duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to be entitled to the benefit of the 3d section of the act of Congress of the 4th July 1836 and the act explanatory of said act passed March 3d 1837. That she was married
to Moses Cohen, who was a private volunteer soldier during the war of the Revolution in a Corps called the Grenadier company of Charleston So. Carolina Militia commanded by Capt Bacat and served in same for two years, and upwards in the following manner,
to wit, He joined said corps in the year 1776, for she has heard her husband the said Moses Cohen relate how, that, during the fight, at Fort Moultrie in June 1776 he was under arms on the wharf for the defense of the City. She further states, that for more than a year before the fall of Charleston he was constantly with his corps under arms for its protection, that he manned the lines in the year 1779 upon occasion of the expected attack of Gl. Prevost in 1779, that he went with a detachment from this city in same year, to drive the British out of Savannah, that he with David Cordosa and Samuel Mordeccai, formed the third row of the forelorn hope in that disastrous assault
that, in the record of the troops from the fire of the garrison he suffered exceedingly, was rescued from exposure in a swamp, and was upon his return to his home in Charleston confined for several weeks to his bed, that he served against the British during the Seige
of Charleston, and that, upon the surrender of same he was, while under arms, made a prisoner of war, and kept as such for twelve months, that, after the lapse of this time he was indulged to go at large upon parol, that, during the time of his sd. imprisonment being obnoxious to the enemy they suffered loss and endured indignity from their hessian auxiliaries. She further declares she was married to the said Moses Cohen on the 10 February 1779 as appears
Page 4

by an original entry in her bible which according to an ancient custom is the family register, and that her husband the aforesaid Moses Cohen died on the 30th June 1789, that she was afterwards married to Joseph Abrahams in the year 1793, who died on the 9th day of February 1797 and that she was a widow on the 4th July 1836, and still remains a widow, as will more fully appear by reference to the proofs hereto annexed.
Judith Abrahams

Sworn to and subscribed on the day
and year above written before me, and I
also certify the credibility of the applicant.
Jacob Axson
Recorder of the
City of Charleston & Judge
of the City Court
Page 5

Rev.&1812 Wars Section.
A[??]

April 3, 1929.

Mrs. Annabel J. Nathans,
Hotel President,
New York City.

Madam:
I advise you that this bureau is unable to furnish
the history of a soldier of the Revolution unless a claim
for pension or bounty land has been made on account of his
services.
A careful search of the records fails to show such a
claim on file on account of the services of any soldier
named Emmanuel Abrahams, under any spelling of that name,
or for any widow named Judith Abrahams, other than Judith
Abrahams the widow of Joseph Abrahams who was pensioned as
the former widow of Moses Cohen, Widow File No. 21599.
In her application for pension executed July 3, 1838
before the Judge of the City Court of Charleston, South Carolina,
she swears that she was the widow of Moses Cohen a
soldier of the Revolution who died June 30, 1789, and that she
married Joseph Abraham who died February 5, 1797.
Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
Page 6

Mrs Abrahams
Judith. 3672

formy. wid of Moses
Cohen dcd

Married 1779
died 1789

Allow 2 yr for US
Charleston Grenadiers
S.C. $80 per ann.
no deductions

P Cantwell,
Charleston
S. C.
Page 7

State of South Carolina
City of Charleston SS

Charleston So Ca
July 1838, Clerks
office, City Court, City Hall

Thereby certify that the Honble Jacob Axson Esqr is recorder of the City of Charleston, and Judge of the City Court and that the signature to the annexed affidavit in the case of Mrs Abrahams claim for a pension from the US
is genuine, and that the statements of said Mrs Judith Abrahams, Mrs S. Cardosa, Mr Cast and Mrs Lazarus of s[ai]d City, in relation thereto are entitled to credit & confidence In  testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my
seal of office and subscribed my name the day
and year above written.
F. S. Ward
Clerk of the City Court, in the City of Charleston
So Carolina

State of South Carolina
District of Charleston SS
office Court Common pleas
Charleston

I Charles C. Strohecker Clerk of the Court of Common pleas for the district of Charleston, certify that Path. Cantwell is a magistrate as stated in the annexed papers, and that the signatures thereto purporting to be his are genuine, further certify that Mrs
Judith Abraham, and the witnesses who have
given testimony to the within claim for a
pension, are respectable and entitled to credit

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name
and affixed the seal of my office this 27th day of July 1838
Charles C. Strohecker
Clerk of the Court Common
pleas Dist of Charleston
So Carolina
Page 8

State of South Carolina
District of Charleston SS

On this 18th day of July 1838
Personally appeared before the
undersigned Mrs Sarah Cardosa Widow, aged 73 years
and a resident of the City of Charleston, who being duly sworn
Deposeth, that she was well acquainted with the late Mr
Moses Cohen of Charleston, and with his widow the present
Mrs Judith Abraham. That, she knew them to have been
a married couple during the war of the Revolution for
she was present at the wedding, and has every reason to
believe that the marriage of the said Moses Cohen, to the said
Judith Abrahams took place as set forth in the statement
of said Judith in the month of February 1779, That, she has
every reason to believe, said Cohen, served two years
under arms in the war of the Revolution against the
enemy, and in a corps called the "Grenadiers" of Charleston
which Corps her husband David N. Cardosa was also a member,
that, she believes he was at Savannah, and at the seige
of Charleston as mentioned in said Judith Abraham
affidavit, that, she believes he was made a prisoner
under arms by the British upon the fall of Charleston and
remained a prisoner 12 months on parol, that Deponent
was during said war a resident of Charleston and
intimate with said Moses Cohens family, that
Mrs Abrahams is his widow and always maintained
a respectable character & that her statements are
entitled to credit, that, she was a widow on the 4th
July 1836 and has not since intermarried.
Sarah Cardoza

Sworn to and subscribed before
me the day and year above written
"73" on the 3d line being inserted in place of 72 &
I also certify the credibility of the affiant
P Cantwell Not Pub & D.W.
for Charleston Dist So Carolina
Page 9

State of South Carolina
District of Charleston SS

On this 16th day of July 1838
Personally appeared before the
undersigned Mrs Rachel Lazarus aged Seventy six years
and a resident of the City of Charleston, who being duly
sworn according to Law, Deposeth that, she was well
acquainted with Mr Moses Cohen of Charleston deceased
that he knew him during the war of the Revolution
and with his widow, the present Mrs Judith Abraham
of Charleston, that, she knew them during the war of the
Revolution to have been a respectable married
Couple, and that, she believes the said Moses
Cohen was married to said Judith Abraham
in the year 1779, and that, she believes said
Moses Cohen served under arms for
two years during the war of the Revolution
and that, at the surrender of the City, he was
like other of the militia taken prisoner
under any retained as a prisoner of has
on parol for months, and that,
said Mrs Judith Abrahams has ever been
regarded as a reputable and moral lady
and that, she was a widow, on the 4th July
1836, and is now a widow.
R. Lazarus

Sworn to and subscribed before
me the day and year above written
& word "knew" on the 9th line being
fu[?] inserted & I also certify the
credibility of the affiant
P Cantwell Not Pub & D.W.
For Charleston Dist, So. Carolina
Page 10

State of South Carolina
District of Charleston SS

On this 9th day of July 1838
Personally appeared before
the undersigned, Mr John Cart, aged Seventy Seven
years, a revolutionary pensioner, and a resident of
s[ai]d City of Charleston, who being duly sworn, deposeth,
that, he know the late Mr Moses Cohen of Charleston
deceased, during the war of the Revolution, and to have
been a member of a volunteer corps called the "Grenadiers"
of Charleston, and this Deponent saith, he
has every reason to believe he was a private and
served as such in said corps for two years under
arms against the enemy previous to the surrender
of the city. Deponent saith he has reason to believe
that, said Cohen was at the Seige of Savannah, and
that, he was while under arms taken a prisoner
at the fall of Charleston, and returned as a prisoner
on parol for 12 months. Deponent saith
knows Mrs Judith Abrahams the widow of
said Moses Cohen, that, he knows her to be said
Cohens wife during the War of the Revolution, for
in the year A.D. 1780 Deponent was a clerk to
her father Mr Isaac Delyon deceased who
then kept a merchants store at the corner of King and
Queen St and that, the said Moses Cohen and his
wife the present Mrs Judith Abraham, then lived in
the house with the aforesaid Mr Isaac De Lyon
in the said year 1780, and that, said Judith is his
widow, and that, she is a widow and was a widow
on the 4th July 1836, and that, she always bore
a respectable character for veracity.
Page 11

John Cart

Sworn to and subscribed before
me the day and year above written
and I certify the Credibility of the
affiant
P Cantwell
Not. Pub. & D. W. for Charleston Dist So. Ca.
Page 12

Mrs Abrahams.
Page 13

State of South Carolina
District of Charleston SS

Charleston S. Carolina
23rd July 1838

We Hereby Certify that [we] know Mrs Judith
Abraham, widow, and formerly the widow of
Moses Cohen of the City of Charleston; that she
is regarded by this congregation as a moral and respectable
member of whose marriage to said Moses
Cohen in the year 1779, or during the war of the
Revolution there exists no doubt in the minds
of those who have inquired into the matter.
[We] further certify that the witnesses in this case
namely Mrs Sarah Cardosa, Mrs Lasarus
and Mr John Cart are regarded as persons in
whose statements the fullest confidence may
be placed, and [we] also certify that in the year
the church records were destroyed by fire
In the year 1790.
N. Harts
H. M. Herz
Benesh Moses
Abrm Ottolengui
Joshua Lazarus

Trustees of
Hebrew Congregation
Page 14

Charleston So Carolina
23d July 1838

We the undersigned certify that, we have
known Mrs Judith Abraham for a number
of years, as a respectable lady, whose statements
are entitled to credit, and as being fairly
entitled to the the provisions of the pension case, as
the widow of a Revolutionary soldier &
we do therefore recommend her case to the
favorable consideration of the War Department,
and pension office, and we also certify that
the statements of Mrs S. Cardosa, Mrs Lazarus and Mr Cart
in proof of this claim are Entitled to faith and confidence.
M. Jacobs
M. C. Mordecai

I recomend Mrs Abrahams
to the favorable consideration
of the Hon Secretary of War. I
certify that I believe the
individuals whose names are above
stated to be fully entitled to
credit & confidence in the statements
they have made respecting the case.
Respectfully H L Pinckney
John Strobel
Chas Kiddell
Jeremiah A Yates
Page 15

Rvy

WIDOW, &c.
File No. 21599
Judith Abrahams
formerly Wid of
Moses Cohen
Priv. Rev. War

Act: July 4th 1836
Index: -- Vol. A, Page 482
[Arrangement of 1870.]

1892 Apr 13
Hist to Miss
Desha (Bruria)

1893 May 4 Hist
to J Randolph Mordecai
Lutherville Md

1928 Nov. 29. H.P. Caphton
advised of names of
widows two husbands
and their dates of deaths
also that no claim for
Emanuel Abraham, aid[?]

1929. Apr. 3 Mrs Annabel J.
Nathans. given same data
as above case.
Page 16

2
To CHF. DW W Dcd
ACTION previous reply
to Hon. J. F.C. Talbott
through Chas Aes

MAY 9 1893
COMMISSIONER
Page 17

Lutherville P.O.
Balto. Co. Md

FAIRLEE April 21 / 93
Hon. J. F. C. Talbott
Lutherville

Rev War
FILE WITH CASE. OWW
21599

My dear Sir;
With reference
to my communication with
you this am. I would
ask if you can provide for
me, from the Pension office
an official record that
Moses Cohen, who was born
in Charleston So Ca in 1754,
served in the war of the Revolution
& as a soldier of that
war that he or his widow drew a pension from
the US Government. I would
like the record to show
during what years, & in which
service he served. If there is
any expense in obtaining
the cable[?] I will cheerfully
Page 18

pay for same. May I
ask that you give this
matter early attention for
me as I am desirous 
of obtaining the information
at the earliest practiceable
moment. Anticipating
my thanks to you.

I am
Your servant
Randolph Mordecai
Page 19

Bachmere March 27 / 93
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

Sir;
Some weeks since
I wrote to your bureau requesting
that you give me,
or inform me how to procure,
an official record that Moses
Cohen of Charleston So Ca was
on the Pension Records & drew
a Pension from the US Govmt
for services during the Revolutionary
War. Since I have heard nothing
from you, I again write asking
for the information, & would esteem
it as a great favor if you wil
give it me as soon as practiceable
as it is desirous I should
get it an early date.

Yours very respectfully,
Randolph Mordecai
Page 20

Lutherville P.O.
Balto. Co. Md.

FAIRLEE March 14 / 93
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC

Sir
I am desirous of
securing an official record
of Moses Cohen of Charleston
So Ca who fought in the
Revolutionary war, & who drew
a pension from the US Government.
Will you good enough
to inform me how I can
obtain it. He died in Charleston
I think in 1789.

Yours respecfully
Randolph Mordecai
Page 21

[letterhead]
MARYLAND SOCIETY
Sons of the American Revolution

PRESIDENT,
GEN'L BRADLEY TYLER JOHNSON
BALTIMORE.

VICE-PRESIDENT,
FRANCIS HENRY STOCKETT,
ANNAPOLIS.

SECRETARY,
JOHN RICHARDSON DORSEY,
BALTIMORE.

TREASURER,
ARCHIBALD BARKLIE COULTER,
BALTIMORE.

REGISTRAR AND HISTORIAN,
GEO. NORBURY MACKENZIE,
BALTIMORE.

OFFICE OF
THE REGISTRAR AND HISTORIAN.
THE LAW BUILDING.

BALTIMORE April 29 1893

Mr. A. Howard Clarke
Washington D.C.

My dear Sir
I write to see if you can
help me in a matter. I am desirous of verifying an
application for membership in our society based upon the
services of Moses Cohen of Charleston S.C. was a member
of Captain Bacot Co, 1776 and a participant in the
Fort Moultrie fight. Moses Cohen (or Kohen) & his widow Judith Cohen
received pensions from the Government.
The applicant Mr I. Randolph Mordecai has addressed three
letters with pension department none of which has been answered
Can you from your archive give me any information as to
the Cohen claim. Oblige

Yours cordially
Geo Norbury Mackenzie
Registrar

Ans c/o Mr Clarke
Page 22

Record

U.S. ARMY

Oct 23 1920
128 Hall St East
Savannah Ga.

Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir

At the suggestion of
Mrs. A. S. Salley Jr Secty of the
Historical Commission of So. Ca. I
am writing to you in hopes that you
can assist me in finding the
records of the pension which
Page 23

which was paid to Mrs. Judith Abrahams
for services rendered by her husband
Emanuel Abrahams in South Carolina
(Charleston) during the Revolutionary
War. Dr. Elzas tells in his "Jews
of South Carolina" that Mrs Abrahams
received a pension & that her
name appears in records "The
Census of Pensioners" Washington
& I take it that this Census of
Page 24

of Pensions was issued from the
Bureau of Pensions Washington.
I shall feel deeply indebted if you can
assist me in finding this record of
her pension, which was undoubtedly paid
to Mrs Judith Abrahams as I feel assured
that Dr Elzas' statement is absolutely
reliable as he writes history and not legends.
If there is any cost attached to
the truth of searching out this
information & you let me know
what sum it is. I shall glad to send
P. O. order for same.
With thanks.
Sincerely
H. P. Caphton
128 Hall St East
Savannah Ga
Page 25

Revo - 2 FNS,

Savannah Ga Nov 19. 1920
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washingon D.C.

My dear Sir,
Mr. A. S. Salley Jr, Sect'y of
the Historical Commmission of
South Carolina has told me that 
the United States Government
used to issue every few years
Page 26

a list of pensioners of the
Revolution. Will you kindly let
me know if these lists were
compiled by the government &
if so how I might get
posession of such an
[???], or where I might
have the privilege of
examining these lists as
given out by the government.
I am trying to establish the
Page 27

the facts of service of Emanuel Abrahams
whom Dr A. B. Elzas states in
his "The Jews of So Ca" page 92, [???] 30
appears as the husband of Judth
Abrahams (Mrs. Emanuel Abrahams)
that information appears in
"Census of Pensioners"
On Nov 2, 1920, an (acting) Commissioner
F. D. Byington Esq in your office
sent me in substance the following:
"The Bureau fails to afford any
information in regards to any soldier
named Emanuel Abrahams. Mrs.
Judith Abrahams, widow of Joseph
Abrahams was pensioned on account
of the services of her former husband
Page 28

I am going to ask you to kindly
give me the information I
am trying to get. That is
where might I get a
Census of Pensioners of Revolutionary
or  military services
containing the name of Mrs
Judith Abrahams (widow of
Emanuel Abrahams).
I feel sure that it must
Page 29

Moses Cohen, a soldier of the
Revolutionary War.
(Signed) F. D. Byington

Upon receipt of this information
from your Bureau I wrote
to Dr Elzas who assures me
that the facts as stated in
his book are absolutely correct
& so as this mention[?] is of
great moment to me
Page 30

be attainable & I am sure you
will help me to find out where
this furthermore is to be had.
With thanks for any trouble you
might take on my behalf I
am
Yours sincerely
Henrietta Prentiss Caphton
128 Hall St East
Page 31

HOTEL PRESIDENT
48TH STREET WEST OF BROADWAY
NEW YORK
August 20. 28

United States
Commissioner of 
Pensions
Washington D.C.

I will be most
grateful if you will give
me an official statement
in reference to
Judith Abrahams, 
wife of Emanuel Abrahams,
Company commanded by
Captain Richard Lushington under
Gen. Moultrie, commanded by
Col. Maurice Simons. Under
Acts 1818-1832 names appearing
as late as 1871.
Page 32

Judith Abrahams, widow
of Emanuel Abraham or
Abrahams. I am a
lineal descendent of said
Emanuel Abrahams & wish
the record to establish my
family claim as a D.A.R.
Thanking you,
Yours very truly,
(Mrs.) Annabel J. Nathans
Page 33

B-1809
United States.
Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF PENSIONS

IF NOT CALLED FOR IN 18 DAYS RETURN TO
THE COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON, D. C.
OFFICIAL BUSINESS

[illegible]
Returned to Writer
INQUIRY SECTION

RW
Not there
Page 34

IN REPLY REFER TO

Rev.&1812 Wars Section. 3-1885
AWF

UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON
April 3, 1929.

Mrs. Annabel J. Nathans,
Hotel President,
New York City.

Madam:
I advise you that this bureau is unable to furnish
the history of a soldier of the Revolution unless a claim
for pension or bounty land has been made on account of his
services.
A careful search of the records fails to show such a
claim on file on account of the services of any soldier
named Emanuel Abrahams, under any spelling of that name,
or for any widow named Judith Abrahams, other than Judith
Abrahams the widow of Joseph Abrahams who was pensioned as
the former widow of Moses Cohen, Widow File No. 21599.
In her application for pension executed July 3, 1838
before the Judge of the City Court of Charleston, South Carolina,
she swears that she was the widow of Moses Cohen a
soldier of the Revolution who died June 30, 1789, and that she
married Joseph Abraham, who died February 5, 1797.

Respectfully,
E. W. MORGAN,
Acting Commissioner,
Page 35

Rev. War Section.

Nov. 29, 1920.

Henrietta P. Caphton,
128 Hall street, East,
Savannah, Ga.

Madam:
In reply to your letter of the 19" instant, you are advised
that this Bureau is unable to furnish the history of a
soldier of the Revolution, unless a claim for pension or bounty
land has been made on account of his services, and a careful
search of the records fails to show such a claim on file on account
of the services of any soldier named Emanuel Abrahams,
under any spelling of that name, or for any widow named Judith
Abrahams, other than Judith Abrahams the widow of Joseph Abrahams
who was pensioned as the former widow of Moses Cohen, Widow
File No. 21,599.
In her application for pension executed July 3, 1838, before
the Judge of the City Court of Charleston, South Carolina,
she swears that she was the widow of Moses Cohen a soldier of
the Revolution who died June 30, 1789, and that she married
Joseph Abrahams who died Feb. 5, 1797.
In the volume quoted by you, the Census of Pensioners of
1840, her name appears on page 142, as a resident of the 4"
ward of Charleston, South Carolina aged 77 years, but it is
Page 36

not stated that she was the widow of Emanuel Abrahams.
This Bureau has no lists of pensioners of the Revolution
for distribution, such publications are very rare, that quoted
by you is the last one published. It is possible tht you
might find it in some large library.
It is regretted that the Bureau is unable to aid you
further in this matter.
Very respectfully,
F. D. Byington
Commissioner.