Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W 5368, for William Means, South Carolina
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(8-1776) SERVICE S.C.  Means, William   Susan NUMBER W 5368 B. L. Wt 28635 - 160-55
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(left page )  150.981 May 28/55 Act Mar  Susan Means wid  William Means priv   Rev : Pensioner  Ills Feb 53 - 3318  Ad : 160 Ac. my 26/56  Boynton  ER  J. P. Dickinson  Present. ( notes across page over text ) ( No 28635  iss May 30/56 )  ( right page ) Cir G. W. Rives Mar 26/56 Vol M 2 .Page 7
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(left page ) (vertical note Reg'd mss 150981 ) ( right page ) 3318 Illinois, Springfield Susan Means widow of William Means who served in the Revolutionary  war S.C. , as a private  Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 25 Dollars 22 Cents per annum  to commence on the 3rd February 1853. Certificate of pension issued  the 23rd day of Dec. 1853 and sent to  Erastus Wright  Springfield, Ill Recorded on  Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853 Page 193 Vol. A  1321
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Illinois 22.485  W, Means of Edgar Co in the State of Illinois who was a private in the Co. commanded by Captain Farrey of the Regt  commanded by Col Brandon in the South Carolina line for  7 mos  & 17 days  $ 25.22 / 100, Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois at the rate of 25 Dollars 22 Cents per annum  to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.  Certificate of Pension issued the 15th day of Nov. 1833 and sent to  Wm J. Mayo  Paris, Edgar Col. Ill.  Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 1833 - $ 65.05 Semi- anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '34  $ 12.61 ( total $ 75.66 )  { Revolutionary  Claim Act June 7, 1832. } Recorded by Wm R. Calmer Clerk  Book G Vol. 8 Page 59
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[ State of Illinois Edgar County ]  On this 28th day of September 1833 personally in open Court being a Court of Record viz the district Court in and for the said county of Edgar, William Means a resident of said Edgar County & State of Illinois  aged 70 years the 3rd day of May last past 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 7, 1832.  He states that he was born in Augusta County near Stanton in the State of Virginia on the 3rd day of May 1763; This his age he ... ( illegible ) from a family register once in his possession but now lost. He states that in his infancy his father moved into the State of South Carolina and settled on a branch of Tyger river called Fair Forest in the now County of Union in said last named State where he continued to reside with his father till sometime about the first of January 1780 he entered the State service as a volunteer & a private & a minute man  called out by competent authority and was placed under the command of Cap. Robert Faris. he thinks the  Lieut's name was  -  Mays but is not certain, the name of the major is forgotten  Cap. Robert Faris's company was attached to Col. Thomas Brandon's Regiment. He states that in the time of the Battle of Cowpens where Gen. Morgan defeated Tarleton, he with others was left with the baggage wagons after the said battle was over he returned home to his father and in the neighborhood of his father continued as a minute man ( small notation is illegible )  till some time in August following : during which term of service as a minute man as aforesaid he was to the best of his ability & recollection  actually engaged in said State service two months and five days and was not engaged in time of two months  & five days in any civil pursuit for this his service as minute man  etc., he did not receive any written discharge. He
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He further states that in August 1780 he entered the State service of South Carolina for two months and was placed as aforesaid under the command of James Crawford Captain in Col. William Fair's Regiment, being called out by competent authority and continued in said service scouting and rangering about to prevent Tory depredations till his full term of two months service had expired, and during said term of two months service he received no written discharge. He further states that in April 1781 he again enter the State  service of South Carolina  as a volunteer & private for two months and was again placed under the command of Cap. James Crawford who company was attached to Col. William Fair's Regiment ( same as above )  was called out by competent authority was marched to the village of Orangeburg on Edisto river in said State of South Carolina  & was engaged in scouting & rangering about to prevent  Tory depredations  the full term of two months during which time he was not engaged in any civil pursuits and that he received not written discharge for said service. He further states that in the last of September or first of October 1781 he again entered the State service of South Carolina as a volunteer and private  for six weeks and was again placed under the command of Cap James Crawford whose company was attached to Gen Andrew Pickens Brigade other officers names forgotten : was called out by competent authority was marched to various Indian towns  named Long Swamp taken on Long Swamp river took two Indians prisoners Gen Pickens promised the Indians if they would give up the bad white men that was among them ; he would not cut off , or destroy the Indians  upon which proposition the Indians surrendered up seven white men , three of whom were hung by Gen Pickens , the other four  as this declarant was informed was given up to Gen Clark of Georgia State. We visited sundry other Indian Towns  and found them all friendly that he served out his said last named six weeks tour of service and was not engaged in any civil pursuits during said term & that he received no written discharge for said service. He further states that he continued to reside in the State of South Carolina for 12 or 15 years
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years after the war closed , then removed to the State of Georgia  was in three years removed to the State of Ohio in Adams County and reside there about 23 years, then removed to the present  place of residence in Edgar County State of Illinois where he has resided for the last 11 years. He states that he has no documentary evidence & knows of  no person whose testimony he can procure to testify to his services. He states that William J Mayo Clergyman  & Milton K Alexander laborer can testify to his veracity and their belief of his services as a soldier in the revolution. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency  in any State. William Means ( signed )( seal )   [ State of Illinois Edgar County ] SS. On this 28th day of September 1833 personally appeared in open Court  William J Mayo  Clergyman  & Milton K Alexander  laborer  both citizens of said County  who being first duly sworn  according to law  do hereby certify that they are well acquainted with William Means who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration for a pension  and that they believe he is 70 years of age , that he is  reputed  and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution , & that they concur in said opinion. Sworn to and subscribed in open Court  the date above written .  Will J. Mayo ( signed ) M.K. Alexander ( signed )   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 said Court certifies that it appears to them that William J Mayo who signed the proceeding certificate is a clergyman resident in the County of Edgar & State of Illinois, That Milton K. Alexander who
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who also signed the same is a resident in the said County  and State  is a credible person and that their statements is entitled to credit  Wm Wilson ( signed )  I  Johnathan Mayo Clerk of the Circuit Court for Edgar County in the  State of Illinois do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings  of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Means for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand  & private seal  ( no judicial seal yet being procured ) this 28th day of September 1833. J Mayo ( signed / sealed ) Clk  I am personally acquainted with the above named Johnathan Mayo whose certificate is  above given and know him to be clerk as set forth therein  and that his attestation is in due form  according to the laws of Illinois. Oct 7th 1833  John M Robinson ( signed ) ( margin note vertical ) ( William Means  27623 Ills)                            
Co... ( illegible ) with the Rev. Will J Mayo of Paris Edgar County Illinois
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[ State of Illinois County of Edgar ] On this sixth day of June  AD 1853 personally appeared before me James M  Miller Clerk of the County Court of Edgar County State of Illinois, Susan Means a resident of Edgar County and State of Illinois aforesaid  aged sixty seven 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 provisions made by the act of Congress passed on the 3rd  February 1833, granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary War. That she is the widow of William Means who was a private and served in South Carolina for some  time and who drew a pension at the rate of $ 25 . 33 per annum  from the United States and was paid at the Springfield Illinois agency to the day of his death. She further declares that she was married to the said William Means on the 18th day of April 1811 by the Rev. Wm Williams in Adams County Ohio, and that her husband  William Means  died June 11, 1848. that she was not married to him prior to eighteen hundred but at the time above stated, she further declares that she is now a widow.  Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written before me.  Susan Means ( signed )  ( seal ) attest Caleb Wentworth ( signed ) Wm N. Redmon ( signed )  [ State of Illinois  County of Edgar ] I James M Miller clerk of the County Court  in and for said County do hereby certify that  I am personally acquainted with Susan Means and that satisfactory evidence  has been presented to  me that she is the widow of William Means  who was the Identical person who drew a pension from the United States and who is now dead, that the signature to the foregoing  is genuine, and that I have no interest in the matter whatever . In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and  affixed my seal of office at Paris this sixth day of June 1853.  James M Miller ( signed ) Clerk
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Paris Edgar County Ill. June 6th 1933.  The Commissioner of Pensions  will please forward my Pension Certificate to Erastus Wright my attorney at  Springfield Illinois . Susan Means ( signed )
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[ State of Illinois Edgar County ] SS. On this eighteenth day of May 1855 personally appeared before me George W. Rives clerk of the County Court  in and for the County  and State aforesaid  duly authorized by law to administer oaths  Susan Means aged 68 years, a resident of Illinois in the County aforesaid who being duly sworn according to law  declares that she is the widow of William Means, deceased, who was a private in the "Revolutionary War " . That her said husband  continued in actual service in said war for three months and was honorably discharged from said service as will appear by the muster rolls not having any knowledge of the manner of her said husband or discharge . She further states that in his life time drew a pension from the government for said services and that she  as his widow  now draws a pension of  twenty five  Dollars 22 Cents per annum commencing on the 3rd of February 1853  all of which  will more fully appear by reference to the "Record in the pension office on the roll of pensioners under the act of February 3rd 1853 Page 193, Vol. A. "  She further states that she was married to the said William Means in the  County of Adams State of Ohio on the 18th day of April 1811, by Rev. William Williamson a Minister of the Gospel and that her name before her said marriage was Susan Chenowith, widow of John Chenowith deceased - and that her maiden name was Susan Seal. and that her
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said husband William Means died at Edgar County  and State aforesaid on the 11th day of June 1848, and that she is still a widow, and that a copy from the family Bible now in her possession is hereto attested that being the only Record that she knows of  she makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act  approved March 3rd 1855. never having received bounty land under this or any other act nor made any other application for Bounty land except the present.  Susan Means ( signed )    We William B. Vance and John G. Lawrence residents of the County and State aforesaid  upon our oaths declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and  acknowledged  by the above Susan Means in our presence  and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicants that she is the identical  person she represents herself to be and we further declare that we   were well acquainted with the said William Means and Susan Means his wife ( now the widow)  during the lifetime of the former, and know them to live together as husband and wife and to have been so generally reputed that her said husband the said William Means  died at Edgar County in the State of Illinois on the 22th of June  AD 1848 and that she is still a widow and that they have no interest in this claim.  J.G. Lawrence ( signed )  W.B. Vance ( signed )
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The foregoing declaration and affidavit  were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above written and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be  and that I have no interest in this claim. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County at my office in Paris, this 15th day of May 1855.  George W. Rives ( signed ) clk                                                 
                                                                              " William Means and Susan Chenowith was married on the 18th of April 1811 "     [ State of Illinois Edgar  County ] I George W. Rives clerk of the County Court in and for the County  & State aforesaid do hereby certify that the above is a full and true copy of the  marriage record of William Means and Susan Chenowith  as taken from the the family Bible  as presented before me this day and now in the possession of Susan Means of said County & State  In testimony whereof I have herewith set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at my office in Paris this 18 day of May 1855. George W. Rives ( signed ) clk
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                                        March 28, 1938.

                                               BA-J/ILL
Mrs. J. H. Latton                   William Means
Valrice                                    W. 5383 
Florida. 

Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of William Minns (Mains) who was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, lived for a time in Juniata County, moved south, settled near Spartanburg, South Carolina, and whose wife's name was Nancy Simonton, also, information in regard to his son, John Means, who served as Captain of a company of Spartanburg militia in the War of 1812, and moved to Adams County, Ohio, in 1819. 

A search of the War of 1812 records has been made and no claim for pension found based upon service of a John Manns (Maine), an officer in the South Carolina Militia, nor issuance of a warrant for bounty land on account of his service. The record has been found of a William Means of South Carolina; his record is furnished herein from pension claim, W. 5368. If this is not the soldier in whom you are interested, another search of the Revolutionary War records will be made in your behalf. 

 1William Means was born May 8, 1763, near Stanton, in Augusta County, Virginia; the names of his parents are not shown. He was taken when an infant to South Carolina by his father, who settled on a branch the Tyger River, in the vicinity of what was later Fair Forest, Union County, South Carolina, where they resided during the Revolutionary War. 

William Means enlisted January 1, 1781 and served two months had five days as private in Captains Robert Faris and James Crawford's companies, Colonel Thomas Brandon's South Carolina regiment and guarded  baggage wagons during the battle of Cowpens. He enlisted in April 1781,

(Handwritten Note by paragraph two)
There is a Wm Mains born in Buck Co Pa - in file
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and  served two months as private in Captain James Crawford's company, Colonel William Fair's South Carolina regiment, enlisted again in August 1781 and served two months as private under the same officers. He enlisted about October 1, 1781, and served six weeks as private in Captain James Crawford's company in General Andrew Pickens' Brigade. 

William Means continued to reside in South Carolina for twelve or fifteen years after the close of the war, then moved to Georgia and after three years, moved to Adams County, Ohio, where he resided about twenty-three years: he moved from there to Edgar County, Illinois. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 28, 1833, at which time he resided in Edgar County, Illinois. The soldier died there June 11, 1848. 

The soldier married April 18, 1811, in Adams County, Ohio, Susan, who was then the widow of John Chenoweth, her maiden name was Susan Seal. 
She was William Means' second wife, the name of his first wife and date of that marriage are not shown, nor the names of said Susan's parents and the date of her first marriage given.

Susan Means, the soldier's widow, was allowed pension on her application executed June 6, 1853, at which time she resided in Paris, Edgar County, Illinois. She was aged then sixty-seven years; the date and place of her birth are not shown. She was allowed, also, 160 acres of bounty land on warrant #28635, under the Act of March 3, 1855, on account of the service of her husband, William Means, in the Revolutionary War. 

There are no further family data in this claim for pension.

 If you desire information in regard to the location of the land which was seated on account of service of William Means in the Rev olutionary War, you should address the Commissioner, General Land Office, this city, and furnish that official the following warrant #28635-160-55. 

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and, possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following: Susan Means, widow of William 

(handwritten note by paragraph 4)
Not April 11-as in old abstract
                                                            2.
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Means, Certificate #3318, issued December 23, 1853, rate $28.22 per annum, commenced February 3, 1853, Act of February 3, 1853, Illinois 

Very truly yours, 
A. D. HILLER, 
Executive Assistant 
to the Administrator.
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W. 5,368 William Means  Sept. 38, 1833 res Edgar Co., Ill. B. near Augusta Col Stannton Va. May 3, 1763  -----------------------------------------------S.C. Jany 1, 83  pri. Capt. Robert Faris Col. Thomas Brandon  2 mos 58  ----------------------Aug 81  Capt. James Crawford  Col. Wm Faris  ---Apl 81  same Capt  same Col. 2 m   --------------Sept or Oct 81  same Capt at  Gen Andrew Pickens brig.  6 w---------------------------- Married in Apl 18, 1811 Susan 2nd wife  Adams Co. Oh.
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Sol. d. June 11, 1848 Edgar, Ill.
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Recy WIDOW, &c. File No. 5368 Susan Means widow William Means  Privt Rev War  Act Feb 3rd 1853  Index: - Vol. M Page 41 [ Arrangement of 1870 ]
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1894 Sept 24 Hist.  Dr. Jas Croziro Mid Div  Feby 17,1905 Hist. to Jennie Means, Paris, Ill.  Aug 14, 1906  Tombstone data  to Q.M.G. U.S.A.  A. ord  1914 July 23 Hist. to Pita C. Davis  Letter in S.32815 Faul Hester 1924 - Oct 17 - Hist. to P.E. Ritz  1929 May 23 Hist to Mrs. C. J. Fretwell 1938 Mar 29 Hist to Mrs. J.H. Letton
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Springfield Illinois 14 Dec 1853  L. P. Waldo Comm. of Pensions  Dear Sir, Enclosed I send back a 2nd declaration  by Susan Means widow of a deceased Revolutionary Pensioner. Hoping it will meet the objection in yours of 26th August 1853.  Respy Yours Erastus Wright ( signed )
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Springfield, Illinois 9th June 1853   Col. L. P. Waldo Com. of Pensions Washington City D C  Dear Sir, Enclose the declaration of ( Susan Means ) ( underscored ) widow of Wm Means who was a Pensioner  & died in 1848 . The Pension is small but it much with a poor old lady . Please report to me as soon as may be.  Yours etc. Erastus Wright  ( signed )
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( Robert M Rhea ) To whom it may concern one of the undersigned citizens of Edgar County Illinois do certify that we have long know William Means, now dead who was a Revolutionary Pensioner and Susan Means his wife the same person who signed the foregoing declaration  and knew the said William Means  & Susan Means  lived together as man & wife since we first knew them  which is about twenty years that we are wholly disinterested in the matter of  touching her pension and that she said Susan Means is still a widow . Sworn to and subscribed before me  at my office in Paris this 11th day  of Oct 1853 . J. Mayo ( signed / sealed  )  R M Rhea ( signed  / sealed )  J. H. Connely ( signed ) Clerk   [ State of Illinois Edgar County ]  I John H. Connely Clerk of the County Court for said County do hereby certify that Susan Means whose signature is attached to the declaration above for a pension  personally appeared before me and made oath to the  same and J Mayo and R. M. Rhea whose certificate of Identity to  Susan Means appears above and who also appeared before me and made oath to the same and that they are credible persons  residing in Edgar Col Ills = Also that I believe  said Susan Means is now a widow and the identical person who was the wife of Wm Means who was a Revolutionary Pensioner and is now dead and that I have no interest in the .. ( illegible )  In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed  the seal of said Court which is a Court of Record  at Paris, Edgar Co., Illinois this 11th day of October 1853  J. H. Connely ( signed ) Clerk
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[ State of Illinois Edgar County ] set  I James Steele  Judge of the County Court in and for the County and State aforesaid  do hereby certify that  Susan Means  whose signature appears to the within and foregoing declaration  and who is personally known  to me to be the Identical person who subscribed the same , this day  personally appeared before me in  open Court and  being duly sworn according to law on her oath  stated that the  content of the said declaration was true to the best of her knowledge and belief and also acknowledged that her signature to the same is genuine. Given under my hand  and seal this 7th day of December A D 1853.  Jas Steele ( signed / sealed ) County Judge
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( post mark ) [ PARIS ILL May 23 ]      FREE  To Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.  ( vertical note ) ( 150.981 )
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No 150981 Susan Means , widow of Wm Means, Illinois Susp'd file for  Revolutionary Service  .  suspended Revo = Dickenson
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2. Ref: & Co: 11 June 48 " Boynton "
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11 June 48  ( check mark ) Pension Office , 20th Dec : 1853.  Sir, Please certify the time to which the within named pensioner was paid , on the date of his death Very Respectfully , L P Waldo ( signed ) Commissioner   William Means Act 1832  $ 25.22 per annum. Died 11 June 1848 , paid.  F. Burt  ( signed ) Auditor   Francis Burt Esqr. Third Auditor Treasury
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( post mark ) [SPRINGFIELD ILL JUN 10 ]  FREE   Col. L.P. Waldo Washington City DC ( illegible notes over text )
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28.635 Rev War
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June 18 , 1853  Appl of Susan Means widow of William  Edgar Co: Illinois $ 25.33 22485   Act 3rd Feby 1853  $ 25.22/100 Per An :  am : Feb 3rd 1853 Rev : Erastus Wright Springfield Ills. ( vertical note ( DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Pension office, Official Business )
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(post mark ) [SPRINGFIELD ILL. DEC 15 ]  FREE  L.P. Waldo Commr. of Pensions Washington City D. C. ( vertical notations ) ( Susan Means wid William 22485) ( Recd Decr. 19th 1838 )
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No 2097 Susan Means wid : of Wm.  Let to E. Wright 26 Aug 1853 Act Feb. 3rd 1853
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Brief in the case of Susan Means , Wid of William , Edgar County and State of Illinois act 3rd Feby 1853.  Claim ("original ") Proof exhibited , ( if original ) Is it documentary, tradionary, or supported by rolls ? If either, state the substance.   Husband was a pensioner under the Act of 7th June 1832.  Two witnesses testify to general  reputation of marriage & cohabitation. Name and residence of Agent Erastus Wright Esq. Springfield , Illinois  S. C. Boynton Examining Clerk
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22.475  William Means Illinois  Adm 7 mo 17 days  25. 21  50.64 = 12.61 ( total 63.05  ) Wm J. Mayo Paris Edgar County Illinois
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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 noles 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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.

 A STATEMENT, showing the service of 

Period when the service was rendered.

Duration of the claimant's service.
Year.  Months.  Day.

Rank of claimant.

Names and rank of the Field he officers under whom he served.

Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. 

Proof by which the declaration is supported.
.
 I am, repectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. 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 constructed to extent, 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 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, etc., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefit 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 the Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, 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 applicants reside. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.

                                                                   DECLARATION
In order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
                                            State Territory, or District of
                                             County of
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 offices:

(Here set forth the names and ranks of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service ; (and if he server under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particlar 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 the Agency in the State of

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.                                           A. B.
        (And then will follow the certificate of the Court.)

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above 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 name 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 the 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 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. 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 Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the orginal proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for pension.

 In testimony whereof, I 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 orginal 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 hid personal knowledge of the service oh the applicant, and such circumstance connected therewith as may have a tendency to throw lightupon 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 material facts, which can be used 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, it 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 nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, fromtheir 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 certity to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.

The traditionary evidence of service is deened 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 or 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 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 ofice, 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 genine signature.

No payments can be made upon 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 theopinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

                               --------------------------------------------------------------------

(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; 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 to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d) The declarant must mention the period of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldiers 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 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 depots and saith, that by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positive as to the precise length of his service; but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the period mentioned below, and in the following grades: ---For____year_____month____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 service.  The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  ome persons who apply for pensions mere state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objectionable.  

It must begin every case, be clearly shown under what officer the applicant severed; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corp 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 n 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 certified officer, should accompany the papers.                                                   
                                                                  
                                                                    Mode of authenticating papers.

In every instance where the certifing officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certiicate 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 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 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 verify 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 note
 from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is 
The 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 39

2nd Declaration   [ State of Illinois Edgar Co. ] On this 11th day of October A D 1853 Personally appeared  before Clerk of the County Court in and for said County Susan Means a resident of the County of Edgar and State of Illinois aged 67 years who being duly sworn according to Law , doth on her oath make the following declaration  in order to obtain the benefits of the provision of the act of Congress passed on the 3rd February 1853  granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary  War. That she is the widow of William Means who was a private in the army of the Revolution and served in South Carolina  she believes, And for said Susan was enrolled as a Pensioner of the United States  and drew a pension at the  Springfield  Illinois Agency at the rate of $ 25.33 per annum until his death. She further declares that she was married to the said William Means on the 18th day of April 1811. That her husband died on the 11th day of June 1848. That she was not married to him prior to  the 2nd Jany 1800, but at the time above stated.  She further declares that she is now a widow , That she  was his second wife and is unable to give his  officers names or any definite particulars pertaining to his service. That her husband  said William Means died in Edgar Co., Ills on 11 June 1848. That there is no  one living near by whom she can prove her marriage  . ( her mark X ) Susan Means    2 witnesses who write { Johnathan Mayo & .. ( missing )  }
Page 40

William Means  & Susan his  wife were married 18th day of April 1811.  [ State of Illinois }Edgar County ]  I John H. Connely Clerk of the County Court of the County of Edgar  do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the Bible record of the marriage of William and Susan Means  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court  at my office in  Paris this 11th day of October  A.D. 1853. J. H. Connely ( signed ) Clerk
Page 41

Suspended under Act March 1 1823 In letter to John Mussey Jr. July 2, 1823
Page 42

Susan Means suspended for want of record proof of service.  To ne attended t when the  Bill papers admitting parol proof.  Will Mr. Cole have the warrant in this case sent to me according to within letter - it was allowed yesterday. J. P. Dickinson  Boynton  Feb 28/56
Page 43

                                                  ACT OF MARCH 3, 1855. 
                                                REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS. 

                                                       PENSION OFFICE, 
                                                              March 26           1856. 
Sir:
The claim of Susan Means for County 
land under the act of the 3d March, 1855, No. 150.981 has been 
examined and suspended 

The revolutionary service of William Means the 
husband of the applicant, does not appear of record in this office 

The 3d section of said act requires a service of "FOURTEEN DAYS" to 
be established by "RECORD EVIDENCE." 
Upon the production of such evidence of service, the claim will 
be favorably considered 

IT SHOULD BE OBSERVED, that the recorded action of this office, 
admitting a revolutionary soldier to the list of pensioners upon parole 
proof, is not considered "record evidence (inserted) of service  within the 
meaning of the act aforesaid. In all application for bounty land under this act, the 
papers of the soldiers, or their widows, who have applied for or 
received pensions, as well as the rolls in this office, are carefully examined 
for record evidence of service, before this circular is issued Respectfully 
J. MINOT, 
Commissioner.

G.W. Rives Esq 
Paris                                     2.8625
Edgar Co
             Ill.  


(Handwritten left side of page)
Served in the S Carolina militia
Page 44

Paris Edgar County Illinois April 8th 1856  Mr. Jno P. Dickinson Washington City D.C.  You will see from this Document that the application of Mrs. Means for bounty land is Suspended. She desired me to mail this to you and see if you can do anything for her. I hope you may succeed. If you do so your pay is  sure & prompt. Please  acknowledge the receipt ; say what is the prospect of Mrs. Means receiving a warrant. Your Truly G.W. Rives ( signed )
Page 45

Paris Ills Feb. 1. 1905
Com. Pensions
Washington, DC

Will you please send
me a record of service under which pensioner was granted to Wm Means, (born 1768 died 1848) enlisted in Apl. Robt Farris Comp. in 1780 from Spartanburg Dist SC  Union   He was born in Va. and was a pensioner when he died in Paris Ills.

add. Jennie Means.
Page 46

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
O. W. & N. DIV.

MEMORANDA.

Please supply as much as possible of the
data called for below.

Full name of soldier:
William Means,

Place of residence before service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible.
Spartinsburg, S.C.

Place of residence after service:
 (Town,county, and State, if possible.)
Ohio

Date of death (as near as possible):
1848,

Christian name of widow:
Not Known

Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
He was a pensioner.

Remarks:
the date of removal to
Ohio, is not known

wife and long before
the soldier I think

Military history desired:

Your name and address:
James Crozier,
Middle Div,
Pension Bureau
6 - 870
Page 47

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.
O. W. & N. Div.

MEMORANDA.
Please supply as much as possible of the
data called for below.
Full name of soldier:
Wm Means

Place of residence before service:
(Town, county, and State, if possible.)
Spartansburg S.C

Place of residence after service
(Town, county, and State, if possible)

Date of death (as near as pos-
1848

Christian name of widow

Did either he or his widow receive a pension?
He was a pensioner.

Remarks:
Co. & regt of Solder is
desired and age at
date of enlistment and
length of service.

Your name and address:
J. Crozie
Wid. Div.

6 -- 870

Stamp:
OLD WAR & NAVY
SEP 15 1894
FILE
Page 48

Received Stamp middle top of page

                                                   Valrico, Florida 
                                                     March 7, 1938.

Veterans Administration 
Dept. Revolutionary War Soldiers 
Washington D. C. 

Dear Sirs: 
Have you any data concerning the Revolutionary War service of:       (insert: one Wm Mains in Buck Co Pa illegible))     William Means (Mains) who was living  (I think) during the Revolutionary War in Union Dist. South Carolina. William Means was born in Bucks Co. Pa., lived for a time in Juniata Co.. Pa., from there he  started South.... probably staying a while in Va., but 
settling in South Carolina, probably near Spartanburg. His wife was before marriage......Nancy Simonton.... (Insert: No SCH) 

I would also appreciate any information you  may have about his son ...John Means (insert: Spartanburg Dist) ....who is said to have raised a company of Militia of his own, and during the War of 1812 was commissioned a Colonel of Militia in S.C. 
In 1819, John Means moved to Adams Co. Ohio. 

It is possible that William Means enlisted while in Pennsylvania, or during his short residence in Va., or from South Carolina. I will be most 
grateful for any record of him, or any record of his son John Means either in Rev. or War of 1812. 

Thanking you very kindly, I am

Sincerely yours: 

Minerva Hamvlen Letton (signature)
Mrs. J.H. Letton
Page 49

                                              235 Pine St. 
                                              Spartansburg, S.C. 
                                              Feb. 8, 1929  Department of the Interior Pension Bureau Washington, D.C.                                   Gentlemen : Can you find in your Revolutionary record the following names : { Nathan McCants ( check mark ) , Thomas McCants ( check mark ) } Served in Marions Brigade  Christian Rason of N.J. and S.C. crossed the Delaware with Washington.  William Means of Elberton County Georgia . Yours truly, Mrs. C. B. Fretwell  ( post mark ) [U.S. PENSION OFFICE FEB  11 1929 ]
Page 50

P.E. RITZ ATTORNEY - AT- LAW 610-611 FIRST NATIONAL BANK BLDG. WATERLOO , IOWA TELEPHONE 199   Sept 20, 1924      
Commissioner of Pensions                  
Washington  D.C.                 Sir : In regard to a Revolutionary soldier by the name of William Means under General Sir Francis Marion. Have been trying to trace the same who is an ancestor of mine, so that I may become a member of the D.A. R. organization . Do you have any  record of a revolutionary soldier by the name of William Means living near Manchester  or West Union Ohio, Adams Co. ? Historical biographies furnish information that he was  located here or in South Carolina. They came from Scotland and first settled in Carolina then later in Ohio, Adams County. Enclose find a stamped envelope for your reply. Mrs. P.E. Ritz Waterloo, Iowa  321 Cortland  St.   ( post mark ) [ U.S. PENSION OFFICE H SEP 26 1924 ]
Page 51

                                                                                                   
Rev. and 1812 
Wars Section 
MMHF/eel 
                                                         May 23, 1929 
Mrs. C. B. Fretwell 
235 Pine Street 
Spartanburg, South Carolina 

Madam:

I advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary 
War pension claim W.5368 it appears that William Means was born May 3, 1763 near Staunton, Augusta County, Virginia 

While living at Fair Forest on a branch of the Tiger 
River, which was later Union County, South Carolina, he enlisted January 1, 1781 and served two months and five days as a private in Captains Robert Paris and James Crawford's Companies, Colonel Thomas Brandon's South Carolina Regiment and was guarding baggage wagons during the battle of Cowpens. 

He enlisted in April 1781 and served two months as a private in Captain James Crawford's Company, Colonel William Fair's South Carolina Regiment, and again in August 1781 and served two months as a private in said company and regiment. 

He enlisted about October 1, 1781 and served six
Page 52

weeks as a private in Captain James Crawford's Company 
in General Andrew Pickens' Brigade. 

About twelve or fifteen years after the Revolution 
he moved to Georgia, and about three years to Adams 
County , Ohio from which place he moved to Edgar County, Illinois where he was allowed pension on his application executed September 28, 1833, and where he died June 11, 1848. 

Soldier married the second time, on April 11, 1811 (insert: Not April 11-but April 18 in claim).  in Adams County, Ohio, Susan the widow of John Chenoweth (her maiden name Seal). She was allowed pension on her application executed June 6, 1853 while a resident Paris, Edgar County, Illinois, aged sixty-seven years. The name of soldier's first wife is not stated and there are no further data on file as to his family. 

This is the history of the only soldier named William Means on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau and said records fail to afford any information in regard to Nathaniel and Thomas McCants. 

Respectfully, 

E. W. MORGAN 
Acting Commissioner.
Page 53



                                                     October 17, 1924 
 P. E. Ritz  
10 - 811 
First National Bank Bldg., 
Waterloo, Iowa.

Sir:
 
I have to advise you that from the papers in the 
Revolutionary War pension claim W. 5368 it appears 
that William Means was born May 3, 1763 near Staunton, Augusta County, Virginia. 

While living at Fair Forest on a branch of Tyger 
River, which was later Union County, South Carolina, he enlisted January 1, 1781 and served two months and 
five days as a private in Captains Robert Faris and James Crawford's Companies, Colonel Thomas Brandon's 
South Carolina Regiment and was guarding baggage wagons during the battle of Cowpens. (inserted: I used this bit of service as he said he end January 1, 1780 & the date was Jan.17-1781) He enlisted in April 1781 and served two months as a private in Captain James Crawford's Company, Colonel William Fair's South Carolina Regiment, and again in August 1781 and served two months as a private in 
said company and regiment. 

He enlisted about October 1, 1781 and served six
Page 54

weeks as a private in Captain James Crawford's Company 
in General Andrew Pickens' Brigade. 

About twelve or fifteen years after the Revolution 
he moved to Georgia, and about three years to 
Adams County, Ohio from which place he moved to Edgar County, Illinois where he was allowed pension on his application executed September 28, 1833 and where he died June 11, 1848. 

Soldier married the second time, on April 11, 1811 
in Adams County, Ohio, Susan the widow of John Chenowith (her maiden name Seal ). She was allowed pension on her application executed June 6, 1853 while a resiident of Paris, Edgar County, Illinois aged sixty- seven years. The name of soldier's first wife is not 
stated and there is no further data on file as to his family. 

(Inserted: This is the list of the one set (seal) married Wm Mean found on the Rev.  War  (illegeible)-of this (illegible)and said reco. fail (illegible) any info in re - Nathaniel and Thos. McCants 

Respectfully,  

Commissioner.

(Note insert)
His service was continuous  from Jan. 1-1981 so I did not use 1780 at all
Page 55

O. W .             vision
                                                                                    __________
 
                                                               DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
                                                                    BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Sir:                                                         Washington, D. C.,_______________________, 189___  

 In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of 
William Means a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will 
please find below the desired formation as contained in his application for pension 
on file in this Bureau. 

DATES OF                       LENGTH OF SERVICE.    RANK.       OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED   STATE.  
ENLISTMENT.                                                                                    CAPTAIN.                              COLONEl.                                                             
Jan 1780                    2 Mo., 5 days            Pvt.                      Robert Faris                                      Brandon      S. C.
Aug 1780                   2 Mo.                            "                         James Crawford                               Wm Fairs       " 
Apr  1781                    2 Mo.                           "                              "             "                                         "      "           "            
Oct 1781                     6 wks                           "                              "             "                                    Gen Pickens    " 
            Entire service  7 mo.  19 days                                                                                                                                                                                                     
Battles engaged in, Was guarding  baggage during bat of Cowpens

Residence of soldier at enlistment,  Union Co. S.C. 

Date of application for pension, Sept 28, 1833 

Residence at date of application, Edgar Co. Ill

Age at date of application, born May 3, 1763 
REMARKS
While an infant was taken by his parents to Union Co S.C.; 12 or 15 years 
after the war removed to Ga. and there years after to Adams Co. Ohio, where 
he remained about 23 years and then removed Rodger Co. Ill.
                                  Very respectfully,

                                                                        Commissioner.  

Mr. James Crozier 
  Middle Division 
    Bureau of Pens.

794tb-3m
Page 56

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.             3-525
                                                                                    __________
 
                                                               DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
                                                                    BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
W. 5368                                                          Washington, D. C.,_______________________, 19___  

 In reply to your request of _____________, received ____________________________________
for a statement of the military history of William Means a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired formation as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. 

DATES OF                       LENGTH OF SERVICE.    RANK.       OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED   STATE.  
ENLISTMENT OR                                                                                    CAPTAIN.                              COLONEL
APPOINTMENT.                                                             
1. Jany 1781                    2 months, 5 days            Pvt.                      Robert Faris                             Thomas Brandon      S C.
3. Aug 1780                    2 months                                                     James Crawford                       William Fair  
2. Apr  1781                    2 months                                                     James Crawford                        William Fair                
4. Sept Oct 1781            6 weeks                                                       James Crawford                         Gen Andrew Pickens
                                                                                                                                                                                                    Brig    
Battles engaged in, ---

Residence of soldier at enlistment, Fair Forest in Union Co. S.C. (insert) of Tyger River on a branch

Date of application for pension, Sept 28, 1833 

Residence at date of application, Edgar Co. Ill

Age at date of application, born May 3, 1763 has (illegible) Augusta Co. Va      
                                             died June 11 1848  in Edgar Co. Ill 
REMARKS
He lived in S C. twelve or fifteen years after the Rev and married 

Apr. 18. 1811 in Adams Co Ohio   Susan, wife of John Chenowith (was dev 
name Seal) She was his 2nd wife and moral pension on an app. ex. June 6. 1853  

While a resident of Edgar Co. Ill aged 67 years. Name of first wife 

not stated & there is the other family data.
                                                              Respectfully 
  6 -2856                                                                                                                      Commissioner.