Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 3,866, for Joseph Ratchford, South Carolina
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE   NUMBER
S.C. Ratchford, Joseph W.3866
Hannah
CONTENTS
Page 2

24th: Dec: 1845 [illegible] 32,408
to Agt:-
Georgia
Joseph Ratchford, decd:
of Jackson Co in the State of Ga
who was a private [illegible] in the – commanded
by Captain – of the – commanded 
by – in the S. Carolina
line for 6 mo. 22 days-
Inscribed on the Roll of Savannah
at the rate of 49 Dollars 66- Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831 [illegible]
on 17 September, 1832, when he died-
Certificate of Pension issued 23 day of
Dec 1845- and sent to J.J. McCulloch
Jefferson Ga
Arrears to the 4th day of
Semi-annual allowance ending
$75.85
{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.]
Recorded by [illegible] Clerk
Cook E.1- Vol. 6- Page 102
Page 3

[left side of page]
6th: Sept: 1845. Recd
by letter to agt:-
[sideways] No 863
[right side of page]
7273
Georgia
Hannah Ratchford, deceased,
widow of Joseph Ratchford,
who was a private + Lieutenant,
in the South Carolina line
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
49 Dollars 76
Cents per annum, to commence on 
the 4th day of March, 1843. + Ending
on 8th October, 1844, day of her death.
Certificate of Pension issued the
5th day of Sept: 1845,
and sent to J.J. McCullock,
Jefferson,
Georgia
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
+ 17th June 184.
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 176.
Page 4

State of South Carolina
York District} Be it known that on the 
21st day of October 1844 before
Josiah J Evans one of the judges in the 
State of South Carolina personally appeared George
Ratchford who being duly sworn saith that he was
the brother of + was personally acquainted with Joseph
Ratchford who formerly resided in York District So
Carolina- he further states that the said Joseph
Ratchford some time in the year 1792 married Hannah
Henderson of Pendleton District South Carolina
and shortly after paid marriage removed to spartanberg
District South Carolina- about the year 1800 the
said Joseph Ratchford removed to Jackson County
Georgia and died in said county in the fall of 1832.
deponent further states that he kept up a regular
correspondence with the said Joseph Ratchford
from the time of his removal to Georgia until his
death which took place at the time above stated
Sworn to + subscribed
In open court
Before me
[illegible signature]
George Ratchford
South Caroline
York District} I Ja Kuykendal Clerk of the Court of Common
Please for York District do hereby certify that
Josiah J Evans was Presiding Judge at the Court of Common 
Please [illegible] York District October Term 1844 and that the foregoing
signature purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand 
+ affixed my seal of office this 31st Oct 1844
Ja Kuykendal
C.C.C. [illegible]
Page 5

South Carolina
York District} Be it known that on the 5th day of November
1844 before A S Wallace a Magistrate in + for
the District aforesaid personally appeared Robert Wilson a Revolutionary
Pensioner of the United States who being duly sworn
saith that he was personally acquainted with Joseph Ratchford
who formerly resided in York District South Carolina and who
removed from the State to Jackson County Georgia some time about 
the year 1800- he further states that the said Ratchford was
engaged in the American Service during the Revolutionary War- the 
first time deponent saw Ratchford in Service was in the Stono
Campaign in 1778 or 1779 thinks he was in Capt John [illegible]
Company under the command of General Lincoln- Ratchford was 
mounted as the Infantry were generally- saw Ratchford again
at the Battle of Hanging Rock and says that Ratchford
at that time was an officer- does not recollect what grade-
Ratchford was with other officers in a council of War on the 
evening previous to the Battle of the Hanging Rock- was
again with Ratchford (he thinks in 1780 or 1781) in pursuit of
one Capt Julian a Tory Captain and that Ratchford at that
time (he  thinks) was an officer.- He further states that he
believes the said Ratchford was constantly engaged in the 
service of his country from the time entering said service
untill the close of the war and that he is the identical 
person named in the declaration of George Ratchford before
Josiah J Evans on the 31st of October las
Sworn + subscribed Robert Wilson
before me
A.S. Wallace (Magt}
South Carolina
York District} I AS Wallace a Magistrate in and for
York District do hereby certify that Robert 
Wilson whose name appears to the foregoing affidavit was
unable to attend Couty at York Court House October [illegible] 1844
November 5th 1855 A.S. Wallace {Magt}
Page 6

South Carolina
York District} I Ja Kuykendal Clerk of the Court of 
Common Pleas for York District do hereby 
certify that AS Wallace is a Magistrate as appears in the 
foregoing affidavit and that the foregoing signature
purporting to be his is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my 
hand + affixed my seal of office 
this 6th day of November 1844.
Ja Kuykendal
C.C.C.pls.
Page 7

State of Georgia
Jackson County} SS
I John J McCulloch Clerk
of the Inferior Court in + for said County +
state do certify that the following facts were
this day proven to the satisfaction of said
Couty, Justices Nathaniel C. Jarrett, Emanuel
H Moomaugh + Robert Espy-
being present, namely that Hannah Ratchford,
widow of Joseph Ratchford late of said 
County deceased, [underlined] on the eighth day of 
October 1844- and that she left the following 
surviving children viz. Robert Ratchford,
Joseph Ratchford [illegible] + Mary Harkins formerly
Mary Ratchford.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my private seal having no seal 
of office and subscribed my name
this seventh day of July 1845
John J McCulloch Clk [seal]
Inferior Court
Jackson County Ga
Secretary of State Office [illegible]
Millidgeville July 17th 1845
I certify that John J McCulloch is
the acting clerk, Inferior Court, Jackson County
as appears from the Record Book of [illegible]
of file in this office-
Given under my hand
and private seal of office
N.C. Barnett
Sec. of State-
[seal]
Page 8

X State of Georgia
Jackson County} SS
On this Second day of July 1844-
personally appeared before me Middleton Witt
a Justice of the Inferior Court for said County-
Hannah Ratchford a resident of Jackson
County Georgia aged seventy eight years who
being first duly sworn according to law doth on her
oath make the following statement in order to 
obtain the benefit of the provision made by the second 
section of the act of Congress passed 4th day July 1836
and the first section of the act of Congress assed
7th day of July 1838 and also the act of Congress
passed the 3rd day of March 1843 Granting
pensions to certain widows  [illegible]. That she is the 
widow of Joseph Ratchford who to the best of 
her knowledge and belief was in the service of
the United States, against Great Britain, in times of
the Revolution, for a period or periods of time, together
at least three years- that at some time within
the three years he held a commission as Lieutenant
and served as such six months- that she now
distinctly recollects, to have seen what he said was his 
commission soon after her marriage [illegible] have heard
him say it was a Lieutenant Commission by virtue 
of which he had commanded for a time not less
than six months, but from her imperfect recollection 
as to names she can not say in what company 
[illegible] it was in Capt John Henderson’s- That 
he resided in York district South Carolina and
entered into the service in a militia Company {drafted”
but by whom Commanded she cannot recollect
and served a six months tour before the 
face of Charleston, after which she thinks 
he entered the service again in May or June 1780
in [illegible] company under Capt. Bratton and
Page 9

Continued in the service until the close of 
the war. that he was at various places and 
under different commands- in the Regiment of 
Col. Neal and under other Colonels whose names
she does not recollect, that much of his service
was in General Sumpter’s army- he was at the 
Battle of Hanging Rock, at the battle of King’s mountain 
and at Guilford besides other skirmishes
+ Battles of which she has heard him speak, but
which she cannot recollect. his service was all 
rendered in south and North Carolina
She further declares that she was married 
to the said Joseph Ratchford on the ninth
day of October seventeen hundred and ninety two
that her husband the said Joseph Ratchford
died on the seventeenth day of September eighteen
hundred + thirty two. That she was not
married to him prior to his leaving the 
service, but that the marriage took place
previous to the first day of January seventeen 
hundred and ninety four viz- at the
 time stated- sworn to and subscribed 
on the day + year above written before
me
Middleton Witt, [illegible] Hannah [her X mark] Ratchford
And I do hereby certify that from bodily
infirmity the above declarant is unable
to appear in open Coury and I further
declare my opinion that the above declarant
Hannah Ratchford has
made her entire statement in truth +
candour- Given under my hand
this 2nd day of July 1844
Middleton Witt J.J.C.
Page 10

THE 
NEW TESTAMENT
OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR
JESUS CHRIST,
TRANSLATED OUT OF 
THE ORIGINAL GREEK,
AND WITH
THE FORMER TRANSLATIONS DILIGENTLY
COMPARED AND REVISED,
We His [illegible] Special Command,
Appointed to be read in Churches,
[seal]
EDINBURGH:
Page 11

Joseph Ratchford Hannah
wife was married [illegible]
October 179 [illegible]
born 1793 July the 31st
Mary Ratchford, 1794 November
[illegible] 16. William Ratchford
born November the [illegible] 1796
Robert Ratchford [illegible] 1798
February the 25 Joseph Ratchford
born 1800 may the [illegible]
John Ratchford and James
Ratchford 18th July the 
ninth born Ezekiel
Ratchford [illegible] November
the 21.
Page 12

Georgia
Jackson County} In person came before
me James Appleby who being
sworn saith he had been acquainted
with Joseph Ratchford for the space
of thirty years prior to his death, and 
was present when he was buried and
knows that he died about the time stated
in the foregoing declaration of Hannah
Ratchford who is the widow of the
said Joseph Ratchford and has never 
been married to any other since his 
death, and that he has unlimited confidence
in the truth of Hannah Ratchford’s
statements. And also personally came
Levi Lowrey and after being sworn saith
he became acquainted with Joseph Ratchford
in 1803 and was well acquainted with him
until his death and knows that he died
Page 13

about the time stated in the declaration
of Hannah Ratchford the foregoing declarant
and that he fully believes, from frequent Conversations
with Joseph Ratchford in relation
to the Revolutionary war, that the said
Joseph Ratchford was in the service of the
militia states during the Revolution as
stated in the foregoing declaration- 
sworn to and subscribed before me 
This 2nd day of July 1844
James Appleby
Middleton Mitt, J,J,C. Levi Lowrey
I do certify that the foregoing deponents
James Appleby + Levi Lowrey are both men
of strict veracity and unimpeachable
Character
Middleton Mitt J. J. C.
Georgia
Jackson County} I John J McCulloch
Clerk of the Inferior Court
of the County of Jackson do certify 
that Middleton Witt whose name
appears to the foregoing affidavits +
certificates, was at the time of his
signing the same a Justice of the Inferior Court of 
Jackson County duly Commissioned + qualified
that he signed them in my presence, and that 
each signature, above, purporting to be his is his
genuine signature. In testimony whereof I 
hereunto set my private seal there being no
seal of office and subscribe my name
this 23rd day of October 1844
John J McCulloch Clk [seal]
Inferior Court Jackson
County, Ga.
[written sideways on right side of page]
11177 Hannah Ratchford
widow of Joseph
Ga
Act 7 July 1838
[illegible]
Page 14

I do certify that Jon J McCulloch
is clerk of the Inferior court of Jackson
county Georgia + that I believe the above
to be his genuine signature
25th Dec 1844 Howell Cobb
Washington City [illegible]
Page 15

I do certify that Jon J McCulloch
is clerk of the Inferior court of Jackson
county Georgia + that I believe the above
to be his genuine signature
25th Dec 1844 Howell Cobb
Washington City [illegible]
X State of Georgia
Jackson County} SS
On this sixth day of October - - eighteen hundred and forty five, in
open Court, personally appeared Robert Ratchford
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 7th June 1832. That 
he is a son and heir at law of Joseph Ratchford
who, to the best of his knowledge, belief and information
was a soldier in the American Army during the war of
the Revolution, that he served at different times as a
private soldier, in all as much as three years, that
in addition tot his he was, for a time Lieutenant, and
that his recollection of his father’s sayings as well as those
of Robert Hendersons late of Hall County deceased, (who was
a Revolutionary pensioner) is that his father served
three months as Lieutenant, That his father resided
in York District South Carolina when he 
entered the service, and served several tours as a private
near the beginning of the war in South 
Carolina. Whether as a Drafted soldier or volunteer
he does not know, nor does he know under what officers
he served at that time, but at a later period of the 
war his father became Lieutenant and served 
under General Sumpter, and General Morgan
was at the battle of Hanging Rock, King’s Mountain
+ thinks [underline] at Cowpens. That he has no documentary
record evidence of his father’s service, nor 
does he know of any he can obtain, except the record
of a short tour of service in 1781; shown by the Comptroller’s 
office at Columbia South Carolina;
He further declares that Joseph Ratchford, his father,
died on the seventeenth day of September eighteen
hundred and thirty two, leaving Hannah Ratchford
his widow, who has since died on the eighth day 
of October eighteen hundred and forty four and
Page 16

five surviving children, to wit- Mary Harkins,
Robert, Joseph, James, + Ezekiel Ratchford
- - - - - - - - - - of which only
Joseph, James, Robert and Mary Harkins now survive
R Ratchford
Sworn to and Subscribed
on the day and date first
 above written in open Court
Nathl C Jarrett J.J.C
Robert Epsy J.J.C.
Emmanuel H Moomaugh J.J.C.
Georgia
Jackson County} I John I McCulloch clerk of 
the Inferior Cour in and for the County aforesaid,
do certify that Nathaniel C Jarrett,
Robert Espy + Emmanual H. Moomaugh whose names
appear as witnesses to the foregoing declaration of 
Robert Ratchford, are Justices of said Court
duly Commissioned and sworn, and that full
faither and credit ought to be had and given
to their attestation as such, and that the signatures
purporting to be theirs are theirs +
genuine.
Given under my hand and private
seal having no seal of office
This sixth Day of October 1845
John J. McCulloch Clk [seal]
Page 17

Georgia
Jackson County} I John J McCulloch Clerk
of the Inferior Court in and
for the County of Jackson do certify, that on
this day in open Court before Nathaniel C. Jarrett
Robert Espy + Emmanuel H. Moomough Justice 
of said Court, it was proven to the entire satisfaction
of said Justices on the testimony of
James Appleby + James B. Nabers- That Joseph
Ratchford, the father of Robert Ratchford
the foregoing affiant, died on the seventeenth
day of September eighteen hundred and thirty
two, that his widow Hannah Ratchford is 
now dead, and that he has but three children
now surviving, to wit, Joseph Ratchford [illegible]
Robert Ratchford and Mary Harkins
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my private seal having
no seal of office and subscribed
my name This sixth day of 
October 1845
John J. McCulloch Clk [seal]
I [blank space] member of Congress from 
the state of Georgia do hereby certify that 
John J. McCulloch whose name and official
signature appears to the above certificates, is
the clerk of the Inferior Court for the County of Jackson
State of Georgia, and entitled to full faith
and credit as such.
Given under my hand
this 30th day of October 1845
Howell Cobb 
M.C. Ga
Page 18

Revy WIDOW, &c.
File No. S866
Hannah Ratchford
Wid.
Joseph Ratchford
Lieut. S.C. line
Act: Mch 3rd/[illegible] June 17 [illegible]
Index: - Vol. M, Page 145
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 19

9598.
Georgia
Hannah Ratchford, deceased,
widow of Joseph Ratchford,
who was a pensioner under the Act of [blank]
and who died on the 17th Sept: 1832,
of Jackson Co in the State of Ga:
who was a priv. + Lieut. in the company,
commanded by Captain Bratton – of the
Regt. commanded by Col. Neal in 
the S. Carolina line for 6 mos: 22 days
Inscribed on the Roll of Savannah
at the rate of 49 – Dollars 76
Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day
of March, 1836 + ending 4 March 1841, she 
having died October 1844.-
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of
September 1845 and sent to J.J. McCulloch,
Jefferson, Ga
Total amount, $248.80
[Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by [illegible] – Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1- Page 325.
Page 20

[left side of page]
Let to John J. MuCulloch
Sept 4th ‘45
[right side of page]
11177
Hannah Ratchford
widow of Joseph 
Ga Act 7 July 1839
[illegible]
2 mo.22@ Lieut. $36.43
4 ‘ priv. 13.33
-
$49.76
payable to Robert Ratchford,
Joseph Ratchford Jr and
Mary Harkins only surviving
children of Hannah Ratchford
dec’d
[illegible] acts 3 March 1843
and 17 July 1844
$49.76 er annum
from 4 March 1843 to 8th Oc. 1844
the day of her death, payable
to the alive children-
J.J. McCulloch
Jefferson Ga.
Page 21

W
Joseph Ratchford Dec
Ga
act 7 June 1832
Aond
2 mo 22 days 2 [illegible] $36.33
4 “ [illegible] $13.33
-
$49.66
from 4 March 1831 to 17th
Sept. 1832 to day of her
death payable to Robert
Rutherford, Joseph Ratchford
and Mary Harkins only surviving
children
J.J. McCulloch
Jefferson 
Ga.
Page 22

11177
Hannah Ratchford
[illegible] J.J. McCulloch
Oct 17. 1844
Set to Hon. H. cobb December 24 ‘44
“ “ J. J. McCulloch January 9. ‘45
J.H. Browne May 7 [illegible]
act 7 July 1838
Page 23

[left side of page] 
[illegible] R.W. Young
Nov. 23. 1850 [illegible]
returned-
[right side of page]
Let. to A. S. Wallace
August 31. ‘46
Page 24

Comptroller Genls Office
Columbia SO. Ca May 3 / 44
[illegible] 373
Book L}  I found the 26 October 1784 to Mr. Joseph Ratchford
for Twenty six pounds seven shillings and a 
penny half penny sterling for Eighty two Days Militia
Duty in 1780 [illegible] and audited N-12-
Principal [symbol for pounds] 26:7:1 ½
Annl. In 01:16:10
I certify the above to be a true copy from the Records in their office
[illegible] Comptroller Genl
Naval
Page 25

Hannah Ratchford
wid. od Joseph- 
on the Gen. Role
pensioned under
the act of 1838.
7273-43 Ga.
Hon. J.L. Edwards
Comm. of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
R.W. Young
[illegible]
Page 26

Jefferson Ga
Nov 12th 1850
Hon J.L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir
You will be pleased to allow 
my agent R.W. Young, Washington D.C.
to examine the papers on file in your
office upon which a pension was
originally granted to the surviving
children of Hannah Ratchford
widow of Joseph Ratchford
decades.
Yours respectfully
Mary Harkins
on the behalf of the survg. children [illegible]
[illegible]
J.J. McCulloch
Page 27

Payment to be made
At [blank]
by [blank]
Agent for paying Pension-
ers in the Agency of [blank] 
Recorded in the Pension
Office in Book [blank], Vol. [blank]
Page [blank] by [blank]
Clerk.
Page 28

7273
WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that in conformity with the law of the United 
State, of the 7th June, 1832, Joseph Ratchford, deceased, who was
a priv + Lieut. [illegible] entitled to a pension at the rate of $49.66  per annum
{illegible] on 4 March of 1831, [illegible] on the 17th Sept. 1832, the day
[illegible] death, which will be paid in the [illegible] of the [illegible]
[illegible] to Robert + Joseph Ratchford Jr.  and Mary Hawkins, only surviving
children.
is entitled to receive [blank] dollars and [crossed out]
cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing [crossed out]
on the 4th day of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually [crossed out]
on the 4th day of March and 4th day of September, in every year. [crossed out]
To be paid at} Given at the War Office of the United 
Savannah, GA} States, this 23rd day of
December one thousand eight
hundred and forty-five
Secretary of War.
Examined and 
Countersigned]
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 29

Georgia}
Talbot County}
Before me George Buchanan as Justice of the 
Peace in and for the county and State aforesaid on this 
day personally appeared William Ratchford by birth
a South Carolina York district but for the last forty years
[illegible] an inhabitant of the State of Georgia and for the
last fourteen years a [illegible] citizen of Said County who after
being first duly Sworn according to law doth make the
following statements in proof of the services of Joseph
Ratchford in the Army of the Revolution that he deponent
knew Joseph Ratchford York district South Carolina and
that he the said Joseph Ratchford was drafted in the 
year seventeen hundred and seventy nine to serve a [illegible]
tour as [illegible] in the Revolution and in May seventeen
hundred and eighty about the last of May which said Ratchford
entered the servis again and served again until the [illegible]
of the [illegible] in a cavalry Company of Captain Braten and
Belangin to Gineral Sumter army said Ratchford served
first and last two years and upwards said witness was about
fifteen years olde at the close of Revolution Sworn to and
Subscribed to before me this 7 Day of June 1844
William Ratchford
George Buchannan J.P.
I do hereby Certify that the witness
is a credible witness
George Buchanan J.P.
Page 30

Georgia} I Henry Jones Clerk of the Inferior
Talbot County} Court of the County and State aforesaid
do hereby Certify that George Buchannan whose
name appears assigned to the written and foregoing
affidavit is an acting Justice of the Peace in
and for Said County and state and that 
full faith and Credit is due to and ought to 
be given to his official acts.
Given under my hand and seal of
office this Eighth day of June Eighteen hundred
and forty four
Henry Jones Clerk J.C.
[seal on left side of page]
Georgia} I John B Hicks a Justice of the Inferior
Talbot County} Court in and for Said County do hereby
Certify that Henry Jones whose name appears to the
foregoing certificate is Clerk of the Inferior Court
of said County and that full faith and credit
is due to + should be given to his official acts
and that the same is in due form of law
Given under my hand and seal this Eighth
day
of June Eighteen hundred and forty four.
Jno B. Hicks
Page 31

Ratchford
Page 32

Pension Office
January 9. 1845
Sir,
The additional evidence in the Case of
Hannah Ratchford, is not satisfactory to show that her
husband, Joseph Ratchford, served as much as six
months. The witnesses should state with the commencement
and termination of each tour of service. Unless they can
do this their testimony will not be deemed sufficient 
to satisfy the doubt raised by the silence of the records
in the Comptroller Generals Office.
J.J. McCulloch Esq
Jefferson,
Georgia
Page 33

Jefferson Oct 23rd 1844
J.L. Edwards Com. of Pensions
I am sorry my [illegible]
caused you the trouble [illegible] and
[illegible] the Declaration of Mrs.
Ratchford- In the event there 
be no seal of Office- I think
it is necessary to have the 
certificate of a member of
Congress, [illegible] the official character
of the [illegible]- I wrote to
the Hon. H. Cobb last summer to
certify in case where my certificates
required it- he is personally
acquainted with me and will
make the necessary certificate at
any time when he shall have
returned to Washington- he is
now from home or I would 
call on him or send for the 
certificate-
A young man Mr Henderson
a nephew of Mrs. Ratchford
is now gone to south Carolina 
in search of Parol
testimony to support
Page 34

the claim of the old
lady- as soon as he returns
if he shall have obtained
the requisite proof I 
will forward it you 
immediately-
Yours Respectfully,
John J. McCulloch
Page 35

Payment to be made
At [blank]
by [blank]
Agent for paying Pension-
ers in the Agency of [blank] 
Recorded in the Pension
Office in Book [blank], Vol. [blank]
Page [blank] by [blank]
Clerk.
Page 36

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Widow’s Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the act of July 7, 1838,
Hannah Ratchford, deceased, who was the widow of Joseph Ratchford,
who was a private and Lieut: in the Revy. war, was entitled to a pension
widow of [crossed out] at the rate of $49.76 per ann: [illegible]: on 4 March, 1836 [crossed out]
[crossed out] ending on the 4th March, 1841, she having
died on the [illegible] of October, 1844; which will be paid upon
he [illegible] of the [illegible] voucher to Robert Ratchford, Joseph Ratchford
[crossed out] Jr. and Mary Harkin only surviving
children of Hannah Ratchford, deceased.
[crossed out]
[crossed out]
[crossed out]
[crossed out]
Given at the War Office of the United
States, this [illegible] day of
September, one thousand
eight hundred and forty five
Secretary of War
Examined and 
Countersigned]
Commissioner of Pensions
Page 37

Payments to be made at [blank]
by
Agent for paying Pensioners, in the 
Agency of [blank]
Payable on the 4th September and 4th
March
Recorded in the Pension Office, in
Book [blank] Vol. [blank] Page [blank]
Clerk.
Page 38

War Department.
Widow’s Pension.
I certify that in conformity with the acts of March 3, 1843 + 7 June 1844,
Hannah Ratchford, deceased, who was the widow of Joseph
Ratchford, who was a private and Lieutenant in the Revy: [illegible]
was entitled to a pension at the rate of $49.76 per ann:  [illegible]
widow of [crossed out] the 4 March 1843, and ending on the 8th: October 1844,
the day of her death, which will be paid upon the production 
of the proper vouchers to Robert Ratchford, Joseph Ratchford
Jr. and Mary Harkins, only surviving
children of Hannah Ratchford, deceased.
[crossed out]
[crossed out]
[crossed out]
[crossed out]
[crossed out]
Given at the War Office of the United States,
this 5th:- day of Sept:
one  thousand eight hundred and forty-five.
Page 39

Jefferson November 25th 1844
Dear Sir
Mr. Henderson a
nephew of Mrs. Ratchford has
returned from S>C. but could
not find such testimony in
relation to Joseph Ratchfords
service in the Revolution, as he
thought he could his main
object was to prove the service
by Robert Wilson + Wm Carson
of Ork Dist. S.C. both of 
whom are Revolutionary Pensioners
butt found the old men
both imperfect in Recollection
Carson particularly- who said 
he very well recollected Ratchford
in the service but was so scattering
in his statements that he
would not take his testimony
They I [illegible] can get not more
testimony- other than traditionary
evidence- The old lady was then
late applying and thereby lost three
important witnesses- Robert Henderson
of Hall Co. her brother- 
old Mr. McDowel of DeKelb Co. Ga.
and Major Thomas Henderson of
Pickins Dist. S.C.- all Pensioners
Yours Respectfully
John J. McCulloch
Page 40

South Carolina}
York District} Personally came Samuel
M.C. Elhany before me the 
[illegible] magistrate who
being duly sworn sayeth that that he knew
Joseph Ratchford that he was a soldier of
the American Revolution that he Ratchford and 
deponent were in the battles of rocky mount
under General Sumpter and Kings Mountain
under the command of Col’s Shelby Cleveland
and Williams [illegible] that Ratchford was to the
best of his knowledge in Col. Bratton’s [illegible]
does [illegible] know what [illegible] Capt he
was under sworn to and subscribed this 26th
of July 1844 Samuel his X mark M.C. Elhany
Before me
A.S. Wallan )Magt)
State of South Carolina} I, Ja. Kuykendal Clerk of
York District} the Court of Common Pleas
and General Sessions for York District, do hereby
certify that A.S. Wallan whose signature appears
to above affidavit, is and was at the time of such
signature an acting Magistrate of said District and
that full faith and credit are due and ought to be
given to all his official acts as such.
Given under my hand + seal of
Office at York Court House on
the 27th day of July 1844,
Ja. Kuykendal
C.C.C. Pls.
[seal in bottom left corner]
Page 41

The State of South Carolina
York District} Personally
appeared James Martin before me and 
made oath that he was a soldier of the
revolutionary war that he knows that
Joseph Ratchford served in the militia of
South Carolina in the revolutionary war
at different times at least for six months
how much longer this deponent knows not
that he was generally considered a good
[illegible], this deponent believes he served
in a militia regiment commanded by
Col. Neil and after the death of Col Neil
under the command of Col Wm Bratton
both of whom when in service, was generally
under the command of General Thomas
Sumpter and part of the time in a 
militia company commanded by this 
deponent in 1780 but cannot swear what
actions he in but believes he was in several
sworn to before me
this 17th of Sept 1832} James his X mark Martin
[illegible]
Page 42

South Carolina}
York District} Personally appeared William
Carson before me and made oath that he was a 
soldier of the revolutionary war that Joseph
Ratchford served as a malitia soldier of South
Carolina and was in the battle of Kings Mountain
and was and always has been reputed to have 
been a good whig soldier
Sworn to before me
this 19th Sept. 1832} William his x mark Carson
[illegible] 
State of South Carolina
York District} I Andrew McWhorter
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas
for the District aforesaid do certify 
that J M Ross whose attestation appears
to the foregoing affidavit is and was at
the time of [illegible] the same an acting
Justice of the [illegible] in the District
aforesaid and full faith + credit is 
due + ought to be given to his official
acts as such Given under my hand
and Seal of Office at Yorkville this
19th day of Sept 1832-
Page 43

[seal= YORK C.H.S.C. SEP 22]
Mr. Joseph Ratchford
Jefferson Cts.
Jackson County
Georgia
[sideways]
Revolution 
[illegible]
Page 44

Yorkville September 19th 1832
Dear Brother
Enclosed you will receive the Certificates
you wrote me for sometime past;  Mr James Wallace
I called on he is old + says he cannot recollect
any thing of your being in the Service as Lieutenant
but says he new the [illegible] was in the Service 
but cannot name one from another; I have
nothing [illegible] as to with you we are all
well; + [illegible] hopes these few line will
find you in as good health as I would
[illegible] you to be’ there is a great [illegible]
[illegible] religion appears to be taking deep root
in a great many neighborhoods. Crops in 
this part of the County is very Light on 
account of the dry Summer. I Expect
nevertheless to make plenty of Corn + will
have none to buy.
I am Dear Brother
yours with all kindness
Page 45

[sideways]
July 29, 1846
[seal- Yorkville S.C. JUL 24]
[illegible]
Hannah Ratchford
7273 [illegible] 43
J.L/ Edwards Esq
Washington City
D.C.
[upper right hand corner- 20]
Page 46

Yorkville S.C.
19th July the 1846
J.L. Edwards Esq
Dear Sir
Enclosed is the additional
Evidence in the case of Hanna Ratchford widow
of Joseph Ratchford of Jackson County
Georgia dec’d whose widow obtained a pension
at the rate of $49.00 per annum some 
time last year at which time the widow
was dead also Major Joseph McJunkin whose
evidence is herewith enclosed stated the same fact
as to the Length of time that the said Joseph
Ratchford served after the fall of Charlestown
in his former Evidence on this case now on file
in your office that is stated in the Evidence
But the Gentleman that drew up his affidavit 
Expressed it differently  not knowing 
that [illegible] time was [illegible] at the war
deppartment although the records of south
Carolina do not show that Joseph ^ Ratchford served
more than three months it is evident he
served near four years as he was [illegible]
in service as stated  by [illegible] and
Wilson + others from the fall of Charlestown
untill the close of the war his [illegible] like
many others has never been returned or is 
lost as it is evident by the Enclosed testimony
and [illegible] that he rendered
the above service there are many persons
who did a [illegible] of service whose
names are only found for a small amount 
on record of South Carolina
you will please answer the above to 
me at as early a day as possible
Page 47

There is another fact which may not be 
known at the war department that south 
Carolina found her soldiers [crossed out] and
Regularly until the resources of the state were
[illegible] and after that [illegible] 
which latter service is any found on record
ver respectfully yours
A.S. Wallace
JL Edwards Esq
[illegible] of Revisions
Page 48

Jefferson Ga
No 19}
20
Nov 24 1845
Jos Ratchford
June 7, 1832
Hannah Ratchford [illegible]
of Ga. [illegible]
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington
D.C.
Page 49

Jefferson Ga
Nov. 17th 1845
Sir
I should have send the declaration
enclosed, for the surviving children of Joseph
Ratchford decd at an earlier period- 
but Col. Cobb having been gone to Milledgeville
and elsewhere from home I was not 
able to get his certificate-
The amount due Hannah 
Ratchford’s surviving children has been
received- up to the time of her death
Direct your communications either
to me or Robert Ratchford at 
this this place-
Yours [illegible]
John McCulloch
Page 50

Sept 10. ‘45
Jefferson, Ga.
Sep 5
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Han Ratchford 
[illegible]
Page 51

Jefferson Ga
Sept. 3rd 1845
Sir I saw Mr Rober Ratchford
this evening- he is [illegible] to hear
from the claim which his mother
Hannah Ratchford had had
before you in her lifetime, +
which [crossed out], his brother + sister
now claim up to her death- 
I sent you in July the proof of
Mrs. Ratchford’s death and the 
number and name of her 
children who survived her-
I presume you will answer all 
such communications as that
when convenient and am myself
willing to wait on you but
Mr. Ratchford insists that
I should write you a line
he supposes you may have
[illegible] the Mr. Brown of
Yorkville S. Carolina- as[illegible] he 
had [illegible] Mr. Brown to take 
the testimony of Major McJunkin
+ forward it to you- after 
which you did write to Mr.
Brown stating that a certificate
for forty dollars per annum
would issue when Mrs Ratchford
would signify her willingness 
to accept that amount-
in haste yours most
Respectfully
John J. McCulloch
Page 52

July 28 1845
[illegible]
Hannah Ratchford
Jefferson Ga}  20
23 July}
Com. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 53

Jefferson Ga
July 22
1845
Sir
Sometime since I received a letter
 from Mr. J.A. Brown of Yorkville S.C. inclosing 
one from you to him in which (bearing date May 7)
you state “The only Term of service definitely established
in the Case of Hannah Ratchford widow
of Joseph Ratchford, by the testimony of Major McJunkin
is the expedition in the Cherokee Country in 1776 which
was [illegible] to his statements in his own case, four 
months, this added to the eighty two days as shown by
the certificate of the Comptl. Genl of South Carolina
will make four months private, + Two months
+ twenty three Days Lieut; and is all that can
be allowed upon the proof now before the department”
and that “A pension certificate
at the rate of forty dollars per annum will be 
issued as soon as Mrs. Ratchford will signify
her willingness to accept that amount” 
Mrs. Ratchford is decd [underlined] as 
you will see by the certificate od our Inferior 
Court, on it’s authority, herewith sent you
since receiving your letter through [illegible] J.A. Brown
of Yorkville I have had an interview with the 
children of Mrs. Ratchford who survived her
and advised them to accept of the forty dollars
per annum and cease further to prosecute the 
claim, as they would not likely be able to get
any more definitive proof of their father’s
services- they allege that forty dollars per
annum is not as much as they should be
entitled to, they confidently believe their
father served, periods taken together, more
than sufficient to entitle them the full [underlined]
pay- but admit the improbability of making
proof of so much service in such definite
Terms as to bring it within the rules so highly
Page 54

necessary to be adhered to by you in
such cases- They therefore authorize
me to say to you they will accept [underlined]
of the forty dollars per annum- but
expect besides fort dollars per annum,
from the 4th Match 1836 to the 4th March 
1841 to receive after the same rate from
the 4th March 1831 to the 17th September 1832
the date of Joseph Ratchford’s death
as also from the 4th of March 1843 to the 
8th of October 1844 the date of Hannah 
Ratchford’s death-
Any other communication
in relation to this claim you 
will please direct to me
or to Robert Ratchford at this 
place- [crossed out]
Yours most 
Obediently
John J. McCulloch
Page 55

Aug 13 44
[illegible]
[illegible] Ratchford
Jefferson Ga}
[illegible] 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Washington City
D.C.
Page 56

Jefferson August 7th 1844
Dear Sir
I sent you
some time since some papers
for Mrs. Ratchford + now send
you an affidavit though I fer
of very little consequence I wrote
to York Dist. S.C. for some proof
there were three affidavits sent
me two of them were without
authentication. I have sent these 
back, they don’t go to prove much
but such as they are I will send
them to you as soon as I get
them again- I would be
glad to hear from you if convenient
in relation to the papers I have
sent you- and will thank 
you for a copy of an act papers
at the last session of Congress
“To Continue Pensions to certain
widows” together with the 
riles + regulations you may
have adopted in relation
there to- Yours Respectfully
John J. McCulloch
Page 57

Yorkville S. Ca March 21st 1845
Sir
I herewith enclose you some additional evidence in
the case of Hannah Ratchford of Jackson County Ga.
Should the evidence furnished be sufficient to place Mrs
Ratchford in the Pension roll will you be kind enough
to furnish her certificate to care of J. J. MuCulloch [illegible]
Jackson Cty Ga and advise me of the same.
If the testimony is not yet full enough let me know
what additional evidence ill be required
I am sir very respectfully
JA Brown
JL Edwards Esq
Court of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 58

11177
Hannah Ratchford
widow of Joseph
Ga
Act 7 July 1838
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
1117 July 16 1844
Ga July 7 1838
Han Ratchford
Page 59

Dear Sir
Mrs Ratchford
wishes me to aid her son, if I am 
able to afford him any aid in getting 
her a pension a very short time before
her husbands death. he went to Hall Co.
Ga. to see Robert Henderson, who was
I think in 1837 or 1838 placed on the 
Pension Role- and for the purpose of 
Proving his services and also [illegible] to 
his brother in York Dist. [underlined] S.C. to prove
his services by witnesses there, his brother 
made the proof which I here enclose
but before its arrival Joseph Ratchford
had died- the papers were then laid
away- recently I suggested myself to the old
lady the probability that she might get 
something to aid her in age. She at once
expressed a wish to do so and asked
my assistance- This I would Cheerfully
give were I able to afford any [illegible]
service. I firmly believe [illegible]
yet prove his service for a longer period
than appears by the affidavit of Wm Ratchford
on the affidavits from Carolina-
we may yet find some old men who 
served with him I have written to his 
brother in York who is still living and
will possibly get other proof- let me hear
from you if you please as soon as
 the crowd of [illegible] will permit you
to examine this claim- I hope [illegible]
may be able to do something for the
old lady yours truly-
John J McCulloch
Page 60

The State of South Carolina
Union District }}
Personally came before
me Robert G Otts One of the Magistrates assigned
to keep the peace in + for the said District, Major
Joseph McJunkin, who on being duly sworn on
the holy Evangelists of Almighty God deposes + 
says that he was well acquainted with Joseph
Ratchford, a soldier of the Revolution, as this deponent
knows from his own knowledge for three 
whole years after the fall of Charleston 
in the following manner, the said Joseph 
Ratchford was with me in the army under 
the Command of General Thomas Sumpter in
the year 1780 at the Battle of the Hanging Rock
and continued in the service until the close of the
war, but I cannot remember the name of the Colonel 
who commanded the Regiment to which said
Ratchford belonged. It was, however, the Colonel who
succeeded Colonel Neal who was killed on the 6th
day of August 1780.
Sworn and subscribed
this February 14th 1846
before me 
Robert G. Otts
{Magistrate}
Joseph McJunkin
Page 61

I William J Keenan Clerk of the Court
for Union District in the state of South
Carolina do hereby
certify that [crossed out] Robt
G. Otts whose name appears to the 
[illegible] affidavit is a magistrate in
and for the said district of Union and
that the foregoing signature purporting 
to be his is genuine
[illegible] testimony whereof I 
have hereunto affixed
my seal of office and
subscribed my name
the fourteenth day of
February [illegible]
1846
Wm J. Keenan clerk of the court
of [illegible]
Page 62

South Carolina
Union District} SS
I do hereby Certify that
Major Joseph McJunkin who has sworn 
to + subscribed the foregoing affidavit 
is a Gentleman of unquestionable
moral Character + of sound mind [illegible]
his statements as such are entitled to
full faith + credit. Given under my
hand the 20-March 1846
D Wallace 
Magistrate
Note. R.G. Otts Esq before  when Major
McJunkin was sworn omitted to give his
Certificate as to the credibility of Major
McJunkin not knowing at the time that 
it was necessary to do so. by
Request I have entered my certificate
in his stand. Major McJunkin is
too well known here to need such
certificate except as a matter of 
form- D Wallace
Magistrate
I William Keenan Clerk of the 
Court of Union District in the State of 
South Carolina do Certify that the
above subscribing D Wallace is a 
Magistrate in and for said District + that the
signature to the foregoing certificate purporting to be his are
Genuine [seal] Given under my hand +
seal of office this 20th
March 1846
WM J. Keenan  [underlined]
Clerk of the 
Court of 
[illegible]
Page 63

The State of South Carolina
Union District} SS
Personally came before me
G.J. Gregory- a Magistrate in + for the 
said District Major Joseph McJunkin + who
on being duly sworn on the holy Evangelists almighty
God, deposes + says that he is now
about Ninety years of age. That he is 
one of the surviving soldiers of the Revolutionary
War, having served first as a soldier + before
the close of the war, he held the Rank of 
Major. That in the year 1776 he became 
acquainted with Joseph Ratchford of York
District in the said state, + that this 
deponent + the said Joseph Ratchford served
together as soldiers in a campaign against
the Cherokee Indians, under the Command of
Colonel Neal. That this tour of duty began
in May 1776 + they Returned home again
the following November. This deponent further
states that [crossed out] the said Joseph Ratchford
was in the army [crossed out] under the Command 
of General Lincoln at the Battle of Stono
+ that they served together also in what
was called the snow campain- in this 
last named campaign, they were engaged
from Early in October until the following
December. This deponent further states
that he was with [crossed out[ the
said Joseph Ratchford in the following 
Battles to wit, the Battle of Rocky 
Mount, Hanging Rock, Blackstocks 
Battle of the Cowpens, and Battle of 
Ramsours Mills- That at the Battle
Page 64

of Hanging Rock John Ratchford, a Brother
of the said Joseph was shot through the 
chest, but survived the wound. deponent
knows that Joseph Ratchford was in 
the army engaged in active service, from 
the fall of Charleston until the close of
the war- That the said Joseph Ratchford
was in the service under the Command of
General Lincoln, General Sumter, + General
Morgan, and he was [illegible] deponent Confidently
believes engaged in the service during the war, but he 
does not now recollect the names of any of
the [illegible] under which the said Joseph 
Ratchford served. Deponent served
in the army with the said Joseph Ratchford
in almost Every year from the year 
1776 as before stated  to the close of the 
waw. The said Joseph Ratchford was
a mounted Militia Man, as almost all the 
Militia was in the war those days, until they
got to a Battle [illegible] when they dismounted
+ fought on foot. The said Ratchford was
raised in York District near Yorkville
in the said state, + that he never
knew any other family of the same name
This deponent further states
that in the times [illegible] to there was
no home, no safety for a whig [underlined], but
on the Camp- That Joseph Ratchford
was one of those unyielding spirits that
[illegible] nothing was done, while anything
Remained to do, and seemed to live only
to combat the foes of his Country
This deponent further states, that more
Page 65

than ordinary intimacy existed between himself 
+ the said Joseph Ratchford- That both 
himself + Ratchford were named Joseph
which they used to remark when together, that
deponent + the said Joseph Ratchford were
bound together by all the ties of common
danger [illegible] + objects, + that they fought
hand to hand + shoulder to shoulder together
through the war, + that’s although this deponent 
was now + then separated for a season
from his friend + companion in arms, yet
he knew him to have been actively engaged
almost the whole war from 1776, until
peace was made.
Joseph McJunkin X
Sworn to + subscribed
before me the 13th
Match 1845.
BJ Gregory
Magistrate
I BJ Gregory- a Magistrate
in + for the District of Union in the state of
South Carolina, do certify that the above named
Major Joseph McJunkin is unable by reason
of his great age to attend the Court now in session
for the said District, without much inconvenience
+ even hazard to his health. I also Certify that
the said Joseph McJunkin is still of sound
mind + memory + of unquestionable moral
character  [illegible]
Page 66

I Wm J Keenan Clerk of the Court
of Common pleas for the District of Union
in the state of South Carolina Certify that
J.G. Gregory is a magistrate as stated
in the foregoing affidavit, + that the foregoing
signature purporting to be his is Genuine
Given under my hand + seal of
office this the 13th March 1845
[seal]
Wm J Keenan Clerk of the Court 
Union District