Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 1257, John Finley, S.C.
Page 1

Finley, John
Sally

NUMBERS
W.1257
Page 2

(Left Side) 
6 1835 to
P. At
835. See letter
in Paul Finly
Feb 21 1851

( Right Side) 
Suspd see Letter 6 Fe
ES Davis Tel &
do P.Agent 1 July 1
of Mr. Davis filed
papers 
 Leth H  R. Chandler

(Center) 
South Carolina 16.122
John Finley
of Abbeville in the State of South Car
who was a pri: in the company commanded
by Captain McFarlin of the _____ commanded
by ______ in the South Car
line for 18 months
South Carolina
Inscribed on the Roll of South Car:
at the rate of 60 Dollars __Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8th day of July '33
and sent T. C. Spierin
Abbeville C. H. S. C.
Arrears to the 4th of March 33-          120
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept " --30
                                                          
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Wm. Miller  Clerk.
Book E.  Vol. 6  Page 67
Page 3

1710
South Carolina
Sally Finley
Widow of John Finley
who served in the Revolutionary
war, as a private S. Carolina line.
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 
60 Dollars 00
Cents per annum, to commence on 
the 3d February 1853
Certificate of Pension issued the 
2d day of Sept /53
and sent to 
B. L. Posey
Abbeville S.C.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act
Feby 3d /53 Page 142 Vol. A
1832
Hon. Stephen Adams, Dec. 4. 1836
[cofs],
Page 4

17729
1
John Finley
Abbeville
S.C.
R
Admit as private
18 mo $60.00
Apl. 19.33-
p. 348
Tho C. Spierin 
Abbeville C. H,
A
S
C.
Page 5

Brief in the case of John Finley
of Abbeville D in the State of S. Carolina
(Act 7th June, 1832.)
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?
3. How old is he? 72
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed.
Period.
Enlisted In 1776
Duration of Service.
1 Years, 6 Months Days.
Rank.
As a
Names of General and Field Officers
under whom he served.
Gen. Capt McFarlin

5. In what battles was he engaged? Fort Barrington, Nassau Swamp,
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Ninety six D.S.C.
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? living witness
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Court
Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
 J.E.Bradford
Examining Clerk.
Page 6

Mrs Parmelia Shillito
Aberdeen Mississippi Sumter So. Ca. Sept 6/1886
Dear Madam
Matthew McDonald Clerk of Court at Abbeville
has just informed me that he sometime since sent you some papers I
intended your mother to sign, but that she is dead. As these papers
cannot be executed to answer the purpose without much alterations and erasures
which make them very objectionable. I have prepared and said herewith aforeal
power of Attorney and content and in addition thereto upon of Attorney
to collect the Balance of pension due at your mothers death from the
date of her last draw or payment,
also a Declaration &c for
Bounty Land, that you may execute in case she made no application
before she died and I will endeavor to take out warant fort to
acres which perhaps I can accomplish provided your mother did not
die before 5 March 1855, but the labor and expenses will be
considerable because the death of your mother precludes your
recovery under the existing law and in consequence I have to apply to
Congress to have the act amended. I concurr therefore undertake the
case for his thn of equal to one half the amount the warrant may
be worth but if I do not succeed I shall make no charge.
of Course if you have these papers properly executed and promptly
sent to me they will supersede any others you
 may have signed to me or 
my other person, and will be attended with better prospect of success and
much less delay than any others, because I have been careful to write
them best in Street conformity to suit the minutes of the cases
You must inform me the precise day month and your on which your Mother
died and gave in the name and address of any one who can make
affidavit to the fact. I write to my friend  General de Featherston
of
Page 7

of your place formerly of Georgia to aid and instruct you in this business.
We cannot of reassure the money (Government certificate issued payable to
claimants) for back pensions until after the meetings of said Congress but
the Balance of pension as when your Mother died will soon be received
You must attend to returning the papers without delay by executing them according
to the fiscil Memorandum made your friend with  l Survant-- James Taylor;
Your mothers pension certificate must be surrendered and Sent to me if you have got
or let me know where and to whom you apply for it. Generall Featherston P.O.
is Camargo, Monroe County who if necessary will remove any difficulty
by proving your identity by writing to him
Page 8

of
Sallie Finley
Per. Pension
of
-
Page 9

State of South Carolina
Abbeville District
On this Twelfth
day of April 1833 before a Magistrate in
and for said District personally appeared
Sally Finley who being duly sworn declares, that
she is the widow of John Finley deceased, who
was a resident of the said State and District
and was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United 
States at the rate of Sixty Dollars per annum
for the term of his natural life: that the
said John Finley died at Abbeville Court
House on the seventeenth day of December
one thousand eight hundred and thirty
six; That her maiden name was Sallie Posey
and that she was married to the said John
Finley on the twenty fifth day of December anno
Domini one thousand eight hundred and eight
in Abbeville District by the Revd Arthur
Williams a Baptist minister; that the said John
Finley was pensioned under the act of Congress
passed on the seventh day of June one thousand
eight hundred and thirty two. That she has
remained a widow since the death of her said
husband: That she is a resident of the said
State & District and makes this declaration
for the benefit of the act of Congress passed Febru
ary the third one thousand eight hundred and
fifty three: That she appoints B. L. Posey
her true and lawful Attorney to demand and
in the Pension certificate to which she may
be entitled for proof of her marriage see copy
of private record in her possession herewith exhibited.
Sallie her mark Finley

Signed one of
Nimrod Richey
B.V. Posey
Page 10

South Carolina
Abbeville District 
On this Twelfth day of April
personally appeared Sally Finley, who made and
subscribed the foregoing oath. And I certify that
I well know the said Sally Finley; That she is
the identical person as set forth in her declara
tion; and that she is still the widow of the said
John Finley deceased.
Gabriel St. Mattion Magst
for Abbeville District
(copy 1
"John Finley married to Sally Posey on the twen
ty fifth day of December 1808."

I certify that I have examined the original
private record of the marriage of John Finley to
Sally Posey, in the Family Bible now in the possession
of the said Sally Finley, which record I believe
to be genuine, and of the above is a true copy.
Gabriel M. Mattison Magst
for Abbeville District

South Carolina
Abbeville District  
On this 21st day of April 1853
before me, personally appeared Thos. Jackson
and H.K Jackson
who being duly sworn
declare that they will know the said Sally Finley
That she is now a widow. That her said
husband John Findley died at Abbeville Court
House of the seventeenth day of September one
thousand eight hundred and thirty six
Page 11

That they are disinterested witnesses
Witness
L. K. Filds
E Jackson
Thos. Jackson
H. K. Jackson
Sworn to and subscribed before me on
the year and day last above written &
I certify that the said Thos. Jackson
and H. K. Jackson are credible witnesses
Jno. G. Baskin {Seal}
Mayor
South Carolina    } I, Matthew McDonald, Clerk 
Abbeville District } of the Court of Common Pleas &c. for said District, do hereby certify that G. M. Mattison & Jno. G. Baskin Esqrs. before whom the preceeding affidavits were made, (as appears by their name in their own hand-writings attesting the same) were at the dates thereof Magistrates for said District duly appointed sworn & commissioned & had signd the Roll of Magistrates Kept by Law in my office.
Given under my hand & seal of
Office the twenty first day of April
Anno Domini 1853
Matthew McDonald
C.C.P.&c.. A.D.
Page 12

Declaration of John Farley 
on applicant of a pension
under the act of 
of Congress
7 June 1832-
18 months service
State of South Carolina
17729
Page 13

State of South Carolina
Abbeville  District
On this twenty fourth day of October in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared
in open Court before the Honble Richard Gantt presiding Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas & General Sessions for the said State and District
now sitting John Finley a resident of the Village of Abbeville in
the District of Abbeville in the State of South Carolina aged seventy
two years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his
oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the act of Congress passed 7th June 1832
That he the said John Finley entered the service of
the United States at the age of Sixteen years on the fifteenth day of
August seventeen hundred and seventy six that he was an enlisted soldier
or recruit and enrolled as such by one Sergt Emmet for the particular
service of a corps of mounted horsemen called as the applicant believes
the Georgia Provincials or Rangers whose sole duty appeared to be the
frontier protection in Georgia against Indian depredation and
for revolt at the country that he enlisted under the said Sergt Emmit
in Craven County afterward, Ninety six District and now Laurens District
on the fifteenth day of August One thousand seven hundred & seventy six for
the term or period of time of Eighteen months, that he with other recruits
of like character were marched from this place in the State of South Carolina
by the said Sergt Emmit to a place in the State of Georgia called Kent
creek where he was placed under the command of one Capt McFarlin
who had rendezvous his company at Kettle creek for about the period of
one month and from thence was marched by Capt McFarlin to a place called
Neels or Neale fort on the frontier of Georgia where the company joined another
but under what Capt the applicant does not recollect at Neals fort about the
number of three companies were embodied collected or organized, and from
thence the applicant was marched with the said troops under the command of Major
Marberry to a place called Fort Barrington on the Altamahaw River in the State ┃ of
Georgia which place was designated the Head Quarters of the troops, and
at which place the troops had a battle with the Indians who were defeated
will a las not known to the applicant but with a loss on the part of the troops
of five or see men killed, and from which place the troops alternately issued
and moved in small squads & scouting parties up & down the said River
over its North & South bank through the country to check and intimidate the
roads of the Indians and other enemies of the country for about the period
of seven months, ending in April or May Seventeen hundred & seventy seven, from
Fort Barrington the said troops were marched under the command of our
Col John Baker to East Florida near the sea coast and near the month of St
Johns river and from thence was marched by change of course of to a place called
Nathan Swamp where the said troops were defeated to the number of about one
hundred and twenty by a much greater and superior force of Indians & British
who by stealth and address gained the superior advantage of enfilading the
troops of Liberty between the impenetrable swamp and the enemies lines in so
embarrage to a situation as to terminate in their defeat, and success to the ┃
Indian and British victors at which battle the applicant was taken
prisoner
Page 14

prisoner being on foot having two days provsions to this battle had
his horse shot dead from under him in a little skirmish with the
Indians from Nauson Swamp he was taken by the British, and
put into their castle or Prison at St Augustine, where he remained
in prison several months and was finally released by an English
Officer for Scotchman by the name of a Majr McCloreder 
or McLorin for in the applicant believes, who promised the appli
cant his liberty from prison on condition of joining his troops
then in Florida to this the applicant assented with a firm
resolution to forfeit the terms of his liberation from prison
as soon as an opportunity afforded for his escape, which
he considered justifiable in his duressed and solitary
situation in a short time after the applicants liberation
from prison be and another individual made their escape
from the British and the applicant after a painful journey
on foot suffering every privation incident to a fleeing pris
one of his age without money and friends hungry badly
clothed lousy and sick and as it were in an enemys  coun
try he arrived back to his native place of Ninety six
District in the State of South Carolina. the applicant here
states that from the period of of his enlistment as aforesaid in
the Georgia Rangers or Provincials under Sergt Emmit down
to the period of his return to his native District Ninety six
as aforesaid was more than Eighteen months & consider himself
entitled to pay for at least the term of his enlistment although
he was prisoner part of the time
The applicant further states that some time in
the year seventeen hundred & eighty he went to the State of
Pennsylvania where he had some relations with whom he
rendered until the close of the Revolutionary War that
he was sickly and pale, and unable to perform petitory
duty after he return & escape from Orson & British in
St. Augustine in Florida as aforesaid.

The applicant hereby relinquishes every claim
whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares
that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State

Answers to certain Interrogatories
Ans to Inty 1st
The applicant says he was born in Craven County afterwards
Ninetysix District now Laurens District in the State 
of South Carolina and that he was born in No
vember of the year Seventeen hundred and sixty /1760/
Page 15

Ans to 2 Inty
The applicant says that he has not the original
record of his age that it was plundered by the
tories during the revolutionary war but has frequently
heard his parents tell his age.-
Ans to 3 Inty- 
The applicant says he was living in Craven County
Ninetysix Districk when he enlisted into the
service of the United States that he lived
between two & three years in the State of Pennsyl
vania and since in the State of South Carolina
since the Revolutionary war, and that he
now lives in the Village of Abbeville in Abbe
ville District in the State of South Carolina.
Ans to 4th Inty
The applicant says that he entered the service
of the United as an enlisted private in a corps
of troops called the Georgia Rangers or Provincials
by what authority these troops were raised the
applicant cannot tell--
Ans th 5th Inty
The applicant says he cannot answer this question
with certainty the circumstances of his service he
has in his Declaration already stated.
Ans to 6th Inty.
The applicant never received either a verbal or written
discharge he was taken prisoner by the British & kept
in a prison at St Augustine for several months 
& for a serice period and the term of his enlistment
eighteen months as above in his declaration stated.
Ans to 7th Inty- 
Thomas P Spierin Col Patrick Noble, Col Alexander
Bowie, Saml L Watt, John Allen George Shillito
are persons in my neighborhood who can tes
tify as to my character for veracity and their
belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution.
 Jn Finley
Sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforesaid
In open Court
Jas Wardlaw
Clk
Page 16

We Franklin Branch a clergyman residing in the District
of Abbeville in the State of South Carolina and Major John Hodges
residing in the same District and State hereby certify that
we are well acquainted with John Finley who has subscribed
and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to
be seventy two years of age that he is reputed and believed in the
neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the
revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Frankin Branch 
Jon Hoges
Sworn and subscribed the day
and year aforesaid -
In open Court.
Jas Wardlaw Clk

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 Franklin Branch
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in
the District of Abbeville in the State of South Carolina and that
John Hodges who has also signed the same is a resident
in the same State and District and is a credible person, and that ┃
their statement is entitled to credit.
Richard Gault P.S.

I James Wardlaw Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas and General Sessions for Abbeville District in the State of South Carolina
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application
of John Finley for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed my seal of Office of the ┃
said Court this twenty fourth day of October
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and thirty two and in the fifty seventh
year of the Independence of the United States of America.
Jas Wardlaw Clk.
Page 17

Rev WIDOW & c.
File No. 1257
Sally Finley
Widow
John Finley
Pri. Rev. War
Act: Feb 3, 1853
Index: Vol. A Page 236
[Arrangement of 1870]
Page 18

No
1376
Sally 
Finley
widow of John
S.C.
Let to B. L. Posey 
July 6. 1853
Act February 3rd 1853
Page 19

April 20
Appl. of Sally
Finley widow of John
Abbeville
S.C. 32
16122
Act 3 Feby 1850

Revy:
Adm of $60 per annum
Commencing 3 Feby 1853

BS Posey 
Abbeville
S.C.
Page 20

Pension Office
Augt. 31. 1853

Sir,
Please certify the time
to which the within named
pensioner was last paid;
and ( if in your born)
the oath of his death. 
Very respectfully
Your Obt Servit
S. Cole
Acting Commis
F. Burt Esq
(see other side)

John Finley, Abt. 7th June 1832 $60.00 per annum
Died 17th Sept 1836. Paid to his death 
F. Burt
Auditor
Page 21

To the child or children of ⎬
Sally Finley deceased late
of Abbeville Dist
Sumter So Ca August 17 1856
Enclosed are a power of Attorney and contract which
if any one of the children will have property executed by signing in
belief himself or herself and other children (marrying each Surviving
child) I will try to recover 4 years and 11 mo back pension to which
I think her children are entitled if your father died before 4 March 1848
but if he survived that period, then the back pension to
commence at his death. Your early attention to execute the papers
and return to me is important, but I do not think we can realize
any many (Government certificate issued infavor of surviving children)
untill next Session of Congress
Let me him four you
I am your ob Servant
James Taylor
Page 22

State of South Carolina
Abbeville District
I Paul Finley a resident of Laurens District
in the State of South Carolina do solemnly swear that I
am the next youngest brother of John Finley whose declaration
as an applicant for a pension under the act of Congress papers
7th June 1832 accompanies this affidavit and that the facts
stated and set forth in the said Declaration by the said
John Finley from the period of his enlistment under Serg. Emmit ┃
on the fifteenth day of August Seventeen hundred and seventy
six for Eighteen months in a corps of troops raised for the
frontier service in the State of Georgia called as the
deponant believes the Georgia Provincial or Rangers
as well as all the subsequent detailed statements of service
mentioned in his declaration down to the period of the
battle at Nassau Swamp are strictly true and substantially
correct and that these statements of facts are known to
the deponant, from the fact of enlistment with his brother
John Finley at the same time under Sergt Emmit in the same
corps of Georgia Rangers or troops and of having performed
the same service which his brother John Finley has related
in his Declaration down to the period of the battle at
Nason Swamp where he separated from his brother John
Finley by effecting his escape and retreat from the enemy
the deponant says that he has no personal knowledge
of any subsequent service performed by his brother John
Finley but believes the same to be true from the character
which his brother John Finley has always sustained as a man
of truth and veracity, and from the well known fact of his
Whig principles & revolutionary services
Paul Finely

Sworn to before
Mr Geo Shillito
Oct 13th 1832
Page 23

State of South Carolina
Abbeville District
I James Wardlaw Clerk of the Court of General
Sessions and Common Pleas for the District of Abbeville
in the State of South Carolina do hereby certify that
George Shillito Esquire who signed the foregoing pro
bate is an acting Justice of the Peace within this
District and as such all due faith and credit are
and ought to be given to his official attestation
and that the signature is the handwriting of the said
George Shillito -
Given under my hand and seal of Office
at Abbeville Courthouse this first
day of November in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Jas Wardlaw
Clk
Page 24

State of South Carolina
Abbeville District
On this 22d
day of August -AD. 1833 before
me a magistrate in and for the said
State & district personallyappeared
Sarah Findley who being duly sworn
declares that she is the widow
of John
Findley deceased who was a
revolutionary pensioner of the United States
, and died in or about the year
1836. That he died at Abbeville Court House
in the State of South Carolina; That she
was married to the said John Findley
in the State and District aforesaid, in the
year 1808 by the Genl Arthur Williams:
that she has remained a widow since
the death of her said husband John Find
ley: That she is unable by reason of bod
ily infirmity & age from to appear in open
Court before a court of record, and was
unable to do so, at the time of her
original declaration: That she makes this
declaration for the benefit of the act of
3d February 1853, that she is now in
the seventy third yearof her age that 
she appoints B. L. Posey her true and
lawful Attorney to demand and receive
the pension certificate to which she may
be enlisted
Sallie her mark Findley
Sarh

Witness
A.E. Hughes
B.V. Posey
Page 25

Sworn to and subscribed before me on
the year and day above written. I also
certify that I well know the said Sarah
Findley and that she is the widow of
John Findley deceased. I also certify that she
is very infirm in health, and unable to
appear to appear in open Court before a
Court of record.
G. M. Mattison Magst

John Findley was married to Sarah Posey on the 25th of December 1808 "

I certify that the above marriage record is a
true copy from the original private record
in the family Bible in the possession of Sarah
Findley, which I have examined and believe
to be genuine
G M Mattison Magst
Page 26

On this 22d day of August-1853
personally appeared Wesley C. Moseley
and Alexander E Hughes who being 
duly sworn declare that they are residents
of Abbeville District and State of South 
Carolina that they will know Sarah Find
ley who is now before them, and that she
is the widow of John Findley deceased who
was a revolutionary pensioner of the Uni
ted States; that she is still a widow
that they are disinterested witnesses
W.B. Moseley
A C Hughes
Attest
B. V. Posey
B. Owens,

-
Sworn to and subscribed before
me on the year and day above written
by Wesley C Moseley and A E Hughes
are credible witnesses. 
G.M. Mattison

South Carolina
Abbeville District

I, Matthew McDonald, Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas & for said
District do hereby certify that G.M. Mattison Esqr
before whom the preceeding affidavit was made, (as
appears by his name in his own hand writing attesting
the same), was at the date thereof a magistrate, for
said District, duly appointed, sworn Commissioned
had sign the Row of Magistrater kept by Law in
my office-
(Turn over)
Page 27

Given under my hand & seal of of
fice the twenty third day of Au-
gust - Attus Dominion 1853.
Matthew McDonald
c.a.p.H: A.D.
Page 28

State of South Carolina
Abbeville District
Amended Declaration of John Finley and
applicant for a pension under the act of Congress
of June 7th 1832 in conformity with the received
Brief objections of the War Department pointed
out with red ink under the sixth and fourteenth
Interrogatories of the said Brief
answer to the sixth Objection
I John Finely do solemnly swear that 
that Capt. McFarlin the name of the Lieut & engaged I have forgotten
may---Maeberry and 
Col John Baker are the only officers, I served
& performed duty under in the Revolutionary War
that I know of no Officer of the Regu
lar army who were with the troops in which
I served and that I know of no other field
Officer than those I have mentioned except
it be Genl Screven and only men
tion him as the probable person or Officer
who had the command of the troops in
which I served but as to the certain knowledge
of the fact I am ignorant, although
I have seen him with the troops at Fort
Barrington but not in command that I
know neither was he in Uniform.
Jno Finley
Sworn to before
W. C. Black J P.
April 29. 1833-
Page 29

Abbeville District
I Leander Bryan do solemnly swear
that George Shillito Justice of the Peace of the
with District in the State of South Carolina
and before whom Paul July deposed to
certain Revolutionary services of John Finley
an applicant for a Pension under the act
of Congress of June 1832 & which accom
panies the amended Declaration of the ┃
said John Finley died on the twenty third
cay of April One thousand eight hundred
the same day
& thirty three and was buried the same day
that I have long known Paul Finley of
Laurens District in the State of South Carolina
and that I know him to be
a man of truth & honest, and entitled
to credit as such, and that he is re
putable highly esteemed by his neighbour
and all those who know him that
as the Magistrate is dead. I have been ┃
called upon to state the credibility of
Paul Finley and have unhepitatingly
stated that same on oath as herein 
encrypted.
Leander Bryan
Sworn to befor
April 29. 1833-
W. C. Black J.P.

I do hereby certify that Leander Bryan
the above a pondent  is a highly credible
gentle & anyway worthy of full & 
implicit credit. 

W C Black J.P.
Page 30

The State of South Carolina
Abbeville District
I James Wardlaw
Clerk of the Court
of Common Pleas in and for the District aforesaid
do hereby certify that William C. Black before
whom the two foregoing affidavits were made and
who hath signed the same and who hath certified
as to the character of Leander Bryan is an acting
Justice of the Peace in and for the District of
Abbeville aforesaid, that all due faith and
credit are and ought to be given to his attestations
as such, and that the signatures purporting to be
his are genuine and further that Geo. Shillito
the Justice of Peace before whom the affidavit
of Paul Finley was made is since dead
And also that Leander Bryan is a highly
credible witness personally well known by myself.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed my seal
of Office at Abbeville Court house
this twenty ninth day of April Anno
Domini one thousand eight hundred
and thirty three - Jas Wardlaw
Clk
Page 31

The State of South Carolina
Abbeville District

I Moses Taggart Judge of the Court of or
dinary for Abbeville District do hereby certify that Sally
Finley widow of the late John Finley decd a pensioner of the
United States, under the act of Congress passed on the seventh
day of June one thousand eight hundred and thirty two ap
peared personally in Court before me, and produced the family
Bible of the said John Finley decd in which is recorded in the
hand writing of the said John Finley his marriage to the said
Sally Finley on the twenty fifth day of December one thousand
eight hundred and eight that independent of that testimony
Benjamin Lane Posey a credible witness appeared before me
and proved that he was present when the said John Finley and
Sally Finley (who was Sally Posey, were married, by the Rev'd Ar
thur Williams a baptist minister on the twenty fifth day of
December one thousand eight hundred and eight all which
foregoing testimony I deemed sufficient to prove the relationship
of the widow Sally Finley to the said John Finley decd. and
further the period of the said John Finley's death was proved 
before me by the oaths of Benjamin L Posey Charles Dendy Will
iam and Logan and Thomas P Spierin all credible witnesses who
stated that the said John Finley died in the Village of Abbeville
on the night of the seventeenth of September one thousand
eight hundred and thirty six. And further the said Sally
Finley widow as aforesaid produced before me the pension
certificate of the said John Finlay entitling him to receive sixty
dollars per annum during his
natural life Numbered 16. 122
and given at the War Office of the United States, on the eighth
day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty three & and
was proved to my satisfaction, by other credible testimony that the said
John Finley was a pensioner of the United States, and in addition to
the foregoing testimony I now State of my own knowledge that the re
cord in the Bible above mentioned, I personally know to be in the
hand writing of the said John Finley.
In testimony whereof 
I have hereunto subscribed my name and
affixed my seal of Office at Abbeville
Courthouse this sixteenth day of February
one thousand eight hundred and thirty six,
and in the sixty first year of the Indepen-
dence of the United States of America.
Moses Taggart Judge at 
Clerk of Ordinary Abbeville District
X should be 1837
Page 32

The State of South Carolina 
Abbeville District.
To wit. Know all men by these
presents that I Sally Finley the widow of John Finley decd who
was a revolutionary pensioner of the United States do hereby
constitute and appoint John White Merchant of Abbeville
my true & lawful attorney for me & in my name to receive
from the agent of the United States for paying pensions in
Charleston in the State of South Carolina the balance
of pensions due me as the widow of John Finley decd Viz
from the fourth day of March One thousand eight hun
dred and thirty six until the seventeenth day of September
One thousand eight hundred & thirty six, the latter date being
the day on which my husband John Finley died

Witness my hand and seal this sixteenth
day of February
One thousand eight hundred & thirty seven
Sally her mark Finley
Signed Sealed & Delivered
In the presence of 
Tho. P. Spierin 
B. S. Posey


State of South Carolina 
Abbeville District
Be it known that on the
Sixteenth day of February one thousand eight hundred
and thirty seven before the subscriber a Justice of the
Quorum in and for said district personally appeared
Sally Finley widow of John Finley decd above named
and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney to
be her act and deed. In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand, the day and year last above men
tioned
Moses Taggart J.L L.S.
Page 33

-
No
the State of South Carolina
Abbeville District
I James Wardlaw Clerk
of the Court of Common Pleas
for Abbeville District do hereby certify that Moses
Taggart is a Magistrate as above and that the
foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine.
Given under my hand and seal
of Office at Abbeville Court House
this sixteenth day of February in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and thirty seven
Jas Wardlaw
Clerk of the Court of Common
Pleas for Abbeville District
No Alteration or erasure allowed
papers relating to pension
Page 34

The State of South Carolina
Abbeville District
In the Court of Ordinary
I Moses Taggart Judge of the Court of Ordinary
for Abbeville District do hereby certify that Sally Finley widow of
the late John Finley decd pensioner of the United States under the
act of Congress passed on the Seventh day of June one thousand eight
hundred and thirty two, appeared personally in Court before me and
produced the family bible of the said John Finley decd in which
is recorded the marriage of the said John Finley decd on the twenty
fifth day of December one thousand eight hundred and eight, that
independent of this testimony, Benjamin Lane Posey a credible wit
ness appeared before me and proved that he was present when
the the said John Finley and Sally Finley (who was Sally Posey were mar
died by the Revd Arthur Williams a baptist minister on the twenty fifth
day of December one thousand eight hundred and eight and that
by the Oaths of Benj L Posey Charles Dendy William Logan and Thomas
P Spierin all credible witnesses who appeared before me in Court
& proved that the said John Finley died in the village of Abbeville
on the night of the seventeenth of September one thousand eight
hundred and thirty six, that the widow Sally Finley aforesaid produced
before me the pension certificate of the said John Finley entitling
him to receive sixty dollars per annum during his natural life, No
16. 122 and given at the War Office of the United States on the eighth
day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty three &c, & further it was
proved to my satisfaction by credible testimony, that the said John Finley
was a pensioner of the United States, and further that the record
in the Bible above mentioned I personally know to be in the hand
writing of the said John Finley. In testimony whereof I have
hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of Office
at Abbie Courthouse this twenty seventh day of October one thousand
eight hundred and thirty six, and in the
sixty first year of the independence
of the United States of America.
Page 35

day of July one thousand eight hundred and thirty three &c, & further it was proved to my satisfaction by credible testimony, that the said John Finley was a pensioner of the United States, and further that the record in the Bible above mentioned, I personally know to be in the hand writing of the said John Finley. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed my seal of Office at Abbeville Courthouse this twenty seventh day of October one thousand eight hundred and thirty six, and in the sixty first year of the independence of the United States of America.
Moses Taggart, Judge of the
Court of Ordinary, Abbeville District
The State of South Carolina  }
Abbeville District                   }To wit - Know all men by these presents that I Sally Finley the widow of John Finley decd who was a
Revolutionary pensioner of the United States do hereby constitute and appoint James S Wilson my true and lawful attorney for me, and in my name to receive from the agent of
the United States for paying pensions in Charleston, State of South Carolina the balance of pension due me as the widow of John Finley decd from the fourth day of March 1836 until
the 17th day of September 1836 the latter date being the day on which my husband John Finley died. Witness my hand and seal this 27th day of October 1836.
Sally Finley {Seal} [X and "her mark" appear between first and last names]
Sealed and delivered in the presence
of Moses Taggart J. Q.
Page 36

State of South Carolina
Abbeville District.
Be it known that on the twenty seventh day of October
One thousand eight hundred and thirty six before the subscriber a
Justice of the Quorum in and for said District personally appeared
Sally Finley widow of John Finley dec? above named and acknowl
edged the foregoing power of Attorney to be her act and deed
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand the day and year last above men
tioned.
Moses Taggart J.D.
Page 37

Mrs Parmelia Shillito, only Surviving Child of Sally Finley deceased
Sumter, formerly called SUMTERVILLE, So. Ca., 
6 September 1856
Soon after the enactment of the pension act of 3d February, 1853, (under which your Mother was a pensioner,) being agent for a number of claimants under said act, I employed Counsel in Washington to insist that their pensions should be made to commence on the 
4th March, 1848, and he submitted to the Commissioner of pensions and Secretary of the
Interior, an elaborate printed argument on the subject. But the Secretary of the interior, on appeal to him, decided that persons under said act could only be allowed from 3d February, 1853, and they have been allowed accordingly.
There is now a possibility, that this back pension from 4th March, 1848, to the 3d
February, 1853, might be recovered by a suit in the Court of Claims lately established by Congress. Proceedings in said Court, however, are both troublesome and expensive. All petitions, pleadings, briefs, &c., in said Court are required by its rules to be printed, at the expense of the claimant, making a large bill of expense in every case. And even when a judgment is obtained, in favor of a claim, it cannot be paid until confirmed by an act of Congress.
You will perceive, that in order to prosecute your claim for said back pension, a considerable expense, both in labor and money, must be incurred and the result will of
course be uncertain. I am, however, willing to undertake the prosecution of your claim, at my own expense, if you will agree to pay me a sum equal to fifty per cent (50%) of all I may recover in case I succeed, and to loose my labor, expenses and fees of two of the ablest lawyers in the United States, in case I fail. If you see fit to employ me on these terms, please execute and return by mail, the enclosed power of Attorney and contract. The power of Attorney should be acknowledged before a Justice of Peace and his official character should be certified by the Clerk of the Court of your County under the seal of the said Court,
It will cost you nothing, but the expense of executing these papers to make a trial of your claim.
I am very respectfully, your obedient servant,
James Taylor
Agent for Claimants
N.B. Your Mother was only partially pensioned at $60 per annum, but if I can trace further length of service of your father, it may be increased to $80 per annum, for only 18 mos.
have been proved whereas 24 mos. might be established
Page 38

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
John Finley of Abbeville District S.C. which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? Yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? Yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? Yes
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amout of pension he is entitled? Yes
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? No
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? Yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? Yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? Yes
Page 39

2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? Yes
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath,
certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? No #
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? Yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? Yes
XVI. ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? all answered
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he
cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For --- year --- months, and --- days, I served as a ----- For --- months and --- days, I served as a ----- ; and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 40

3
It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the
applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
+QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths
must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
++QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
>>In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

# +QUERE XIV. Proof of Service. is bracketed. The last of the word "witnesses" is underlined.
Page 41

Abbeville S.C
22d April 1833
Sir
Find enclosed the pension
claim of Sally Findley. In some
place I have spelled the name
with a D. and in some without
it. I hope this however will be
so ground of objection. Mrs Finlley
applied some fifteen years ago for
a pension, but was not entitled until
the act of Febry 3d 1833. I send here
with the papers prepared in her for
mer application as corroborative of
facts stated in the present declar
ation, I regret the carelessles which
the blots and ill appearance of the
declaration exhibits, and hope they
will be overlooked her right to receive
a pension is so clear that I need make
Page 42

no argument in support of it
Very Respectfully
Yours Ob Servant
B.L. Posey

Commisoner of Pensions
Page 43

Brief in the case of Sally Finley, widow of John Finley
Abbeville District and state of South Carolina
act 3 February 1853

Claim (" original")
Proof exhibited ( if original)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls") If either, state the substance
Husband was a pensioner under
the act of June 7, 1832
Marriage proved by certified
copy of Family Record

(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? 

B.L. Posey Esq
Abbeville,
name and residence of Agent South Carolina
R. Geddes
Examining Clerk
Page 44

Pension Office
July 6 1853
Sir,
The rules of this Office require that the
Declaration of a widow applying for pension
under the second section of the act of 3d February
1853, should be made in open Court before a
Court of Record, if she be not presented by
bodily informily. If she be not presented, the
Declaration must be made before a Judge of a
Court of Record, who must certify to such
bodily informity
This requirement must be complied
with before the claim of Sally Finley can be
finally disposed of
Your attention is specially called also
to the enclosed circular, dated June 1, 1833, as indicative ┃
of the proof of identity required in this case
Very Respectfully
S.P Waldo
Commissioner
B. L. Posey Esq
Abbeyville S.C.