Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 7,338, for John Presley, South Carolina
Page 1

SERVICE 
S.C. 

Presley, John  

NUMBER 
S. 7338

Born in VA

carded
Page 2

33331
Georgia
John Presley decd
of [blank] in the State of [blank]
who was a private in the [blank] commanded
by Captain [blank] of the [blank] commanded
by [blank] in the Revolution
line for 13 months

S.C. Line, July 5, 1904
Records completed

Inscribed on the Roll of Savannah,
at the rate of 13 Dollars 33 Cents per
annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834
and end 27th August 1837

Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of
January 1856 and Sent to
Elisha King
Adairsville
Geo.
Arrears to the 4th of [blank]
Semianl allowance ending [blank]

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832}

Recorded by G T Getty Clerk
Book[?] E   Vol. [illegible] Page 100
Page 3

Georgia
Henry County
On this the 8th day of of December
in the year 1832 personally came into
open court before the Inferior Court of
of Henry County John Presly a resident of Henry County
and State of Georgia - aged - about seventy six or seven
years, he does not recollect the date of his birth - who after 
being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make 
the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit
of the act of Congress of June 7th 1832. -viz- That he volunteered
and entered the service in the county of Edgefield South Ca
under Captain gno[?] Carter - List - Thomas Carter this company
marched to ninety six in S. Ca to meet the Tories - Col Hammond
and Genl Williamson were some of the highest officers
Col Drayton from Charleston a recruiting officer was there
on his recruiting service in Edgefield
he thinks the 1st of Nov 1775 [?] to what was called the snow camps 
he was 3 months
in this service & was discharged by Company in the month
of July 1776 - Deponent under the same Capt & Lieut
Carters went into the Cherokee expedition under Genl
Williamson - Col Pervis - Leroy Hammond - & Major
Hammond & Tutt - He was with these officers - &
the army under their command in their marches through
the Cherokee nation into Tennessee & back again to south
Carolina - in this march he was in a Battle at the
Cumberland Mountains -& was in hearing distance of
the battle of sixty volunteers - with the Indians - this
company of volunteers was commanded by Capts Andrew
Pickens and Robert Anderson - There were three or four
other Captains in said company - Deponent has heard
the statement of Thomas Ramsay a patition read in relation to this
service and it the same in which Deponent was engaged
and knows to be true - he returned from this service the
last of Nov. 1776 - 5 months continuous in service against
Tories and Indians - until he was drafted under Lieut Carter
marched after Cameron & his company of Tories to Tennessee
& returned home after a months absence - Major
Pickens & Genl Williamson had a quarrel[?] and the form[?] home[?]
Then he Deponent was drafted and went to Stono in S.Ca
under Col Hammond in the company of Lieut Carter
Page 4

Deponent was at head quarters near Stono as a guard when the
Battle of Stono took place  he then went home and was
drafted under the same officers to go to Florida but hired Jacob
Havailind a substitute who went in this deponents place
He was next a volunteer under Capt John Carter and
Major Hule Middleton to meet the British forces
then marching from Savanna to Augusta they then
met them at Briar Creek and retreated to Augusta &
to Head quarters in S.Ca. opposite to Augusta threw
up Batteries and remained there in S. Ca until a reinforce
from upper Georgia arrived.  The forces of S.Ca crossed
the swamp, united & besieged the Fort of Grayon & Brown
took it and then engaged in guarding the Frontiers
of Georgia & S.Ca   was permitted to make a visit  home for a day - was taken by two tories and released because his slender
delicate & youthful appearance indicated nothing
dangerous and upon his saying he was hunting cattle
upon his release he gave information to others & followed them
though unsuccessfully - he was again taken prisoner
& fell under the command of a Tory Capt Delaughter commanding
a company of 50 or 60 men which increased to two or three hundred
Deponent confessed his past and promised to serve King George
faithfully (under compulsion).  An express from Col Cruger
stationed at ninety six informed them the mountain boys were coming upon them & to make speed to meet him
& with him march to Charleston in the darkness of
the night on the march. he halted until the rest had advanced
before him when he made his escape returned home
and joined a scouting dragoon lastly of the only one under Capt Jess Johnston
Then as Harvey recruiting officiers in the regular
army - followed a company of Tories of about 70 or 80 who
in this march had cut & starved any old man almost to death * Stripped naked an infantry unit out of the small Pose[?]
and scattered feathers & clothing in every direction this [?]
the company of 21 which being near the enemy the question
was put by Johnston who is unwilling to attack the 
Tories - one man from prudential considerations said
it was madness to attack a force so superior in number
he was asked if he would give up his gunn to a 22nd
Page 5

unarmed men - who said he was willing to go - he gave
it up and promised upon pain of death to answer when 
called by Johnston when the fight should be over which
he did - The 21 divided into three divisions and
advanced upon the enemy which had dismounted & stacked their
arms - the men were engaged feeding their horses
and refreshing themselves - Johnston ordered
the divisions to advance at full speed &
as loud as their [?] would let them hollering[?]
rush dragoons - rush dragoons - The
moment the approach was discovered & (a prisoner
taken said he conceived that hundreds
were attacking them) - The enemy scattered and
precipitately fled leaving horses - clothing - 
ammunition and guns - together with a 
considerable quantity of plunder taken from the whigs
Capt Harvey was killed & another man George
Rogers was wounded and died in two weeks at his home
in S.Ca - This exploit took place near edgefield -
Court House - shortly after the evacuation of ninety six
by Col Cruger. - This deponents brother now living
near him on his land was one of the twenty one
This Deponent continued in the service untill the war
closed - he never received any written discharges - He went into
service when a man boy - (his father was dead) - has never
been at school a day in his life, is wholly illiterate,
was in the war from the commencement to the end - 
of [?] had not time to acquire the slightest education
these circumstances must account for Deponents
inability to give times or dates - does not know when
he was born, his mother informed him the record of
his age was lost in removing from fort to Fort to escape
the Indians - He was born in Virginia - raised & lived in
S.Ca till the war closed - moved into what is now called
Putnam County Georgia & then to Henry County Georgia
Page 6

He knows Richard Pace, minister of the gospel in S.Ca. where he
lived until the war closed, was known to Daniel Hardin &
Micjah Brooks now of Henry - in the County of Putnam
Capt White now of gwinnet - late of Putnum
and the Col Solomon Strickland & David Johnston John
Anderson - Thomas Smith, P. Master. The Revd
Ephriam Strickland - in the county of Henry who 
are his neighbors
The hereby relinquishes his 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

Sworn to and subscribed this 18th day of Decr 1832
John his X mark Presly

Georgia, Henry, Inferior Court Der Term 1832
In person came Thomas Ramsay who
after being duly sworn says he was not personally acquainted
with John Presly in the service, But from a number
of minute circumstances a part of which are said forth[?]
in Deponents own declaration and which we have
talked over between us he is as certain he Presly was
in the Cherokee expedition as the sun shines - he is 
confident he was in the other services mentioned because of the 
minute description of men and circumstances he has given
this deponent which he could not have a one without having
personal knowledge of the facts he related[?] a detailed statement
of the Cherokee service he has given in his own declaration to
which reference may had[?] he knows said Preslys
family to have been & [?] whigs and to have served
their country bravely -
Sworn to and subscribed this 18th Der 1832
Thomas his X mark Ramsay

In person came Moses Presly into open court who being
duly sworn says he is a brother of John Presly aforesaid and lives[?] 
with in So Ca - and knows he was the Cherokee expeditions
was with him in the attack of the 21 men on the Tories
at the Siege of Augusta and in scouting parties until
the close of the war. he will give a detailed statement
of his own service and mention the particular services
in which his said brother was with him this is [?]
for want of time now to state more fully -
Sworn to and subscribed this 18th Der 1832
Moses [illegible]
Page 7

Georgia
Henry County
We Ephriam Strickland
a clergyman residing in the County
of Henry state of Georgia and 
Solomon Strickland - residing within the same do
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with
John Presly residing as of [?] and who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we
believe him to be about seventy [?] or more 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 and
that we believe Thomas Ramsay as his witness to be a man of veracity
Sworn and subscribed this 18th day of Der 1832
Ephriam Strickland
Solomon Strickland

And the said court after the investigation and
putting the interrogatories in relation to the matter
prescribed by the war department do hereby declare
their opinion that the above named applicant was
a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the
court further certify that it appears to them that
Ephriam Strickland who has signed the preceeding
certificate is a clergiman resident in the county
of Henry and that Solomon Strickland is of like
residence and are both credible persons and
their statements entitled to credit
John T Bentley J.I.C
W.F. Crum J.I.C
Abraham Farrar J.I.C

I Alexander Murray Clerk of the Inferior Court of
the County of Henry do hereby certify that the
foregoing contains the original proceedings
of said court in the matter of the application
of John Presly for a pension - In testimony
whereof I have hereunto sett my hand &
[illegible] seal there being no seal of office
Alexander G. Murray C I C
Page 8

Georgia
Henry County
Personally appeared before us Thomas
[?] & [?] K McCutcheon
Justices of the Peace
for said county John Presly of like
residence who after being duly sworn saith 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 period mentioned below &
in the following grades For six[?] years as a
private & for such service he claims a pension
This [illegible] exclusive of times lost from the service
at home
Sworn to & subscribedd before us this 1st day
of June 1833
John his X mark Presley
E W K McCutchen J.P.
Thos Thaxton J.P.

Georgia Henry County
We Thomas Thaxton & E M K
McCutcheon Justices of the Peace in the District
of Henry County in which Thomas Ramsay
the witness to the foregoing declaration resides do
hereby certify that we know him to be a man
of said veracity & that his having & well as the 
said John Presly been soldiers of the revolution has
never been disputed to our knowledge. given this
1st June 1833
EMK McCutchen J.P.
Thos Thaxton J.P.

Georgia Henry County
I Alexander G Murry Clerk of the 
Inferior Court for said county do hereby certify that
E.M.K. McCutcheon & Thomas Thaxton whose names
appear to the foregoing affidavit of John Presly and also
certificate are justices of the peace in and for said 
county and that full faith & credit ought to be
had and given as such & their [?] is in due
form of law - given under my hand and personal
seal there being no seal of office - This 6th day of 
June 1833
Alexander G Murray C. I. C.
Page 9

TO HIS EXCELLENCY
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

I BEG leave to present this book to Mr. Jefferson, not
because he is President of 1807, but because he was the
patriot of 1776, and still more because through the whole
of a long and glorious life, he has been the philosopher and 
friend of his country with all the ingenuity of the former
exposing the misrepresentations of illiberal foreigners; and,
with all the ardour of the latter, fanning the fire of
American science, and watering the roots of that sacred olive
which sheds her peaceful blessings over our land.

To whom, then, with equal propriety, could I dedicate
a book, designed, at least, to promote health and longevity?
And to whom [?] so bound by tenderest ties [?]
tion and gratitude as to Mr. Jefferson? The early classmate and constant friend of my deceased father, and
Page 10

xiv
DEDICATION.
instrumentally the author of my acquaintance with the first 
characters in the state of Georgia; among whom, with peculiar
pleasure, I would mention the honourable names of Milledge, Troup, Bullock, and Flournoy.

That you may long direct the councils of a united and
wise people, steadily pursuing health, peace, and competence, 
the main pillars of individual and national happiness,
is the fervent prayer of your Excellency's
Much obliged, and
Very grateful servant,
JAMES EWELL.

departed this life
on the 27th August
in the year of our
Lord 1837
in the 82 year of 
his [?] John Presly
Page 11

State of Georgia
Spalding County
Know all men by these 
presents that we
Jane Wright one of the children and
heirs of John Presley a Revolutionary
Soldier now deceased
[struck out] and of his widow
Elizabeth Presley deceased who survived
the said John Presley,[end strike out]
Claimant for a
pension for the services of the said John
Presley in the Revolutionary war
[struck out] and for the pension to which the said Elizabeth Presley was entitled as 
widow of the Said John Presley[end strike out]
and
Randol Wright the husband of the said 
Jane Wright do hereby constitute and
appoint William B Scott of Washington
City District of Columbia our true and
lawful attorney for the said Jane Wright
and in his name (or both
of our names as the case may require)
and stead to prosecute the claims of the 
said Jane Wright for a revolutionary
pension or pensions against the government of
the United States and to enable him
the better to understand the claims and
the nature of the evidence already filed
in said case do hereby authorize him fully
to examine in the pension office of the United
States all papers filed therein concerning said
claims and to do all other acts and deeds
necessary to the prosecution of said claims
or that may be deemed necessary by our
said attorney to effect the same
Jane her X mark Wright
Randol Wright
Signed sealed and delivered
This 22nd day of Oct 1852 in
presence of 
D. N. Martin
Cullum H Canoll J Peace
Page 12

State of Georgia
Spalding County
Personally appeared before
Hullum H Canoll a justice of the peace for said county
me Jane Wright
the claimant for a 
revolutionary pension or pensions as mentioned
in the written Power of Attorney who being 
duly sworn deposeth and saith that she is
directly interested as one of the claimants for
said pensions mentioned in said power of
attorney And I hereby testify that the said
Jane Wright is directly interested as
a claimant for said pensions and that the
said Randol Wright is her husband
Jane her X mark Wright
Sworn to and Subscribed before me
this 22nd day of Oct 1852
Hullum H Canoll J Peace

State of Georgia
Spalding County
I James W. Wood
Clerk of the Inferior Court
of said county do hereby certify that Hullum
H Canoll is a Justice of the Peace in and
for said county duly commissioned and qualified and that the foregoing signatures are genuine
In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and affixed
my seal of the Inferior Court for
said county this 22nd day of Oct 1852
James S Wood C.I.C.
Page 13

Georgia
Carroll County
On this 15th Day of December one thousand
eight hundred and fifty three personally appeared before
the Judges of the Inferior Court in and for the State & County
aforesaid William Presley and after being duly sworn as
the Law Directs, makes the following Declaration on oath
in order to obtain the amount of pension which accrued
and fell due to his father John Presly Decsd who was
an applicant for a pension from Henry County Georgia
in his lifetime - He Declares that he is the son and heir
at Law of him the said John Presly Decst and that he the
said John Presly departed this life in Henry County Georgia
on the 27th day of July one thousand eight hundred
and thirty seven leaving surviving him Marthy Presly his
widow and Relict to whom he was married in the year 
1828 and who also died about the year 1847 he also left
surviving him Mary who intermarried with Robert Nixon
Moses Presly William Presly the present declarant Jane
who intermarried with Randal Wright, Elijah Presly, Charles
Presly, and Matilda who intermarried with S. Williams
his only surviving children and heirs at Law, of him 
the said John Presly decst all of whom continue to
survive and for his services he refers to the Declaration
Made in his lifetime to the Pension Department
Wm Presley
Sworn to and subscribed
before the court the
day and date[?] above written
William Mindor C. I. C.
Page 14

Georgia
Carroll County
Inferior Court Clerks Office
December 14th 1853
I William Mindor Clerk of the Inferior Court in and for
the State & County aforesaid do hereby certify that it has ben
made appear in evidence by the Oaths of William Presly and
Shepherd K Williams (both of whom are respectable witnesses)
to the satisfaction of the Court that John Presly Decst who
applied for a pension from Henry County in this state, departed
this life on the 27th day of July - one thousand eight hundred
and thirty seven (1837) leaving surviving him Marthy Presly
his widow & Relict to whom he was married in the year
1828 and she also died in the year 1847. He also left
surviving him Mary who intermarried with Robert Nixon
Moses Presly, William Presly, Jane who intermarried with
Randal Wright, Elijah Presly, Charles Presly, and Matilda who
intermarried with S. Williams his only surviving children
and heirs at Law of him the said John Presly Decst all
of whom continue to survive, and all of which the Court
orders to be certified to the Pension Department and all
of which is hereby certified. - I further certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings had in the case of the
application of the Heirs of John Presly Decst for the amount 
of Pension which accrued to him in his lifetime
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of said court at
My office in Carrolton the day & date above
William Mindor C.I.C.
Page 15

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
am[?]
3-525
S. F. 7358
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., [blank], 19[blank]

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

[Column 1]DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
1775
[Column 2]LENGTH OF SERVICE.
served at
Various times
to end of war
13 mos.
[Column 3]RANK.
Prt
[Column 4-5]OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
[Column 4]CAPTAIN.
John Carter
Jesse Johnson
[Column 5]COLONEL.
Hammond
Le Roy Hammond
Parnes
[Column 6]STATE
S.C.

was taken prisoner twice, the first time he was released
at once and the second time he made his escape and returned home
Battles engage in, Cherokee Expedition, Cumberland Mountain, Brier Creek, & Siege of Augusta
Residence of soldier at enlistment, enlisted in Edgefield Co. S.C.
Date of application for pension, Dec. 18, 1832. The cl. was al.
Residence at date of application, Henry Co. Ga.
Age at date of application, about 76 or 77 years old, born in Va.
died Aug. 27, 1837 in Henry Co. Ga.
Remarks: He mar. in Edgefield Dist. S.C., Elizabeth - date of mar
not stated. Their children were: Mary wife of Robert Nixon, Moses,
William, Jane wife of Randal Wright, Elijah, Charles, and Matilda
wife of Shepherd Williams. In 1828 soldier mar. Martha Nichols. She
died about 1847. There were no children by this marriage.
brother Moses
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
6-2856
Page 16

38794
John Presley
Georgia
Hon Thos F Foster 12 Dec
1833 - Elisha King Feby
10 1854 - D.N. Martin
July 27 1854 - same
Aug 19 1854 - Elisha
King Dec 12 1854 - F.F.
C. Triplett June 1853

June 7 1832
Page 17

No. 38794
entered in book No. 5
without a number
John Presley
Georgia
Suspended letter 12 Decr
1832 to Hon Thos F. Foster
Let. Elisha King Feb 10/54
D. N. Martin July 27/54
Act 7 June 1832
over
D. N. Martin Aug 19/54
Elisha King Dec 12/54
F.F.C. Triplett Jany[?] 18/55
Nov
Page 18

Free
[Postmark]
Griffin Ga
Aug 11

John Presley
Ga Aug[?] 32

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 19

[Postmark]
Jan 5

John Presley
Ga  sus[?] 1832

To the Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 20

John Presley[?]
L.P. Waldo Comr of Pensions
Washington City
DC
Page 21

[Postmark]
Georgia
Feb 1

FREE

John Presley
Ga sus 32

Hon L.P. Waldo Comr of Pensions
Washington City 
D.C.
Page 22

[Postmark}
Griffin GA
JUL 18

FREE

John Presly
Ga sus[?] 32

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
Page 23

Georgia Roll
John Presly dd[?] who
was a private South
Carolina troop

Ad. Act June 7, 1832
13 months private
$43.33 per ann

[?] March 4, 1831
Thru[?] Aug 27 1837 who
he [?]

Payable to
Shephard K Williams, A[?]
[?] of Moses Presley
William Presley
Jane Wright
Elijah Presley
Charles Presley
Matilda Williams [?]
[?]
To Elisha King
Adairsville, Geo
Page 24

Comptroller Genls Office
Columbia Decr 27th 1855

I do certify the signature of John Presely
is made to an order for the Payment of
of his indent to Jas Carson due for
services rendered by his mark
signed John his [?] mark Preseley
Thos P Walker
Dep Compr Genl
No seal of office
Page 25

7338
INVALID

Revluay

File No. 7338
John Presley
Priv Rev War

Act: June 7th 1832

Index:-Vol. [?], Page 302

Arrangement of 1870

1920 July 28 Hist to Mrs. T.H. Ketchin
Page 26

Georgia
Spalding County
Know all men by these
presents that I Randol Wright
of the county and state aforesaid
have constituted and appointed
and do by these presents constitute
and appoint David N. Martin
of the county and state aforesaid
my true and lawful attorney
irrevocably for me and in any 
name to receive from the United
States such sum or amounts of money
due me on account of pay[?]
or any money which may be due
me for the revolutionary services of 
John Presley and I do hereby 
fully empower him to do all acts
in the prosecution of said claim
which he may deem necessary in
as full and ample a manner 
as I myself could do in any manner[?]
or otherwise
I do hereby revoke all former powers of attorney
by me made
In testimony I have hereunto
set my hand and seal
August the 5th 1854
Randol Wright
Acknowledged &
subscribed to be [?]
This Sug 5th 1854
Henry Kape
Ephraim Lynch J.P.
Page 27

Georgia
Spalding County
Clerks Office
Inferior Court
I James L Wood
Clerk of said county do hereby
certify that Ephraim Lynch Esqr before
whom the written power of attorney was
made & acknowledged is an acting
Justice of the Peace in & for said county
duly commissioned & sworn & as such
full faith & credit should be given 
his attestations
In testimony whereof I have 
hereunto set my hand and affixed the
seal of office
August 7th 1854
James L Wood C.I.C
Page 28

S. K. Williams
Letters of Ackn
on the Estate of John
Presley Decd

Shephard K. Williams
administrator
Page 29

LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION.
MARIETTA " ADVOCATE " PRINT.
GEORGA
Carroll County
BY THE HONORABLE THE COURT OF ORDINARY OF SAID COUNTY:

WHEREAS, John Presley late of Henry County
deceased, died intestate, having, while he lived and at the time of his death, divers estates, real and personal
within the County aforesaid, by means whereof the full disposition and power of granting the administration
of the estate of the said deceased, and also a final dismission from the same, to the Court aforesaid does of
right belong; said Court desiring that the same may be well and truly administered and legally disposed of, 
doth hereby grant unto Sheppard K. Williams
Administrator

full power by the tenor of these presents to administer the entire estates, both real and personal of said deceased, which to him in his lifetime and at the time of his death did belong, and to ask, demand, sue for, recover, and
receive the same, and to pay the debts in which the deceased stood bound, so far forth as his assets will extend,
according to law, and then the balance justly to pay over to the legal heirs and distributees of said deceased.
And the said
Sheppard K. Williams
having given
bond and security, and taken the oath, and performed all other requisites required by law, necessary to his
just qualification as Administrator he is by order of said Court, and by virtue of these presents,
ordained, constituted and appointed Administrator of the whole estate, both real and personal of said deceased.
Given under my hand and seal of office this 6th day of March
in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and fifty four
J. M. Blalock
ORDINARY.
Page 30

Ketchin
Page 31

Rev Sec
HUGH R. CLINKSCALES, Clerk

T. H. KETCHIN, Chairman
GEO. K. LANEY
H. L. BUCK
J. A. BANKS
B. E. NICHOLSON
FRANK A. ALEXANDER
S. H. McGHEE
HUGH McCUTCHEN
H. H. GROSS
J. W. SHELOR
J. HOWARD MOORE
D. GORDON BAKER

Winnsboro, South Carolina, June 28, 1920

Revolutionary War Section
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir -
   Thank you very much for information about David Presely of Ninety-Six District, S.C. - May I trouble you further?
   Please give any record of John or William Presely - same family - of any records of Revolutionary service in South Carolina.
   Please also give any record of John Flenniken of
Mecklenburg County North Carolina - Tradition being, he was
as signer of Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, also a soldier of the Revolution.
   Will be very grateful for any information -
Very respectfully
Mary McMaster Ketchin
(Mrs. T. H. Ketchin)

[Stamped]
U. S. PENSION OFFICE
D
JUL 1 1920
Page 32

Adairsville Ga 2nd Decr 1854
Col. L. P. Waldo
Dear Sir
Enclosed you have the affidavits
of Mr. Leo Strickland & Garry Grists establishing the
number names and identity of the Heirs of John Presly
Decst who was an applicant for a pension under act
of 7th June 1832, which I hope may prove satisfactory.
I also inclose the record of the death of the old 
man John Presley which has been found in the possession of one of the legatees which was not known to
exhist by the one who filed the Declaration in behalf
of the heirs, and it shows that he was mistaken as to
the month in which the old gentleman died he fixes it
in July when it was indeed in August following.
This I hope may establish the day of his death. I also
inclose a copy of the letters of administration which
I presume will prove sufficient we now hope this case is satisfactorily [?] out and that you will
be pleased to give us a Pension Certificate for the same
I am very Respectfully
your obt servt
Elisha King

Col L. P. Waldo
Washington City
D.C.
Page 33

Adairsville Ga 5th Jany 1856
J. Minot Comr of Pensions
Dear Sir
Inclosed please find the Compt Genls
Certificate showing that John Presley made his signature
to an order for his indents for Revolutionary Service by
making his mark.  This certificate is offered in compliance
with your letter of 12th Decr 1854 in the application
of John Presley of Ga for a pension under the act of 7th June
1832, and will I hope satisfactorily identify the claimant
with the payment of 20 pounds 4 shillings 3/4 pence as appears of Record
from the certificate of the Comptr Genl heretofore forwarded
as his Declaration is signed by his mark.
     Your predecessor [?] agreed to allow the claimant
in this case pay for eight months service, and he would
not accept believing he was entitled to more, I therefore
take it for granted that the parroll proof offered
by him was conclusive, as to eight months service
and certainly will be satisfactory to identify the 
claimant with the indent above alluded to, especially
when taken in connection with the fact that the
claimant could not [?], the 12th of Decr 1854 is the
date of the last report in this case up to that time every
other objection to an allowance in it seems to be removed
except proof of identity, proof of the marriage of the 
[?] date of the death of the parties &,c, and 
administrator was appointed, as required by your letter of
Page 34

10th February 1854 has all been made satisfactory
I now hope you will feel satisfied to grant my claimt
an allowance for the amount of the indent herein
alluded to from the 4th of March 1831 up to the death of the
original claimant
I am very respectfully
your obt servt
Elisha King

To Comr of Pensions
Washington City
D C
Page 35

Griffin August 12th 1854
Commissioner of Pensions
Sir 
Your favor
informing me that a
gentleman by the name of
King had been reposted to in the
John Presley case came duly to
hand, contents noted. Mr Wright
affirming that he has never made him
a power.  Enclosed I send you a 
power made to myself revoking
all others.  Will you please inform
me what the condition of his case is?
If it is not necessary for you to
keep the power during our correspondance 
please send it back and much oblige
Your obt servt
D. N. Martin
Page 36

John Presley
Ga - [?] - 1832

Hon L. P. Waldo
Com of Pensions
Page 37

Washington, June 14, 1855
Sir:
  I find the objection in the case of
John Presley or Presly Ga Act '32 [?] to be that the 
certificate of the Comptroller of S.C. does not
identify the parts by naming his officers. It is
known that this is never done in their office,
& the requirement is for an impossibility.
   By [?] [?] [?] Presley
show that he did serve for a period of 
12 or 15 months, and by [?] proof
he showed that a man of his name was
paid for 13 months service. This seems to
me sufficient.
Very respectfully
F F C Triplett
Page 38

Brief in the case of John Presley ded-
Henry County and State of Georgia
act June 7, 1832
Claim, ("original " or "for increase.)
Proof exhibited, (if original.)

Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.

This claim was asserted in 1832 by John Presley in
person. He died a the 27th August 1837, having
failed to establish the service claimed in the manner 
required by the Regulation. The claim was revised by
his surviving children (his widow being dead) who have
shown thirteen months service in the grade of a private
for the record of the Comptroller of South Carolina.

Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?

An Administrator of Presley's estate has been appointed
to when the arrears of pension are made payable for the
use of his surviving children.

Name and residence of Agent
Elisha King
Adairsville, Geo

Examing Clerk
Ogden Miles
Page 39

Griffin July 18th 1853

To Hon Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir
I forwarded to you
a pension claim some year since in favor 
of the heirs of John Presly; will you
please inform me in reference to its
progress & prospects
Respectfully
D. N. Martin
Page 40

20.4.3
20
404
12
56/4851/86
448
371
336
35
56

3 [?]
5
1
Page 41

Lib. T.
No 605
Issued the 30 June
1783 to John Presley
for twenty four shillings
and three pence
1/4 for militia duty for
account audited
Principal [pounds] 20..4..3 1/4
Anual Interest [pounds] 1..8..3.
No. 60
State So. Carolina
D[?] to Mrs Presley
for duty for Col Andersons
return [pounds]141..10..
[?] [pounds] 20..4..37 1/2

John Presely's account of 
duty in the militia as private
before & since the reduction[?]
of Charlestown. [?] to
currency [pounds] 141..10..
[?] [pounds] 20..4..37 1/2

Exrd[?] W.R. J. Mc Aly[?]
Page 42

Compt Genls Office
Columbia So Carolina
21 Jany 1854
I hereby 
certify the other side of this half
sheet of paper to contain a true
copy from indent book T. Page
605 & also of the account upon
which said indent was issued

Given under my hand
No seal of office
Wm F. Arthur
For Compt Genl
Page 43

Adairsville Ga 4th Feby 1854
Hon L. P. Waldo
Dear Sir
Inclosed you have the Declaration
of William Presley son of John Presley Decst who
was an applicant for a pension under Act 7th June 1832
from Pike County Ga.  You also have a certificate
of indents issued to John Presley for military service
from the Compt Genl of So Carolina
   I hope you will find ample proof in this case
to grant an allowance as I am informed by the Legatees
that the old gentleman proved his service by living
witnessess at the time of his application
I am very respectfully
your obt servt
Elisha King

Hon L. P. Waldo
Washington City
DC
Page 44

No. 38794
John Presly

Ret
suspended
can admit for $ mo
26.66
Page 45

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 Presly which require
further proof or explanation.

I.  Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? [blank]
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? [blank]
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? [blank]
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? [blank]
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? No See Quen 5.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity
with the regulations? [blank]
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? [blank]
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? [blank]
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? [blank]
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? [blank]
Page 46

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? [blank]
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? [blank]
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? [blank]
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? [blank]
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 see Quen 14
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the
regulations direct? [blank]
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? [blank]
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? No see Quen 16
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And,
if not, which of them is not so answered? [blank]

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 47

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 highly objectionable. Some persons who apply for pension
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 established 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 [?] 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.

The petitioner has not specified tours with the
exception of a few-- his memory was so
impaired that (as he stated) he could not
every exertion was made to comply with
the requisitions of the Department. But in vain
such is the want of memory - The declaration
must & therefore stand as it is -
A R Moore
Page 48

From information on which I rely with
the most entire confidence I have no doubt
that the certificate on the annexed papers
to which the name of Alexander G Murray
is signed deem both regularly signed by him
and that at the time they were given he 
was clerk of the Inferior Court of Henry
County Georgia
Thomas F Foster
M C from Georgia
6 Decr 1833
Page 49

Georgia
Spalding County
This day personally appeared before me the
undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for said county
Lee Strickland a resident citizen of said county and a respectable
and credible witness and after being sworn according to
Law states upon his oath that he was personally and intimately
acquainted with John Presley for upwards of thirteen years before
his death and that he was also intimately acquainted with
all of his children namely Mary who married 
Robert Nixon
Moses Presley, William Presley, Jane who married Randal Wright
Elijah Presley, Charles Presley, and Matilda who intermarried
with Shepherd Williams who were all children
produced by the marriage of the said John Presley to his first 
wife Elizabeth who died many years ago and some years 
after her death he married Martha Nichols about the year
1828. and who also died in the year 1847 without producing
any children during her wedlock with the said John
Presley and that he the said John Presley died before his
last wife that is to say he died in the latter part of the summer
affiant believes in the month of July or August Eighteen
Hundred and thirty seven (1837) without having obtained a pension
for which he had applied for services in the war of the 
revolution leaving surviving heirs the above named children who
are the only children and heirs at Law of him the said
John Presley and who inherited his estate, he further
states that the said children are all still surviving except
Mary Nixon who is reasently dead he further states
that the said John Presley was married to his first wife
Page 50

in Edgefield Distric SoCarolina where their is no
publick records of marriages kept as he is informed
and believes,
The word thirty written over and the figures interlined[?]
1837 before sworn to and subscribed
sworn to and subscribed
before me this 27th day of Novr 1854
Lee Strickland
Ephraim Lynch J.P.

Georgia
Spalding County
I James S. Wood Clerk of
the Inferior Court in and for the State & County
aforesaid do hereby certify that Ephraim
Linch before whom the annexed affidavits
were sworn to and subscribed is an acting
Justice of the Peace duly commissioned
and sworn and that the foregoing 
signatures purporting to be his is genuine
and are entitled to full faith
and credit as such

In testimony whereof I have
hereunto set my hand and
the seal of said court
at my office in Griffin
this 27th day of Novr 1854
James S Wood C.I.C.
Page 51

Georgia
Spalding County
This day personally appeared
before me the undersigned a Justice of the Peace
in and for said county Garry Grice a resident
of said county and a respectable witness and one who
is entitled to full faith and credit as such and after
being duly sworn states upon his oath that he was 
personally and intimately acquainted with John Presley 
formerly of Henry County of this State who was an applicant
for a pension on account of his revolutionary service
for upwards of thirteen years before his death and that
he was well acquainted with all of his family and
that the said John Presley departed this life in the said
county of Henry on or about the twenty seventh day of
August Eighteen Hundred and thirty seven leaving a
widow to whom he was married in the year 1828 who
also died some six or eight years thereafter he also
left surviving him Mary who married Mr Nixon Moses
Presley, William Presley, Jane who married Randal Wright
Elijah Presley, Charles Presley and Matilda who
married Shepherd Williams who were children by his
first wife Elizabeth and who were the only children
of the said John Presley left surviving him and he
further states that the said John Presley was married
to his first wife who is the mother of his children
in Edgefield District South Carolina where there is
no record of marriages kept as he has understood
and believes he further states that he has often heard
Page 52

the said John Presley speak of his revolutionary
services and that he served a long time in
the war and he was a man of strict veracity
and was a very respectable and reputable member 
of the Baptist Church and would not make a
statement that was untrue
Garry Grice
Sworn to and subscribed
before me this 27th day
of November 1854
Ephraim Lynch J.P.