Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 30274., Abner Bickham, Ga.
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GA. Bickham, Abner. S. 30274.

Contents
RG217 Final Payment (2nd qt, 1834)
filed in this jacket.
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Louisiana 26.107.
Abner Beckham
(illegible) GA in the state of a Su
who was a Capt in the Regt commanded
(illegible) Captain of the Rear commanded
(illegible) in the Georgia
2 ? Captain $480 (dash)
scribed on the Roll of Louisiana 
the rate of 480 Dollars - Cents per annum,
(illegible)-mmence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of March 
- and Sent to - 
1831 Hon. G Thomas (illegible) R
(illegible)-ears to the 4th of March 1834 1440.00
Semi-ant allowance ending (illegible) 240.00
$1680.00
Revolutionary Claim 
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by J.T. Spragum Clerk,
Book 6 - Vol. 8 - Page 31-

Died Jan. 29, 1834. See
letter 11 August 1847 to
Hon. H Johnson-
Let Hon. D.J. Kaufman 17 June 1850
[M.G. Penn in a letter to Honorable
Ridelle said (illegible) died in 1843]

Hon J Ridelle Feb 7 1855

Hon (marked out) Thomas G. Davidson, Dec. 28/84
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Revolutionary Pensions
Declaration in the order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7th of 1832
State of Louisiana Parish of Washington
Be it known and Remembered that on this thirty first day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. Before me Thomas Manner Judge of the Parish Court of the Parish and State aforesaid personally appeased Abner Beckham [misspelling] a resident of said Parish and State aged Seventy Seven years who first having duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act aforesaid and the following Interrogations being propounded (to wit) 
Interrogatory 1st where and in what year were born? 
Answer I was born in the state of North Carolina July Twenty Sixth of 1755
Inter. 2nd, Have you any Record of your age? & if so where is it?
Answer I have the Record here present
Inter. 3rd Where were you living when called into Service or where have you lived since the Revolutionary War and where do you now live?
Answer I lived in the State of Georgia Burke County. after the war I remained in the State [the following is crossed out "after the war"] till the year 1797 and removed from there to Aateky Mississippi Territory remained there till the year 1807 and I removed into West Florida and remains at said place now State of Louisiana Parish of Washington 
Inter. 4th How were you called into the Service? Were you drafted Did you volunteer or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom
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Answer I volunteered
Inter 5th State the names of some of the Regular officers who were with the troops where you served such -- and Militia Regiments as you can recalle at and the General circumstanes [likely misspelling of "circumstances"] of your service.
Answer I first entered the army under the command of Col John James and John Hauston commander in chief in the year 1778 as a militia man for [illegible] of Regiment not recollected. I volunteered the second time under the command of Col John Twigs being militia and No of Regiment not Recollected was driven by the enemy from Georgia to South Carolina. I continued in the service till the end of the war under various commanders was at the Battle of Lory Lane in South Carolina an Lyge River I believe that Sumter was an officer there but do not know whether he commanded in chief or not. I was at the Battle of the Caissons near the Boundary line of North and South Caroling commanded by Genl Morgan and Col Washington. I was at the first seige of Augusta under Col. Clark and also in several other small fights such as [illegible] parties &c particulars not Recollected
Inter 6th Did you ever receive a commission and if so by whom? was it signed and what has become of it
Answer I received a militia Captains commission in the year 1779 signed by John Hauston then Governor of the State of Georgia. I do not know what become of said commission but I know that I received and had it for years after the war but it was worn out last or mislaid and do not know what become of it
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Then appeased Sarah [illegible] and being sworn as aforesaid says that she knows Abner Bickham served in the latter end of the Revolutionary War. that he Brother William [illegible] was a Lutenant [misspelling] in Capt. Abner Bickhams company that this -- was about twelve years old when -- was made but well recollects that he was called Capt Beckham saw him commandary a company. & -- to said Abner Bickham may years and he knows him to be a man of veracity and that his declaration is true 
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Sarah [illegible]
^her X mark [X-mark signature]

before me
said Sarah - not writing
having made her signed mark
Thos C Warner. Parish [illegible]

Then appeased Thomas Bickham and being sworn as aforesaid says that he was about thirteen years of age at the -- of the Revolutionary War. that he knows Abner Bickham served in said war as a militia Captain that he knows he served from the 1778 till -- was declared and most of said time as a captain that he has known said A Bickham ever since and he knows his declaration to be true.
Sworn to & subscribed this day and year aforesaid
Thos Bickham
before me
Tho. C Warner
Parish Indigo

I Thomas C Warner Judge as aforesaid do -  - that I have been untimably acquainted with the named Abner Bickham for more than twnety years
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Inter 7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your service as a solder of the Revolution
Answer I am known by William Fuzzell Sarah Slocum and Thomas Bickham Senr.
And I the said Abner Bickham on Oath as aforesaid hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and I declare that my name is not on
the pension roll of the agency of any State
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before me - 
Thos C. Warner Parish Judge,}    Abner Bickham
and said Abner further swears that he acted under said Captain [Cunningham] as mentioned in answer to Interrogatory 6th from the year 1779 until the end of the said War in 1783. And that he had the Command of a Company of Militia Men, during that time - Sworn as above before me
Thos. C. Warner Parish Judge }   Abner Bickham
Then appeared William Fuzzell and being sworn as aforesaid deposeth as follows (to wit)
That he [Rems] Abner Bickham was in the service of the United States as a militia man during the Revolutionary War that he served with him in the year 1778 in the Florida Expedition and also in part of the year 1779 that after peace was declared they lived neighbours in the State of Georgia, that in the year 1811 this affiant removed to the now State of Louisiana Parish of Washington has live a neighbour to Capt Abner Bickham ever since that he believes him to be a man of veracity and that he believes the above declaration of said Abner Bickham is true                                Wm Fussell
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid before me 
Thos C. Warner Parish Judge
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Abner Bickham
Louisianna

Adm 2 years
Captain
$480
      3
1440

Hon Philemon Thomas
Baton Rouge
Louisianna
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
26 Sep. 1833.
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. These points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: }). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Abner Bickham.
Period when the service was rendered.
1777 & 1778
1778.
1779
1781.
Duration of the claimant's service.
Years.     Months.     Days.
                    6.
                    8.
    1.
    2
Rank of the claimant.
priv
  "
Captain
  "
Names and rank of the Field officers
under whom he served.
Cap. Davis
Col. Jones
Col Twiggs
Col Clarke
Gen Twiggs
Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service.
77 years
Georgia
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
Living witnesses.
Witness not certified
to be credible.- See
Note J. of the brief
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Lane," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c, Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss.
County of                              }
On this      day of      personally appeared (a) before      A. B. a resident (b) of      in the county of      and State, Territory or District, of      aged (c)      years, who being first duly sworn, 
according to law, doth on his oath make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)      , with      and served in the
(e) regiment of the       line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.                                   A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
i           of the Court of             do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of            for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of                  &c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the
and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with         , who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
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.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the           and 
that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the          and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,          Clerk of the Court of
do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
                    for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this     day of       &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration,(l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6. To a Soldier. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To an Officer. Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from
their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform,
and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
(a) The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
(b) The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
(c) The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
(d)The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
(e) Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every clamant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me ,the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, 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."
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 that 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 shown 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.
(f) The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
(g) The opinion of the Court is always required.
(h) The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
(i) The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
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 papers 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.
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 claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, in 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.
The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note (j) applies to continental troops only.
(k) This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
(l) If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
(m) The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
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State of Louisiana      }
Parish of Washington }
 An amendment made to the Declaration of Captain Abner Beckham of the State and Parish aforesaid which said declaration was taken and made on the 31st day of July A.D. 1832, and is hereunto annexed, whereby said Rev claimant
claims a pension [apreciably] to an act of Congress passed June 7th 1832
Be it remembered that on this Eighth day of May in that year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three
Before me Thomas C Warner Parish Judge of the Parish aforesaid Personally appeared the said Abner Bickham, who being duly Sworn deposeth and saith that by reason of old age and the Consequent loss of Memory he cannot swear positively 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 - to wit
In 1777. or 1778. He served as volunteered/ private in the State of Georgia in Captain Moses Davis's Company. & Col John Jones's Regiment Militia. In this tour he served regularly & faithfully six months, say 6 Mo.
In 1778. Volunteered his services as a private Militia Man in Capt. John W Lutherans Company of Ga. C John Twigs's Regiment, served part of the time in the State of Georgia & a part in South Carolina in this tour he served constantly & faithfully eight months, say 8.  
In 1779. He was appointed to command a Militia Company and was accordingly commissioned by John Houston Govenor of the State of Georgia. Here he served as Capt. 
reqularly & faithfully under Col. Elijah Clark/ Militia Com said State of Georgia, part of the year 1779. & part of 1780. In this tour as Capt. aforesaid served one year, say 12.
In 1781, and until peace was in order in 1783. He served constantly & faithfully as Captain in the said State of Georgia from Savanna to Augusta, as ordered, first under Gen. C John Twigs (promoted) of the Militia line, and under General Anthony Wayne of the Continental line. In the whole of this tour as Capt, two years, say 24
                                                    Yr.      M
First Tour six months say                       6
Second Tour eight months say              8
As private one year & 2 months   1       2  
Third Tour as Capt one year say     1                                  
Fourth Tour as Capt two years say  2
Total                                                4     2
That is to say 
I served as private one year and two months.
I served as Captain three years. And for such services I claim a pension.
Abner Bickham
Sworn & subscribed to before me date above written.  
Thos C Warner Parish Judge
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And the said Abner Bickham Capt as aforesaid further declares on oath that he served faithfully dining the different periods and
places herein mentioned & that he served with an embodied Corps called into service by competent authority that he was constantly in the Field during his services mentioned in the foregoing declaration, and that he was not employed in any Civil pursuit.
Abner Bickham
Sworn & Subscribed to May 8th 1833
before me
Thos C. Warner
Parish Judge
I Thomas C. Warner Judge as aforesaid do hereby certify that I have been intimately acquainted with the above named Captain Abner Bickham for the last Twenty five years and from my personal knowledge of him together with his general Character, I believe the foregoing declaration made by him is to the best of his Knowledge and recollection correct & true (although from age and Infirmities, I am confident his memory
is fast failing) yet in making this declaration he would observe. I know I served longer on such a Tour of duty, yet to be [unsure], say so much less, than stating as in the foregoing declaration set forth. There are numbers of citizens in this parish would be ready to
Certify their belief as to the validity of Capt Bickhams declaration that his statements are correct to the best of his recollection, but
this is deemed unnecessary agreeable to the Testimony of Witnesses taken in the annexed declaration, and I do further certify there are no Clergymen of long standing in said parish of Washington.
Given under my hand in said parish
of Washington this 8th day of May AD 1833
Thos C. Warner
Parish Judge

State of Louisiana       }
Parish of Washington }
I Ezekiel P Ellis Deputy Clerk of the District and Parish Courts in and for the State and Parish aforesaid do hereby certify that Thomas C. Warner is Judge of the Parish of Washington and that the above signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed by seal of office this 14th day of May AD 1833.
E.P. Ellis D. Clk
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R G 217
41
Mrs. Dicy Bickham
Power of attorney
La
Thos Bickham pens.

Copy
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No. 229
Abner Bickham ["Thomas" first name stricken] 
Revy War Tours
4th Mch 1831    2yrs.10mo.25days
to
29th Jany 1834 
2yrs.10mos.25days
@ $480 per ann
$1.392.25
New Orleans La
2nd Quarter 1834
Died Jan. 29, 1834
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State of Louisiana Parish of Washington }
Be it known and remembered that on this thirteenth day of April in the year of our
Lord, one thousand Eight hundred and thirty four, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the fifty Eighth, Before
me Benjamin Richardson Parish Judge, in and for the parish aforesaid and duly authorised by law, to exercise the powers of Notary Public
therein, Personally came and appeared, Mrs Dicy Bickham, the Surviving wife of Abner Bickham Esquire, late of said State and
Parish now deceased. Who does declare and say, that she has Nominated Constituted and appointed her son Thomas Bickham, Junr
a Citizen of said Parish, being here present, and accepts the same, to be her Record attorney in fact, for her and in her name, to receive and receipt for a Pension due by the Government to her aforesaid deceased husband, for his services as Captain in the Revolutionary War, hereby [enforcing her said] Attorney, for her and in her name, to sign do and execute all
and singular, the acts matters, and every thing, and things, which shall be necessary,  concerning the aforesaid Pension, as fully
and effectually to all intents, and purposes, as she the said Mrs. Dicy Bickham might or could do, in or about the same being personally present hereby ratifying and confirming all 
and every act that her said attorney shall do by [vesture] hereof. Thus done and passed, on the day and date above written in presents of 
William Hays and James S. Bickham, Subscribing Witnesses, who have hereunto signed their names as such, with the said appearance and in the Judge aforesaid, Mrs Dicy Bickham not knowing how to write signed by making her ordinary Mark
Dicy Bickham [X and "her mark" between first and last names]
Thomas Buckham Junr William Hays James S
Bickham Benj Richardson Parish Judge
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State of Louisiana Parish of Washington / Personally Came and appeared Before me the undersigned Judge of said Parish Major Thos
Bickham and William Hays who after being duly sworn declares on oath that Captain Abner Bickham Esquire formerly a citizen of said parish, departed this life on the 29th day of January A.D. 1834 being the Seventy Eighth
year of his age, so help me God,
William Hays Thos Bickham
Sworn & subscribed to before me this
19th day of April 1834
Benj Richardson Parish Judge
State of Louisiana      }
Parish of Washington }  
I hereby certify the foregoing Power of Attorney and Affidavit are true copies of the originals on file and of Record in my Office,
Given under my hand and seal of
Office this 21st day of April AD 1834
Benj Richardson
Parish Judge
[Seal affixed to left of signature]
State of Louisiana      }
Parish of Washington }
I the undersigned Judge of said parish do hereby certify that there is no other
Pensioner from this parish by the name of Abner Bickham but the one named in the foregoing power of attorney and that he departed this life on the 29th day of January AD 1834
Given under my hand and seal of
Office this 21st day of April 1834
Benj Richardson
Parish Judge
[Seal affixed to left of signature]
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State of Louisiana         }         
Parish of New Orleans  }
Before me the undersigned one of the associate Judges of the City Court in & for the City of New Orleans, personally appeared this day Thomas Bickham Junr, the Attorney named in the foregoing Power of Attorney and made oath that the same was not given to him by reason of any transfer or of any attachment, levy or seizure by any legal process whatever of the pay therein authorized to be received, but that the said pay is intended to inure wholly to the personal benefit of the person by whom the said power was executed to the best of his knowledge & belief
Thomas Bickham Jr
Sworn to & subscribed before
me the 23d of April 1834
Thomas Bickham
J.N. Duncan
Judge
$1.392.25
2yrs10mo25dys
Branch Bank U. States
New Orleans
April 23d 1834.
Received from the president of this office agent for paying Pensions thirteen Hundred
ninety two Dollars & twenty five cents being amount of Pension due Abner Bickham wife this twenty ninth day of January A.D. 1834
Signed in Duplicate
Thomas Bickham
Agent for Mrs Dicy Bickham
Page 18

Rev. War Section                           MMHF
September 21, 1923
Maxine H. Young
Quitman, Ga.
Madam:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 30274 it appears that Abner Bickham was born July 6 or 26, 1755 in North Carolina.
In 1777 or 1778, while a resident of Burke County, Georgia where he remained until 1797) he enlisted and served as a private six months in Captain Moses Davis' Company, Colonel John Jones' Georgia Regiment.
In 1778 he enlisted and served as a private
eight months in Captain John Whitaker's Company, Colonel John Twigg's Georgia Regiment.
In 1779 he was commissioned Captain of a company of Georgia Militia under Colonel Elijah Clarke and served until after peace was declared in 1783. He was at the first Siege of Augusta and the battles
Page 19

of Tiger River and Cowpens.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 31, 1832 while a resident of Washington Parish, Louisiana to which place he moved from Natchez, Mississippi in 1807. He died January 29, 1834 leaving a widow Dilly or Didy [Dicy]. No further family data on file.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 20

[Left Side]
30274
Revy INVALID.
File No. 30,274
Abner Bickham
Capt Rev War
Act: June 7th 32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 38
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[Right Side]
1915 Nov 12. History to Mrs.
R. L. Cartwright   M.B.H
1923. Sept. 21. Hist. to Maxine H.
Young, MMHF
1925 Apr. 27 Hist to  J.P. Mett  AWF.

[Bottom]
To what time was Abner Bickham, of
Louisiana, act 7 June 1832, last paid?
J. L. Edwards
11 August 1847
Died 29th January 1834.
Paid to his death.
B L Bogan
Page 21

Abner Bickham
Loua. 1832
Coli
Free
Militia
L P Waldo Esqr
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 22

A Pay Roll of Capt. Abner Bickham,
Company of Georgia Militia from 15 August 1781, to 1 Feby 1782, showing 5 mo 15 days 
service, taken out and filed with Miscellaneous
[Files]
State of Louisiana      }
Parish of Washington }
I Ezekiel P. Ellis Deputy Clerk of the District
and Parish Courts in and for the State and
Parish aforesaid do hereby certify that Thomas C. Warner is Judge of the Parish Courts of said
Parish of Washington and that the above signature is genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
Set my hand and affixed the seal
of said Court this 31st day of July AD 1832
E. P. Ellis D Clk
Page 23

[Left Side]
Pension Office, Dec. 23. 1857
The Third Auditor will please certify the date to which the within named pensioner was paid and name of his widow, if she received arrears
Very Respectfully
JS Cole
For Commissioner
[Thiddis]

[Right Side]
3d Auditor's Office
Dec. 24. 1857.
Sir
Abner Bickham,
died Jany 29, 1834,
& his pension Rev roll
Act of June 7, 1832 has
been paid in full to
that date to his
Widow Didy Bickham
Very Resp'y
[Aver J Swinson]
Auditor
C. Whiting Esqr
Commr of Pensions
Mr Randall,
Page 24

The State of Louisiana   }
Parish of Washington    } 
At a Session of the Honorable the parish Court, in and for the parish of Washington, held on Monday the Second day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, present the Honorable
Benjamin Richardson, presiding, the following orders, attestations and declarations were made in the matter hereinafter denigrated Viz-
Revolutionary Pensions
Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7th June AD. 1832.
Be it remembered that on this third day of December in the year aforesaid personally 
appeared in open court Abner Bickham a resident of the parish and state aforesaid, aged about seventy eight years after being duly sworn according to law made the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act aforesaid, and the following Interrogatories being performed and answered as follows. Viz-
Interrogatory First.
Where and in what year were you born?
Answer I was born in the State of North Carolina July 6th 1753.
Second.
Have you any record of your age; & if you where is it?
Answer I have the record here present 
Third.
Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live? 
Answer I lived in the State of Georgia Burke County; after the war I remained in the State until the year A.D. 1791 about which period I imigrated to Natchez Mississippi Territory where I remained until the year 1807 and then moved to what was then called West Florida now State of Louisiana Parish of Washington where I now reside.
Fourth.
How were you called into service? Were you drafted, did you volunteer or were you a substitute, and if a substitute for whom?
Answer I volunteered
Fifth.
State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served such Continental and Militia Regiments as near as you can now recollect, and the General circumstances of your service .?
Answer I entered the Army first under the command of Colo John Jones and John Houston Commander in chief in the year 1778 as a militiaman for six months; the No. of the Regiment not recollected, I volunteering a second time under the command of Colo John Twiggs of the Militia the No. of the Regiment not recollected, in this tour was driven by the enemy from Georgia into South Carolina; I continued in the service under various commanders until the close of the war. I was at the Battle of long Lane South Carolina Tyger River; I believe Tate Sumpter was an officer there but do not recollect whether he commanded in chief or not; I was at the Batttle of Cowpens under the command of General Morgan & Colo Washington. I was also at the Seige of Augusta under Colo Clark; and in several other small fights, such as scouting parties &c &c [penetrating not unattached]. Served six months under General Wayne immediately preceding the termination of the War.
Sixth.
Did you ever receive a commission? If so by whom signed and what has become of it? Answer I received a commission as a Militia Captain in the year 1779 (1779) signed by John Houston then Governor of the State of Georgia. I am unable to say what has become of said commission, I know that I received and had it for many years after the termination of the War that I think it was either worn out, lost or mislaid so that I do not now recollect what has become of it.
Page 25

Seventh.
State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity and
their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
Answer I am well acquainted with Mrs Sarah Slocum and Thomas Bickham who can testify to my having served as a Captain of Militia men in the Revolutionary war; and further I was well acquainted with Stephen Ellis, a citizen of this parish, Martin Gordon Penn Esquire the present District Attorney of this District, residing in the Parish of St Tammany, adjoining this parish, who can testify as to my Character for veracity, and belief of my services as a soldier of the Revolution-
Abner Bickham
Sworn and subscribed to in open Court }
this 3rd day of December AD. 1833        }
E. P. Ellis D. Clk
The said Abner Bickham being now personally present in open court did after being duly sworn according to law declare, that he is a resident of the parish of Washington and State
son of Louisiana, of Seventy Eight years of age, doth on his oath aforesaid make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the pension made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832, Viz - 
That he entered into the service of the United States, in the then Continental Army, in the year 1777 as a volunteer private in the State of Georgia in Captain Moses Davis Company and Colo John Jones Regiment Militia, in this tour served six months. In 1778 served as a volunteer private in Captain John Whitakers company of Colo John Twiggs Regiment
Militia served part of the time in the State of Georgia and a part of the time in the State of South Carolina, in this tour served eight months. In 1779 was appointed to the command of a company of Militia men, and was commissioned as such by Governer John Houston of the State of Georgia, and in that capacity served under Colo Elijah Clark. In this tour served one year.
In 1781 and until the war was terminated
in 1783 he served constantly and faithfully as Captain in the said State of Georgia, from Savanah to Augusta, as ordered, first under the command of General John Twiggs (promoted) of the Militia line and lastly under General Anthony Wayne of the Continental line, in this tour served two years. And the said Abner Bickham further declared 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 best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades-Viz - For one year and two months I served faithfully as a private. For three years I served faithfully as a Captain, and for such service I claim a pension. That he served in an embodied corps called into service by competent authority and served in the command of the persons above & at the times and places mentioned in my answer to the fifth Interrogatory propounded by this Honbl Court and the first part of this declaration, that he was constantly in the field, and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit. This said declarant hereby relinquishes every claim, whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any State.  
Abner Bickham
Sworn and subscribed to in open court }
on this 3rd December AD 1833              }
E.P. Ellis D Crk
Page 26

3
Then personally appeared in open court, Major Thomas Bickham a citizen of the parish of Washington aforesaid, and after being
sworn according to law declares that he was thirteen years old at the termination of the Revolutionary War, that he was at that time
and is at present well acquainted with Captain Abner Bickham, that said Abner Bickham served in the Revolutionary war as a Militia Captain, from the year 1778 until peace was declared, know that the said Abner Bickham served under the command of [Colo Asa Emanuel] served under Captain John Whitaker of Colo Twiggs Regiment, know that he was at the first Seige of Augusta Commanded by Colo Elijah Clark; know that the American troops were defeated and took refuge in the mountains, part of the troops having been famished for some seven days came to the house of the affiants Father, Captain Abner Bickham was one of the number, affiant was youngest that home yet he recollects the facts, above stated, perfectly well. Affiant lives near neighbor to Abner Bickham, that from his general good character for veracity, he is reputed and believed in his neighbourhood where he now resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution. 
Thos Bickham
Sworn and subscribed to in open court on the day aforesaid  }
E.P. Ellis  DClk
Then also appeared in open court Mrs Sarah Slocum citizen of this parish and after having been duly sworn according to law, declares that she is well acquainted with Captain Abner Bickham, knows that he served in the Revolutionary War as a Captain, that William Young the brother of this affiant, was a Lieutenant in Captain Abner Bickham's Company, affiant well recollects seeing Captain Bickham in the actual command of a company, frequently heard him called Captain Bickham, affiant was about twelve years of age at the close of the War, but well recollects the facts above stated, that since her emigration to this country she has for a great many years and now been  a near neighbour to said Abner Bickham, that from his general good character for veracity he is reputed and believed in this neighbourhood where he now resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution.
Sara Slocum [X and "her Mark" appear between first and last names]
Sworn and subscribed to in open court by making her ordinary mark, she not knowing how to write her name on the aforesaid 3rd Decr. 1833.
E.P. Ellis D. Clk
Then also appeared in open court Stephen Ellis of this parish and Martin Gordon Penn Esqr of the parish of St Tammany the present District 
Attorney for the 8th Judicial District Court State of Louisiana & after being duly sworn according to law, hereby certify that we are and have been for many years well acquainted with Abner Bickham, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age; that he is
reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & that we concur in that opinion.
M.G.Penn
Stephen Ellis
Sworn and subscribed to in open court.
Decr. 3rd 1833
E. P. Ellis DClk
Page 27

4 
And the said Court do now hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the Interrogatories
presented by the War Department, that the above named applicant was was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that Stephen Ellis a resident of the Parish and Martin Gordon Penn Esqr a resident of the adjoining parish are credible persons and that their statement is entitled to credit. And the Court further certifies that Major
Thomas Bickham and Mrs Sarah Slocum, the two witnesses who have deposed in the foregoing matter residents of this parish
are persons of proven veracity, of unimpeachable character & of high standing in their neighborhood and that this evidence
is entitled to credit. And the Court do further certify that there is no regular ordained Clergyman located in this parish, and the court further declares, that they have been very
particular in the enquiry, in regard to the general belief and are happy to state that there does not in the knowledge of this court, not  the least doubt in the mind of any person who is acquainted with Captain Bickham (or at at least this court favors an intimate acquaintance with Captain Bickham and having lived a neighbor near him for about Twenty two years never heard any person or persons express a doubt) as to his having been a soldier of the Revolution.
Benj Richardson
Parish Judge
I Thomas C. Warner Clerk of the Parish and District Courts in and for the parish of Washington, State of Louisiana do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the whole of the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Captain Abner Bickham for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and seal of Office on this 3rd day
of December AD. 1833
Thos C. Warner Clerk
[Seal affixed to left of signature]
State of Louisiana       }
Parish of Washington  }
I Thomas C. Warner Clerk as aforesaid do hereby certify that Benjamin Richardson whose
name is subscribed to the foregoing proceedings is the Judge of the Parish Court of this Parish, and that the same is a court
of Record, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and seal of office on
this third day of December AD 1833
Thos C. Warner Clerk
[Seal affixed to left of signature]
Page 28

R G 217
I hereby certify that Mrs Dicy was the legal
wife and is now the surviving widow of
Abner Bickham deceased
B. Woodruff
Jas. S. Bickham
Sworn & subscribed before
me this 23d of April 1834
J. N. Duncan
Judge
Page 29

State of Louisiana
City of New Orleans
I Branch W Miller do hereby Certify -- That I
have been for many years acquainted with the late Abner Bickham formerly a Captain in the Revolutionary War and that I am also well acquainted with his Widow Mrs Dicy Bickham--
I also certify that I never heard of the said Abner Bickham having any other wife than the said Dicey Bickham to whom I am satisfied and believe he was lawfully married, and [obscured] continued to reside untill his death [obscured] [February] last.
BW Miller
I fully concur in the [obscured]
[Wm Baxley]
I am satisfied that the above [statement] of [BW Miller] is true in every [fact]
[obscured] Bickham
Page 30

R G 217
Payments to be made
at New Orleans, La
by Prest W.S. Br BR
Agent for paying Pension-
ers in the Agency of La
Recorded in the Pension Of-
fice in Book E Vol 8,
Page 31 by
John T. Sprague Clerk
Page 31

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, Abner Bickham of the State of Louisiana who was a Captain during the Revolutionary War, is entitled to receive Four Hundred & Eighty dollars per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831, and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March, and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States
this 6th day of March one thousand eight
hundred and thirty four -
Leld Cass
Secretary of War.
Examined and  }
Countersigned.}
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 32

Application of Captain Abner Bickham
a Soldier of the Revolutionary War
Residing in the Parish of Washington
State of Louisiana, for a Pension  }

Hon Philn Thomas
H R
Page 33

5
Abner Bickham being still in open court and after the completion of the foregoing produced the annexed Pay Roll, which was made out by Robert Allen a private in the company of him the said
Abner Bickham, that the said pay roll has been in the possession of this affiant ever since he left the service
Abner Bickham
Sworn & subscribed to in       } 
open court the day aforesaid }
E.P. Ellis D.Clk
Page 34

Mr. Slidele presents his respects
to the Commissioner of Pensions & begs of Mr
Waldo the favor of information on the subject
of the following letter from Mr. M. G Penn.
Washington. 4 Feby 55
Page 35

Washington City, Augt 9th 1847
Sir,
Will you be pleased to inform me whether
the heirs of the late Captain Abner Bickham, of
Louisiana, are not entitled to a pension or bounty
lands on account of the services of said Abner
Bickham as an officer or soldier, during the
revolutionary war? I shall be thankful for
any information you may be enabled to communicate upon the subject.-
I am, very respectfully,
Sir, your ob. servt.
H. Johnson
The Hon:
CW. Edwards.
Page 36

Rev War HY
Waco, Texas
Nov 5th '15
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir,
Will you please give me the Revolutionary War record of Col John Hinton, also of Col Lane who married Col. Hinton's daughter, address
Mrs R. L. Cartwright
1922 N. 6th St. Waco, Texas
P.S.
Over
Page 37

Does the name of Abner Bickham appear on these records? He went out from Ga. Capt. of Bickham's Company.
Mrs R. L. Cartwright
Page 38

Quitman Ga.
Aug 5, 1923
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
[Stamped U. S. PENSIONS OFFICE AUG 6 1923]
Dear Sir,
Will you please give me all information contained in the application for pension of Abner Beckham, residence Louisiana, page 6 Louisiana pension record.
Page 39

This information is needed to prove eligibility to D. A. R. and I will greatly appreciate any help you can give me in the matter.
Yours sincerely,
Maxine H. Young
Quitman, Georgia
Page 40

Valdosta Public Schools
OFFICE OF J. P. MOTT, PRINCIPAL
VALDOSTA HIGH SCHOOL
BOARD OF EDUCATION
C. L. SMITH, PRESIDENT
L. L. DAUGHERTY, V. PRESIDENT
J. J. NEWMAN, SEC. & TREAS.
J. R. DASHER
MRS. R. A. PEEPLES
MRS. H. Y. TILLMAN
E. P. ROSE
D. B. SMALL
J. G. CRANFORD
Valdosta, Georgia
Feby. 28, 1925
Commissioner of Pensions,
Department of the Interior
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,
Will you please give me the Revolutionary history of Abner Beckham who drew a pension while a resident of Louisiana for services
rendered in Georgia, and of Isam or Isham Peacock who drew a pension while a resident
of Tatnall Co. Ga., as contained in their claims for pensions.
I wish this information to get my sisters into the D.A.R. as we are descendants of the two above named soldiers.
Very truly yours
JP. Mott
Address to
J. P. Mott
Valdosta, Ga.
P.O. Box 105
Page 41

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.,     , 19
In reply to your request of
received
for a statement of the military history of Abner Bickham, a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
S. 30274
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
1777 or 1778
1778
1779
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
6 mos.
8 mos.
3 year.
RANK.
Pvt.
Pvt.
Captain
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Moses Davis
John Whitaker
COLONEL.
John Jones
John Twiggs
Elijah Clarke
STATE.
Ga
Battles engaged in, Jan. '81 Cowpens, 1779 First Siege of Augusta, 1788 Tiger River 
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Burke Co., Ga.
Date of application for pension, July 31, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Washington Parish, La.
Age at date of application, b. in N.C. July 26, 1755.
Remarks: died Jan. 29, 1834 leaving a widow Dilly or Didy. No further family data.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.
6-2856