Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 9479, for William Sheppard, North Carolina
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(3-1776)
SERVICE
N.C.
Sheppard, William
NUMBER
R. 9479.
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No 37405
William Sheppard 20 ow
Ga
act 7 June 1832

No. 1
A. 1-2.24

9+179
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Declaration of Harvey Sheppard Son of William Sheppard, a revolutionary soldier for pension money.-
Georgia } Inferior Court, July Term 1846.
Screven County }  Present their honors, William
Taylor Wm W Oliver and Peter Reddiak-
On this the thirteenth day of July personally appeared in open Court, before the Inferior Court which is a Court of record now sitting, Harry
Sheppard, a resident of Screven County in the
State of Georgia, and son of William Sheppard,
deceased, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress authorizing the payment of pension money to the widow or
surviving children of deceased soldiers of the
revolution.
That this declarent, having been born many years after the period of his father's, William Sheppard's services in the Revolutionary war, could not have been personally present to witness said services, and that his knowledge or information of the same has been derived from the Conversations of his father in his life time, the tradition of his father's neighborhood, and the narratives of Mrs. Mourning Sheppard of Scriven County, who was living at the period of said services, and appears by the statement made by her in her affidavit taken in the matter, and transmitted a short time ago
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to the Pension office, to have seen William Sheppard depart for, and return from the war, she and the said William Sheppard being at that time residents and inhabitants of the County of Duplin in the State of North Carolina. This declarant further says that the lapse of time and the affairs of his past life, (himself being 45 years of age) have caused most of the particulars of his further services, to escape his recollection; and that, owing
to the extreme old age of Mrs. M. Shephard the only surviving witness, she being 85 years of age, her statement of the transactions of a period so remote in the past, are unavoidably imperfect. It were impossible that she should be able at so advanced an age, to recall to her memory, every item of adventure, such as the number of the regiment and line of the army or the precise length of each term of service. But she does remember the war, and that William Sheppard went and returned. Neither can this declarant remember the details of a transaction so remote, and related to him in family discourse. Suffice it to say, that he has heard his father often speak of his campaigns in the war. that he has heard Mrs. M. Shephard speak of them; that he always regarded the universal belief of his fathers neighbors to be that of his having served his country [in the war -struck out and blotted] for the term of twelve or eighteen months in the war of the revolution, and that this declarants' belief of the fact of such services has received additional strength, amounting
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in his mind to absolute certainty, from intelligence recently derived from the Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of North Carolina. This declarant does not precisely know the age of his father nor has a record thereof. When called into service, William Sheppard lived in Duplin County North Carolina. After the revolutionary war he migrated to [illegible] Georgia and died in Screven County on the 18th day of October in the year 1835. The declarant believes that his father was called into service as a volunteer, and has heard that he also served either as a regular or among the drafted malitia of North Carolina. He recollects the names of Gen. Green, Col. Rhodes, Col. or Major Armstrong and Capt. Ivy as officers of the army. This declarant does not know what became of his fathers discharge. The persons to whom this declarant is known in his neighborhood, and who will testified to his character for veracity, and to the belief of his William Sheppards Services, are Loderick Boykin, John B. Boykin, John Boykin Sr. J. A. Mock, Walter Walker, John B. Moult, George Mock, Stephen C Pearce Wilson Connor, Reverend Moses N. McCall, W. Brigdon, Granville Devill, J. W. Hunter, James Lee, Isaac Lanier and David Lee.
 Stephen Pearce
Wilson Connor, Reverend Moses N McCall,
W Brigdon, Granville Bevill, J. W. Hunter
James See, Isaac Jamer and David
Lee
or coming
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whereof, I have hereunto set my hand the day and year first above written. 
Sworn to and subscribed in open court.
Henry Sheppard
I Moses N. McCall, a clergyman residing in the
of Screven, hereby certify that I was well acquainted with William Shephard before he died; that I belive he died on the 18th day of October in the year [of - struck out] 1835 in the " " year of his age. I do further certify that I am also acquainted with Harry Sheppard who is 45 years of age and that William Sheppard,
the father of the said Harry, was reputed and
believed, in the neighborhood where he resided, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that I concur in that opinion.
Signed in open Court this 13th day of July
A.D. 1846. Sworn to on the day above written
(A 2) Moses N Call. M.G.
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 William Sheppard the father of the above named applicant, was a
revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
It also appears to the court, that Moses N. McCall who has signed and sworn to, the preceding certificate is a Clergyman
resident in the County of Scriven, is a credible person, and that his statement is entitled to credit.
(Signed) A.3. William W Oliver J.J.C.S.C. [pretend seal drawn in]
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Peter Reddick J.J.C.S.C. [J.S.. in stylize circle]
Wm. Taylor  J.J.C.S.C. [J.S.. in stylize circle]
unnecessary - [scratched out text]
I, Alexander Kemp, Clerk of the Superior and
Inferior Court of Scriven County, do hereby
certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application Harry Sheppard for his father's pension. In testimony whereof, I
have hereunto set my hand and seal this
thirteenth day of July Eighteen hundred and
forty six.

Alexander Kemp Clk.

Georgia 
Screven County ⎬ Inferior Court, July Term 
1846.
The court hereby certify their belief that
William Sheppard died in the Scriven
County in the year-- 1835; that he has
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no widow living; and that his only surviving children are William Shephard Lorenzo Sheppard,
 are among men
Shephard, David Sheppard, Sophia Boyakin, Martha White and [Elizabeth Stephens - struck out]
Signed.
Wm Taylor J.J.C. [seal drawn in]
(A 4)
William W. Oliver  [seal drawn in]
Peter Reddick  [seal drawn in]
unnecessary [text scratched out]

Georgia }
Screven County }

I Alexander Kemp Clerk of the Superior and Inferior Court of said county hereby certify that their honors Peter Reddick, William W. Olive & William Taylor are duly qualified and lawful Judges of the Superior court and court of ordinary of said County, and that the accompanying proceedings were had before the said court.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this thirteenth day of
July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six.
Alexander Kemp  [JS - written inside stylized circle]
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State of Georgia } affidavit of Morning 
Screven County } Sheppard in the matter of the application of Henry Sheppard Son of William Shepperd dec'd a revolutionary for the pention 
of the said William Sheppard -
Before me Wm. Ivey a magistrate for said County appeard Morning Sheppard who being duly sworn Deposeth and says that she was the step mother of the above named William Sheppard and that she together with her husband and the said William Sheppard
emigrated to the state of Georgia Soon after the revolutionary war and settled in Effingham County now Screven, Scirvous County having been subsequently made by subdivision, when
she herself has ever since resided and knows of her own knowledge that the said William Sheppard did settle in said County where he did reside from the time of his first settlement until his death, and she the said morning Shepperd further says, of her own knowledge that the said William Shepperd never did reside in upson County nor any other County in the state of Georgia but Effingham and Screven as above mentioned during his life
time after his emigration to Georgia.
Morning Sheppard X her mark
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 25th day of Sept 1846
William Ivey J.P -
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January 26, 1931
Rev. & 1812 Wars Section
EEL
Mrs. R. B. Browder
1415 Isabella Avenue
Houston, Texas

Dear Madam:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, R. 9479, that William Sheppard, with his father, whose Christian name is not given, and his stepmother, Mourning Sheppard, moved,
shortly after the Revolutionary War, from Duplin County, North Carolina, to Effingham (later Screven) County, Georgia.
He died October 13, 1835, in Screven County, Georgia. He left no widow, but the following children survived him: Harvy or Hervy Sheppard, William Shepard, Lorenzo Sheppard, David Shepard, Sophia Boykin, Martha White and Eliza Stephens. The name of their mother is not shown.
On April 11, 1845, Harvy Sheppard, then aged forty-five years and a resident of Screven County, Georgia, applied on behalf of himself and the other surviving children, for the pension that might have been due their
father, William Sheppard, and alleged that while residing in Duplin County, North Carolina, he volunteered about September, 1777, for a tour of twelve months as a private
under Captain Ivy and Colonel Rhodes in the North Carolina Troops; that during that period he was elected Captain and that he afterward served as Lieutenant and Captain in the North Carolina Troops until after the battle of
Eutaw Springs, his whole service amounting to at least three years and three months.
His claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of the alleged service as was required by the pension laws.
Very truly yours
E. W. MORGAN
Acting Commissioner.
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1931 - Jan 26 - Hist. to Mrs. R.B. Browder E E S

REJECTED
9479
P.O. Wm. Sheppard
Service:

Enlisted: ___________, 18
Discharged: ___________, 18

Application filed: ______________, 18
Printed list of 1852 shows cause of suspension 
Alleges: "Evidence and explanation required."
Re-enlisted: ___________

Attorney: ___________
P.O. ________
___________Recognized. __________Contract
_________Cert. of Dis. Searched for __________, 18
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Let Hon M. B. Corwin July
Let C W Young April 11/53
Let. Hon. J. Jones May [illegible]

No 37.405
William Sheppard 2d day
Ga

Sir to C.W. Young [Sept 10 - struck through] 1841
ditto to same [Oct. - struck through] 1846
to same Feb. 23.'47
to same Dec. 7th 48
Let to Cuyler W Young [paper torn]
Did not find Qt 49 let 12 June 49 to sec. of the Interior
C. W. Young June 11/53 Did not find
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On the application of William Sheppard
Georgia }
Screven County }We do hereby certify that it is our belief from the singing and representations of others who were acquainted with William Sheppard father of the claimant and also from our means of information that the said William Sheppard was a soldier in the war of the revolution and justly entitled to whatever benefit or remuneration which the law has provided for revolutionary soldiers and their children.
(Signed)  Lodowick Boykin 
John B. Boykin
Joseph A 
Walter Walker
John B Moultrie
George Mock
Stephen C. Pearce
William Conner
Moses M Call M.G.
W Brigecor
Granvill Bevill
James W Hunter
Wm Rushing
George M Rust
John K Thompson
David Lee
James Lee
Curtis Humpres
Isaac Larreon

Georgia }
Screven Co }
I do hereby certify that I am the son of William Sheppard who served in the revolutionary war as I believe, and that William  Sheppard, Lorenzo Sheppard and David Sheppard [among - struck out] Sophia Boykin Martha White and Eliza Stephens are my surviving brothers and sisters
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Georgia }
Screven Co }
We, the judges of the Court of ordinary for said county do hereby certify that we know William Sheppard and that the above named individuals are the surviving children of the said William Sheppard who, we believe from the representations of others, served as a soldier in the war of the revolution. Given under our hand and seals this thirteenth day of July 1846.
Wm. Tenslar J.J.C. 18463
Peter Reddick J.J.C.
John S. Maner J.J.C.

Georgia }
Screven Co }
I, Alexander Kemp, clerk of the Superior court for said county, do hereby certify that William Ivy whose name is signed to the certificate of Mourning Sheppard, was at the time of signing his name to the aforesaid certificate, a lawful and duly qualified justice of the peace for said county, I further certify that  the above matters Judges of the court are duly elected and qualified judges of the Inferior
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court of said county, and that the gentlemen whose names are subscribed to the certificate first above written, are all citizens of Screven County, show statements are entitled to full faith and credit.
Alexander Kemp [S Clk-in stylized circle]

Signed and sealed 19th July 1846.
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No 37.465
William Sheppard 2d ow
Ga
act 7 June 1832
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Halcyondales Georgia, 22d Aug 1846

Hon. J L Edwards:
Dear Sir,
I have the honor to inform you of having forwarded to your office within a few days past, a declaration in the case of William Sheppard's children, which declaration is supported by the affidavit of Mrs. Mourning Sheppard who saw Wm Sheppard enter the service and also by the certificate of the comptroller of public accounts of North Carolina, all which evidence has been duly transmitted to your department.
I have also (on yesterday), returned to enclose to the Hon Wm L  Marcy, Secretary of War, the [certificate - underlined] signed by him, and countersigned by yourself, allowing a pension for five years and eight months at the rate of $40 per annum. to Jacob George, Henry and Absalom Best. If an error occurs in said certificate in writing the name Henry instead of William - The error was perhaps made by me in [one - underlined] of the certificates sent on, but you will find that numerous certificates have
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been forwarded in which the names of Jacob, George, Absalom and William are inserted as the only living children. This is such a trifling error, so small a technicality, that I feel assured that you will immediately correct it and re-forward the certificate in the case, without requiring another certificate by the court that Henry Best was dead long previ to the commencemt of the claim. I thought it best to reforward the cirtificate and leave the error corrected while I feel convinced will be done without further delay. The money could have been drawn here by proving that Henry Best was long since deserved, but then William would have been excluded, and he might have [served - struck through] made claim to the government for his share, so it appears right that the error should be corrected. Please to re-forward the cirtificate immediately. Our counties here usually embrace a large territory and you can form but an imperfect idea of the amount of labor and trouble, of travel and fatigue required
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to get a court to meet and sign a certificate. In the case of Sheppard, I am instructed to claim for him as an {officer - underlined}; that fact can be established by common report; the grade is unknown; but the comptroller's [cirtifictae - underlined] proves the grad, and Mrs. Sheppard affidavit proves the service. Please send a cirtificate in the above case, as there is no [furth - struck through] more evidence than what is above stated. It has all been sent on. May I take the liber to stat, that I have been requested by Lewis Lanier's children whose father died in 1838, to inquire of you whether they could draw a pension on the evidence of the comptrollers cirtificate of amounts credited to him. There is no witness living w ho saw him serve, but 2 or persons would certify their belief. It is now next to impossible to prove [service - underlined] by surviving soldiers of the revolution, for they are nearly all dead. Several have applied to me who cannot prove the [first - underlined] of service no otherwise than by comm report the comptroller's cirtificte of amounts credited. I shall feel infinitely oblijed to you Sir, for giving early attention to the requests of this letter, Very Respectfully yours, 
Cuyler W. Young.
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C. W. Young
Dec. 7. 48
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Pension Office
Decem 7, 1848

Sir
In answer to your letter of the 25 July last I have to inform you that it does not appear that any additional evidence in support of the application in the case of William Shepherd 2d decd since my Communication to you of 28 Oct 1846. The decision contained in that report I am constrained to adhere to.
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Hon. Thos. Ewing
June 12.49
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Pension Office
June 12 1849
Sir,
I herewith return the letter of Cuyler W. Young in the cases of William Sheppard dec'd and Lewis Lanier, dec'd of Georgia under act 7 June 1832 and have the honor to make the following report. In the case of William Sheppard who died in 1835, his son claims for his fathers service in the North Carolina militia as a private + captain without being able to specify under what officers he served the [period of his - struck out] duration of his tours of service or any of the incidents connected therewith as required by the regulation, under act 7 June 1832, He produces the testimony of witness who allege to have known the dec'd in the [service - struck through] militia service as Lieutenant + Captain, and also evidence from no record in the office of the comptroller of public account of
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North Carolina, shewing a number of payments made to the name of William Sheppard on of the names having been a Captain. The witn[ paper edge missing] have never yet been able to establish their own claims for alleged service [and unt - struck through]their testimony does not shew the duration of the service. The paym[missing] shew b the comptroller certificate, [missing] to persons who served in the regular service as well as militia and the [payment made to captain - struck through] person designated as Captain William Sheppa[missing] belonged to the regular line of the army. [If he served - struck through] In cases where service has been alleged as a commissioned officer [and no militia -- struck through] some record or documentary evidence has always been required shewing the grade and duration of the service. It is impossible for me to determine from the evidence [illegible] [what du - struck through] the duration of the service in this case, [or to - struck through] or which of the payments refer to the service of claimants father, The records, in this off[missing] of those who belonged to the continental
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188
line shew two persons of the name of William Sheppard besides that of Captain William Sheppard, I herewith enclose the papers in the case of William [Thompson - struck through] Sheppard dec'd numbered from one to seven and respectfully request a return of them to this office.

Hon. Thomas Ewing
Secretary of the Department of the Interior.
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(Georgia)
Halcyondale. 25 July 1848.

Hon. J. L. Edwards.
Der Sir,
Mr. Harvy Sheppard has requested me to beg your attention once ore to his claim of the pension due his father for service in the Revolutionary war. I left N. York before your answer [to - struck out] - if any to my last letter reached the front - office of that city. Please give to Mr. Sheppard's claim a reconsideration, as he thinks and hopes that Congress has passed more favorable laws for the pensioners. Sheppard's father served in N. Carolina the son resides in Screven County Geo. this will probably refresh your recollection of the case. It is impossible to procure any further testimony in that case and the record and documentary proof already forwarded to you will I trust, as they should justify you in allowing this claim + please direct your reply to the under signed, Halcyondale, Georgia.
Cuyler W. Young
Yours &c.
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C. W. Young
Feb 23 '47
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Pension Office
February 23. 1847

Sir

In reply to your letter of the 8' [illegible]. I have to inform you that it is deemed unnecessary to return you the papers in the case of Harvy Sheppard for the papers stated [illegible] your communication. If the Shepherd claim is presented to Congress the ember representing the County of Screven will in all probability be able to certify that Alexander Kemp is the Clerk of the Inferior Court of the county which is all that is required. The papers in this case, will be furnished to a member of the Senate or House of Representatives when called for [by them here - struck out].

Cuyler W. Young Esq.
Halcyondale Ga.
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Sept. 10. 1846.
Pension Office - 
September 10th - 1846

Sir
The certificate of the comptroller of North Carolina exhibits a number of payments [for - struck out] William Sheppard ass. to Capt. William Sheppard, but then no evidince [has been - struck out] produced to identify William Sheppard an applicant for a pension from Upson County Ga. under the act of 7 June 1832 as the individual to whom any one of those payments were made.
William Sheppard during his lifetime filed a declaration in which he set forth 12 months service commencing in August 1777 and ending in August 1778, nine months of which was rendered under Captain Benjamin Bivins and 3 marches under Capt. William Ayres. This service must be established by the testimony of two or more comrades who were in service at that particular time. It should be shewn also by the Comptrollers Office that Capts. Bevins and Ayres served at the time and for the period
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Stated by Sheppard. The amount of payments [illegible] in the Comptrollers Certificate would cover four times as much service as was rendered in t eh Militia of North Carolina by  any one individual as a private during the whole of the revolutionary war and the attempt to claim a pension in this case for service as a Captain shews such entire ignorance of the service for which the claim is made as to render it [struck out] the duty of the the department to require that each particular tour setforth by Sheppard in his declaration shall be clearly and satisfactorily established before [his claim - struck out] can be admitted.

Cuyler W. Young Esq.
Halcyondale Ga.
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393
Pension Office
October 28th 1846

Sir,
The papers in the case of William shepherd dec'd have been again examined in connection with your explanation and the additional affidavits now presented and I can discover in them no satisfactory evidence of his service either as a Captain or Private.
Benjamin Taylor and John Edge. upon whose affidavits you rely to identify William Shepherd for whose service this claim is made with some one of that name found upon the books of the Comptroller of North Carolina must [illegible] their own service before their testimony can be received as evidence of that of another. The regulations require that the period length and grade of each term of service shall be clearly specific and that the rank of a commissioned officer shall be established by the [illegible] of his Commission or some other new or documentary evidence of equal [illegible] the [illegible] of William Shepherd to assist his
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claim in his life time does not relieve his claim from a strict compliance with the rules in every essential particular. It is very clear from the amount certified by the Comptroller of North Carolina as having been paid to William Shepherd that there were several by that name in service in that state - The mere fact o a similarity in name therefore affords no evidence whatever that the individual for whose service this application is made was any one of them. Unless therefore it can be satisfactorily shewn by the testimony of two or more respectable witnesses (who are pensioners, in what rank establish satisfactorily their own service who from their own personal knowledge can state the time that Shepherd entered the service, in each tour, and the line and manner of his leaving the same with the company and regiment to which he was attached no pension can be granted in his case and it will appear to be totally useless to urge it further.

Cuyler W. Young Esq.
Haleycondale Ga.
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Aug. 28, 1846
[illegible]
Wm. Sheppard
2yrs. Susp. '32
[illegible] 64 and 41

Halcyondale
Georgia 25 1846

paid 10
J L. Edwards
Commissir of Penn
Washington City D.C.
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Halcyondale, Ga. 26th Sept. 1846

Hon J. L. Edwards
Dear Sir,
Please suffer me to request that in addition to placing the enclosed certificate on file with the Declaration, the comptrollers cirtificate, and Mrs. Sheppard's affidavit in the case of William Sheppard that you will immediately re forward to me the Secretary's cirtificate in John Best's case, which you forwarded sometime ago. May I beg your kind indulgence to erase the name of Henry and write the name of William in Bert's certificate. I feel persuaded you will do me this favor as the distances here are great to the houses of clerks and Judges and as you have had set on several certificates with the name of William. The insertion of the name Henry was a mere tactical mistake, very natural to commit, as Henry though dead 7 years, was once  in life. You will truly oblige me by attending to this? Have you the Declaration the comptrollers certi. and Mr. Shepprds affidat in the Sheppard case. Mr. Best's cirtificate was sent back + [illegible] Cuyler W. Young.
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Department of the Interior
July 5th 1849.

Sir.

I herewith return eh papers in the case of William Sheppard dec'd and Senris Sanien, dec'd, and have to inform you that your reports in these cases, dated June 12th 1849, have been confirmed.

I am ,very respectfully
Your O'bt. Servant

T. Ewing Secretary

J.S. Edwards Esq.
Comm of Pensions.
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Halcyondale, Georgia 29th Sept. 1846

Hon. J. L. Edwards,

Sir,
Afidavits are herewith transmitted to prove that Wm. Sheppard, the father of the applicant, never resided in Upson county, in Georgia, (as you have supposed in your letter of the 10th Inst.) but in Screven county, Ga. from the day of his migration hither from North Carolina till the day of his death. These affidavits not being strictly necessary, you will no I trust, require in this instance the certificate of the clerk (who lives over twenty miles from here) to the official character of William Ivy with whose signature you are undoubtedly fully acquainted. The William Sheppard for whom I apply for a pension on behalf of his son Harvy, never applied for a Pension in his life - time. The trouble and expense of the applicant in this case have been immense, and considering the obvious justice of his claim, I trust you will not longer deny or delay his certificate. Any further or additional proof, lends the affidavits of Taylor and Edge, (which have been forwarded) cannot be obtained unless you will authorize the agency of the Carolinas and Georgia, to give me a list of the surviving soldiers in the reciept of annual pension, together with their residences. I might obtain from them further information on the case, though twenty letters addressed to survivors
have failed to do so. The funding of two witnesses
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in the present cases is the merest accident, which. I will venture to say would not happen again in one case out of a thousand and I am sure that you will not doubt the justness of this claim, or deny it altogether, by requiring further testimony from witness, who are dead. Hundreds of claims have been allowed on the comptroller's certificate [without - underlined] witnesses, and on the evidence of two witnesses [without - underlined] the comptroller's certificate when names could not be found of record. Have you on file in your Department stronger evidence than in the present case, that any [other - underlined] William Sheppard than him for whom I apply, served as a Captain [precisely - struck out] for three years, and three or six months? If so [that - underlined] William Sheppard never served a a Captain on Cape Fear River in November 1777, (ad as a private before that time); as a Lieutenant in 1778, and as a Captain thereafter until the day of the battle of Eutaw Springs. If such a claim is on file (besides this one) I would be glad to know the nature of the testimony which that claimant has addressed. If any other claimant has addvanced evidence of service for five years as private Lieutenant and Captain, you will find that that claimant resided in Screven County, Ga. when his declaration was filed. But are the official items in the Comptroller's certificate to have no weight in the decision of Sheppard's claim, [because - underlined] the [entire - underlined] record was copies and forwarded expressly for your information? We do not claim for the whole
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amount of L1000 credited in the Comptroller's certificate. We claim only for [those - underlined] amounts, , or for [that - underlined] amount to which the [affidavits - underlined] of Benj. Taylor and John Edge [refer - underlined] (although Wm. Sheppard [also - underlined] served as a private and a :Lieutenant) by common tradition. We did not at first apply for Sheppard as an office because we had no evidence of this fact then only by general report, whereas, we had, the evidence of Morning Sheppard that he wen out in 1781 as a soldier of some kinds, and we can prove by witnesses that we did in the outset consult on the propriety of claiming for Sheppard as an officer. It is Sheppard's son who applies, not Sheppard himself, who might be blamed for apparent discrepancies, but we are not to be blamed for small discrepancies in relating facts as we have heard them from others. We have no further evidence in this case. You have received the affidavits of Benj. Taylor and John Edge; the affidavit of the most respectable citizens and county officers of Screven supporting the good credit of Taylor as a witness. The claimant now leaves his claim with you.  He believes that you are able and willing to decide it properly and justly. - Please inform me if you have [not - underlined] yet received the declarations of Benj. Taylor Sarah Everitt, Sara Hodges, John Olive, John Everitt, Mary Williams, John Edge, Jonathan Griner. I have the honor to be very Respectfully your ob't. Servant. Cuyler W. Young.
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(M.B.)
I am instructed by Mr. Hervy Sheppard to inform you that if you [believe - underlined]that his father [served - underlined], that he is willing to abide by your decision in the matter what ever it be and to accept such a pension, as you shall decide on all the evidence before you to be justly due the claimant. I beg to know if in this case, the claimant, the son of a revoluty soldier must have [nothing - underlined] because [he - underlined] does not positively know all the particulars of service during five years? Must he have [nothin - underlined] because death has rid the world of the individual by whom he might prove particulars of service. I will venture to assert that every man in Wm. Sheppard's companies is dead; if [living - underlined] they can only be found by [your - underlined] assistance. I am confident that you know all about the case - you can refer to [fifty - underlined] declarations on file to explain and establish the claim. The name of Wm. Sheppard of [Duplin - underlined] County must have been often written by numerous other declarants, and in consideration of this, wishing nothing but justice, the claimant will be content with your judgement on the matter, and accept what you shall [conscientiously - underlined] believe to be fair and just. - Yours Respectfully C.W. Young attorney for H. Sheppard.
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Hulcyondale, Georgia, 13th Aug. 1846.

Hon. J. L. Edwards,

Dear Sir,
I have the honor wherewith to forward you the Declaration and certificate in the matter of the application of Harvy Sheppard for the Pension of his father William Sheppard, under the Act of June 7. 1832. - 

I have written to the comptroller of public Accounts of North Carolina requesting him to send on his certificate to you of the services of William Sheppard, which you will please receive and consider. It appears from common report that Mr. William Sheppard was an officer of some grade, not known, as he has left with his family a three cornered cocked hat, but I have not deemed it necessary to state this in the declaration. I have not heard from you in the case of Mr. Best. Please to reply to this when you shall receive the certificate from
Page 41

the comptroller of pub. acc. of N. Carolina Very Respectfully yours ob't Serv't.
Cuyler W. Young

You [have - underlined] the affidavit in Sheppard's case of Mrs. Morning Sheppard. The blank seal for the clerk's  name was made by mistake and erased by order of the court, and the judges are made out in conformity with the form you sent.
Page 42

Washington City 10th July 1800

Hon J L Edwards Comm of Pensions

My dear I desire to turn your attention to the case of the Widow of William Shepherd who forwarded her application from Georgia for a revolutionary Pension on account of her husband revolutionary service as an officer in the North Carolina Forces during the Revolutionary War. I wish a report in the case if possible, I hope the papers + proof are all right. If however there be any defect in any matter pertaining to the case please advise me of it at your earliest possible convenience. Respectfully your obt Srvt
Maris N Corwin
MC

Hon J L Edwards
Page 43


Halcyondale, Ga.
August 2th 1846

Aug 27. 1846
dec'd to care
Wm. Sheppard

Paid 20.
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Pension Office
Washington City (D.C.)
Paid No. 4.
Page 44

Halcyondale, Georgia
18th Aug. 1846.
Hon J L Edwards.
Dear Sir

I have the honor to send you enclosed, a certificate of the comptroller of Public accounts of North Carolina of the several
amounts credited to William [Sheppard - the ps are underlined] a revolutionary soldier. Is it compatible with your regulations to advise me whether there appears of record in your Department any [certificate - underlined] for a pension for [Capt. Wm Sheppard - underlined]; as, if [no - underlined] Capt. Sheppard has received a pension, the Capt. Wm. Sheppard mentioned in the Comptroller's certificate is the [same Sheppard - underlined]  for
whose children I now apply.
Because we can prove that he was an officer by hearsy and his leaving an officer's three [cornered hat - underlined] after his death-- ([his grade no one knows - underlined]; but if Capt. Sheppard has never been paid since the war, any pension, then the Comptroller's certificate and the presumptive evidence of common report and the Revolutionary officers cocked hat, will I apprehend establish
Page 45

[writing along the right margin missing due to wear]

the fact that the Wm Sheppard for whom I apply, was the Captain Sheppard mentioned  in the certificate and for whom I apply, since the presumption is that Capt. Wm Sheppard if
any other than him for whom I apply, has applied for his pension, or has received
it,  and if he has not received it then it is due to him for whom I apply. Such is the advanced
age and imperfect recollection of Mrs.  Morning Sheppard, whose affidavit is on file, that by her, we have only been able to prove that William Sheppard went to, and returned from the war, in company with John Best
and served at Leut. as long as he. But he might have served longer. He might have been a private in one company and a captain in another, and she might not be able to recollect, being 9o years of age. Yet, if any certificate of appears of
record to prove that Capt. William Sheppard has been paid as Captain then the William Sheppard for
Page 46

N.B. If it appears that Captain
Sheppard has been paid a pension
(and you have the record of the certificate
thereof) it should seem obvious that Wm. Sheppard and Captain Wm. Sheppard were two different persons, and there is then to my principal or client, at least a pension for
12 months, as we have proved service
for at least that length of time and there 
are amounts in the certificate to suit that time. There is not a doubt that my client's father served, and served too as an officer of some grade during some periods of his service. The presumption is, if no [illegible and struck out] Wm.  Sheppard has never been paid, that all the amounts credited in the Comptrollers certificate are due the children of Capt. Wm.
Sheppard, since the amounts are not too large for an officer to have received. There is a certainty that the father of the individuals for whom I apply, did serve, and the question
whether there is a certificate for a pension of record, will determine whether Wm. Sheppard is entitled as private or Capt. The Declaration was sent on before I ever received the Comptroller's certificate.
Page 47


[Writing in the left margin worn away]
whom I apply, could only have been a private and served, according to Mrs.  Sheppard's affidavit, at least as long as John Best served, and he served twelve months. If therefore, you will inform me whether Capt. Sheppard has 
ever been paid any pension, I can then
elect  whether to add to the Declaration already sent on a few days ago, the presumptive evidence of the three cornered cocked hat and the general belief. I would not make this inquiry, if we knew of what grade Wm.  Sheppard was; for he might have been a Major or a general or some other officer;
but we know he was Capt. if Capt. Wm. Sheppard has never been paid his pension, being able to prove that he was an officer by the preemptive evidence above alluded to.
Please therefore to inform me on this subject
as soon as convenient.
Very Respectfully
Your Ob't Srv't.
Cuyler W Young
Note that the name is spelt Sheppard whereas
Shepherd is usual way of spelling that name.
Mr. Best's certificate has been received
[appears to be another line but most is missing] approves
Page 48

Raleigh N.C.
Compt office
I William F. Collins Comptroller of Public Accounts in and for the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that the name of William Sheppard appears of Record in this office as having had found the following [illegible] Certificates, in his favor for Military Service (Viz) One for thirty Pounds Twelve
Shillings and ten pence (£30, 12,10) see Book G. No. 7 page 4 also another for Seven Pounds Thirteen Shilling and Two pence (£7.13.) Also another in said
Book Page 39 for Forty Five Pounds (£45) also another in same book page 45 for Four Pounds Two Shilling and Eight pence (£4.2.8) also another in Book 39 page 6 for One Hundred and Nine Pound, Eighteen Shillings (£109, 18) also in Book 10 page 29 another  for Forty Nine Pounds Four Shillings (£49.4) also
another in Book F Page 27 Book No. 2 for Six
Hundred and Fifty Six pounds Eighteen Shilling
and six pence (£656.18) also in same Book &
page another for Four Hundred and Seventy Six Pounds Twelve Shillings and ten pence £476.12.10 Also in same Book page 28 another for Twenty five pounds Sixteen Shillings (£25.16) also in same Brook page 76 another for One Hundred
Page 49

and Twenty Seven Pounds (£127) also in Book [illegible] page 37 another for One Hundred and Twenty Seven Pounds Two Shilling (£127.2) also in same Book page 37 another for One Hundred
and eight Pounds Nine Shillings (£108.9) also it
appear in Book G. No 17 page 44 that Capt
William Sheppard was paid three hundred
and ninety five pounds Sixteen Shillings
and Eleven pence (£395.16. 11) also in
Book A No 11 page 53 it appears a certificate
was issued in his favor for forty five
Pounds (£45) also in same book page 7
another was issued for Six Pound, Eight
shillings (£6.8) given under my hand
and seal this 12 day August 1846
Wm. F. Collins Compt
Page 50

Halcyondale, Georgia, 5th March '46
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Dear Sir
Herewith I have the honor to forward the
papers on the case of Henry Sheppard
which I beg to be placed in file. Other
proofs both in this, and in the case of
Jacob Best, will shortly be transmitted.
Very Respectfully Your Ob't Serv't.
Cuyler W Young
Page 51

C. W. Young,
April11/53.
Page 52

102
Pension Office
April 11 1853,

Sir
No new testimony having been filed in the case of William Sheppard, clm [claim] and the decrea [decree] of the Secatay [Secretary] of the Interior affirming the action of this office, I am at a loss to understand the grounds or where a reconsideration is demanded, as you are aware that the certificate of the Comptroller has already ben [been] carefully considered.

C. W. Young Esq
Halcyondale, Screven Co. Geo.
Page 53

Pension Office,
May 14th 1860.}

Sir:
I have the honor to inform you in reply to the enclosed letter of Curtis Humphreys Esq. that the claim of the heir of William Sheppard dec'd for a pension under the Act of 1832 was rejected in 1849 by this office upon the ground that no satisfactory proof of service had been furnished, + that this decision was affirmed by the Secretary of the Interior in Jan. 1849. Mr. C.  W, Young was informed of this condition of the case at the time of the decision + the information was repeated to him on 11th April 1853 - By the present ruling of this office the heirs (children) of a deceased soldier of the Revolutionary war are not entitled to a pension upon the service of such soldiers, even if the service was clearly + fully established. The pension laws are
Page 54

defined the pension to the soldier or his widow. -

Hon. J. J. Jones H. of Dept. 

[words in right margin half missing]
May 14
Page 55

Pension Office
Nov. 8th 1857.

Sir,

An appeal was taken in the case of William Sheppard of Georgia claiming a pension under the act of June 7. 1832 on the 12" of June 1849. and the unfavorable decision of this office was affirmed by Secretary Ewing, on the 5th of July following. (see letter of the Secretary marked A). No new testimony has been filed since the above period which could in any way change the result.
If all the service credited in the certificate of the Comptroller of N. Carolina to the name of William Sheppard be summed up there would be no less than eleven years of service as a Captain which shews there must have been several persons of the name in the militia service of that State and it is impossible to apportion the services. There would be nearly enough for four Captains allowing to each 3 years, or nearly 6 full pension of Captains. Without some evidence to shew how much of the above service belongs to the Claimants ancestor the claim cannot be allowed.
Very Respy [Respectfully]
Yr Obt Sert [Your Obedient Servant]
F H Davidge

J. E. Heath Esq.
Comr [Commissioner] of Pensions
Page 56

[illegible]
Page 57

Halcyondale, Georgia,
8th [illegible]
Hon. J. L. Edwards.
Dear Sir,
Please, (if according to law, or if necessary to the  presentment of the claim before Congress) to send me the sheet or sheets of paper in the declaration, of Harvy Sheppard, wherein is written the certificate  or
certificates of the Clerk [illegible] Kemps.
My object is to have the [illegible] of Georgia
to affix his certificate and the seal of the State. In carrying the claim before Congress, I presume it is not necessary to have a copy of the whole declaration &c.  Is it not your custom to hand over those papers to members of Congress or committees whenever requested or required? Please to advise me of this &c, and also whether the committee would require the seal of the State at all you being acquainted with the Clerks
signature? Direct your reply to me
Arrmenia, Georgia, or to Halcyondale Ga.

Yours Respectfully
C.W. Young
Page 58

6
J.L. Edwards
Com. of Pensions,
Washington D.C.
November 29. 1850.
relative to the case of
William Sheppard, dec'd
papers 17 in number, enclosed.
Page 59

Pension Office,
November 29: 1850

Sir.
I have the honor to transmit the papers in the case of Hervy Sheppard applying for a pension for his father's services (numbering 18) on which Cuyler B. Young appeals, accompanied with a brief of the evidence.
In this case Herby Sheppard, son of William, who died in 1835, claims for his father's services in the North Carolina Militia as a private and Captain without being able to specify under what officers he served, the duration of his term of service, or an of the incidents connected therewith as required by the Regulations under Act of 7th June 1832. This case was examined and a report made adverse to the claim, and upon an appeal being taken, the report of the Commissioner was approved as will appear by the letter of the Secretary of the Interior dated July 5th 1849. No additional evidence has been forwarded to this office since the decision or Confirmation of this claim.
Benjamin Taylor and John Edge on
Page 60

whose affidavits the claimant principally relies to prove the services of William Sheppard, deceased, and identify him with the person whose name is borne on the Books of the Comptroller of North Carolina should have established their own services before their testimony can be received as evidence to establish the services of third persons. The regulations require the length and grade of each term of service shall be clearly specified, and that the rank of a commissioned officer shall be established y the production of his commission or some other documentary evidence of equal grade. The failure of William Sheppard, decease to assert his claim in his life time does not relieve his children from a strict compliance with the rules of the office in every essential particular. It is very clear from the amount certified by the Comptroller of North Carolina as having been paid to William Sheppard that there wee several by that name in service in that State. The mere fact of similarity in name affords no sufficient evidence that the individual for whose service the application is made was any one of them. The identity should be satisfactorily established
Page 61

by the testimony of two or more respectable witnesses (who are pensioners, who can establish satisfactorily their own services) and who can from their own personal knowledge, state the time at which William Sheppard entered the service, in each tour, and the time and manner of his leaving the same with the company and regiment to which he was attached. It would be impossible to ascertain from the evidence adduced in this case, the duration of the service performed by Sheppard, or which of the payments refer to the services claimed by applicant. On these grounds the claims of Hervy Sheppard for the services of his father were reported against by the Commissioner, and on an appeal confirmed by the Secretary of the Interior.
I have the honor to be
very respectfully
Your Obt. Servt
J L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions.
Hon. A. H. H. Stuart,
Secretary of the Interior
Page 62

Hon. M. B. Corwin
22 July 1850
Page 63

Pension Office
July 22d 18250
Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 15 inst. in relation to the case of William Sheppard as of Georgia and in rely to state that this office has decided the evidence furnished is not sufficient to establish his claim to a pension, which decision has been sustained by the Secretary of the Interior.
No additional evidence has been received since the decision of the Secretary disallowed the claim was made. Without further proof thisoffice cannot open open the case.

Hon. Moses B. Corwin
House of Rep.
Page 64

Declaration and proofs of Hervy Sheppard for the pension of Capt. Wm Sheppard.
Amendment to the original Declaration
No 3, (B)
Cuyler M Young
Halcyondale, Ga.
Page 65

Halcyondale, (Georgia)
26th Sept 1846.
Hon. Jas L. Edwards.
Der Sir,
Mr. Harvy Sheppard has returned to me the accompanying affidavits in his case, properly executed, and I herewith have the honor to forward them to your Department. If you will be so kind as to give some attention to the explanation contained in this letter, (which I beg to make both as it seems necessary from the present state of the case, and as Mr. Sheppard has requested me to do so) you will be enabled to form a more correct and impartial judgement upon the matter. This case has materially changed in its condition since transmitting to your Department the original Declaration of Harvy Sheppard. Before that declaration was sent on in July last, the comptroller of public accounts of North Carolina, in answer to my requisition for his certificate in the case, informed me that from the large number of payments credited to Wm. Sheppard, it appeared quite evident that there were more Wm Sheppards than one, and he requested to know
Page 66

whether he should send me a certificate for a Captain or for a private, and if for a private for what term of service did Sheppard claim. Knowing at that time that Wm. Sheppard had served both as a private and as an officer of some grade, but no then having any knowledge of the testimony of Benjamin Taylor which certified Sheppard as a Captain; and entertaining at the time doubts as to the rank of Wm. Sheppard, and also desirous of avoiding the normal fraud of concealing any information of the record, I requested the comptroller to copy and forward to me the entire record of the services of all the Sheppards, in order that, in the absence of any documentary evidence of service, at that time, you might be qualified to make a just decision upon the whole case. Afterwards however, it turned out by the merest accident of good fortune, that I should meet with Benjamin Taylor and John Edge, who, on being asked respecting the services of some twenty individuals knew of none except Sheppard; Taylor however recollected Lanier and Williams. I was a stranger to both of these witnesses when I waited on them in company with several friends to draft the facts and
Page 67

the Declaration in their cases, (they having that several had applied to me for pensions, and wishing to secure theirs.) I made it a point to question them undersignededly; for in asking them wo among their company they knew, I casually asked them if they knew Sheppard, Best, Williams, Olive, Daughtery and some fifteen others. Therefore I rely confidently on their affidavits in Sheppard's case. I was not present when Edge's affidavit was sworn to and subscribed, the honorable Wm. Williams wen tin person, read it to him, and administered the oath, and certified to his credit. The statements made in Taylor's and Edge's original declarations which I have forwarded will assist you in deciding upon the credit of their evidence. I believe Taylors is true to the letter as to Edge, his memory is a complete wreck, and although his facts are true, he makes great havoc among dates. Still I have thought it best to copy their disclosures verbatim, instead of attempting to make things more plausible by a studious of fact to avoid discrepancies. The William Sheppard for whom I apply was wealthy, and made no declaration in his life time, nor did he ever reside or live in Upson County, Georgia. He emigrated to Screven county, Georgia, early after the war, and
Page 68

continued to live here till the day of his death, as will more fully appear by affidavits which I shall forward to your Department in a few days. The applicant from Upson was a different and another individual altogether. The father of the applicant in this case, (William Sheppard, by common tradition is admitted to have served both as a private and as an officer during most of the war. Could we rely fully on the correctness of Edge's member, he was a private before November 1777, and a Captain afterwards, according to Mrs. Sheppards affidavit he went to the war in 1781, and returned from it in 1782, and she being nearly one hundred can remember no more. By the evidence of Benj. Taylor, Wm. Sheppard was seen by him frequently in the course of the war acting as Lieutenant or Captain; Sheppard was a Captain at the Battle of Eutaw Springs; and Taylor who saw this Capt. Sheppard at Eutaw Springs, afterwards saw him in Effingham and Screven counties in Georgia.
Page 69

cannot well give; and to require two credible witnesses to prove every item of services is to deny claimants their rights by requiring impossibilities, which the Southern agencies will not allow to be surmounted by permitting me to take a transcript of the names and residencies of those surviving revolutionary heroes from whom I might derive more particular and circumstantial information. The leave to suggest that if it appears of record in your department that any other William Sheppard has applied for a pension for services, as a private, a Lieutenant and Captain; if any other Sheppard has attempted to establish such a claim by the introduction of the records from North Carolina, either he and his witnesses have committed a great crime, or the three witnesses in my case have done so; and those who have sworn to the credit of Taylor would deserve as harsh a punishment as he, if he has sworn false. And if he has sworn true, the record containing Capt. Sheppard's name as truly refers to the same Wm. Sheppard for who I apply or the Goo refers to him; and whichever amount does refer to him, does not alter the truth
Page 70

of his case, or the amount which would be paid to his children. In either of those cases he would be entitled to the full pay of a Captain; and the ignorance of the service, which you impute to Hervy Sheppard, is quite natural, since he has been absent for many years from his parental home, and has left the rich treasures of memory which his venerable father has so frequently poured out in discourse. But there does not exist a greater certainty in the world than that Wm. Sheppard served in the army of the revolution in the three distinct copartes of private, Lieutenant and Captain; and it seems natural and just that, having the wire frugible evidence of Benj. Taylor to prove the character o the service, we should apply for Sheppard, as for a Captain, for if he was a Capt. in November 1777; if her were in service in 1778-1782; and if he were a Captain at Eutaw Springs, and if the Comptroller's certificate designates one period of five years' service and another period of three years' service, there seems to be one connected link of proof, which dispels all doubt and establishes certainty. Beside's if a falsehood were attempted by Sheppard how easy could you detect
Page 71

it by referring to the numerous declarations in the national archives around you. Should this not be sufficient, I beg you will write me a list of the most recent declarants who have mentioned in their declarations the name of Lieutenant and Capt. Sheppard; for if the witnesses in this case have perjured themselves by volunteering a falsehood, I desire to know if there is in your department any declaration whatever in which there was another William Sheppard besides the one from Duplin County, who, after serving from 1777 to 1780 is a private and Lieutenant and afterwards a Captain at Eutaw Springs.
I feel confident you will no deny or delay the certificate in this case simply because we were just enough to forward you the entire record (contrary to all advise,) to enable you to decide properly. We were strongly envyed to have a certificate of the comptroller for the £390. credits to Capt. Sheppard forwarded, and to make our declaration fit the amount as usual. We have chosen to act differently, and fairly, and hope not to be prejudiced on that account since we had better to abandon the claim than the truth. ours Respectfully Cuyler W. Young attorney of H. Sheppard.
Page 72

State of Georgia }
Bulloch County }
Personally appeared before me William Williams, a justice of the Inferior Court in and for said county John Edge of said county and after being first duly sworn according to law deposes and says that he is eighty five years of age nd served in the war of the revolution as a volunteer from Sampson County, in the State of North Carolina, from the 17th of October 1777 to the first of November 1779, (as nearly as this deponent can remember, being old, sickly and of bad memory) that he had been in the army about one month or six weeks, (under officers Gen. Carswell, Col. Brown and Capt. Hull) and was stationed on Cape Fear river in the State of North Carolina, when the several companies commanded by Gen. Rutherford passed in deponents neighborhood, where deponent and his companions in arms were stationed; that deponent one (Deponent believes but is not positive as to the person) Capt. Ellis. Ellison or Elliot, had been severely wounded and rendered incapable of service, and deponent testifies that one William Sheppard of Duplin County, N.C. was elected by Capt. Ellis' or Elliot's company
Page 73

to fill the command, as Captain, vacated by the retirement from the service of the said Captain Ellis or Elliot. Deponent testifies that Wm. Sheppard of Duplin County was, about the first of December 1777. elected Captain of Captain Ellis' or Elliot's company; deponent is certain that William Sheppard of Duplin County was elected Captain of Captain Ellis' company; deponent is quite certain that the said Wm. Shepard was at the time aforesaid elected as Captain to fill a vacancy occasioned by the wounds received by a captain under the command of Gen. Rutherford; for deponent saw the said Capt. Wm. Sheppard of Duplin county, in the companies of Gen. Rutherford, and as deponent has resided for the most part since the war in Bulloch County Georgia and in the neighborhood of the said Wm. Sheppard, who also migrated to Screven County, Georgia, he is able to testify that Capt. Wm. Sheppard of Duplin County; north Carolina and of Gen. Rutherford's regiment, is the same Capt. Sheppard who after words [afterwards] resided in Screven County, Georgia, until the day of his death.  John Edge CX his mark.
Sworn to and Subscribed this 25th day of September 1846, before me Wm. Williams J.J.C.B. C. (B.III)
Page 74

State of Georgia }
Bulloch Co }
I, William Williams a justice of the Inferior Court of said county hereby certify my belief that John Edge who has sworn to and subscribed the foregoing affidavit appears to be eighty five years of age; he appears to have served in the war of the Revolution, and I further certify that he appears to be a person whose statements, judging him from his usual retired habits of conduct are entitled to full faith and credit. 
Given under my hand and Seal this 25th day of September 1846. Wm. Williams J.J.C.B.C

State of Georgia }
Bulloch County }
I, David Beasly, clerk of the Superior and and Inferior Court of Bulloch County, hereby certify that William Williams whose genuine signature is attached to the foregoing affidavit of John Edge and to the certificate which is thereto attached is a lawful Justice of the Inferior Court of Bulloch county. In Testimony
Page 75

testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my private seal (no seal of the court being convenient) this the 25" day of September 1846.
David Beasly J.S + I. C.
Wm. Williams J.J.C.B.C.
Page 76

State of Georgia }
Scriven [Screven] County } Amendment to the Declaration in the matter of the application of Harvy Sheppard for the Pension of Wm. Sheppard. Personally appeared before the undersigned, a justice of the peace in and for Scriven [Screven] county, Harvy Sheppard son of William Sheppard, deceased, and after being duly sworn ,deposes that he fully believes that his father  served in the revolutionary war, as an officer of some grade, this deponent believes as a Lieutenant and Captain of the malitia [militia] and volunteer companies. Deponent believes that his father, the said Wm. Sheppard served a lest three years and six [three - written above] months but never the less, this Deponent desires that the Commissioner of Pensions shall decide upon the time, the grade, and the amount of pay, as this Deponent can only decide these matters by the evidence he had collected, and the opinions of others. This deponent begs to say, that since forwarding his Declaration some time ago, (which Declaration was regularly signed and executed in open court and duly mailed to the Pension Office) the proofs he has collected in his fathers case (which proofs have also been duly forward to the Pension office) have strengthened the conviction in his mind that his father served as Lieutenant or Captain of the malitia or revolutioners of North Carolina, at least during the
Page 77

period of three years and three months; and Deponent did not claim for his father as an officer in his original Declaration, because [Deponent - struck out] he was altogether ignorant of the nature of his father's services and did not presume that the mere condition in his family of his father's military three-cornered cocked hat and of his being an officer was of sufficient importance to justify him in claiming for his father the Pension of an officer, and even after all the proofs, Deponent is willing for his application to be determined by the discretion of the war department and begs to submit the following proofs that his father served as an officer. 1st Mrs. M. Sheppard's affidavit that she saw William Sheppard go to and return from the war. 2.ndly. Benji Taylor's affidavit that he was well acquainted with Capt. William Sheppard saw him frequently in service as Lieutenant or Captain at intervals during the war. 3dly. The Comptroller's certificate in which one item of £600. is credited to William Sheppard, and one item of £390 to Captain Wm. Sheppard, which establishes the fact that either on or both of these amounts refer to his father. 4ly. The opinion of the court [and the - struck out] and of his neighborhood. Deponent begs to submit these proofs together
Page 78

with his case, to be determined at the pleasure of the Commissioner of Pensions. Hervy Sheppard.
Sworn to and subscribed}
this 12th A.D. day of 1846}
before me
William Ivey J.P. [seal]

Georgia }
Screven County } Personally appeared before the undersigned, a justice of the Peace in and for Screven County, the following named persons.

John B. Moultrie  Christopher G. White
David Sie [Lee}, Joseph A. Mock, John B. Boykin Sr., Pter [Peter] Annett, John B. Boykin, George W. Best, Wilson Conner, Moses N. McCall who being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Mighty God, depose and say that Benjamin Taylor and Harvy [Hervy] Sheppard, are both persons of excellent good character, both believed to be men of truth, whose testimony is entitled to full faith and credit. We also depose that Benjamin Taylor is a very old man, and we believe from his advanced age, and from general report that he was an eye witness to many of the incidents of the revolutionary war. We certify that we believe and that it is the
Page 79

general belief, that Benjamin Taylor, now living and William Sheppard, deceased, both served in the Revolution.
Signed
W. N. McCall
David Lee } MG
John B Moultrie
John B. Boykin
Christopher G. White
Joseph A. Mock
John B. Boykin, Sr.
Wilson Conner
George W. Best
Peter Arnett

Sworn to + subscribed this the 12th day of Sept. 1846 before me.
William Ivy J.P 

Georgia }
Screven Co. }I, Alexander Kemp, clerk of the Superior and Inferior court of Screven County, hereby certify that William Ivy, whose genuine signature is subscribed to the foregoing affidavit is a lawful justice of the peace in and for Screven County. I further certify that the gentlemen whose names are subscribed to the foregoing [certificate - struck out] affidavit, namely John B. Moultrie, John B. Boykin, Sr., Christopher G. White, Joseph A. Mock, John B. Boykin, Sen., David Lee Major Corman George W. Best, Peter Arnett, Moses N. McCall are all persons whose testimony is entitled to full faith and credit. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal and subscribed my name this twenty first day of September 1846.
Alexander Kemp Clerk
Page 80

In the matter of the Application of Hervy Sheppard for the pension of William Sheppard, his Father.

State of Georgia }
Scriven [Screven] County } Personally appeared before me, William Ivy, a Justice of the Peace in and for Screven County, Hervy Sheppard, son of Wm. Sheppard, deceased, and after being first duly sworn according to law deposes and says, that he has not in his possession any positive evidence of the precise date of the commencement and termination of the service, of his father, William Sheppard, but from all the sources of this deponents information he believes that his father entered the service about the month of September 1777, and volunteered for the first tour of twelve months, as a private in which time he was first elected Captain of militia; and that the said William Sheppard afterwards continued to serve as a Lieutenant and Captain, until after the battle of Eutaw Springs and in support of this affidavit, deponent refers tot he affidavits of Benjamine Taylor and John Edge annexed
Page 81

to the papers in his claim. Deponent further testifies that his father Wm. Sheppard, never lived in Upson County Georgia, as is supposed by the Commissioner of Pensions in his letter of the 10 Inst. but that the said Wm. Sheppard removed from North Carolina to Screven County in Georgia shortly after the revolutionary war and continued to live in Screven or Effingham County, Georgia, until the day of his death; that neither Wm. Sheppard nor his children ever resided in Upson County, Georgia, as is supposed by the honorable Commissioner of pensions in his letter of the 10th Sept. 1846, and that the said Wm. Sheppard never as this deponent believes made any claim for a pension in his life-time. Hervy Sheppard  (C1)
Sworn to and subscribed this 25th day of September 1846 - before me William Ivy J.P.}
Page 82

State of Georgia }
Screven County }Personally appeared before me William Ivy a justice of the peace in and for said county John Boykin Sr. and Patience Moultrie who after being duly sworn deposes and says that William Sheppard the father of Hervy Sheppard, resided in Screven or Effingham County from the time of his emigration into Georgia from North Carolina till the day of his death and never did reside or live in Upson County, Georgia. Deponents are over fifty years of age and knew Wm. Sheppard in his life-time, and while he resided in the county of Effingham, part of which was added to Screven County, and are prepared to assert that Wm. Sheppard ever lived in Upson County, Georgia. John Boykin Sr., X his mark
Patience Moultrie X his mark
(ce.3)
Sworn to and Subscribed before me, this 25th day of September 1846 - 
William Ivy J.P.

State of Georgia }
Screven County } I, William Ivy a justice of the peace in and for Scriven [Screven] county hereby certify that John Boykin, Sr., and Patience
Page 83

Moultrie whose names are subscribed to the foregoing affidavit are credible persons whose affidavit is worthy of full faith and credit. I also further certify my opinion and belief that William Sheppard, the father of Hervy Sheppard, resides wholly in Effingham or Scriven County, Georgia, from the period of his emigration into Georgia, till the period of his death.
Given under my hand and seal this 25th day of September, 1846.
William - Ivey, J.P.

No. 5
Georgia }
Screven County }
Personally appeared before me William Ivy a magistrate for said county; Wilson Conner who being duly sworn deposeth and saith that he knew William Sheppard the father of Hervy Sheppard from the year 181w to the period of his death and that during that space of time the said William Sheppard never did reside out of the county of Screven deponent avers that he is over fifty years of age - Wilson Conner
Sworn to and subscribed}
 before me the 25th day of}
September1846. }
William Ivy J.P.
Page 84

Wm. Shepherd [Sheppard]
Ga.
Act 7 June 1832.
No. 2

Affidavit for William Sheppard

Cuyler W. Young
Halcyondale, Ga.
Page 85

[illegible]
Hervy Sheppard X his mark

William Ivy J.P.
Page 86

Sheppard's Case
State of Georgia }
Seriven [Sereven] County } Personally appeared before me Lewis Lewis a justice of the peace in and for Screven County, Benj. Taylor, a Revolutionary soldier who ,after being first duly sworn deposes and says that he was well acquainted with Capt. William Sheppard during the Revolutionary war. This Deponent first knew said William Sheppard as a Lieutenant of  volunteer company from North Carolina. William Sheppard was afterward captain of a malitia [militia] or volunteer company and deponent believes that he was Capt. at Eutaw Springs. This deponent states positively that he knew William Sheppard well, having often met him both in North and South Carolina both wen he was a Lieutenant and Captain 0 This Deponent met Sheppard a great many time both in North and South Carolina during the war, and said Sheppard was first a Lieutenant and afterward a Captain of either a malitia or volunteer company. Deponent testifies that he knew said Sheppard from a  [illegible] that William Sheppard served during the whole ward in the capacities of Lieutenant and Captain. Deponent afterwards saw said William Sheppard in Georgia, and talked with him on the subject of the war. Deponent testifies that this is the same Sheppard who is the father of Hervy Sheppard and William Sheppard  - Deponent fully believes that said William Sheppard fought throughout most of
Page 87

he Revolution as Lieutenant and Captain for he knew him well from his boyhood and could not be mistaken. Benjamine Taylor X his mark
Sworn to and Subscribed this 25th august 1846 - before me. Lewis Lewis J.P.

No 7

State of Georgia}
Scriven [Screven} County } I, Alexander Kemp, clerk of the Inferior Court of Screvin [Screven] County hereby certify that Lewis Lewis whose genuine signature is attached to the foregoing affidavit is a lawful Justice of the Peace in and for Screvin Co.
In testimony whereof I have heretwo [hereto] affixed my seal and Subscribed my name this 25th August 1846.
Alexander Kemp
Page 88

Jan 3 - 1931
War Dept. Bureau Pension 
Washington

Please send me all data on record of William Sheppard of N.C. who was 1st Lieut. 10h.c. regiment during the Revolutionary war. Also data concerning Lieut. James Sheppard of Salisbury District S.C. during the Revolutionary war. Thanks - 
Yours truly
Mrs. R. B. Browder
1415 Isabella Ave.
Houston Texas

US PENSION OFFICE JAN 6 1931
Page 89

Brief
Sheppard's Case
Page 90

Harvy Sheppard of Screven Co. State of Georgia appeared in open court the Inferior Court being a court of Records + said being sworn says he is a son of William Sheppard dec'd. and makes the following Declaration to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress authorising [authorizing] the payment of pension mony [money] to the widow or children of deceased soldiers of the Revolution. That having been born many years after the period of his fathers services, in the Revolution could not have been present to witness said services and that his knowledge has been derived from the conversation of his father in his life time the tradition of his father's neighbourhoods and the narrative Mrs. Mourning Sheppard of Screven County who was living at the period of said services as appears in her affidavit, and who saw William Sheppard depart for and return from the war. She once said W. Sheppard being residents at that time of the County of Duplin State of North Carolina - he says, that the lapse of time and the affairs of life (he being 45 years of age) have caused most of the particulars of his father's services to escape his recollection and that owing to the extreme old age of Mrs. M. Sheppard she being 85 years of age, her statement of the transactions of a period so remote in the past are undoubtably [undoubtedly] imperfect. She remembers the war and (that his father William Sheppard went and returned, he has heared [heard] Mrs. M. Sheppard speak of then - that he always regarded the usual belief of his fathers neighbor to the that of his having served his country for the term of 12 or 18 months in the war of the Revolution - and that the belief of the fact of such services are strengthened in his mind to absolute certainty from intelligence recently learned from the Comptroler [Comptroller] of Public accounts of the state of N. Carolina - does not precisely recollect the age of his father and has no record of it - when called into service his father lived in
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2
Duplin County N. Carolina after the war he migrated to Sorie Georgia and died in Screven Co. on the 10th of October 1835. He believes that his father was called into service as a volunteer and has heard that he also served either as a Regular or among the drafted militia of N. Carolina - recollects the names of General Green. Col Rhodes, Col or Major Armstrong + Captain Ivy as officers of the army - does not know what became of his father's discharges. A 1

Moses McCall a clergyman residing in the county of Screven being sworn says that he well acquainted with William Sheppard before he died - that he believes he died on the 18th of October 1835. That he is well acquainted with Harvy Sheppard who is 45 years of age, and the William Sheppard the father of said Harvy was reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a soldier of the revolution and that he concurs in that opinion - (a.2.)
Certificate of the court after investigating the matter and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that in their opinion William Sheppard father of the Declarant, was a revolutionary soldier + served as declarant states - and also that it appeared to the court that Moses McCall is a clergyman resident in the County of Scriven and a credible person + his statement entitled to credit (A 3 )

Certificate of the said court, further states their belief that William Sheppard died in Screven County in the year 1835 - that he has left no widow living - and that his only surviving children are William Sheppard, Lorenzo Sheppard, David Sheppard, David Sheppard, Sophia Boykin, Martha White and Eliza Stephens - (A.4.)
Page 92

Amended Declaration of Harvy Sheppard.

Harvy Sheppard sworn before a Justice of the Peace says that he fully believes his father served in the Revolutionary war as an officer, some grade, he believes as Lieutenant or Captain of the militia + volunteer companies - that his said -- Father served at least 3 years and three months but is willing the commissioner of Pensions shall decide on the grade, time and the amount of pay, as deponent can only decide these matters by the evidence he has collected and the opinion of others - Deponent says, that since forwarding his Declaration some time ago the proof he has collected on his father's case and which have been forwarded have strengthened the conviction that his father served as Capt. or Lieut. of the militia or volunteers of N. Carolina at least for the period of thee years and three months and this Deponent did not claim for his father as an officer in his original declaration because he was altogether ignorant of the nature of his fathers services and never presumed that the tradition in his family of his father's military three cornered cocked hat and of his being an officer was of sufficient importance to justify him in claiming for his father the pension of an officer and even after all the proofs Deponent is willing for his application to be determined by the decision of the war Department and begs to submit the following proofs of his father's services - #1 Mrs. M Sheppard's affidavit that she saw William Sheppard go to + return form the war. #2nd Benjamin Taylors afidavit [affidavit], that he was well acquainted with Capt.  William Sheppard, saw him frequently and in service as Lieutenant or Captain at intervals during the war. #3rd The Comptroler [Comptroller] Certificate in which an item £600 is credited to  William Sheppard and one claim of £ 390 to Capt. William Sheppard which establishes the fact that either one or the other of these amounts refer to his Father. #4th The opinion of he Court and of his neighbourhood. B.1.
Page 93

3.

John B. Moultrie Christopher G. White David Lee Joseph A Mock John A. Boykin Peter Arnett, John B. Boykin George W. Best Wilson Conner Moses N. McCall being sworn say that Benjamin Taylor + Harvy Sheppard are both persons of excellent character  both believed to be men of truth whose testimony is entitled to full faith and credit and further say that Benjamin Taylor is a very old man and believe form his advanced age and from general report that he was an eye witness of the Revolutionary War and that it is the General belief that Benjamin Taylor now living and William Sheppard both served in the Revolution. (B.2)

John Edge of Bullock County Georgia being sworn says that he is 85 years of age and served a a volunteer from Sampson County N. Carolina from the 17th of October 1777 to the 1s of Nov. 1779, as nearly as he remembers being old sickly and of bad memory, - that he had been the army about one month or six weeks under officers Gen. Carswell Col. Brown and Capt. Hull and was stationed on Cape Fear River in N. Carolina when the several companies commanded by Gen. Rutherford passed in Deponents neighbourhoood [neighborhood ]  where he was stationed, that he believes but is not certain as to the person Capt. Ellis Ellison or Elliot had been severely wounded and rendered incapable of service and he says that   one William Sheppard of Duplin County, N.C. was elected by Captain Ellis or Elliots company to fill the command as Captain, he says the William Sheppard of Duplin County about the 18th of December 1777, was elected Captain of Capt. Ellis company, is certain that said Sheppard was at the time aforesaid elected a Captain to fill the vacancy occasioned by the wounds received by a Capt. under the command of Gen. Rutherford and he saw the said Captain Sheppard of Duplin County, in the companies of Gen. Rutherford and as deponent has resided the most part since the war in Bullock County Georgia he is able to testify that
Page 94

4
William Sheppard of Duplin County is the same Capt- Sheppard who afterwards resided in Screven county Georgia until the day of his death (13.4.)
Certificate of the Justice of the Superior Court before whom Deponent was Sworn - that said Deponent appears to be 85 fine years old. - that he appears to have served in the war of the Revolution and that he appears to be a person whose statements, judging from his retired habits of conduct are entitled to full faith and credit. (B.5 )
Benjamin Taylor sworn says he was well acquainted with Capt. William Sheppard during the Revolutionary, that he kne [knew] said William Sheppard as a Lieutenant of a volunteer company from N. Carolina, that he was afterwards Captain of aa militia company or volunteer and [illegible] was Captain at Eutaw Springs - deponent states positively that he knew William Sheppard well having often met him both in N. & S. Carolina, both when he was Lieutenant + a Captain - he met him a great many times both in N. + S. Carolinas during the war + said Sheppard was first a Lieutenant and afterwards a Captain of either a malitia [militia] or volunteer company - that he knew said Sheppard in Georgia and talked with him on the subject of the ward - that this is the same Sheppard who is the father of Harvey Sheppard + William Sheppard  that he believes said William Sheppard fought throughout most of the Revolution as Lieutenant + captain for he knew him well form his Boyhood and could not be mistaken. (C)
Hervy Sheppard son of William Sheppard dec'd sworn says that he has not in his possession any positive evidence of the date of the commencement and termination of the service of his father, but from all the sources of his information he believes that his father entered the service about the month of September 1777 and volunteered for the first tour of twelve months as a private of militia and that the said William Sheppard [ struck out and illegible]  afterwards continued to serve until after the Battle of Eutaw Springs
Page 95

and in support of his affidavit, he refers to the affidavits of Benjamin Taylor and John Edge annexed - he says that his father never lived in Upson County Georgia as is supposed by the Commissioner in his letter of the 10th Inst. but that the said William Sheppard removed from North Carolina to Screen County in Georgia shortly after the Revolutionary war and continued to reside there until the day of his death - that neither William Sheppard or his children ever resided in Upson County as supposed by the Commissioner of Pensions and said Wm. Sheppard as he believes never made any claim for a Pension in his life time. (C 1)
Morning Sheppard sworn, says that she was the Stepmother of William Sheppard and that she and her husband together with said William Sheppard emigrated tot he state of Georgia soon after the revolutionary war + settled in Effingham County now Scriven [Screven] where she has ever since resided, and knows of her own knowledge that said William Sheppard never did reside in Upson County no any other county in the state of Georgia but Effingham + Screven during his life time (C 2)

John Boyken [Boykin] Sen. and Patience Moultrie being sworn say that Wm. Sheppard the Father of Hervy Sheppard resided in Screven County in Effingham from the time of his emigration in Georgia from North Carolina till the day of his death and never did reside in Upson County Georgia. Deponents are over 50 years of age and knew Wm. Sheppard in his life time an dare prepare to assert that he never lived in Upson Co. Georgia. (C. 3 )
Certificate of Comptroler [Comptroller] of North Carolina - states that the name of William Sheppard appears of Record in his office as having had joined the following Speria certificates in his favor for militia Service - one for £30.12.10 - ditto. £7.13.2. ditto £45- ditto £4.2.8 - ditto £109.18 ditto £49.4 - ditto £656.18 - ditto £476.12.10 - ditto £23.14
Page 96

1ditto £127 ditto £127.2 ditto £108.9. Also listed it appears that Captain William Sheppard was paid £395.16.11 ditto £45 - ditto £6.8.

Department the Interior
July 5th 1849.

Sir
I herewith return the papers in the case of William Sheppard + Lewis Lanier + have to inform you that your reports in these cases, dated June 12th 1849. have been confirmed.
T Ewing Secretary

J E Edwards }
Com. of Pension }
Page 97

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form VAM-51
12-5-41

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans Administration Archives

NAME Shepperd, James GRADE Private LINE Sheldon's Dragoons (Connecticut)

WARRANT NUMBER 6521ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Feb. 27, 1790
To Theodosius Fowler, assignee

The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Governnment is to be found in General Land Office records in the National Archives.