Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2695, for William Kenedy, South Carolina
Page 1

(3 - 1776)
SERVICE
S.C. 
Kenedy, William
NUMBER
S. 2695
carded
CONTENTS
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7621
West Tennessee
William Kenedy Wayne Co in the State of Tennessee he was a private in the [illegible] commanded by Captain Steele of the regt commanded by Col Sampson in the S Carolina line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th dat of March, 1834
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of April 1834 and WW Garrad Florence Alabama
Arrears to the 4th of March Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept
240.00
40.00
280.00
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 86
Incorrectly inscribed in Kentucky [illegible] returned as a dead letter and new certificate issued and sent by W. W Garrad Florence Alabama
5th April 1834 See report to [illegible]
Dead Letter to Hon Jacob Thompson of 3rd audited 28 April 1848
Date of death not on AB
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No 22486
William Kenedy
Wayne County
State of Tennessee
[illegible] Roll 
a Roll
from 1776 private
2 years $80
Direct to W. W. Garrard Clerk
Florence
Lauderdale County
Alabama
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WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office
183
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 the 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. Those 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 complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
Statement; showing the Service of William Kenedy. Wayne County Tennessee
Period when the service was rendered
Enlis 1776 Vol in all at least
Duration of the claimant's services
Years: 1
Months: 6
Days:
Rank of the claimant: Private
Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served: Capt John Blasengum Capt John Steele Capt Joseph Hughes
Names and Rank of the General and Field officers: Major Wm Henderson Col Sumpter Col. Brandon Genl Morgan
Battles in which the applicant was engaged: Squaw Creek Mowbly's Meeting House Musgroves Mills Blackstock Stone King's Mount Cowpens
Country through which he marched: Charleston to Savannah Altomohow River Fort Barrington Charleston Barracks to Hadley's Point to Seneca Swamp on Santer River from Mowbly Meeting House to N. Carolina [illegible] back to S. C.
Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period: 72 years South Carolina
Evidence by which the declaration is supported: Traditionary
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS
Commissioner of Pensions
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2 
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 Line," "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, musicians 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 __ 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 provion 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 enered 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 day 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 applicacation 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 alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person
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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 he 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. 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 enquiry 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 claimant 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 andavit 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 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 that the periods mentioned below, and in the sorrowing grades:--For---year----months, anddays , I served as a . For months and days, I served as 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 respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case, be clearly shown under what offers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authe water in the name or in garrison; and for the time having while the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil 
[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 conrains 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 son of that of the certifying later, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate. 
Proof of Service. 
[j] 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 theme and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses , and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office. The notes from to are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops, The proof required by rule in note 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, Daniel D. Davidson Exam Clerk
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The State of Alabama Lauderdale County Court On this 23rd day of October 1832 before the County Court of said County came William Kenedy a resident citizen of the County of Wayne in the State of Tennessee (Residing about 20 miles from the Town of Florin where this court is now in Session) aged about seventy two years, who being first duly Sworn according to Law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832. That during the Revolutionary war between the United States & Great Britton and in the year 1776 he enlisted for the Term of 18 months in the State of South Carolina in the service of the United States, whether they were called united State Troops or the Carolina line he cannot now Be certain-- But knows he inlisted under Major William Henderson was in the company commanded by Captain John Blasingin in the Regiment commanded by Col Sumpter the number of the Regiment he does not recollect but thinks it was Either 4th or 5th that he was [illegible] into service at Charlston  marched from there to Savannah, from there to Altamahaw River and was stationed at Fort Barrington from there they were marched Charlestown to the Barracks and from there to Hadley's Point and was there when fort Mantric was attacked - the Brittish attempted to Land at Hadleys point where this petitioner was with the American Army the enemy was repulsed From there they were marched to Seneca against the Cherokee Indians and was in the Battle of Squaw Creek - From there they were marched through the [illegible] destroying the Indian Town  &c
From there they were marched to [illegible] Swamp on the [illegible] and there discharged having served out the full sum of his [illegible] & considerable more he cannot state they arrive or departed from any of said places before mentioned or that South of Line [illegible]
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he cannot state the name of his pay master who paid In this enlistment, as to his discharge was burned in house which was also burned - after he served and his term as above & had returned home the Brittish took Charlestown the Tories then commoned doing much mischief in the country & all most; every man who was friendly to his country was called into service & in fact in that country at that time it was dangerous for a whig to remain at home, and they were of much more service to the country when the could act in a lead men being called for he volunteer under Captain John Steele in the State of South Carolina for the purpose of breaking up a body of Tories & was at The Battle at Moubly meeting house. To state all the points to & from which they marched from the nature of the Business would now be out of his power from the Battle of Moubly meeting house they went to north Carolina and rendezvoused at Wasaw meeting House and was on several Expeditions cannot designate the paints they were then marched Back to South Carolina and marched in various direction and many expeditions - Guarding against the British Tories & Indians he was at the Battle of Musgroves Mills under Capt Joseph Hughes and Col Brandon - was at the Battle of Black Stark, and Stone under the same Officers as Also at the Battle of Kings Mountains was in the Battle of Cowpen under General Morgan after the Battle of Cowpen a detachment of forty men were ordered out by General Morgan to view the British lines, among whom was this petitioner as one of said party and in that expedition they were attacked and this petitioner was injured in the arm and under the Left nipple the bullet [illegible] out through the Back, that he was unable
Page 9

service for some time & the Tories being so terrible some he was competed in this situation a great part of his time to [illegible] concerned, that so soon as he was able he joined the army again That Although a militia man Except the first 18 months he served and was in actual service from the time he first entered the service until the close of the war for as soon as the completed and call against the Tories & British they were called again as such and being in great danger at home unless in large companies he was nearly all his him in the Army he is concerned he served in all, at least Six years from the Great swath of time past he does not know of any living Witness by whom he can prove his services that after the war closed he resided in Carolina for years then in Tennessee for 20 years then Kentucky then in Tennessee and resides now in Wayne County Tennessee 
He herby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present & he declares his name Is not on the pension Roll of any agency of any State and further he lives in a thereby settled country and in his neighbourhood, there are no persons who [illegible] as to his character as being a revolutionary solder now lives nearer him than 10 miles that in a Affirmed County Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 23rd day of October 1832
William Kennedy his mark 
Coffman William Simmons James Day & ┃ Hill John Chisholm certify that we are acquainted with William Kenedy whose name appears above and
Page 10

know him to be respectable and further that he is generally reputed in his neighbourhood to be & an old revolutionary Soldier Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 23 day of October 1832 
Joseph Cockman Mass William Simmons 
Jason Cunningham a member of the gospel residing about ten miles from the applicant above certify That I have some acquaintance with him and from the character given him by his neighbors believe him to be a good honest citizen Sworn to in open Court - W W Ganard  Aron Cunningham 
Interrogatories propounded by the court Where & in what year was you born 
1 answers that he was born in the year 1760 in the State of North or South Carolina cannot be certain But think south carolina
2 have you any record of your age and if so where it answer he has in his Bible at home 
3 Where were you living when called into service and where have you lived since the revolutionary War for this answer he refers to the naration above 
4 How were you called into service were you drafted did you volunteer or were you a substitute answer he refers to his naraton 
5 the the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recall and the general circumstance of your Service for answer refers to the narative Sworn to and Subscribed in open court this
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for answer refers to the narative to and subscribed in open court this 23 of October William Kennedy 
J.G. C. Posey Judge of the County Court of Landerdale Ala
And the said County Court do certify that in their opinion after the investigation above that after puting the above interrogatories prescribed by the War department, that the above named William Kenedy the applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. and the said Court Do further certify that Joseph Coleman William Simmons & Aron Cunningham James Hay & John Chisholm who testified to the Character of said Kennedy are all respectable as appears to this Court, that there statements are with to credit. 
Judge of the County to Court of Lauderdale Ala
The State of Alabama Lauderdale County, 
I William W Lanard Clerk of the County Court of said County do certify that the forgoing contains the Original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of William Kenedy for a pension
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and seal Office at office in Herence this 18th day of December 1832 WW Lanard
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December 27, 1938
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BA-J/CC
William Kenedy
S. 2695
Mrs. J.W. Davidson
Box #5
Pickens, Mississippi
Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of William Kennedy of South Carolina.
The record of William Kenedy, as his name is recorded, follow as found in the pension claim S.2695, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
William Kenedy was born 1760 in either North or South Carolina, believed to be South Carolina. Names of parents are not shown.
William Kenedy enlisted in the year of 1776 in South Carolina, and served eighteen months in Captain John [illegible] company, Colonel Sumter's South Carolina Regiment, was at Bradley's Point when Fort Moultrie was attacked, was in an engagement at this Point, marched from there to Seneca against the Cherokee Indians and was in the battle of "Squaw Creek"; he returned home, served in Captain John Steele's company, in Captain Joseph Hughes' company, Colonel Brandon's South Carolina regiment and was in the battles of Stone, Mobley's Meeting House, Musgroves Mills, Kings Mountain, Blackstocks and in the battle of Cowpens, after which General Morgan ordered out an expedition of forty men, of which expedition this soldier was a member, for the purpose of viewing the British Lines, and in the expedition they were attacked and William Kenedy was wounded in his arm and left breast by a bullet, which passed out through his back.
On October 25, 1832, William Kenedy stated he resided in Carolina for years, then in Tennessee for twenty years, then Kentucky, and then Wayne County, Tennessee.
This soldier was allowed pension on his application executed October 25, 1832, in Florence, Lauderdale County, Alabama, at which time he resided in Wayne County, Tennessee, about twenty miles from Florence Alabama.
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There are no data in this claim concerning the family of William Kenedy.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the exact date of death of William Kenedy, you should write to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city and cite the following:
William Kenedy,
Certificate 7621
Issued April 5, 1834
Rate $80.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
West Tennessee, Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. Hiller
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.
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Pickens Miss
Nov 6, 1938
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.
Dear Sir
William Kennedy of S. C. a Revolutionary Soldier was one of "Marion's Men" Records show he was a pensioner, will you please tell me when his pension started, ended the amount or any thing you have concerning it. Thank you
Sincerely
Mrs J. W. Davidson
Pickens Miss
Box 5
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2695
INVALID
File No. 2695
William Kenedy
Privt Rev War
Act: June 7 1832
Index: Vol. A, Page 202
[Arrangement of 1870]
1938 Dec 27 Hist to Mrs. J. W. Davidson
Page 16

Payments to be made at Lexington Kent by the Prest of W B Bank Agent for paying Pensioners, in the Agency of Kentucky 
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book E Vol. 7 Page 16 by Daniel Boyde Clerk
Page 17

WAR DEPARTMENT. 
Revolutionary Claim. 
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, William Kenedy of the State of Kentucky who was a private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Eighty dollars and cents 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 Sixth day of May one thousand eight hundred and thirty three 
John Robb 
Acting Secretary of War. 
Examined and Countersigned 
J L Edward Commissioner of Pensions.
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J L Edward
Commissioner of Pensions
FREE
W W Garrard Esq
Florence Kentucky
Page 19

Honorable
Secretary of War of M.S.
Washington City
FREE
(22485 is [illegible])
Jan 14
Ala
22486
Page 20

Florence 19th December 1832 
Dear Sir 
Inclosed you have the papers of William Kenedy on his application for a pension he has requested me to attend to this Business for he has no other or letter [illegible] than you have before you in case he draws a pension it would be desirable to recv It at Nashville resides in Tennessee But nearer this Town than any other please Inform me the result of his application and forward to me his pension certificate 
your obt Servant 
Leonard 
Honable Secretary of War
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7621
Kentucky 
William Kenedy of Wayne Co in the State of Kentucky who was a private in the company command by Captain Steele of the Right command by Col Sampson in the South Caroline line for 2 years 
Inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. 
Certificate of Pension issued the 6th day of May 1833 and Sent W. W. Gerrard Florence 
Arrears to the 4th of March Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 
$160.00 
40.00 
$200.00 
Revolutionary Claim, 
Act June 7, 1832 
Recorded by Daniel Boyde Clerk, Book E Vol. 7 Page 16 
See letter [illegible] 1834