Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 2786, for James Mc Elroy, South Carolina
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
S.C. 
McElroy, James 

NUMBER
S2786.

Carded

CONTENTS

This Envelope Includes
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO
Page 2

22.223
Kentucky
James McElroy
of Allen Co in the State of Kentucky
who was a private in the com commanded
by Captain Gowan of the regt commanded 
by Col Thomas in the S Carolina
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 18 day of Oct
1834 and George
Work Bowling Green

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 200.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 March 40.00
=====
$240.00
=====
{ Revolutionary Claim, }Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by Danl Boyd Clerk,
Book E Vol. 7 Page 24

[left page]
Repd to Agt
Page 3

FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO
Page 4

[pension payment voucher]

Louisville, Kentucky, July 31 1848
Received of N. LANE, Agent for paying Pensions, Thirty-four Dollars, forty four Cents, being for 5 month's 5 days Pension, due to  James McElroy from the 4th day of September 1847 to the 9th day of February 1848 for which I have signed duplicate receipts.
$34.44  [signed] J H Rhorer Atty
Page 5

State of Kentucky County of Allen Sct
On the 23d day of August 1832 personally appeared in  open court before Asher W. Mahann Judge of the Circuit Court of Allen County in the state af'd [aforesaid] now sitting. James McElroy a resident of Allen County an  State af'd [aforesaid] aged seventy three years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7th 1832. That in the year seventeen hundred and seventy six about  the first of September he volunteered to fight against the  Cherokee Indians under Captain John Gowan and served about a month or six weeks tour. That he then resided in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, when he volunteered under Captain Gowan, the Indians broke out on the 4th of July 1776 and were committing depredations on the borders of sd [said] state and on the Georgia line. the name of the Colonel of our regiment was Jno. Thomas and the general was by the name of Williamson. during our service under sd [said] officers and on sd [said]  expedition we had a battle at Seneca in which there were several Indians killed and but one of the Whites as the applicant now thinks and his name was, Salvidore, and they also had a battle with the Indians at Keewee town or fort Keewee. There were several Indians Killed here also and many scalps taken and some whites  were killed but he does not recollect. after the battles of Keewee we returned to our homes or rather to Fort Gowan where this applicant remained about fifteen months under Captain Gowan, who staid at sd [said] Fort with men to Guard and protect the line and the Country
Page 6

and occasionally reconnoitering the country. There were several skirmishes during this period. The applicant further states that about the lapse of fifteen months he was drafted under Lieutenant Edward Hampton the Lieutenant to Capt Gowans to go to Savannah when Genl Lincoln came from the Northward and was about to besiege it he went accordingly to Savannah and staid about six weeks. The British were in possession of Savannah and had it well fortified. The Americans under command of Genl Lincoln and the French under command of Count Pulaski made an attack upon Savannah and continued storming the fort for six weeks and were finally unsuccessful. The French having left the Americans. General Lincoln concluded to relinquish the project and dismissed the militia and march off his regulars. Had they remained three days longer they would have succeeded as the British were nearly starved and were entirely without provisions. From Savannah after we were dismissed we went home. This applicant further states that he was on many other occasions called on to fight against the tories and the British many of which he cannot now recollect but the country was in a very unsafe and unsettled condition condition for a long time but on one occasion he recollects that himself and one or two others voluntarily joined Genl Green in an attack on a Fort of the British called 96 which was very strongly garrisoned. Genl Green was here successful and got possession of the fort from the accounts we received from
Page 7

prisoners there must have been many of the British killed. they finally deserted sd [said] fort in the night and Genl Green took possession of the Fort. - The applicant supposes he must have been engaged in the service of his country about four years from the 1st of September 1776. The applicant has no documentary evidence and that he now knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service and has lost his discharge; That he was born the 1st day of Sept. 1759, near Cape Fear in North Carolina.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state Sworn to & subscribed the day & year afs'd [aforesaid] .
[right] his
[right] James   X   McElroy [X being his mark in lieu of signature]
[right] mark

Benjamin Bailey a clergyman residing in the County of Allen and State of Kentucky and Walter Thomas residing in the same County & State afs'd [aforesaid] hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James McElroy who has Subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. that we believe him to be 73 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 to and subscribed the day & year afs'd [aforesaid]
[signed] Benjamin Bailey
Page 8

in that opinion
Sworn to and subscribed the day of year afs'd [aforesaid].
[signed] Benjamin Bailey
[signed] W. Thomas

State of Kentucky Allen County [Circuit Court]
I David Walker clerk of the Circuit Court  for the County afs'd [aforesaid] Do certify that the foregoing amendment was this day Subscribed & Sworn to by James McELroy the declarant before the Hon. Asher W Graham judge of sd [said] Court now sitting
Given under my hand & Seal of sd[said] Court this 14th day of August 1833 ---
[signed] David Walker
Allen County
Kentucky
Page 9

State of Kentucky Allen County & Circuit sd [?]
On this 14th day of August 1833 personally app appeared in open Court now sitting before the judge thereof James McElroy and made oath to the following amendment to his former declaration for a Pension under the Act of 7 June 1832 which Said amendment is attached to Said declaration - He makes oath that he served six weeks under Capt. Gowan against the Cherokee Indians - That he was fifteen months at Fort Gowan under Capt Gowan- That then was an error in his former declaration as to the time he served under Lieut. Hampton, that instead of Six weeks, he was drafted for three months & Served the whole of sd [said] three months - that  when he volunteered under Genl Green in the attackh on Fort 96 he was in Service one month & this declarant further states that he is certain he Served on other Sudden calls against the Tories two years, three months, & a half for he was almost constantly in Service
[right] his
[right] James   X   McELroy [X being his mark in lieu of signature]
[right] mark

Sworn to me in to in open Court before the Judge thereof
Asher W Graham
Page 10

State of Kentucky, Allen County, SS.
I L. Swearingen Clerk of the Court of said County, holden at Scottville in and for said County, do certify that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said Court, that James McElroy was a Pensioner of the United States, at the rate of $80. per annum; was a resident of the County of Allen in the State of Kentucky, and died in the County of Allen in the State of Kentucky, on the 9th day of February 1838; that he left no widow.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my seal of office, at Scottville this 22nd day of July in the year of our Lord, 1848
[signed] Lionel Swearingen
Clerk of the Court of Allen County.

[rubber stamp]
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO
[/rubber stamp] 

[Mostly Illegible Court Seal stamped on the left]
ALLEN COUNTY [illegible]
[/Court Seal]

STATE OF KENTUCKY, Allen COUNTY SS.
Be it Known, That before me, I.W. Hecter a Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared William B McElroy and made oath in due form of law, that he is the Executor of James McElroy Decd the identical person who was a pensioner, and is now dead, and to whom a certificate of pension was issued which is herewith surrendered; that the deceased pensioner resided in Allen County, in the State of Kentucky, for the space of 47 years before his death; and that previous thereto he resided in Greenville County, South Carolina
Sworn to and subscribed this 22nd day of July 1848
before me[signed]  J. W. Hecter J.P.AG.
WITNESS: [signed] Lionel Swearingen
[right] his
[right] William B.   X  McElroy [X being his mark in lieu of signature]
[right] mark
Page 11

State of Kentucky Allen County, Sct, County Court May term, 1848.
A paper purporting to be the last will and testament of James McElroy Sr deceased signed on the 14th day of September 1848, was this day forwarded to Court, and the same, having been proven by the Oath of William Blackhorn [Blacklawn?] Esq one of the subscribing witnesses thereto, the same is ordered to be filed and recorded as the last Will of the said deceased. 
And upon the motion of William B McElroy, the Executor therein named the execution of the said will is granted unto him, whereupon he took the oath required by Law and indentured into and executed Bond in the penalty of two thousand dollars, with Jonathan Davis and Lanaton W Hamm as his security conditioned as the Law directs
A Copy Attest
[signed] Lionel Swearingen C.A.CC
Page 12

James McElroy
34.44
7 June 1832
No. 81
Louisville
[Lexington crossed out], K-
3 Jn 1848
Prd 95
C 118
Page 13

Know all Men by these Presents, That I, Wm B McElroy of Allen County, in the State of Kentucky, Executor of the Last will and Testament of James McElroy dec'd who was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States, do hereby constitute and appoint Jonas H. Rhorer, of the City of Louisville, County of Jefferson, and State of Kentucky, my true and lawful Attorney, for me, and in my name, to receive from the agent of the United States for paying Pensions in Louisville, in the State of Kentucky, the balance of said Pension from the 4th day of September 1847 to the 9th day of February 1848.
Witness my hand and seal, this 22nd day of July 1848.
Sealed and delivered in the presence of 2 Witnesses.
[signed] J W Hecter J.P.A.C.
[signed] Lemuel Swearingen
[right] his
[right] William B    X   McElroy[X being his mark in lieu of signature]
[right] mark

[Court Seal stamped at right]
LS
[the rest of seal illegible]
[/Court Seal]

STATE OF KENTUCKY, Allen COUNTY, Sct.
Be it Known, That on the 22nd day of July 1848, before me, a Justice of the  Peace in and for said County, personally appeared William B. McElroy above named, and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his act and deed. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, the day and year last above mentioned.
[signed] J H Hecter J.P.A.C.

STATE OF KENTUCKY, Allen COUNTY, SS.
I, L Swearingen Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid, do certify that J W Hecter is a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn; that his Commission was dated on the 15th day of May 1845, and continues during life or good behaviour, and that his signature, above written, is genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of said County, this 22nd day of July 1848
[signed] Lemuel Swearingen Clerk
[illegible County Seal stamped at left]

STATE OF KENTUCKY, Jefferson COUNTY, SS.
[Be it know]n, That on the 24 day of July 1848 before me, Pension Agent, [Seal obscures word] Jonas H. Rhorer, the Attorney named in the foregoing Power of Attorney, and made oath, that he has no interest whatever in the money he is authorised to receive by virtue of the foregoing Power of Attorney, either by any pledge, sale, assignment, transfer or mortgage, and  that he does not know or believe that the same has been so disposed of to any person whatever.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year last above written, before me,
[signed] N. Lane Pension Agent. } [signed] J H Rhorer
Page 14

[typed letter]

May 20, 1935

XXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/MCS
James McElroy, S.2786

Mrs. J. O. Cheairs
1416 E. 31st Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Dear Madam:
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 2786, based upon the military service of James McElroy.

He was born September 1, 1759, near Cape Fear in North Carolina.

While a resident of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, he enlisted about the first of September, 1776, and served six weeks as private in Captain John Gowan's company in Colonel John Thomas' South Carolina regiment and was in a battle with the Cherokee Indians at Seneca and one at Fort Keewee. He then returned to Fort Gowan where he served about fifteen months under Captain Gowan and was engaged in protecting the inhabitants against the Indians. Soon afterward he served three months as private with the South Carolina troops under Lieutenant Edward Hampton and was in the siege of Savannah. He then served one month with the South Carolina troops, officers not given, and was in the attack on Fort Ninety-Six. He served in various other short tours against the Tories amounting to two years and three and one half months, names of officers not given.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 23, 1832, at which time he was living in Allen County, Kentucky.

The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the soldier'sfamily.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Page 15

2786
Rev War
INVALID
File No. 2786
James McElroy
Pri. S.C. Line
Act: June 7, 1832
Index:-Vol. A, Page 243
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1917 July 2 Hist. to Miss 
Willis D. Sprouse V.L.M.
1924, Feb. 18 Hist to 
Mrs. S.H. Rhodes
1934. Oct. 2 S. hist. to Miss
Mary Ellen Richards U.C.S.
1935 May 20. hist. to Mrs.
J.O. Cheairs See corres.
in Thomas Williams S. 40698
-U.C.S.
Page 16

22.223
Payments to be made
at Lexington Ky
by the Pres USB Bank
Agent for paying Pensioners,
in the Agency of Kentucky

[rubber stamped]
FINAL PAYMENT VOUCHER
Received from GAO
[/rubber stamped]

James McElroy
Recorded in the Pension Office, 
in Book E Vol. 7
Page 24 by Danl Boyd
Clerk
Page 17

WAR DEPARTMENT.

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June, 1832, James McElroy of the State of Kentucky who was a Private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Eight 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 18th day of Oct one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three
[signed] Lew Cass [Lewis Cass]
Secretary of War

Ky

Examined and Countersigned.
Geo Wm Crump [George William Crump]
Acting Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 18

Aug 24
Ky
[illegible initials]
James McElroy.
Ky
from 1776 private
2 yrs
$80

[upside down][taken from complete copy in next page]
[rubber stamp]
BOWLING
AUG 16
[/rubber stamp]
Pension
[right] FREE
Hon Lewis Cass wh
City of Washington
[/upside down]

George Work
Bowling Green
Ky
Page 19

[upside down]
George Work
Bowling Green
Ky
[/upside down]

[rubber stamp]
BOWLING
AUG 16
[/rubber stamp]
Pension
[right] FREE
Hon Lewis Cass wh
City of Washington

[upside down]
Aug 24
Ky
[illegible initials]
James McElroy.
Ky
from 1776 private
2 yrs
$80
[/upside down]
Page 20

Bowling Green Ky
15 Aug. 1833
Sir,
I send you the Amended  declaration of Jas. McElroy for a Pension Please let me hear from it -
Respectfully,
[signed] 
Geo. Work
[signed] Hon Lewis Cass
Secretary of War
Page 21

[one cent postacr with image of Thomas Jefferson]

THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS

Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

[rubber stamped]
OCT 18 1934 [rest is illegible]
[/rubber stamped]
Page 22

1520 Cherry St.,
Vicksburg, Miss.,
Oct. 16, 1934.

Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:
Will you✔ please give me the Revolutionary War record of James McElroy of "near Cape Fear", North Carolina, born Sept. 21, 1759? His wife was Fanny Langston.
Respectfully,
(Miss) Mary  Ellen Richards.

[number 3 handwritten above end of please]
Page 23

Salem Mo.
June 22, 1917

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir:
I should like to know if a James McElroy served in the Revolutionary War. He was born either in South Carolina 
or Ireland and if he was a  soldier in that war he enlisted from S. Carolina or Kentucky.
Any information concerning him or his war service would be very much appreciated.
Very Respectfully
[signed] (Miss) Willis D. Sprouse

[illegible feint handwriting at top]
Page 24

4131 Washington Blvd.,
St. Louis, Mo.,
Jan. 18, 1924.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir-
Would you kindly advise me whether you  have any record of the Revolutionary services of James McElroy, born Sept. 1st, 1759, near Cape Fear, No. Carolina. I believe
Page 25

he served as a private and engaged in the Battle of Seneca at Ft. Keewee, and in the Siege of Savannah.
I would especially  like to know the name  of his wife.
Any information you may be able to give me will be greatly appreciated.
Yours very truly,
[signed] Ida Clyde Rhodes

Mrs. S. H. Rhodes
4131 Washington Blvd.
St. Louis, Mo.
Page 26

[typed form, some blanks filled in]

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Washington, D.C., ___, 19__
S.F. 2.786

In reply to your request of ___, received ___ for a statement of the military history of James McElroy
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.
[table column headings]
Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. Length of Service. Rank. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. Captain. Colonel. State.
Sept. 1 1776, 6 weeks, Pvt., John Gowan, John Thomas, S.C.
Sept. 1 1776, 15 mos., Pvt. , John Gowan, at Fort Gowan, S.C.
2 Sept. 1 1776, 3 mos., Pvt., John Gowan, at Fort Gowan, S.C.
1781, 1 mo., Pvt., John Gowan, at Fort Gowan, S.C.  in Siege of Fort Ninety Six.
Battles engaged in, at Seneca with Cherokee Indians and at Ft Keewee, 
2 Siege of Savannah
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Spartanburg Co., S.C.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 23, 1832 His cl. was al [claim was allowed]
Residence at date of application, Allen Co. Ky
Age at date of application, born Sept. 6 1759 near Cape Fear in N.C.
Remarks: There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

as Lt. Edward Hampton
was under Capt Gowan
I put the Capt. in
Page 27

[typed leter]

M.C.S. [handwritten intials top right]

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

February 18, 1924

Mrs.S.H. Rhodes
4131 Washington Blvd.
St. Louis, Mo.

Madam:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 2786, it appears that James McElroy was born September 1, 1759, near Cape Fear in [South lined thru] North Carolina.
While a resident of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, he enlisted and served as a private in the South Carolina Troops as follows:
From September 1, 1776, six weeks in Captain John Gowan's Company, Colonel John Thomas' Regiment; was in a battle with the Cherokee Indians at Seneca and at Fort Keewee.
Eighteen months in Captain John Gowan's Company, dates not stated; was at the siege of Savannah.
One month in 1781; was at the siege of Fort Ninety-Six.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 23, 1832, while a resident of Allen County, Kentucky.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,

Commissioner
Page 28

[typed letter]

October 25, 1934

XXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/MCS
James McElroy, S. 2786

Miss Mary Ellen Richards
1520 Cherry Street
Vicksburg
Mississippi

Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for the Revolutionary War record of James McElroy.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S. 2786, based upon the military service of James McElroy.

He was born September 1, 1759, near Cape Fear in North Carolina.

While a resident of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, he enlisted about the first of September, 1776, and served six weeks as private in Captain John Gowan's company in Colonel John Thomas' South Carolina regiment and was in a battle with the Cherokee Indians at Seneca and one at Fort Keewee. He then returned to Fort Gowan where he served about fifteen months under Captain Gowan and was engaged in protecting the inhabitants against the Indians. Soon afterward he served three months as private with the South Carolina troops under Lieutenant Edward Hampton and was in the siege of Savannah. He then served one month with the South Carolina troops, officers not given, and was in the attack on Fort Ninety-Six. He served in various other short tours against the Tories amounting to two years and three and one half months, names of officers not given.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 23, 1832, at which time he was living in Allen County, Kentucky.

The papers in this claim contain no data relative to the soldier's
family.

Very truly yours

A.D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator

[hand written]
Death not on Agency  Book.
Page 29

[typed letter]

May 20, 1935

XXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/MCS
[illegible hand written initials]

Mrs. J. C. Chaire
1416 E. 31st Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your request for the records of Revolutionary War soldiers, James McIllroy or McElroy who was pensioned from Allen County, Kentucky, and Thomas Williams who served in Captain Wilson's Pennsylvania company.

You are furnished herewith, the records of James McElroy, S. 2786, and Thomas Williams, S. 40698, as shown by the papers on file in the respective pension claims.

Very truly yours

A.D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator