Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 9390, for John Mason, Georgia
Page 1

(3-1776)
SERVICE
Ga.
Mason, John
NUMBER
S9390
Enlisted in Mecklenburg Co., Va
CONTENTS
Page 2

Date of death
[illegible]

12.314
South Carolina
John Mason
of Pickins - in the State of S.Car
who was a Pri - in the compy commanded
by Captain Hix of the Regh commanded
by Col. White - in the Va
[illegible] for 2 years

Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina
at the rate of 50-Dollars - Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831

Certificate of Pension issued the 20t day of Apr 33
and [illegible]
Grisham Falls PO. S. Car

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833     160
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept ~ 40
                                                         $200
Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by Nathan Rice Clerk,
Book [illegible] Vol 6 Page 74-
Page 3

John Mason
15339

Care Joseph Grisham
Falls Post Office
Pickens  S.C.
Page 4

State of South Carolina
Pickens District

On this second day of October in the year of our Lord 1832. Personally appeared before the Honorable Richard Gautt in open court in the court of [illegible] of Pickens District in the state aforaid now sitting John Mason now aged seventy five years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath makes the following declaration in the order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year [not noted] with Capt. [illegible] Hix in Mecklenburg County Virgina for three years and served under him for the time he was part of the time under Col. [illegible] and Col. White, went with Capt. Hix to Georgia, was at the Battle of Bear Creek was there taken prisoner and kept 9 months. He got away from the enemy, He was at the Battle of Savannah called the siege, was at the Battle of the Long Causeway under Col Haberham. He was afterward a volunteer with General [illegible] & with him at the Battle at Guilford N.C.  He had the discharge Certificate of Capt Hix of his faithful services for the terms of his Enlistment, which he says he gave to Col Grisham of Pendleton [illegible] Years ago to send with his application for a Pension under the Act of 1818 & those supplementary thereto He is very poor and unable to [illegible] his company in the Revolutionary War if there be any living of which he is not informed. He hereby relinquishes every claim or whatever to a pension or annuity except the prisoner and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in any state.

his
John X Mason
mark

Sworn to and Subscribed
this day and year aforeaid
in open Court

signature of William L Roth Clerk
Page 5

State of South Carolina
Picken, Circuit

I Joseph Grisham certify that John Mason (illegible) named applied to me to draw up an application for a pension in several years service. He then had a discharge or certificate of Capt. Isaac Hix, which I sent with the papers to the War Department but if it was returned it has been misplaced. The paper had the appearance of a genuine one and was as well as I recollect of ancient date. I have been long acquainted with John Mason he is very old I have little doubt but he is about the age he states the old man is poor and uninformed and his (illegible) (illegible) appears good as to the service he did + battles he was in which he has repeated to me many times I believe he was a soldier of the Revolution and did serve a he states.

Joseph Grisham
Sworn to in open court
2nd Oct 1832
William L Keith Clerk

Mr Jacob Lewis a clergyman residing in Pickens
District and William Swords Esq. residing in the same Dist.hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John Mason, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy five 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 in open Court the day and year aforesaid
William L. Keith Clerk
Jacob Lewis
Wm. Swords
Page 6

And the said Court do hereby declare this opinion 
after the investigation of the matter and after causing to be putting
the interrogatives, 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 Jacob Lewis
who has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman
resident in the District, and is a credible person, and
that William Sword Esq. who has also signed the same
is a resident in the District, and is a credible person
and that their statement is entitled to (illegible) as
reported to me by gentlemen in whom I have full confidence
Richard Gault

I William L. Keith, Clerk of the Court of Pickens
District, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains
the original proceedings of the said court in the matter
of the application of John Mason for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto 
set my hand and seal of my office this 
2d day of October Anno Domini 1832
William L. Keith
C.C.G. S. H. C. P
Page 7

No 15339-
John Mason Pickens
District S. Carolina
(illegible) for 2 years
580-

Joseph Grisham Falls Post Office. Pickens District. S.C.
Page 8

BRIEF in the case of John Mason Senr. 
Of (blank) in the state of (blank) 
(Act 7th June, 1832.) 

1.Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? A court.
2.If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3.How old is he? 75
4.State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 

Enlisted Vol. 
Period. In 17
Duration of service. 3 years, (blank) months, (blank) days.
Rank. As a Private.
Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served. Capt Hix. Col (illegible) + Col White Genl Green

5.In what battles was he engaged? Savannah – Guildford Courthouse
6.Where did he reside when he entered the service? Mechling ling Co Va
7.Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Documentary proof. Traditionary Evd. 
8.Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? And if so, in what respect? Correct.

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
Dyer Castor. Examining Clerk.
Page 9

May 18, 1937
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
John Mason, S.9390
BA-J/MCS

Mrs. Walter G. Mason
Coalwood
West Virginia

Dear Madam: 
Reference is made to your request for the records of Revolutionary War soldiers, John and Philip Mason.

The Revolutionary War records of this office fail to afford any information in regard to a Philip Mason who died in Campbell County, Virginia, about 1830.

The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, S.9390, based upon the Revolutionary War service of the only John Mason who enlisted from Mecklenburg County, Virginia, that is found in said records of this office.

The date and place of birth of John Mason and the names of his parents were not given.
He enlisted in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, date not stated, went to Georgia with Captain Isaac Hicks and served three years in his company, in Colonels Screven’s, White’s, and Habersham’s Georgia regiments, was in the battle of Brier Creek where he was taken prisoner but escaped after being held for nine months, was in the siege of Savannah and the battle of Long Cause Way. He afterwards served as a volunteer under General Greene and was in the battle of Guilford.

He was allowed pension on his application executed October 2, 1832, in Pickens District, South Carolina, at which time he was seventy-five years of age. At this time he was referred to as John Mason, Senior. 

There are no data relative to the family of John Mason.

Very truly yours
A.D. HILLER
Executive Assistant 
To the Administrator
Page 10

[illegible]
[illegible]
[illegible] under Col. [illegible]
Col. W[illegible]
Capt [illegible]
[illegible]
[illegible] to [illegible]
at Brier Creek [illegible]
[illegible]
[illegible] at Battle [illegible]
at battle Long Causeway [illegible]
under Col Had[illegible]
[illegible]
[illegible] was prisoner from
[illegible]
[illegible]
at Battle [illegible]
Page 11

Georgia Rabun County
Personally came before me William Williams a justice of the peace for said county came Edward Williams and after being duly sworn depositeth and sayeth on oath that John Mason did Give a Towes of Service in the old Revolution war against great Britain under General How + General Elbert in the battle at Savannah 
Sworn to and Subscribes this 16th of April 1830
Edward Williams
William Williams J.P.
Page 12

Rev. & 1812 Wars Section

October 28, 1924

Mrs. Bessie P. Lamb
Enroee
S.C.

Madam: 

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S.9390, it appears that John Mason enlisted in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, date not stated, went to Georgia with Captain Isaac Hicks and served three years in his Company, in Colonels Screven’s, White’s, and Habersham’s Georgia Regiments, was in the battle of Brier Creek, where he was taken prisoner but escaped after being held for nine months, was in the siege of Savannah and the battle of Long Cause Way.
He afterwards served as a volunteer under General Greene and was in the battle of Guilford. 

He was allowed pension on his application executed October 2, 1832, while a resident of Pickens District, South Carolina, aged 75 years. At this time he was referred to as John Mason, Sr., no explanation being made. 

There is no data on file relative to his family. 

Respectfully, 
Commissioner
Page 13

Mrs Alice D Hill
1100 S. Perry St.
Montgomery Ala
Page 14

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

In reply to your request of ____, received_______ for a statement of the military history of John Mason * a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [crossed out: (or his widow's)] application for pension on file in this Bureau.

S. 9390

[column headings: Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. Length of Service. Rank. Officers Under Whom Service Was Rendered. Captain. Colonel. State.]

3 years. Isaac Hicks. [illegible]. Ga
White.
Habersham.
afterwards work as a volunteer [illegible] battle of Guilford under [illegible].

Battles engaged in, Mar 3 1779 Brier Creek, where he was captured & held 9 mos [illegible]; Sept 1779 Savannah & Long Causeway & Guildford
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Mechlenburg Co. Va
Date of application for pension, Oct 2, 1832. This claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Pickens Dist. S. C.
Age at date of application, 75 years.
Remarks: 
* Soldier is referred to as John Mason Sr: in 1832 [illegible]
Respectfully, 
Commissioner.
Page 15

[illegible]
Mrs. Walter Gordon Mason
Coalwood. W. VA
[circular black stamp with a clockface-like border and arrow pointing at "12" overlaps letter header "Received APR 24, 1937 [illegible]"]

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.
My dear Sir:
Please see if ther is any record of a Revolutionary soldier, [underlined: John Mason]. He may have enlisted from [underlined: Mecklenburg Co, Virginia] and died in Campbell Co; Va. Would like to know if [underlined: Philip Mason] who died in Campbell Co; Va about 1830 have service in Rev. War and receive pension.
John Mason married Frances Brooks and Philip Mason married Nancy Walker.
Thanking You, I am,
Yours very truly
Margaret R. Mason
(Mrs. W. G) Coalwood, W. Va
Page 16

Enoree, S.C.
Oct. 9, 1924
Pension Bureau,
Washington, D.C.
Rev. War Rec. Sec.
Gentlemen,
From S.C. Historical Commission I learn that my Revolutionary ancestor did draw a pension - He served in a Virginia unit, therefor must have listed there during war - but drew a pension after war living in South Carolina-
John Mason
Served from Va.
Lived in S.C. after war -
Please send me all information contained in his application-
Thanking you, I am 
Very truly,
Mrs. Bessie P. Lamb.
Page 17

Jan 12 - 1914
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington

Dear Sir:-
Can you give me any information concerning one Philip T who served as a private in Capt. Abner Bickham's Co. Georgia Militia, Revolutionary War. Also of one John Mason
Page 18

who served in [illegible] 3rd & 2nd Continental Georgia Battalion.

Any information about either of these men  will be greatly appreciated

Sincerely yours
(Mrs) Alice D. Hill
100 S. Perry Street-
Montgomery, Ala.
Page 19

[left side]
9390
Rev War
INVALID.
File No. 9390
John Mason
Prv. Rev. War.
Act: June 7th 1832.
Index: -Vol. 1, Page 237
[Arrangement of 1870]

[right side]
1914. Jan 19- Hist to Mrs Alice D. Hill, Montgomery, Ala. [illegible]
1924. Oct 28. Hist. to Mrs. Bessie P. Lamb. [illegible]
[hand drawn line across page]
1937 May 18 hist. to Mrs. Walter G. Mason. [illegible]
Page 20

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered om the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of [Handwritten: John Mason illegible] which require further proof or explanation. 

I. Does the declaration show where the application resides?

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? [Handwritten: Not Stated]

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason for his not doing so?

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served?

V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled?

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations?

VII. Has he made the relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832?

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion?

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate?

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?
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2
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? 
XII. If the clergyman’s affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? 
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? 
XIV. If the applicant’s name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? 
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? 
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? 
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant’s service? 
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? 
XVII. Are the seven interrogations prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And if not, which of them is not so answered?

EXPLANATORY NOTES.
QUERE V. In a case, where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: “Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For (blank) year (blank) months, and (blank) days, I served as a (blank). For (blank) months and (blank) days, I served as a (blank); and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 22

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 they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement ; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
Quere XIV. Proof of Service
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and the 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 the seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.