Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 31862, for Jacob Mercer, Georgia
Page 1

Ga   Mercer, Jacob    S31862
Page 2

Georgia   29732

Jacob Mercer
of Cornela in the State of Georgia who was a Prv in the [left blank] commanded by Caption [left blank] of the [illegible] commanded by Col Dooley in the Gen mil for 14 mo

Inserted on the Roll of Georgia at the rate of 46 Dollars 66 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 11th day of July of '35 and [illegible] Hon John Coffee, [illegible]

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 34
Semi-anl. allowance ending Dollar .35    163.31 + 23.33=$186.64  Revolutionary Claim for June 7, 1832
Recorded by Nath. Rice Clerk. 
Book E Vol 6 Page 98
Died Aug 6, 1837

Dead
Paid at the Treasury under the act of the 6 April 1838 two fourths of the pension of said dead from the 4 Sept 1836 to the 6th Aug 1837 Agent notified - 22 Aug 1838.
Page 3

State of Georgia }
Coweta County  }

On this the 4th day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty four.  Personally appeared in open court before are Jno D Hinton, G. D. Greer, and William Spratling judges of the Inferior Court of the State & County now sitting Jacob Mercer a resident of said state and county aged (81) eighty one Years, who being first duly from according to the 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 he entered the service of the Unites States under the following named officers and served as [illegible] stated.  That he was living on the frontier of Georgia in Wilkes County and was called out into service for a term of six months to defend and protect the frontiers and to build a line of forts; That he entered the service in September 1777 in the Company of Captain Heard, the Regiment was commanded by Col. Dolley the whole under the command General. Elijah Clark, and served until March 1778 and was discharged, we built in that time a line of Forts from the Ogeechy to the Savannah River (of twelve or fourteen forts) -  On the 2nd of April 1778 he was again drafted, for a tour of two months, the company was commanded by Capt Richard Heard, the regiment by Col. Dooley - the whole land convoyed at Heards fort Wilkes County Georgia - From which place we were marched down to Burke County jail and then served out our tour of two months and was discharged.  On the 20th March 1779 he again entered the service, was drafted for three months and was marched to Augusta Georgia & then served out his tour of three months; and was discharged in June of the same year, the company was commanded by Capt Richard Heard, the Regiment by Col Stephen Heard - On the first of July 1779 he was again drafted for a tour of three months.  The company was commanded by Captain Richard Heard, the Regiment by Col. Stephen Heard, he was marched to Savannah Georgia over at the seige and battle combined forces of France & America while at Savannah was under the command of Gen. Lincoln, he served out his tour of three months and was discharged in October of the same year   - This deponent
Page 4

served in diferent detachments, and at diferent periods more than two years, during the Revolutionary War; but by reason of old age and the Congruent loss of memory he cannot now recollect the time he entered - the time he left the service, other than that the tours before mentioned that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to his service but Thomas Leverett whose affidavit is here unto annex'd he except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll, of the agency of any state. 

Jacob Mercer

Sworn to and subscribed before us the day and year aforesaid
Jno D Hinton  J.J.C.C.C.
G.D. Greer   J.J.C.C.C.
Wm Spratling J.J.C.C.C.

Answers to Questions from the war Department - 

1st    I was born on the 12th day of April 1753 in Currituck County, North Carolina.
2nd   My age was record in the Family Bible, but I do not know where it is --
3rd   I was living in Wilkes County Georgia, at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, and have been living on the frontier of said state ever since, and now as a resident of Coweta County. 
4th   I was drafted
5th  I have seen Genl. Lincoln, and served with Continental Troops but I do not now recollect the number of the regiments - or their officers names.  
6th  I have a discharge by Col.  Heard but I have lost or mislaid it.
Page 5

7th  I refer to Joseph Bankston a minister of the Gospel and James Wood

Sworn and subscribed before me }   Jacob Mercer
on the day and year aforesaid

Jno D Hinton  J.J.C.C.C.
G.D. Greer  J.J.C.C.C.
Wm Spratling J.J.C.C.C.

We Joseph Bankston a Clergiman, residing in Heard County, Georgia and Genl. James Wood residing in Coweta County Georgia xxxxxx xxxxx that we are well acquainted with Jacob Mercer who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration.  That we believe him to be Eighty one years of age; That he is respected 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 before us }   Joseph Bankston M.G.
on the day and year aforesaid   }     James Wood              

Jno D Hinton  J.J.C.C.C.
G.D. Greer  J.J.C.C.C.
Wm Spratling J.J.C.C.C.

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interogatory prescribed by the ware department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Solider and served as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Joseph Bankston who has signed the preceding certificate is a Clergiman, resident in the County of Heard  - State of Georgia and that James Woods who has also signed the same is a resident in the County of Coweta Georgia and is a creditable person and that their state is entitled to credit.   
Jno D Hinton Justice of the inferior court of Coweta Cty, GA
G.D. Greer  Justice of the Inferior court of Coweta Co, GA
Wm Spratling Justice of the Inferior court of Coweta Co, GA
Page 6

Georgia   }
Coweta County}

I Richard W Easte, Clerk of the Inferior Court of said state & County do hereby certify, that the following contained, the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Jacob Mercer for a pension, and that the said Jon D Hinton, G D Greer and William Spratling are Judges of the Inferior Court of the County & state aforesaid, and that all due faith and credit ought to be given to their attestations as such.  In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal of office this [illegible] day September 1834
R.W. East C.J.C.C.C [stamp]
Page 7

War Department 
Pension Office 
Aug 2 1833

Sir:

The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (that: }). 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.

A Statement, shewing the Service of Jacob Mercer

------
Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of claimant's service. | | | Rank of the claimant. | Name and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. | Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service | Proof by which the declaration is supported.
1777 | 1 | 2 | " | Private |  Gen E Clark | aged 81 years
1778 |   |   |   |   |  Col Dooley | Wilkes Co |  Thomas Leverett Sen
1779 |   |   |   |   |  Col Heard | Georgia
|  |  |  |  |  | Gen Lincoln

checkmark 77 | | 1.
(ye 2^o - 78 | | 2.
20 Mar 79 | | 3.
1 July " | |  3.
| | | 1.4

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
Page 8

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, mucicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.


DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

{State, Territory, or District of
County of } ss.
On this ___ day of ___ personally appeared (a) before ___ A B. a resident (b) of ___ in the county of ___ and State, Territory or District of ___ aged (c) ___ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) ___, with ___ and served in the ___ (e) regiment of the ___ line, under the following named officers:

{Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched . This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.}

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the state of ___
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. ___ A. B.

[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.

I ___ of the Court of ___ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of ___ for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this ___ day of ___ &c.

If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman residing in the ___ and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with ___ subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be ___ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
{And then will follow the certificate of the Court.}
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the ___ and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the ___ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.

I, ___ Clerk of Court of ___ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of ___ for a pension.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this ___ day of ___ &c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration. (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which cannot be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
Page 9

3

alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstance 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 the persons to whom you are known n your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one live in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from [entire line illegible--lost in the fold of the paper] and believe in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergy man, the Court will so certify, an they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge of 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.
-----

[1] 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 affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:-- For ___ year ___ months, and ___ days, I served as a ___. For ___ months and ___ days, I served as a ___; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about [illegible] or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement, the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law make 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 it is 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, show accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape of narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officers, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

Proof 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 time 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.
[illegible] The note from [a] to [i] are equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule is note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k] This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

[handwritten] # The applicant must specify his [illegible] as request above [illegible] in all things speak to the rules have [illegible].
Page 10

Treasury Department,
Second Comptroller's Office
August 17, 1839

Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury Department of the United States, " two of the four children of Jacob Mercer, deceased, a Pensioner on the Roll of the Georgia Agency, at the rate of forty six Dollars and sixty six Cents per annum, under the law of the 7th June 1832 has been paid at this Department, ^two fourths of this pension
from the 4th of Sept. 1836 to the 6th of August, 1837, the day of his death -

Respectfully, yours,
[signed] Albion K. Parris
Comptroller

To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.
Page 11

Rev. and 1812
Wars Section
AWF: MLB

September 30, 1930

Office of the Quartermaster General
Cemeterial Branch
War Department
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir:

You are advised that it appears from the paper in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 31862, that Jacob Mercer was born April 18, 1753 in Currituck County, North Carolina.
While residing in Wilkes County, Georgia, he enlisted and served with the Georgia troops, as follows:

From September, 1777, six months in Captain Heard's company, Colonel Dooley's regiment; from April 2, 1778, two months in Captain Richard Heard's company, Colonel Dooley's regiment; from March 20, 1779, three months in Captain Richard Heard's company, Colonel Stephen Heard's regiment; from July 1, 1779, three months in Captain Richard Heard's company, Colonel Stephen Heard's regiment, and was at the siege and battle of Savannah.  He stated that he served at various other periods, dates not designated, his entire service amounting to more than two years.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 4, 1834, while a resident of Coweta County, Georgia.
He died August 6,1837.

Very truly yours
E. W. Morgan
Acting Commisioner
Page 12

[Handwritten]  Revy  31862     INVALID

File No. 31,862
Jacob Mercer
Srv Rev War

June 7, 32
Index - Vol 2, Page 268


1921  June 15  Hist to Mrs. Ida M Phillips, Monticello, GA
1929 - Nov 12  Hist to Kittye Thompson, M.E.E.
1930 - Sept 30 Tombstone Data to Cem Br Army
Page 13

Washington City 5 Feb 1833

I. L. Edwards, Esq
Com of Pensions

Dear Sir

For your satisfaction, I can state, that Jacob Mercer, on the return of his first declaration and papers, for a pension, from your office, with your objections, to him in Coweta County Georgia he brought them to me and as the first declaration was not drawn as the regulations from your office required, he requested me to draw him a new one, I did so, and he has sworn to no greater time, in the second, than was in the first, but only corrected that part in the first declaration, that was objected to, as deficient, which he stated was omitted, when the first declaration was drawn, for the want of a propper knowledge of the business - I then in the presence of the court, before whom he (Mercer) deposed, tossed in the fire, and burt the old declaration, not thinking it would be again wanted before your
Page 14

department - you will also receive enclosed, the certification of General John Coffee, a representative of the General character of Jacob Mercer, as a revolutionary soldier - Please Sir inform Judge Schley a representative from Georgia, why a new certificate has not been issued to James Akin, a revolutionary pensioner, of Coweta County Georgia, in lieu of the [illegible]om first granted, and forwarded to him, but was lost by mail, and never received, he having since complied with your regulations, as to the fact of its being last.

Very Respectfully
Your Obt Serv'
 James Wood
Page 15

Georgia          }
Troup County }

Personally I am before now William M Carlisle  I am acting Justice of the Peace for said County.  Thomas Leverett Senr who being duly sworn deponent and saith that he had been personally acquainted with the applicant Jacob Mercer for upwards of fifty years that is to say our acquaintance commenced priors to the declaration of the independence of these U.S. and of my own knowledge know him to be in active service in the defence of his family during said Revolutionary War in person with this deponent under the Commander of Genl. Elijah Clark + Genl. Pickins H. & also of his serving with this deponent in Phillips Fort under the Command of Zachariah Phillips as our Captain and to the best of deponants knowledge and belief that said Jacob Mercer has ever stood fair in the community both in the church [illegible] and supports an honest carricter.
  Thomas [his mark inserted] Leverett Sr.

Sworn to & Subscribed
before this 27th Nov 1832
William M Carlisle JP
Page 16

Georgia  
Troup County

I William M. Carlisle do hereby certify that Thomas Leverett Sen. who made the written deposition before me was a resident of my District at that time was a professing man a member of the Christion church or Baptist & stood [illegible] in church & state as an honest upright citizen and I believe full faith and credit should & ought to be given to his evidence.

In testimony whereof I do her unto set my brand and seal this 1st August 1834  William M Carlisle 

[text rotated 90 degrees]
Thos Leverett Snr
Affidavit

22 12
26
_____
440
3
_____
4.43
22 12
_____
26 - 56
Page 17

Washington City  5th February 1835

I John Coffee, a representative in Congress from Georgia, do hereby certify, that I have known Jacob Mercer, now of Coweta County Georgia for the last thirty years, and that he was known and reputed to have been a revolutionary  soldier at my first acquiantance with him, and has been always since considered as such, and further that he is a man entitled to credit on his oath.
John Coffee
Page 18

Georgia Troup County}  I Oliver P. Feary  Clerk of the Inferior Court of Troup County do certify that it appears from the papers on file in my office that William M. Carlisle was on the twenty seventy day of November 1832 - duly commissioned and acted as one of the Justices of the Peace in & for said County.
Given under my brand & seal of office this the 7th day of August 1834
Oliver P Feary JCTC
Page 19

Jacob Mercer
Suspended 
Georgia
Thos. Watson
18 Sept 1834
Admit as a private 14
mo. $46.66
Hon Jn Coffee
Page 20

Request from Cemeterial B. War Dept all slips retrieved - 
Data "furnished"  Sept 30 30
EWF
Page 21

War Department
Office [struckout - of] The Quartermaster General Washington

09/19/1930

Memorandum to :

[box not checked]  Bureau of Navigation Navy Department, Washington D.C.

[box not checked]  Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, Treasury Building, Washington D.C.

[box not checked]  The Surgeon General, Washington D.C.

In order that headstones properly inscribed may be furnished, it is requested that the "Service" of the decedents named on the enclosed applications be verified and [underlined - returned as soon as practicable to this office.]
The regulations provide that the name of the State from which the decedents came be inscribed on the headstones.  It is requested that this information be given and that any corrections be made in red ink on the form
******
[box checked:]  The Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C.

[box not checked]  The General Accounting Office, Washington D.C.

In order that headstones properly inscribed may be furnished for the graves of the decedents named on the enclosed applications, it is requested that you furnish this office the correct spelling of the names and the complete designation of the organizations.  

29/86
Page 22

Georgia  Troup County
I do certify that I have been personally acquainted with the applicant Jacob Mercer for the space of about twentyfive years - and I have ever known him to be a man of undeaviating firmness both in state and church and that he also stood fair in the community in General and from the best of Information I have every reason to believe that he was A Revolutionary Soldier - and that the said Mercer has lived on the frontier of Georgia during [crossed out - the most of the time] or herein mentioned this 23rd day Nov 1832
James Reeves, Minister of Gospel

Georgia  Troup County
Personally appeared before me & the subscribing Justices of the peace James Reaves who being dully sworn saith that the forgoing or above certified is Just and true as not stands to the best of his belief and knowledge.
James Reeves
Sworn to and Subscribed Before me the 23rd day of Nov. 1832
Simeon Meadows, J.P.
Page 23

Rev and 1812
Wars Section
MER/HMM
November 12, 1929

Kittye Thompson
Care, The First National Bank
Monticello Georgia.

Dear Madam:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 31862, it appears that Jacob Mercer was born April 12, 1753 in Currituck County, North Carolina.
While residing in Wilkes County, Georgia, he enlisted and served with the Georgia Troops as follows:
From September 1777 six months in Captain Heard's Company, Colonel Dooley's Regiment: from April 2, 1778 two months in Captain Richard Heard's Company, Colonel Dooley's Regiment; from March 20, 1779 three months in Captain Richard Heard's Company, Colonel Stephen Heard's Regiment, from July 1, 1779 three months in Captain Richard Heard's Company, Colonel Stephen Heard's Regiment, and was at the siege and battle of Savannah.  
[Hand Written - He stated that he server at various other periods not designated his entire service accounting to more than 2 years.]  [Struck - The soldier state that during the Revolution he served at various times in different periods under different officers, accounting in all to more than two years.]

He was allowed pension on hist application executed September 4, 1834, while a resident on Coweta County, Georgia.
He died August 6, 1837, place not stated, and was survived by four children whose names and the name of his wife are not given.  
The above noted Jacob Mercer is the only soldier of that name found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau.  
Very Truly Yours, 
Karl D. Church
Commissioner
Page 24

Records Section      Form 3-525
Department of the Interior, 
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C. 

S31862

In reply to your request of ---------------, received -----------------
for a statement of the military history of Jacob Mercer
a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his
[struck out: or his widow's] application for pension on file in this Bureau.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment|   Length of Service |   Rank  |   Officers   |   State
           
Sept 1777    |    6 mos.   |  Pvt   |  Captain Heard   |  Colonel  Dooley  |  Ga
Apr 2 1778  |  2 "           |           | Richard Heard    |   "" 
Mar 20 1779 |  3 "          |           | Richard Heard    | Stephen Heard    |
July 1779      |  3 "          |           | Richard Heard    | Stephen Heard    |


Battles engaged in , Savannah
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Wilkes Co Ga
Date of application for pension, Sept 4, 1834  His I. was al
Residence at date of application, Coweta Co, Ga
Age at date of application,   B Apr 12 1753 in Currituck Co, NC
Remarks:  He died Aug 6, 1837 place not stated leaving 4 children whose names and that of his wife are not stated
(The above noted is lee only)
Page 25

Monticello, Ga, May 31, 1921
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D. C. 

Sir;
Will you send me a statement of Military History of Jacob Mercer, who died in Jasper County, Ga subsequent to 1828?  
Respectfully,   Mrs. Ida M. Phillips  Monticello, Ga

[Stamped with U.S. Pension Office stamp Jun 2 1921]
Page 26

L.O. Benton, President
J.S. Malone, Jr,Vice-President

E. Clyde Kelly, Cashier
I.V. Malone, Asst. Cashier

No. 9346

The First National Bank
Capital Stock $50,000.00
Surplus $50,000.00
Monticello, GA. 

Directors
L.O. Benton
J.B. Malone, Jr.
Taney O. Benton
E.D. Kelly
Eudene Benton
Dan Gunn
E. Clyde Kelly

Sept. 12th, 1929

Commissioner Of Penision, [Pension]
Washington, D.C.

Sir:-
Will you let know what your records show the service of Jacob Mercer, ho resided in Jasper Co. Georgia and whose application for a pension 1834 was granted. 
Thanking you for this, I am
Very truly yours,
Kittye Thompson

[Stamped U.S. Pension Office Sep 14 1926]