Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 9708, William Ashley, Continental (Md)
Page 1

Continental (MD)
Ashley, William
           Agnes
W.9708
Page 2

2932
South Carolina
William Ashley
of Abbeville in the State of SoCarolina
who was a Corporal in the Company comanded
by Captain Legon of the Regent commanded
by Colonel Pulaski in the Maryland
line, for the term of Sixteen months
from the year of 1778 to the year 1779.
Inscribed on the Roll of the South Carolina
at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to
commenon on the 11 day of Aust 1818
and 
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 of Sept.
1818 and sent the W. Thompson,
Abbeville SoCarolina
Continued on the Roll on 27. day of
December 1831 and notification sent to
: George McDuffie at
H: Russ. Pension commencing on he 27
of December 1831.
Amount due on 4th of}
March 1832}
$18:31.
{Revolutionary Claim,}
{Acts March 18, 1818,}
{8 May 1, 1820.}
Page 3

3d Carolina

Wm Ashley. Corpl.
11th Augt.
To Waddy Thompson
Abbiville S. C.
Refund to the
pension office 

Admitted

[vertically on the page, follows]

Abbiville S.C.      Free
18th Augt 1818

The Hon John C. Calhoun
Secretary at War
Washington City
Page 4

State of South Carolina
By the Honorable Waddy Thompson Esq one 
of the Judges of the Court of Equity for the
State aforesaid.

Before me personally appeared William Ashley who being
duly sworn declared under oath, that he is a citizen of
the United States, resident in the District of Abbeville
and State aforesaid. That he served sixteen months or
thereabouts as a corporal upon the continental establishment
during the war of the revolution. That he enlisted
in the State of Maryland, about the middle of
of May in the year 1778 in Captain [illegible] Company
in the Squadron of Cavalry commanded by Col. Cowatch
attached to the body of troops comonly [commonly] known by the
name of Pulaski's Corps; That he served in the said company
(afterwards commanded by Capt. Brown) and Squadron
until about the middle of September 1779 when he was
honorably discharged at Beufort in the State of Sou[page torn here]
Carolina: That his discharge has been acidentally [accidentally] [page torn here]
and that from his reduced circumstances he needs the
assistance of his country for support.
William X ^his mark^ Ashly

In testimony that the above mentioned
William Ashley has sworn to and subscribed
the above affidavit before me this 11th
day of August in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
and is the Forty third year of the Sovereign
and independence of the United States of
America I have hereunto set my hand
and caused the seal of this said court
of Equity to be affixed the day and year
above mentioned.
W. Thompson

John McComb
Cour Jr.
Page 5

State of South Carolina }
Abbeville District           }

  By Joseph Black Esquire one of the 
Justices of the Quorum for the District and State
aforesaid. personally appeared Joshua
Ashley Before me personally ^Joshua Ashley[name lined thru] who
being duly sworn deposed that he is a brother
of the within mentioned William Ashley, that he
resided in Maryland with his brother at the time
of his said brother's enlistment and was perfectly
acquainted with that fact, that his brother was
then absent for several years, and as he understood
& verily believes served about sixteen months in the war
of the revolution and was honorably discharged at
Beaufort S.C. and that several soldiers
who was enlisted in the same Corps
with his Brother and ^on their return
to the State of Maryland Informed
this Deponent that they had left his
Brother yet in the service of the
United States - Sworn to & subscribed
Sixth day of August 1818 -
before me
[signatures:] Jos Block ||  Joshua Ashley
Page 6

[Top left corner of page missing]

[State of South] Carolina }
[Abbeville] District           } Ss
I James Wardlaw clerk of 
this court of Common Pleas for the District and State
aforesaid do hereby certify that Joseph Black
who hath signed the foregoing affidavit and
certificate is an active Justice of the Quorum
for the district of Abbeville duly appointed by
authority of the State of South Carolina
witness my hand and seal of Office
at Abbeville this third day of August
in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and eighteen & in the forty third
year of the sovereignty and independence
of the United States of America.
[Signed:] J Wardlaw 
C.C. P.


Waddy Thompson one of the Judges of the Court
of Equity for the State of South Carolina do hereby
certify that I am satisfied that the before men-
tioned William Ashley served as a non commissioned
Officer upon the continental establishment more
than nine months during the Revolutionary war ┃
against the common enemy; that his reduced cir-
cumstances require the assistance of his country
for his support, and that he is therefore entitled
to the benefit of the act of Congress in that
case made and provided
{Signature:} W. Thompson
Page 7

By Joseph Black Esq. one of the Justices of 
the Quorum for the District of Abbeville and State of
South Carolina.

Before me personally appeared Thomas Dove, who
being duly duly sworn deposed that he has been
acquainted with the above mentioned William Ashley
since in the year 1779, shortly after the said Ashley
left the Army: That he has frequently heard
the said Ashley's discharge read, and believes that
the said Ashley served in the Revolutionary Army
and was honorably discharged as said Ashley has
stated in his affidavit.
Sworn to at Abbeville
this 3d day of Aug. 1813.   Thos Dove [made his mark X]
Before me
[Signed:] Jos. Black JP }

Before me personally appeared Thomas Dove [and]
William Young
who being duly sworn, say that they are acquainted with
the above mentioned William Ashley and know
that from his reduced circumstances he stands in
need of the assistance of his country for support
Sworn to this day of Aug.1818
at Abbeville, C. H [signatures of:] William Young & Thos Dove [who made his mark] X
before me
[Signed:] Joseph Black JQ [? illegible]
William Young
of Abbeville C. H.

I Joseph Black one of the Justices of the Quorum
for the District of Abbeville and State of South Carolina
do hereby certify that Thomas Dove & William
Young
who have signed the foregoing affidavit ^are credible persons
and that all due credit is therefore due to their
depositions
Given under my hand and seal at Abbeville this day
of August A.D. 1818.
[Signed:] Jos. Black [circled] JQ
Page 8

Application of Wm. Ashley
to be reinstated on Pension List

enlisted ^for the year^ in Capt Legmes
Company Pulaski
Legum[sic] June 1778 transferred
to Cavalry July 1779

Persuit Capt Brosends
company of Cavalry July
1779 -
Page 9

State of South Carolina}
Abbeville District}

In the Court of Common Pleas:

To wit: On the twenty
seventh day of October one thousand eight hundred hundred
and thirty personally appeared in open Court, being a court of
record for the District aforesaid, in the said State, and which
Court proceeded according to the course of the common Law
with a jurisdiction unlimited in points of amount keeping
a record of its proceedings, William Ashley a resident of
the said District, aged seventy three years who being firstly
dult sworn according to law, doth on his oath make
the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made
by the acts of Congress, of the eighteenth of March eighteen hundred
and eighteen, and the first of May eighteen hundred and twenty;

That the said William Ashley entered as a Corporal for the
term of sixteen months, on the fourteenth day of May in the year
1778, in the State of Maryland, in the company commanded by
Captain Legon, in the Regiment commanded by Colonel 
Baron Bowe, which Regiment was under the command of
General Count Pulasky, in the line of the State of Maryland, on
the continental establishment, that he continued to serve in the said
corps until September 1779, when he was discharged from service
in the State aforesaid, that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever
to a pension except the present, that his name has been placed on
the Pension List, that the number of his pension certificate is 2932
and that he never before exhibited a schedule of his property because
your petitioner was old and infirm and thought before he
could be reinstated on the pension list he would be removed
by Providence from this world and further thereby he was of weak judgement, and having been informed that
an individual holding land could not draw pension, and
as he, as will be seen by this schedule below was a holder of a tract
of Land, although inconsiderable in point of value, thought it
useless to exhibit a schedule or apply for a pension. - And in
pursuance of the Act of the first of May 1820, I do solemnly swear,
that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth
day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time, by gift
sale, or in any manner disposed of my property or any part
thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself
within the provisions of an act of Congress, entitled "an act to provide
for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of
the United States in the Revolutionary war." passed on the eighteenth
Page 10

day of March 1818; and that I have not, nor has any person in trust
for me, and property, or securities, contracts or debts due to me; nor
have any income other than what is contained in the schedule
hereto annexed, and by me subscribed. viz.

Two hundred and twenty nine acres of poor land worth. . $100.00
Three head of horses (one mare and two colts) worth . . . . .60.00
Five head of sheep worth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.00
Nine head of hogs worth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.00
Seven head of cattle including 2 cows & calves 3 yearlings worth . . 25.00
One negro man 42 years of age worth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250.00
$454.00
And at the same time I justly owe the following
debt and interest thereon for 3 years & eleven months } $421.86
by note, which note was given for the price of the } . . . . . .111.54
aforesaid negro man, to Charles Stark } Sub . . . . . . . . . . $533.40
Which leaves your petitioner in debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$79.40

He further swears that he is by occupation a farmer and
has been ever since he left the army, that his family consists of
three persons viz himself, his wife Ann and an old negro man, that
he himself is now seventy three years of age and is badly crippled
in his right arm and leg so as to be utterly unable to maintain himself
that his wife is sixty nine years of age, and is badly afflicted with
the asthmatic affection and has bee so for about seven years
and is entirely unable to maintain herself and is an expense and
great trouble; the negro man is forty two years of age and as 
stout as men usually are at his age though somewhat on the
decline. That since the eighteenth day of March 1818 the following
changes have been made in my property, at that time, I was
possessed of a tract of land of seventy one and one fourth
acres two head of horses, four head of cattle and nine head of
hogs; that land was sold by me to Martin Fralix in 1820 for the
sum of three hundred and eighty dollars in money (but good
and sufficient titles were not made until the twenty second
day of September in the year of our lOrd one thousand eight
hundred and twenty eighty as will be seen by reference
to the authenticated copy of the Deed of Conveyance of the
said land herewith exhibited) and a mare rated at
eighty dollars, and after paying the debts that I then owed
which was about sixty dollars, the balance was applied
to the purchase of the tract of land that I now live on;
I have had five head of horses to die since that time and
Page 11

four head of cattle, as to other small changes that have taken
place I cannot precisely recollect, however they have been
of a trivial nature and to a very small amount.
William A ^his mark^ Ashley
Sworn to and declared on the twenty}
seventh day of October 1830 in open court }
Jas Wardlaw
Ckl

Endd. 
South Carolina }
Abbeville District }

I Josiah J Evans one of the Circuit
Judges of the said State, presiding
at Abbeville, October Term 1830. do hereby certify that
I am satisfied with the correctness of the valuation of
his property as set forth in the within declaration
& that it is subject to the debts therein specified.
27 Octr 1830.
Josiah J. Evans.

State of South Carolina }
Abbeville District }

I James Wardlaw Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas for said
District do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction of the Court
that the said William Ashley did serve in the Revolutionary War as
stated in the preceding declaration against the common enemy for the
term of nine months or more under one engagement on the continental
establishment. I also certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule
thereunto annexed are truly copied from the records of the said Court,
and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the Court that the
total mount in value of the property exhibited in the aforesaid
schedule is four hundred and fifty four Dollars, subjected to the debt
and interest due to Charles Starke as aforesaid to the amount of
five hundred and thirty three dollars forty cents.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed the seal of the said Court
at Abbeville Court House this twenty seventh
day of October in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and thirty and
in the fifty fifth year of the Independence
of the United States of America. ~
Jas Wardlaw
Clk.
Page 12

7842
South Carolina
Agness Ashley
widow of Wm Ashley who was a Cap. of Cvy[?] in the Revolution
husband died 3 March 1837[?]

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 42 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pensions issued the 10 day of July, 1846, and sent to Tho. P. Spieren
Abbeville S.C. [illegible]

[bracket] Acts of March 3, 1843. [/bracket]

Recorded in Book [illegible] June '44
Vol. 2 Page 164

[crossed-out] Reported let to T.P. Spieren J 29 1846. [/crossed-out]

Pension Certificate
Corrected and sent to T P Spieren, Esq.
Augt 11 '46.

Copy of Family Register
Sent to T.P. Spieren, Abbeville [illegible] S.C. 29. Aug 1846.

Date of death not on A.B-
Page 13

The State of South Carolina
Abbeville District. [illegible]

I David Lesly Judge of the Court of Ordinary for the District and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Agness Ashley widow (of William Ashley, decd) who is an applicant for the benefit of the act of Congress granting half pay and pensions to certain widows passed 7 July 1838 cannot from bodily infirmity, /altho she can spin cotton upon a little wheel at home,/ attend the Court of Ordinary to make oath to her declaration that I was induced to go in person to swear her to the declaration she has made before me, that she is an old lady of credibility and veracity and whose recollection of early events appears to be good and unimpaired, altho she has no Record to aid her memory relative to her age, her marriage and death of he husband, William Ashley, for whom I called for a Bible to swear the old lady, she acknowledged there was not one in the house, and I had to obtain a Bible from one of her neighbors. That from the genuine character of the said Agness Ashley, and from my personal knowledge of her neighbors William Wire and James Wire who have testified in this application before me, I have no hesitation in certifying that there is no fraud in this application of Agness Ashley, but on the contrary believe it to be just and meritorious and well established by persons of credibility and veracity. I further certify that there never was an Office created in this State for the Registry of Marriages and that marriage is regarded as a civil contract between the parties, and that the act of living together as husband & wife is the duly proof required by this court or any other court in this State to legitamize this marriage Contract, and their [illegible] or children as legitimate heirs and representatives.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the seal of the said Court of Ordinary at Abbeville Courthouse in the State of South Carolina this fourth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty five and in the seventieth year of the Independence of the United States of America.

David Lesly, Judge of the Court of Ordinary [illegible]
Page 14

Declaration

In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th July 1838 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain windows."

State of South Carolina
Abbeville District. [illegible]

On this fourth day of September one thousand eight hundred and forty five personally appeared before me David Lesly Judge of the Court of Ordinary for the District and State aforesaid Agness Ashley a resident of the District and State aforesaid aged eighty three years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July 7 1838, entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows" That she is the widow of William Ashely whose services in the Revolutionary War is on file, or she believes in the Pension Office of the United States as he was a pensioner of the United States, and that all the papers retaken to the said Pensioners Court, to which Documentary proof she refers for the services of her deceased husband. She further declares that she was married to the said William Ashley in the month of January, in the year seventeen hundred and eighty one that her husband, the aforesaid William Ashley died on the third day of March one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine, that she was married to her said husband William Ashley prior to his leaving the service, and that her marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four viz at the time above stated, and that she has remained a widow since the death of her husband William Ashley aforesaid, that her third child, now living, is sixty years of age, that she is poor and in destitute circumstances, and earns her support by her daily labour, that she desires to be admitted to the benefit of all arrears of pension due to her deceased husband, as well as to the benefit of this and other subsequent acts of Congress for the relief of the Widows of Revolutionary Soldiers.

Agness Ashley her mark

The word "not" [illegible] before signing

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written.
Before David Lesly, Judge of the Court of Ordinary for Abbeville District
Page 15

1223 Agness Ashley
Widow of William
SC
[illegible] Sept. 28. 1845.
Act 7 July 1838
Page 16

South Carolina
Abbeville District

Personally appeared before me William Wire and James Wire who made oath, that they have been acquainted with William Ashley, the decd pensioner and his wife, Agness Ashley the applicant since the year seventeen hundred and ninety two, that the deponants were near neighbors of the said William Ashley and Agness Ashley his wife, and that during this long period of time, they the said William Ashley and Agness Ashley lived together as husband and wife and were so reputed and acknowledged, by the entire neighborhood, that they the said William Ashley and Agness Ashley his wife had two or three children when these deponants first became acquainted with them and these deponants further saith that they believe and have no Doubt of the fact that the said William Ashley and Agness Ashley his wife were properly and legally married, and that the said William Ashley was always regarded as a worthy soldier of the Revolutionary War and that the present Application of his Widow Agness Ashley is just and meritorious.

William Wire
James Wire

Sworn before me 4[?] September 1845
David Lesly
Judge of Ordinary
Abv. S.C
Page 17

In the applications of Agness Ashley for pension under the act of 1838. in explanation of her name
Page 18

The State of South Carolina
Abbeville District. [illegible]

Agness Ashley in explanation of the objection raised in her application for a pension under the act 7 July 1838 says that she was christened by the name of Agness, and that her husband always called her Ann for shortness, that she is known, and has always been called, by her neighbors as Ann, that some of her relatives named their children Ann, thro friendly regard to the applicant that whenever her husband William Ashley sold land, she always signed her Christian name Agness to her relinquishment of dower, and that explains the reason why she signed her proper Christian name to her application for a pension, to all the foregoing explanation in refernce to her name, the said Agness Ashley hath solemnly sworn to be just & true on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God and to which she has subscribed her name by affixing her mark

Agness Ashley her mark

Sworn to before me this 28th. Decr. 1845.
Geo B Clinkscales
Magistrate

Abbeville District -- I Sophiah Smith do solemnly swear, that I am the daughter of the above named Agness Ashley and her third child that according to the Register of my birth and marriage in my family Bible I was born on the third day of March, one thousand seven hundred & eighty five, and that I was married in the year Eighteen hundred and eight to David Smith, that the Register of her Birth and Marriage are in the handwriting of her husband, who is absent, and who has not been at home for three years, and his affidavit cannot be had, that my mother is generally called Ann but her real name or Christian name is Agness.

Sophia Smith her mark

Sworn to 20th Decr. 1845
Before.
Geo B Clinkscales
Magistrate
Page 19

Abbeville District
I Thos. P. Spierin do hereby certify that the following are truly copied from the family Bible of Mrs. Sophia Smith viz "David Smith was born July 2d. 1789 & married to Sophiah Ashley in 1808" -- Sophiah Ashley was born in the year of our Lord 1785 March 3 day" -- 20th. Decr. 1845.
Thos. P. Spierin

South Carolina
Abbeville District

I James W. Black Do Certify that I have bin acquainted with the within named Agnus Ashley and that I always herde her called Ann and nows that she goes by the name of ann in the [illegible] in general this the 1st Day of January 1846
Jas. W. Black

Abbeville District
I John Cuningham Do Certify that I have bin acquainted with the within named agnus ashley for the last fifty years and that I allways hered her called Ann and that She went by the name of ann thruout the neighbourhood in General this the 1st Day of January. 1846
Jn Cunningham

Abbeville District
I Geo. B. Clinkscales Do hereby Certify that I have bin acquainted with the within named agnus ashley and I always herde her Called Ann and I have frequently herde her husband william ashley Call her name Ann and her name is generly none in the neighbourhood as ole anny ashley this the 1st Day of January 1846
Geo B. Clinkscales
Page 20

South Carolina    }
Abbeville District }
I Jno F Livingston Clerk of the Court of
Sessions and Common Pleas, in and for the
District aforesaid, do hereby certify that Thomas
P Spierin, James W Black and John Cunningham who
have signed the foregoing certificate, are highly credible
Citizens of said District, and that Geo B Clinkscale is a
Magistrate duly commissioned and qualified and that
his official attestations are entitled to due faith and credit.

[Indented] Given under my hand and seal of
Office at Abbeville Court House this ninth
day of January in the year of our Lord
one thousand Eight hundred and
forty six
[Double indented signature:] Jno F Livingston
                                                       CCptGI
Page 21

SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY.--W. Riley, Pr., Charleston.

The State of South Carolina.
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRENTS, THAT I Sophia Smith daughter & heir at law of William Ashley & of Anny Ashley his widow Revolutionary pensioners office united states at the rat of [blank] do make, constitute, and appoint, [blank] my True and Lawful Attorney for me and in my name to prosecute my Claim for[?] increase and arrears of pension that may be found due on account of the services of said William Ashley an officer in the war of the revolutionary war either due to said William Ashley who was a pensioner of the United States under act of 1818 or to his said widow said Anny Ashley under act of 1836 both of whom drew pensions I resided in Abbeville District South Carolina, and I hereby authorize my said attorney to examine all papers & Documents [illegible]ing my claim on file in the Departments at Washington or elsewhere and file any additional evidence or assignments he may think proper to ensure the recovery of the same with power also, an Attorney, or Attorneys, under him for that purpose, to make and substitute, and to do all lawful acts for effecting the Premises, hereby ratifying and confirming all that my said Attorney or his Substitute or Substitutes, shall do therein, by virtue thereof.

In Witness Thereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal, this Fifteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty two

Sophia Smith seal her mark

SEALED AND DELIVERED IN THE PRESENCE OF
David Russell
Ebenezar Trible

Be it Known, That on the Fifteenth day of June one thousand eight hundred and fifty two and in the seventy sixth year of the Independence of the United States of America, before me a magistrate, duly commissioned and sworn, came Sophia Smith above named, and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney, to be her act and deed.

In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed my Seal of Office, at my office in Abbeville District in the State of South Carolina, the day and year last mentioned.

E. Trible Seal
Magistrate
Page 22

State of South Carolina ⎬ SS
District of Abbeville       ⎬         Be it known that on the
day of June AD 1852 before the subscriber a Magistrate
in and for said District personally appeared Sophia Smith and
made oath according to Law that she is the child of William Ashley
and Anny Ashley both deceased said William having been
an officer in the Revolutionary war as this deponent believes &
both of said parents having been pensioners of the United States at
the rate of ninety six Dollars per annum; that she has reason to
believe that the said pension ought to be increased and that she
is directly interested in the same and makes this affidavit
to be filed by her attorney with any additional endeavor [? illegible]
assignment he may deem necessary in the prosecution
of said claim.  Inowauthobriled [illegible] the day & year last [illegible]
above mentioned before me.
[Signature & handwritten seal] U. Luible - magistrate }
{Indented:} Sophia Smith made her mark X
[Vertical text in right hand margin:] E+ by G.W Jons Sch 8-52

State of South Carolina }
Abbeville District           } I Matthan McDonald Clerk of the
Court of Common Pleas & General Vepious[sic] for said
District do hereby certify that E Trible Esqr - before
whom the foregoing papers were executed was at
the date of the same a magistrate in & for said District
duly authorized by law to administer oaths; and that his name
thereunto subscribed is his genuine signature.

[Paragraph indented] In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set
my hand & affixed my official
seal this eighteenth day of June
AD Eighteen hundred & fifty two.
I. 76th year of American Independence-

Matthew McDonald
C. C. P. L. G. s--
home
Page 23

Antreville PO
Abbeville Co. S.C
Sept 20th/71

Comr Pensions
Please send Bible to Mrs Sarah Ashley at the above address and oblige
[illegible]
W[?] A Black

[doubled stamp] DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
PENSION OFFICE
OCT 1 1877 [/doubled stamp]
Page 24

B.L.D.
W E[?]

Department of the Interior.
PENSION OFFICE.
Washington, D.C. Aug. 14. 1877.

Dear Sir

Please furnish this Office with the names and present P.O. address of some of the descendants of Agnes Ashley wid of William Ashley a Corpl in Rev. War. The wid. made application for pension in 1844. and a Bible was sent to this Office to be filed in Evidence. It is now desired to return this Bible to the family, who formerly resided at or near your town. Please return this letter with your reply in the enclosed envelope

Very respectfully
A G Clarke
Acting Commissioner
B. Mcd.[?]

Post Master at Abbeville C.H.
Abbeville Co. S.C.
Page 25

Department of the Interior.
PENSION OFFICE.
Washington, D.C. [blank] 18[blank]

Danl Smith was born July 2d 1789 and married [illegible] Sophiah Ashley in 1808.
"Sophia Ashley was born in the year of our Lord 179[illegible]
Elizabeth Smith was born Nov 4th 1808
Danl Smith " " July 2nd. 1789 and married in the year 1808.
Agnes Smith was born Jan'y 30. 1809.
Richd " " " Aug. 17. 1810.
Joshua " " " Jan. 7. 1812.
Maryan " " Nov 13 1813 (died July 1816.)
Sharlotte " " " Feb 22. 1816.
Rebecca " " " Aug 17. 1810.
John " " " Jan 7. 1812
Danl " " " Jan 6 1824.
Page 26

File No. 9708
Agnes Ashley
Wid of Mr. Ashley
Receipt for Bible to be filed Oct 22/77.
Evans[?]

[sideways] Mo[?] J.A. Bentley
Dear Sir
I am in receipt of Bible -- all right. Many thanks
Mrs Sarah Ashley
[illegible] Black [/sideways]
Page 27

Bounty Land Div
Evans[?]

Department of the Interior.
PENSION OFFICE.
Washington, D.C. Oct 2d. 1877

Dear Madam

I herewith transmit to your address the Bible which was sent to this office, by Mrs. Agnes Ashley widow of William Ashley, to be filed in evidence in her case when she made application for pension.

Please acknowledge the receipt of the Book on the back of this letter, and return it (the letter) to this Office in the enclosed envelope.

Very respectfully
J.S. Bentley
Commissioner
[illegible]

Mrs. Sarah Ashely
Antreville P.O.
Abbeville Co
S.C.
Page 28

August 1, 1939.

Mrs. R. L. Dobyns
Rout 2, Box 154
Clarksdale, Mississippi.

BA-J/ILL[?]
William Ashley
W. 9708

Dear Madam:

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, E. 9708, based upon service of William Ashley in the Revolutionary War.

William Ashley, while a resident of Maryland, enlisted May 14, 1778, served as corporal in Captains Segond's and Brown's companies under Colonels Kewats[?] and Baron DeBose in Count Pulaski's corps and was discharged sometime in September in Beanfort, South Carolina.

He was allowed Pension on his application executed August 11, 1818, at which time he resided in Abbeville District, South Carolina. He was living there in 1790. In 1830, the soldier gave his age as seventy-three years, but did not state the date and place of his birth, nor the name of his parents.

William Ashley died March 3, 1839.

The soldier married in January, 1781, Agness, usually called Ann; her maiden name and the date and place of her birth were not given.

Agness Ashley, the soldier's widow, was allowed pension on her application executed September 4, 1845. She was then a resident of Abbeville District, South Carolina, aged eighty-three years.

The soldier and his wife, Agness, had children; the only name stated was that of Sophia, their third child, who was born March 3, 1785. In 1845, said Sophia resided in Abbeville District, South Carolina, at which time she was the wife of Daniel Smith, to whom she was married in 1808.
Page 29

In 1818, Joshua Ashley, William Ashley's brother, stated in Abbeville District, South Carolina, that he lived in Maryland at the time William served in the Revolutionary War.

The following family data are shown:

"Daniel Smith was born July 2, 1789 and married Sophia Ashley in 1808. Sophia Ashley was born in the year of our Lord 1785. Elizabeth Smith was born November 4, 1805. Daniel Smith was born July 2, 1789 and married in the year 1808*. The children of Daniel Smith and his wife, Sophia, are shown as follow:

Agnes Smith born January 30, 1809.
Richard " " August 17, 1810
Rebecca " " August 17, 1810
Joshua " " January 7, 1812
John " " January 7, 1812
Maryan " " November 13, 1813, died July 1816.
Sharlotte " " February 22, 1816
Daniel " " January 6, 1824.

In 1877, one Mrs. Sarah Ashley resided in Abbeville District, South Carolina, her post office, Antreville; her relationship to the family was not stated.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid and, possibly, the date of death of Agness Ashley, the pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, this city, and furnish the following data:

Agness Ashley, widow of William Ashely.
Certificate 7842
Issued July 10, 1846
Rate $72 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1843
Act of March 3, 1843
South Carolina Agency.

Very truly yours,
G. H. SWEET,
Acting Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

2.
Page 30

1920 Dec. 24. History to Mrs. J.D. DeHuff. [illegible].
1935. Feb. 8. Hist. to Virginia Bunegar[?]
See letter in Rev. Henry Weaver [illegible]
1939. Aug 1. Hist. to Mrs. R.L. Dobyns.
See letter in Rev. John Ashley. [illegible]

Revolution.
Maryland.
WIDOW, &c.

File No. 9708
Agness Ashley
Wid
William Ashley
Capt Rev. War

Act: [illegible] 300[?]/43 June 17, 1844.
Index:--Vol. A, Page 20

[bracket] Arrangement of 1870. [/bracket]
Page 31

V 12237[?]
Agness Ashley
Let to Tho. P. Spierin, Esq
Nov. 4 '45
[illegible]

Act 7 July 1838
Page 32

(2932)
South Carolina Roll

William Ashley
Corporal
Pulaski's legion
In the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War

Inscribed on the Roll of South Carolina at the rate of eight Dollars per month, to commenced on the 11. of August. 1818.

Certificate of Pension issued the 24 of Sept. 1818 and forwarded to Waddy Thompson Esqr. Abbeville So. Carolina

Arrears to 4th of Sept. 1818. $6.47
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4 Mar 1819. 48.00
___
arrs. 21. days. $54.47

Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.

78 One Year

District of Abbeville
Page 33

In letters 4 Augt 1828 to Dist S. L[?] Davis & 1st[?] Dec 1828, to J. Wardlaw.
[illegible] May 25. 1829 to J. Wardlaw. [illegible]
May 30. 1831
Page 34

11.009
S. Carolina
Agnes Asley
Widow of { } Ashley
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1818
and who died on the 3 March 1839
of Abeville of the State of S. C.
who was a Capt of the Compy
commanded by Captain ┃
---
of the
Regt commanded by
---
---
in
the Revolution line for 16 mo
Inscribed on the Roll of
Charleston
at the rate of 72 Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 3rd day
of March, 1839
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 day of
July 46 and sent to
T. F. Ticken Abeville
the Total amount,
=
-
Act July 7, 1838.}
Recorded by the Lumpkin Clerk
Book D Vol. 1
Page
305
Page 35

Reported
Page 36

m?[?] May 31. 1826
Pension Office
File this with the origl papers & inform the writer that A. is not entitled to pension

[illegible] have no [illegible]

[sideways] Temple of health Lowe[?]
20th May
Honorable James Barbour
Secretary of War
Washington city

mail
Page 37

South Carolina Abbeville District 20th May 1826
Honorable James Barbour Secretary of War

Respected sir, I make bold[?] to adress a few lines to you requesting you to give me some information as respects the claim of old soldiers. I wish to know what ammount of Property will debar them from receiving a pention. I make this request in behalf of an old friend of mine one William Ashley, who was placed on the pention list on the 11th day of august 1818 at the rate of $8 per month as appear by an origanal certificate in his possession dated the 24th[?] day of Sept 1818. he drew one year & a halfs pay; but in consequence of some alteration in the law requiring the pentioner to render in a schedule of their property he has drawn nothing since -- he having understood that no person could or wold be continued who had to the amount of #300.00 he thought his property worth more & have never rendered in a schedule

--turn over--
Page 38

the old man posesses about 200 acres of poor land perhaps worth $600 and 2 horses worth say $100 2 or 3 cows & other small property $100 more making about the sum of eight hundred Dollars his children has all left him his plantation gone to wreck old and worn out he himself 70 yea of age and a criple from a white swelling in his hip. his wife is old and helpless he is in reality an object of charity he hates to sell his old plan & have no house over his head, and it is a positive fact it will not rent for what will barly support him & his wife in the most plain & poor manner.

if ever there was a neciety[?] for government to extend the hand of charity to any one he is one. it is well known that he was a galant soldier in the revolution, has been a civil honest industrious citizen ever since and is now poor and needy--

I hope you will be good enough to give him such information as to the amount of property
Page 39

that will prevent him from being reinstated on the pention list and also the manner of proceedings to be had in the case

direct your answer to James A. Black Esq. Abbeville District So Car. Temple of Health Post Office, your attention to this case will be duly acknoledged & thankfully served by your most obt svt

James A. Black
Page 40

William Ashley Sr
To
Martin Fralix

Copy Release
Page 41

State of South Carolina
Abbeville District

Know all men by these presents that I William Ashley (senior) of the State and District aforesaid for and in consideration of the sum of three hundred & eighty dollars to me in hand paid by Martin Fralix of the said State and District, have granted bargoned sold and released and by these presents do grant bargon sell & release unto the said Martin Fraliz a small parcel or tract of land containing seventy one & one fourth [illegible] (be the same more or less) situated lying and being in the District of Abbeville on a branch of Johnsons Creek adjoining land belonging to Thomas David, John Ashley James Pringle and others and having such shape form & marks  as are set forth by a fiat[?] made out by Thomas Pratt D.L.[?] on the twenty ninth day of December 1825. Together with all and singular the rights members here ditrements[?] or appurtanences to the said primeses belonging or in any wise incident or appurtaining to have and to hold all and singular the primeses before discribed unto the said Martin Fralix his heirs or asigns to warrant and forever defend all and singular the primeses above mentioned unto the said Martin Fralix his heirs or asigns against myself and my heirs or asigns and also against the lawfull claim or claims of all and every person whomsoever claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty second day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight and of the Independence of the United States of America the fifty second

William Ashley Seal

Signed sealed and delivered in presents of [illegible]
Samuel Shaw
Reuben S. Haynie

Sought Carolina
Abbeville District

Personally came before me Samuel Shaw and being duly sworn on oath saith that he was present and did see William Ashley on his own act & deed sign seal and deliver the above deed of conveyance for the used & purposed therein set forth and that himself and Reuben Haynie in the presents of each other did subscribe there named as witnesses to the due execution of the same.

Samuel Shaw.

Sworn to and subscribed this 22nd day of September 1828.
Before me James A. Black J.Q.

State of South Carolina. Abbeville District.

I James A. Black a Justice of the Quorum do hereby certify unto all whom it may concern, that Anne Ashley the wife of the within named William Ashley did this day appear before me and upon being privatly and seperatly examined by me did declare that she did freely volentarily and without any compultion dread or fear of any person or persons whomsoever renounce release and forever relinquish unto the within named Martin Fralix her heirs and asigns all his intrest and estate and also all her right and claim of dower of in or to all and singular the primeses within mentioned and released. Given under my hand and seal this 30th day of September 1828.

J.B. James A. Black J.Q.

Anne Ashley her mark

July 29th 1830. I assign the within deed to James Adams of South Carolina Abbeville District for value [illegible]

Martin Fraliz
Test. Gabriel Spruitt.

Recorded the fifteenth day of September 1830 and Examined per Ja. Wardlaw Register
Page 42

The State of South Carolina
Abbeville District 
and
Office of the Register of
Mesne Conveyances
I do hereby certify that the within is a true copy of a Release from William
Ashley Senior to Martin Fralis taken from Record Book No1 Page 450
-
Given under my hand this twenty first day of October 1830.
Ja. Wardlaw
Register
The State of South Carolina
.
Abbeville District
Register
I James Wardlaw Clerk of the Courts of
General Sessions and Common Pleas for the said
District do hereby certify that the within is a true Copy of a Release from William
Ashley Sr to Martin Fralis, that the form of the Conveyance is such as
is established by law for conveying an estate absolute and in fee in real estate ┃
in this State (See Acts of Assembly 1795.) and further that I am Register of ┃
conveyances by virtue of my Office of Clerk
Given under my hand and seal of Office of the said Court at
Abbeville Courthouse this fourth day of July in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one
J. Wardlaw
Clk. & Register
Page 43

War Department
Pension Office
May 30. 1831

Sir.

I herewith return the documents in support of the claim of William Ashley to a renewal of his pension under the act of May 1. 1820. It appears that the only debt due by the claimant is the one to Charles Stark for $421.80[?] with interest. This was for a Negro man purchased in November 1826. This same Negro is valued in the claimants schedule at $250 only. If the slave is less valuable by reason of any bodily infirmity than at the time he was bought of Stark, or if that description of property has fallen in value generally, the fact should be proved by proper evidence. The copy of the deed from teh claimant to Martin Fralix should be authenticated. If you have no seal of office as Register of deeds, your signature and official character must be certified by the proper officer under his seal of office.
Page 44

Fralix to whom this deed was made, should state under oath why he took a mere release of the claimants interest in the land in preference to the ordinary deeds of bargain and sale.

I am respectfully,
Your obt. Servt.
J.L. Edwards

James Wardlaw. Esq
Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas.
Abbeville
South Carolina
Page 45

State of South Carolina
Abbeville District

I James A. Black being duly sworn say: That I have been well acquainted with a negro man named Jacob for many years; that the said Jacob formerly was the property of Charles Starke but now is the property of William Ashley; that I am now well acquainted with the said negro & that I know that the said William Ashley gave to the said Charles Starke more for the said negro than he was worth at the time that Ashley bought him; that since 1826 the time of the purchase by the said William Ashley the price & value of negroes has much fallen & depreciated, so that at this time I do not believe that the said negro would command in our market more than two hundred & fifty Dollars the price at which he is put down in the schedule of the said William Ashley

James A. Black

sworn to this day of June 1831 before Moses Taggart[?] J.Q.
Page 46

The State of South Carolina
Abbeville District

I James Wardlaw Clerk of the Courts of General Pensions and Common Pleas for the District of Abbeville aforesaid do hereby certify that Moses Taggart Esqr before whom the within affidavit was made and who had attested to the same is an acting Justice of the Quorum in and for the District aforesaid that all due faith and credit are and ought to be given to his official attestations and that the signature within purporting to be his is genuine.

Given under my hand and seal of Office at Abbeville Court House this fourth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty one.

Jas. Wardlaw
Clk.
Page 47

State of South Carolina
Abbeville District

Personally came before me the subscribing Justin Charles Stark Esqr. and on oath saith that William Ashley who is about to make application to be placed on the pention list, is justly indebted to him the sum of four hundred and twenty one Dollars and eighty six cents by note of hand bearing date the 25th day of November 1826, which note was given to him as the price of Negro man sold by him to the said William Ashley, that it is a fair, just, and proper debt, without any fraud.

Sworn to and subscribed this 13th day of October 1829 before me
James A. Black J.Q.
C. Stark

The State of South Carolina
Abbeville District

I James Wardlaw Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the District of Abbeville aforesaid do hereby certify that James A Black before whom the foregoing affidavit was made is an acting Justice of the Quorum in for said District, that all due faith and credit are to be given to his official acts, and that the above signature purporting to be his is genuine.

Given under my hand and seal of Office at Abbeville Courthouse this twenty seventh day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and thirty.

Jas. Wardlaw
Clk.
Page 48

12.232 act '47[?] 8927
act '44 617[?]

Agness Ashley
S.C.

Act 7 July '38.

[illegible]
16 mos. Corpl. Cavalry
$72
commencing from 3d March 1839, when husband died

Also acts '43 & '44.
$72.

Thomas P. Spieren, Esq.
Abbeville C.H.
S.C.
Page 49

The State of South Carolina
Abbeville District.

I James Wire do solemnly swear, that Mr. Thos. P Spierin having shown me a letter from JL Edwards Commissioner of Pensions in relation to the claim of Agness Ashley widow of William Ashley from which the [illegible]ing copy of an extract is taken viz "James and William Wire who testified to a knowledge of claimant, and her alleged husband in 1792 should show by what process they recollect having known them in that year" do hereby depose more particularly as follows

I James Wire do swear that I and my brother William Wire with our father and mother took shipping at Larne in Ireland in the month of November one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine and arrived in the city of Charleston in the month of February one thousand seven hundred and ninety and came to Abbeville District where they reside [illegible] a Wm. Hodge [illegible] October one thousand seven hundred and ninety and in the same month of October the same year removed to the neighborhood and within half a mile of the said William Ashley and Agness his wife the claimant, and have been personally their neighbor and acquaintance from the month of October one thousand seven hundred and ninety to the present time. I further depose, that I have a sister, who was born on the Ocean on our passage to this country, and that she is fifty six years old since July last, that my brother William who deposed with myself in this matter heretofore died in the month of Oct last, and that he with myself deposed, generally, without deeming it requisite to state particular facts, as appears to be required by the Commissioner of Pensions. I further swear that the said Agness Ashley is the widow of the said William Ashley, who was a pensioner of the United States, and that his said widow goes oftener by the name of Ann, than Agness, and that she is the same individual, and widow of the said William Ashley and that he never had any other wife than the said Agness or Ann as aforesaid.

James Wire

Sworne to before me this the 6th day of March 1846
John Brownlee
Magestrate
Page 50

South Carolina Abbeville District I Jno F Livingston Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the District of Abbeville do hereby certify that John Brownlee who hath subscribed the within affidavit is an acting Magistrate in said District duly commissioned and qualified, that all due faith is and ought to be given to his attestations as such, and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is Given under my hand and seal of office at Abbeville Court House this seventh day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Forty Six
Jno F Livingston
CCP
South Carolina Abb. Dist 
I David Lesly, Judge of the Court of Ordinary of said District, do certify, that James Wire whose statement & deposition, in the matter of Agnes Ashly, foregoing, is the same witness who deposed on a former occasion in the same claim before me with his brother William Win now dec’d— and that they are both men of high respectability & veracity - worthy of all confidence & belief.
Given under my hand & seal of office at Abbeville Court house 7 May 1846 David Lesly O.A.D.
Page 51

T.P. Spierini
April 14. ‘46
Page 52

Pension Office
April 14 1846

Sir

The additional testimony in the case of Mrs. Agnes Ashley has been examined and filed. The requisition contained in my letter to you of the 4 Nov ulto have not been satisfactory complied with. The original family record should be sent here that this office may upon an examination of it determine what weight it is entitled to as testimony in support of the date of the marriage of the claimant. James and Wm. Wire who testified to a knowledge of claimant and her alleged husband in '92 should show by what process of they recollect of having known them in that year. It should also be shown that claimant is the widow of Wm. Ashley who was a pensioner.

Thos P Speirin Esq
Abbeville, S.C.
Page 53

So Car
Abbeville Court House
7 May 1846

J.L. Edwards - Comm of Pensions

Sir

Enclosed you will receive the [illegible] bible which contains the record of Danl P Smith who married Sophia Ashley (the daughter of Agnes or Ann Ashley the claimant and her husband Wm. Ashley formerly a pensioner of the United States) and the children of the said Danl & Sophia - accompanied also by a very particular affidavit of James Wire whose credibility is authenticated by Wm. Lesly Judge of the Court of Ordinary - The Little Bible is regarded by Wm Smith as a valuable heirloom or relic and requests that it may be sent back to her when the department is satisfied with its inspection.

Yours very respectfully

Thos P Spierin
Page 54

10

Hon J L Edwards
Commissioner Pensions
Washington City
Dist. Columbia

Agnes Ashley
S.C. 
Act '43
Page 55

So Ca
Abbeville W. House
22 July 1846.
Hon J L Edwards
Dr Sir
I recd by the last mail two certificates in
favor of Agness Ashley Widow of Wm Ashley decd. The 1st
Astificate under the Act July 7. 1838. gives her a pension of seventy
two dollars annum commencing from 3d March 1839 and
terminating on the 4th March 1841.
The 2 certificate in favor of Agness Ashby widow
of Wm. Ashby decd under the acts 3 March 1843 & 17 June 1844
gives her a pension of seventy two dollars per Annum commencing
from 4 March 1843 and terminating on the 4th March 1844 &c
-
The object of this address, is the simple enquiry
whether there is an error in the latter certificate or not, by it
one year's pension is only given terminating 4 March 1844. It 
struck me, perhaps there was an error as to the date, or
time of termination which may have occurred in the best
practical & agitated officer more especially from  the great pace
of business in your Department. I have retained the
certificate to forward back to you, if you require it be
pleased to advise me on the subject, I shall draw for the
old lady on the 1st Certificate as she needs some help.
Yours very
Respectfully
Thos Spierce
Page 56


638

Pension Office
July 29. 1846
Hi
I have received your letter of
the 22 to wit in relation to the pension of
Agness Ashley and have to request
that you will return the pension
certificate issued under the acts of
March 3, 1843 and June 17, 1844, for
Correction.
Mos P.  Spierin, Esq
Abbeville C.H.
L C
Page 57

Aug 18 46
     [time stamp illegible]
Mr Lumpkin
r
Hon J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
Des of Columbia

free 
(illegible)
Page 58

Abbeville Courthouse
5 Aug 1846
Hon J L Edwards
Sir.
Agreeably to your request, I have enclosed 
the Pension Certificate of Agness Ashley
under the act 3 March 1843 and
 17th June 1844 for Correction

Yours very Respectfully
Thos P. Spierin
Page 59

E
29 Aug 1846
[time stamp illegible]
 Hon J L Edwards
Washington City
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
De of Columbia

10
Page 60


Abbeville Courthouse
24 Aug 1846
Hon J L Edwards
Sir
I forwarded to your office an old Small
Bible, in which were the ages of Mrs Smith and her family to be used as evidence in the case of Mrs Agness Ashley, who is the mother of Mr Smith:- I obtained the Bible, under a promise of getting it again; altho the Book is not worth
25 cts, she attaches great value to it as it has the birthes of her children, a certified copy of the entire Registry in the Bible will be satisfactory, in the event the Bible cannot be returned. Will you be pleased to aid me in this matter having neglected to take a copy of the record set down in the Bible,
I very much oblige not only Mr Smith but

Your very Respectfully
Thos P. Sperin
Page 61

J.L. Edward Esq
Page 62

L
you will oblige me by replacing
M. Ashley on the pension
Roll
as his declaration sum to be now
complete. You will perceive that the
little made by him to the trust
of land sold is a warranty title
You [ ] at
Geo McDuffie
Page 63

Revo I.F.IV.E
Time Stamp "Record Division NOV 23 1920"
U. S. Indian School
Santa Fe, New Mexico
November 17, 1920
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C
Dear Sirs:
The Secretary of the
South Carolina Histrical Commission at
Columbia, S.C. has written me that my ancester William Ashley received a pension about


Time stamp "Pension Office Nov 22 1920 S."
Page 64

1835 for his services in the Revolutionary War
. Will you kindly send me a copy of William
Ashley's records.
Thanking you I am
Very truly yours,
Mrs. J.D. De Huff
Page 65

Revolutionary War Records Section
W9708

3-525
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington D.C.

In reply to your request of blank received blank for a statement of the military history of William Ashley 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.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment - May 14, 1778
Length of Service - To Sept 1779
Rank - Corp.
Officers under whom service was rendered
Captains - Segand and Brown
Colonels - Baron De Bosel and Kowatz
State - In Count Pulaski's Corps

Battles engaged in - checkmark
Residence of Soldier at enlistment - [illegible] MD
Date of application for pension - Aug 11, 1818, His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application - Abbeville District, S.C.
Age at date of application - He died Mar 3, 1839 - aged about 82 yrs
Remarks - Sol married Jan 1781 Agness (also called Ann) her maiden name is not stated. She was allowed pension on her application executed Sept 4, 1845, at which time she was 83 yrs old & a resident of Abbeville Dist. S.C. They had children only name stated being their 3rd child Sophia born Mar 3, 1784, who married in 1808 Daniel Smith Born July 2, 1789

Respectfully
Commissioner.

I could not decide which were children of Sophia & Daniel Smith on copy - it is very much [illegible]. I was afraid to use it evidently incorrect.
Page 66

February 8, 1935

BA-J/ILL
William Ashley
W.9708
Henry Weaver
S.39120

Virginia Bunegar
5620 South Sangamon Street
Chicago, Illinois

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the revolutionary war records of William Ashley and Henry Weaver, both pensioners of South Carolina and desire to know why their names were dropped from the pension rolls in 1820.

The records of these two soldiers are given herein as found in pension claims based upon their service in the Revolutionary War.

William Ashley - W. 9708

William Ashley while a resident of Maryland, enlisted May 14, 1778, served as corporal in Captains Segond's and Brown's companies under Colonels Kowatz and Baron DeBose in Count Pulaski's corps and was discharged sometime in September 1779 in Beaufort, South Carolina.

He was allowed pension on his application executed August 11, 1818, at which time he resided in Abbeville District, South Carolina. He was living there in 1790. In 1830 the soldier gave hi age as seventy-three years, but did not state the date and place of his birth or names of his parents.

William Ashley died March 3, 1839.

The soldier married in January 1781, Agness, usually called Ann; her maiden name and the date and place of her birth are not shown.

Agness Ashley the soldier's widow was allowed pension on her application executed September 4, 1845; she was then a resident of Abbeville District, South Carolina, aged eighty-three years.
Page 67

William Ashley and his wife Agness had children the only name stated was that of Sophia their third child, who was born March 3, 1786. In 1845 said Sophia resided in Abbeville District, South Carolina and was then the wife of Daniel Smith to whom she was married in 1808.

In 1818, soldier's brother, Joshua Ashley stated in Abbeville District South Carolina that he lived in Maryland at the time his brother William served in the Revolutionary War.

The following family data are shown - 

"Danniel Smith was born July 2, 1789, and married Sohpia Ashley in 1808. Sophia Ashley was born in the year of our Lord 1785. Elizabeth Smith was born November 1805. Daniel Smith was born July 2, 1789, and married in the year 1808." The children of Daniel Smith and Sophia his wife are shown as follows:

Agnes Smith was born January 30, 1809
Richard Smith was born August 17, 1810
Rebecca Smith was born August 17, 1810
Joshua Smith was born January 7, 1812
John Smith was born January 7, 1812
Maryan Smith was born Nove 13, 1813 died July 1816
Sharlotte Smith was born February 22, 1816
Daniel Smith was born January 6, 1824

In 1877 one Mrs. Sarah Ashley was a resident of Abbeville County, South Carolina, her post office Antreville, her relationship to the family was not stated.

Henry Weaver - S.39120

Henry Weaver enlisted in South Carolina in March 1776 served as a private in Captain William Brown's company, reenlisted in May 1777,

2.
Page 68

served as private in Captain William McClintock's company, Colonel Thomas Sumtor's 6th South Carolina regiment and in Colonels William Henderson's and James Williams' South Carolina regiments, was in the battle of Stone, and was discharged near Cambridge, South Carolina, having served four years.

Henry Weaver was allowed pension on his application executed June 2, 1818, at which time he resided in Edgefield District, South Carolina. In 1828 the soldier gave his age as seventy-seven years but did not state the date and place of his birth or names of his parents. His wife was living then her name not shown; one grandchild Elijah Butler, or Butter, aged about twelve years, lived with them, the names of his parents not designated.

There are no further data relative to the family of Henry Weaver.

The names of both these pensioners were dropped from the rolls under the Act of May 1, 1830, because when the schedules of their properties were submitted, it was shown that they possessed too much to remain on the pension rolls under that law. Both were restored to the pension rolls subsequently when it was proven that they had suffered losses which reduced the value of their holdings.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

3.
Page 69

August 1, 1939

BA-J/AWF
John Ashly R281 - See Letter
William Ashley - W.9708

Mrs. R.L. Dobyns
Clarksdale, R.2 Box 154
Mississippi

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letters in which you request the revolutionary war records of the following soldiers - 

William Ashley, serve in Pulaski's Legion alter lived in Abbeville Couty, South Carolina
William Ashley served in Captain Robertson's company under Sumter in the South Carolina troops;
John Ashley, "a pack horse man" in Captain Mapps' company, Colonel Roebucks' South Carolina regiment.
Thomas Dobyns, father and son of Richmond County, Virginia

The revolutionary war records of this office have been searched and no claim for pension or bounty land found based upon service of any soldier with the surname "Dobyns". The name Dobbins has been searched, also of a Thomas Dobbins, under any spelling of that surname.

You are furnished herewith the revolutionary war records of William Ahsley and John Ashly both of South Carolina. These are the records of the only William and John Ashley (Ashly) found on file in the Revolutionary war pension records of this office of South Carolina.

Very truly yours

G.H. Sweet
Acting Executive Assistant
to the Administrator